Granite counter tops
Before
choosing granite counter tops, you should consider these tips to make sure you
choose a product that is not only beautiful, but also durable. Granite counters
tops - care and maintenance
Cut costs
by not using a sink under the mount. The manufacturer usually cuts the granite counter top you
buy to adapt it to the type of sink you use. Sinks under mounting require more
cuts than sinks and make the slab more expensive. It is best to buy the sink
before buying the counter
top.
View in gallery choose granite
counter tops
Widely
available ¾-inch counter tops are more fragile and require rolled edges and
supports, which makes them a more affordable investment, but that could
disappoint in the long term. Better choose 1 inch counter tops. You will pay
more, but you will get superior quality.
Look at
cracks and natural graves. They add to the natural beauty of the stone, but
sometimes it can also make it more likely to be damaged, especially when the
thickness of the counter
top is less than 1 inch. Ask the manufacturer or
seller to explain how these imperfections affect the stone and if they can
cause damage.
View in gallery clean granite
counter tops
Get an
edge designed to fit in your cabinet. Not all manufacturers allow you to customize the
edges, but those who do can provide a counter top that is more attractive and
suits your home better. If the standard is acceptable to you, then beveled edges
are a popular option.
View in gallery kitchen with
granite counter tops
Opt for
granite seamless counter tops. They are more expensive than those that use
seams, but they look better. The seams tend to look worse over time, and
although when you’re counter top is newly installed they are
fine, in five or ten years they could make you want a new counter top.
It may be in your best interest to buy granite counter tops from local
suppliers, as you can contact them at any time, visit their showroom and granite
options, as well as save on transportation costs. Ask as many questions as you
need to make sure you are getting the best granite to meet your needs. Useful
tips to maintain and care for granite counter top
One of the
biggest fears that people may have about natural stone is the maintenance it
requires. The hardness of granite is similar to that of diamond and this makes
it virtually impervious to abrasions, stains and heat. (It is important to note
that granite will not withstand the stress of temperature, such as chimneys,
where the stone expands and contracts in a very short period of time, but seams
will prevent cracks.)
View in gallery granite counter top designs
You will
see that taking care of your natural stone is easy. Hot water, soft dish washing liquid,
and soft clean cloth are generally all you need to maintain your granite counter top surface.
The best care you can give your natural stone is preventive care. Following
some suggestions, your counter tops will last a lifetime maintaining a
completely new look.
View in gallery original granite counter top designs
Basic
cleaning and maintenance: avoid using cleaning products with any type of acid
or abrasive; they can cause discoloration or scratches.
Do not
place hot pants or other objects directly on your counter tops. This can cause discoloration (mainly
in dark granites) and / or cracking. Always use a protective barrier between
any hot object and granite.
View in gallery Great granite counter top designs
Granite
counter tops are surprisingly resistant to stains such as citric acid, tea,
coffee, alcohol or wine, and it is practically impossible to scratch them.
However, as a preventive measure, clean up any spills on the counter tops
within a reasonable amount of time and do not let the liquid sit on the counter top overnight.
It is important to note that granite is more prone to oil staining. Granite
counter tops for modern kitchens
View in gallery nice granite counter top designs
Be careful
not to place pots or pans with traces of oil on the surface of the counter top.
Clean the oil and acid spills as soon as they happen, and clean with mild soap
and warm water to avoid any damage to your counter tops.
If oil
stains remain, there is a special cleaning procedure for removing dirt deeply
embedded in time. A general poultice with baking soda and water is the best
remedy. First, moisten the granite surface with the same liquid that made the
paste. Next, apply the poultice paste to the granite surface approximately ½
"thick. Glue a plastic sheet tape over the poultice area, and allow it to
sit for 48 hours. Remove the poultice with a spatula, rinse the cleaned area
with clean water, clean the excess water and let the surface dry.
View in gallery take care
granite countertop
Granite
tends to attract soap remnants. Rinse with clean, hot water on a regular basis
and use a paper towel to dry. Another way to eliminate the accumulation of
lime, soap, dry spots or spills, is to use a straight razor blade in a gentle
scraping motion. Do not use lime removal products or cleaning products that
contain ammonia, as this will affect the seal of the stone.
View in gallery take care
of a granite countertop
For tough
stains you can also use grade 00 dry steel wool, or a sponge to try to remove them.
Tips for maintaining and caring for granite counter tops
Chips in
granite are not a common occurrence. When they happen, chips are most often
caused by a bump on the edge of the countertop. Be careful when handling heavy
pots and pans around your granite profiles, as these are the most likely to
cause imperfections. If you see a chip and you find the piece that splintered,
stick it in place.
View
in gallery
keeps a granite countertop
Perform
the paper towel test to determine if your granite needs to be sealed. Some
types of granite never need sealing and the addition of the sealant to these
types will cause a sting. Soak a paper towel or a white cotton towel. Place the
water soaked towel on the counter and wait for about 5 minutes. Is the area
under the dark paper towel of water soaking in granite? If it is discolored,
its granite needs to be sealed to resist spills and water-based stains.
View in gallery how to
maintain a granite countertop
Perform
the solvent test to see if an oil stain enters the granite. Simply clean some
paint on the countertop and
leave for 5 to 10 minutes. If, after removing it, the stone does not darken,
there will also be no oily staining agent such as cooking oil. If it gets dark,
you should use a solvent-based sealer to protect your countertop against
oil stains.
In short,
if the granite darkens with water or paint thinner, then you must seal. If
there is no color change,
you really do not need a sealer on your granite countertop.
View in gallery how to
care for granite counter tops
The
easiest way to make your granite look great is to avoid bad habits that can
damage it. Granite, marble, travertine, limestone, soapstone, quartz and
solid surfaces are similar in many ways, but their differences require
different degrees of maintenance.
View in gallery how to
maintain and care for granite counter tops
If you use
granite on your countertop you
should consider and pay attention to the cleaning procedures, regardless of the
type of stone or surface. This way you will eliminate most of the possible
problems without having to think about it too much or worry that it may be
causing damage.
Acidic
substances such as wine, coffee, fruit juices, tomato sauce and soda will not
be etched on granite as marble do, but could stain the surface.
View in gallery kitchen surfaces
Cooking
oils can also leave a stain if they are not cleaned. To avoid this, clean the
surfaces with a sponge or soft cloth. How to maintain granite counter tops
View in gallery clean granite
surfaces
Using a
specially formulated natural stone cleaner is recommended to keep your counter
tops in the best condition and protect the sealant, but hot water is ideal for
quick cleanings.
Soap will
not permanently damage your granite, but repeated use of soap will cause
accumulation (yes, even if you rinse) and could mask the brightness of your countertop.
Therefore, the use of regular soap is not recommended.
View in gallery tips on
how to clean granite surfaces
We suggest
using coasters even for bottles and cans. Again, granite is not etched and the
use of coasters in dense or properly sealed granite is not an absolute
necessity as is the case with marble, but the use of coasters is only a good practice to
protect all surfaces.
View in gallery tips on
how to clean granite counter tops
Use hot
pieces and pads under pots and pans. It is possible that granite (or any stone
or quartz) suffers "thermal shock" and cracks, but it is rare. You
should not really put hot pants on any other surface except soapstone.
The grain
that is trapped between the pot and the countertop surface can scratch the
surface, even granite counter tops. Granite is very hard and can withstand many
blows without any significant damage, but it can develop surface scratches in
areas of high use around the sink.
View in gallery Kitchen Island
with granite surface
It is not
common, but it is possible. And all other surfaces are softer than granite.
It's better to prevent than to cure.
View in gallery Kitchen Island
with granite countertop
If it
happens, don't worry too much. Most chips and scratches can be repaired, but it
is better to avoid them.
Also, once
you remove the hot pan from the countertop, the surface will be very hot and can
burn. Use cutting boards. Again, you should avoid the possibility of scratching
the surface and protecting your knives. The stone cut will turn off and damage
the edges of the knives quickly.
View in gallery work surface
Clean the dust
from your natural stone counters tops regularly. Use a clean, dry and untreated
dust cloth. Some people choose to use a vacuum cleaner. But be careful; Worn
parts or sand jammed by the wheels may scratch the surface.
View in gallery granite work
surface
Do not use
generic cleaning products such as bleach, glass cleaners, degreasers or
other common cleaning products.
These
products that you buy at your local store contain acids, alkalis and
other chemicals that will degrade the granite sealant (and engrave the marble)
leaving the stone more vulnerable to staining.
View in gallery granite kitchen countertop
Trying to
save money by using these chemicals only ensures that you will spend much more
time and money on your granite in the long term. Do not use vinegar, ammonia,
lemon or orange as cleaners. Again, most commonly used products are not good for
cleaning granite counter tops (and definitely cannot be used for marble, travertine or
most stones)
Do not use
bathroom cleaners, bathtubs, tiles or grout cleaners. Powders and even
"soft" creams contain abrasives that scratch and overwhelm surfaces.
Do not sit or stand at the counters.
Unlike
counter tops laminate, granite counter tops, marble and quartz they are very
hard, but are not flexible.
View in gallery clean the
granite
The famous gray stone
sprinkled with black and white is what first comes to mind when thinking about
granite, and is also the most commonly available. This aspect of salt and
pepper comes from the crystals of hornblende and biotitic. With so
many colors to
choose from, it is easy to select the granite that fits with your kitchen or
bathroom design and yet remain timeless.
We hope
that our article has helped you to be able to properly choose and maintain granite counter top.
If you want to know more news and news about the world of interior design, be
sure to visit our website, see you soon.
