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Countertop

2 years ago

What has been used for the kitchen countertop?

Kitchen Remodel in Centreville, Va. · More Info

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PRO
FA Design Build
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
The Island countertop is Cambria Helmsley and on the perimeter cabinets we used Silestone Eternal Marfil. Thanks so much for your interest!
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HOW TO CARE FOR AND MAINTAIN YOUR NATURAL STONE GRANITE COUNTERTOPS.
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One of the biggest fears people may have about natural stone is the maintenance it requires. With many individuals increasingly turning to the use of natural materials in the home, granite has become the countertop of choice. Synthetic solid surface materials are no match for the richness, depth, and incredible performance of real granite. Unlike laminates and solid-surface materials, a hot pot or frying pan has no effect on granite’s mirror-like finish. Most importantly, by choosing a granite countertop you not only give your kitchen everlasting performance and beauty, but you also increase the value of your home. Granite is also a very hard mineral and is virtually impervious to abrasions, impact damage and heat. However, the material is prone to cracking due to mechanical stresses caused by repeated heating and cooling. While the seams in between slabs provide some leeway for this repeated expansion and contraction, it is best to keep granite away from sources of large heat fluctuations. You’ll find caring for your natural stone is easy. The best care you can give your natural stone is preventive care. By following a few suggestions, your countertops will last a lifetime while maintaining a brand-new appearance. BASIC CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE 1. AVOID USING CLEANING PRODUCTS WITH ANY KIND OF ACID OR ABRASIVE. Avoid using harsh cleaning agents that contain strong acids/alkaline (e.g. bleach, glass cleaners, ammonia, degreasers) or abrasives (e.g. powdered ceramic/bathroom cleaners) as it can cause the sealant to discolour and scratch. Warm water, mild dishwashing liquid, and soft clean cloth are generally all that’s needed to maintain your granite countertop surface. 2. AVOID SUBJECTING YOUR GRANITE COUNTERTOP TO HEAVY WEIGHTS AND PRESSURE. While hard, granite surfaces are brittle and you should not stand, kneel on, sit or stack heavy objects onto your countertops as they could crack or break. This doesn’t mean that granite is fragile, however, and it’s perfectly capable of supporting microwaves, dish holders and other moderately heavy objects. 3. DO NOT PLACE HOT PANS OR OTHER OBJECTS DIRECTLY ON YOUR COUNTERTOPS. Again, hot objects can cause the sealant to discolour (mainly in dark granites) and/or cracking. Always use a protective barrier between any hot object and granite such as trivet or mat. Unsealed granite countertops do not have this problem, but are highly porous and come with other problems. 4. WIPE OFF SPILLS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. Sealed granite countertops are surprisingly resilient to stains from citric acid, coffee tea, alcohol, or wine. However, as a preventive measure, wipe up any spills on the countertops within a reasonable amount of time and do not let liquid sit on the countertop overnight. 5. Watch out for oil stains. Granite is most prone to staining by oil – be careful not to place any pots or frying pans with oil traces on the bottom on the countertop surface. Blot oil and acid spills as soon as they happen, and clean with mild soap and warm water to avoid any harm to your countertops. If the oil stains remain, there is a special cleaning procedure for the removal of deep-seated, time-set dirt and grime. A general poultice with baby or baking soda and water is the best remedy. First, moisten the surface of the granite with the same liquid that made the paste. Next, apply the poultice paste to the granite surface about half an inch thick. Tape plastic sheeting over the poultice area, and allow it to sit for 48 hours. Remove the poultice with a spatula, rinse the cleansed area with clean water, wipe off excess water, and allow the surface to dry. 6. RINSE SOAP AND WASHING DETERGENTS OFF TO PREVENT LIME BUILD UP. 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The integrated sink is getting more popular lately because of its seamless design and irresistible look. Integrated sinks are made from the same material as the countertop. For example, if your countertop is made from quartz, then the sink is within the piece without any slit. This option is only valid for materials flexible enough to be fabricated into the shape of a sink basin, include quartz, marble, and solid surface. People adore the seamless appearance of a smooth transition from sink to surface. What you might not know is, the integrated sink is produced by the countertop manufacturer, not the sink manufacturer. Integrated sinks are fused in place in the countertop factory. There is a wide variety of integrated sinks, as they are available in quartz, copper, marble, concrete, etc. in elegant finishes to complement your kitchen and bathroom designs. Besides the appealing look, the integrated sink also brings many benefits that might surprise you. 1. Low Maintenance One-piece construction means no crevices for capturing dirt, hair, or other food debris. The materials used to make integrated sinks are majority stain resistant. Some are even resilient to scratches and antibacterial even without polishing. These make cleaning easier and save your time on maintaining the quality of the surface. It is the ideal kind of sink for the public washroom in your home that needs a quick refresh after every guest uses the room. 2. Easy to Install As the integrated sink and the countertop are joined, your supplier can complete the installation in a short time at an affordable price. A DIY installation is not recommended though. 3.Safer to Use Unlike integrated sinks, the common sinks are made from different material than the countertop. There might be the uneven thickness of surface materials, finishes, or shape of accessories that can be harmful to you or the kids. Integrated sinks are connected with the countertop without any cut-in between, making it a safer choice for home. 4.Stylish Designs For integrated sinks, there are numerous materials, shapes, and styles to review. For the shape, you can get either round, square, or layered. Bended and straight style integrated sinks are available too. In addition, you can also match your integrated sink design with the backsplash of your kitchen and wall in the bathroom to express sophistication. There are limited materials that are versatile enough to be fabricated into integrated sinks. A primary factor that must be taken into consideration when choosing an integrated sink is that the countertop and the sink are permanently joined and should be treated as a single unit. Therefore, if the sink or countertop is damaged or cracked, the other piece must also be replaced. Below are a few popular types of integrated sink – and the advantages of each material. 1. Quartz Sink Quartz sink is a simple and elegant engineered surface. There is a wide variety of colours to choose from, which are fade-proof due to the product’s inherent characteristics. As this material is non-porous (thus more hygienic), it is not a problem to rinse vegetables and other food in the sink. Moreover, quartz sink is heat resistant, so hot pots can be placed directly into it after cooking. Advantages of Quartz Sink Highly durable Less noise due to its natural sound-proofing quality Smooth surface – easy to maintain Non-absorbent, stain or dirt can be easily removed Hygienic – bacteria and odor resistant Long-lasting color and uniformity Heat resistant Granite Sink One of the hardest known minerals, granite is the first choice of natural rock when a combination of durability and aesthetics is required. The few advantages of a granite sink are: Gorgeous looking Highly durable Resistant to water mark and scratches Cheaper compared to quartz Solid Surface Sink The installation of solid surface countertop has been increasingly popular in home construction and remodeling projects. It is heated and fabricated to form top sheets of countertop and sink together. Dust resistant Antibacterial Contains recycled content Invisible seams Non-porous Resistant to heat Integrated sink is a durable, seamless alternative for homeowners who desire something other than a regular stainless steel sink in the kitchen, or an old tile vanity top in their bathroom. Integrated sinks are made of materials with smooth yet stain resistant surfaces (with many finishes to opt for). The decision to choose one over another may be based on which qualities you are looking for in a sink. Need expert advice for a customized project?Contact Stone Amperor to get the answers to your current renovation issues.
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Agree with HotelAC above. Perhaps Metallic Epoxy can help you with your countertop maintenance woes! Head over to www.metallicepoxy.sg to learn more!
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