Choosing the best kitchen countertop is a big choice. It is more than just a matter of look and expense. While it may be tempting to choose the most pleasing or cost-effective material, the durability and maintenance requirements should take precedence. In any house, kitchen countertops play a significant and demanding function. Your kitchen is incomplete without this element since it gives room for food preparations, which is the primary goal of any kitchen—as a result, choosing the proper material makes your kitchen efficient and easy to maintain. It also works well with the other design aspects in your kitchen.

However, with so many alternatives available, choosing the ideal countertop may be a difficult undertaking. Here are some pointers to get you started.

How Do You Intend to Use the Countertop?

Determining how you will use the countertop will greatly assist you in selecting a material that can survive your everyday chores. For example, if you intend to use it for meal preparation, it must be stain and heat-resistant. Consider the frequency of use as well. If you enjoy cooking or entertaining, you’ll need a countertop that can bear the pressure without wearing out. Consider your family situation while you’re at it. For example, if you have small children who like playing in the kitchen, you should avoid using brightly colored products. Due to stains from finger paints and jelly, white granite will not do you justice in this scenario. Black marble is most likely the best option. Choose a material and color that is appropriate for your lifestyle.

Aesthetics

Before rushing to choose a material because it appears excellent in a photo or in a friend’s kitchen, think about your desired aesthetics. It would be ideal if you could find something that coordinated with the rest of your kitchen. Whether you are constructing a new kitchen or remodeling an existing one, you most certainly have an idea of how you want the finished product to look. Make certain that the countertops you select will assist you in achieving that appearance. If you want to go for a more modern aesthetic, marble countertops are a good option. You might use granite or quartz countertops for a more contemporary aesthetic. The final style you wish to create will have a big influence on the material used for the countertop.

Consider the Kitchen Layout

Because the kitchen is the heart of every house, you want to make the most of it. It connects the remainder of the house, thus the design and arrangement should stand out. To create a flowing environment, make sure that every feature of the kitchen compliments one another. If your house has an open floor plan, the color palettes and finishes should be consistent throughout. This creates a link between your kitchen, living room, and other areas without making it appear sophisticated or overly effortful. The greatest thing is that most countertop materials come in a variety of hues, allowing you to choose one that complements the rest of your home.

Maintenance and Upkeep

Maintaining the countertops in good shape helps improve the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. To accomplish so, you’ll require a regimen for maintenance and upkeep. The greatest countertop material is not only long-lasting, but also simple to care for. Regardless of your lifestyle, choose one that is simple to clean and maintain. If you have a busy family or enjoy cooking, you should avoid granite materials since they require frequent sealing to prevent stains and water damage. This is due to the fact that the seals are more prone to fall off sooner, increasing the expense of maintenance. Granite, on the other hand, has a gorgeous aesthetic and can boost the market value of your property. When it comes to maintenance and care, you should not let price push you into making the wrong decision. For instance, high-end materials like quartz may seem expensive, but they require minimum maintenance.

Have a Budget

How much money can you afford to spend on kitchen countertops? You must create a budget that you can comfortably afford, bearing in mind that you will need to pay for additional costs like installation and maintenance. However, no matter how much you want to save money, you should never sacrifice quality. It is important to note that high-quality kitchen countertops might be costly, but they are well worth the investment. As a result, you must be practical when determining your budget based on the size of your kitchen and the material that best meets your demands. Low pricing might be a sign of low quality materials. However, a high price does not imply that the material is of the highest quality. Take your time and conduct much research.

Seek the Assistance of Experts

Allowing a professional to help you through the kitchen countertop choosing process is critical, especially if you are a first-timer. The specialists have been in the field for a long time and are more familiar with the various countertop materials than you are. They will provide you with advice depending on your lifestyle, budget, and general requirements.

Taking The Next Steps

There are almost infinite kitchen countertop options on the market, each designed to meet a distinct lifestyle’s demands and budget. Countertops are a long-term investment, and you should never buy them on a whim. Take your time going over the pros and disadvantages of each kind and narrowing down your options until you discover one that works for your kitchen. The brand’s reputation is also important in terms of the dependability and longevity of the countertops.

We at Global Stone Inc value our clients’ pleasure. We specialize in the fabrication and installation of granite, marble, and quartz countertops, and you can depend on us to tailor the countertops to your exact specifications.

If you’re looking for new countertops, granite and limestone are likely the first two materials that spring to mind. Quartz countertops, also known as engineered stone countertops, are becoming increasingly popular due to the unique benefits of this material. Here are four reasons why quartz worktops should be considered for your kitchen or bathroom.

1. Stain Resistance

The porosity of the materials used in countertop construction varies. The porousness of a substance determines how easily it absorbs liquids and allows stains to form. While most natural stone countertops are porous, quartz countertops are less porous than many other materials available on the market. Quartz countertops are practically stain-proof due to the engineering process.

Another benefit of quartz’s non-porous structure is that it is less prone to retain microorganisms. Bacterial colonies love to hide in the pores of natural stone and other materials. Bacteria will stick to these surfaces for considerably longer periods of time and may be taken up by fabric, utensils, and food that comes into touch with the counter.

2. Wide Variety of Design Options

While all stone countertops have their own distinct beauty, natural stone countertops will have a restricted color pallet from which to choose. Fortunately, quartz countertops may have pigments added during the production process, so practically any color you can imagine is available. Quartz countertops with unique designs that do not resemble actual stone are also available.

Quartz countertops are the finest option for matching the aesthetic of your worktops to the rest of the interior of your house. You may pick a bespoke finish for your quartz countertops in addition to the color and pattern options. Choosing between a matte and a shine finish may drastically alter the character of your countertops and how they interact with the rest of your space.

3. Low Maintenance Requirements

Quartz countertops require less upkeep than almost any other material. Basic maintenance is as simple as wiping down the surface with a towel and soapy water once a day. Spray the counter with glass or surface cleaner and wash it down after allowing it to sit for 10 minutes for a deep clean or to remove light stains. While quartz is extremely durable, there are a few precautions that every homeowner should take to avoid harming the material. Highly abrasive or acidic cleansers should be avoided since they can dull the surface of the quartz. You should also avoid exposing the countertop to high temperatures, such as those generated by recently used cookware, as the resin in the countertop may melt.

4. Minimal Imperfections

There is no better choice for a consistent aesthetic in your countertops than quartz. The engineering process of quartz countertops allows each part to have the exact same design down to the smallest detail. The grain of natural stone and wood surfaces will vary, which may or may not be visually attractive.

While the consistency of quartz is unrivaled, the exceedingly uncommon defect will be highly obvious. For example, if a countertop is made from many slabs of quartz, the seam where the slabs meet will be considerably more noticeable than with other materials. Any dents or dings that occur on the counter during its lifetime will also be more evident.

Because of the advantages of quartz, it is an option that every homeowner should consider when installing new worktops. Global Stone Inc. offers a vast range of countertop materials, colors, and patterns that can enhance the attractiveness of any home’s interior!

Marble has been a popular and attractive material in many American kitchens, and it is regarded as one of the greatest countertop surfaces. It has a more attractive appearance and is more durable than other materials. However, marble’s image for being a high-maintenance and demanding material has grown in recent years. Furthermore, many individuals believe it is more expensive than other countertop alternatives.

Marble, on the other hand, has made a comeback in the current design publications. Do you want to know why? Here are some of the benefits of using marble in your kitchen makeover.

1, It Might Not Be As Expensive As You Think

Contrary to popular belief, marble is fairly affordable. Carrara marble has a strong design presence and is reasonably priced. It is less expensive because of its deeper tone when compared to other varieties of marble. Carrara marble, despite its dark tone, nonetheless looks great and is a suitable alternative.

Furthermore, sprinkling marble all over the place isn’t a compulsory alternative. Choose a section of your countertop or an island to cover with marble. Cover the remaining countertop with a different material, such as wood. For those who don’t know, marble and wood look great together.

2. Maintenance Gets Easy with a Little Attention

One of the primary reasons marbles fell out of favor was their high upkeep. It’s true that marble requires more upkeep than stone tiles or hardwood floors.

A competent marble contractor’s sealing procedure shortly after installing a countertop helps prevent stains and grime out of the porous surface. The treatment easily lasts a year, and following a professional application, you may manage subsequent sealant treatments on your own.

Your marble countertop should remain damage-free and clean as long as you place abrasive, wet, or heated surfaces on mats and trivets and remove stains as soon as they develop.

3. Small Scratches and Overtime Etching isn’t an Issue

Marble etching isn’t a problem because it contributes to the beauty of the material, and little scratches are readily hidden by the roughness of the material.

Marbles can be perfect for your kitchen once you know how to treat them. They are a beautiful, durable, and practical option for your kitchen. Do consider marbles as a countertop material if you are planning a kitchen remodel.

Beauty is one of the reasons homeowners choose to purchase residential countertops. They really adore the attention that these worktops attract in houses. Aside from that, they are utilitarian since they give extra room. This enables households to improve their food preparation and, more crucially, culinary skills. However, with so many various types of countertops available today, from marble to quartz to granite, it can be tough to pick the appropriate one. The crucial thing here is to recognize that these materials differ from one another. As a result, they provide a variety of benefits and drawbacks. Below is a full discussion of the benefits and downsides of some of these resources to help you better comprehend them.

1. Quartz Residential Countertops 

Pros: It has the appearance of genuine rock but requires considerably less upkeep. These home countertops are impervious to hot pans, serrated kitchen knives, rough or abrasive pads, and the majority of stains. This substance is also a combination of mineral, color, and resin. It comes in a variety of vibrant hues and designs that resemble granite and marble.

Cons: Sides and edges can chip, requiring the assistance of a professional to repair.

2. Granite Residential Countertops

Pros: Each slab of this natural stone is one-of-a-kind. Although they are more expensive, the ones with uncommon hues and veining are more appealing in terms of aesthetics. Granite household countertops are unaffected by heat, cuts, or scratches. They are available in either polished or matte finishes, but in any case, they are resistant to discoloration, especially when properly sealed. This gives you more leeway with the style and/or design.

Cons: To counteract discolorations, periodic resealing is necessary. Edges and corners, like quartz, have a tendency to chip and so require professional maintenance.

3. Marble Residential Countertops 

Pros: Although marble is not as prevalent as granite, it has been shown to be good at avoiding heat damage. Small scratches can still be repaired with careful sanding and mineral oil. And, while it will take some upkeep on your part, it will not be as expensive as granite. It is unquestionably an excellent choice for household countertops.

Cons: It is prone to cuts and scratches, as well as stains that are difficult to remove. If you’re looking for residence countertops, go no further than Global Stone Inc.. We provide high-quality materials for your countertops. Please contact us as soon as possible so that we can schedule an appointment for you!

Among natural stone countertops, marble is one of the most attractive and long-lasting solutions. However, as durable as marble is, homeowners need to be aware of a few things to keep in mind while caring for marble countertops. Discover four critical maintenance techniques for maintaining the beauty of your marble countertops.

1. Exercise Caution When Consuming Acidic Foods and Drinks

Because natural stone countertops have a high concentration of the mineral calcite, acids can be very damaging. Even mild acids can react with calcite and cause it to deteriorate over time. Etching is a sort of damage that shows as dull white blotches on marble surfaces. Because marble is very porous, it is more acid resistant than other stone surfaces. To keep your countertop from etching, avoid placing acidic foods and liquids on it. Never chop oranges, lemons, or other citrus fruits straight on your tabletop, and avoid other acidic foods and beverages such as tomato sauce, vinegar, or soda. Even items with a low acidity, such as alcoholic beverages, butter, or sugar can cause etching with enough exposure.

2. Learn How to Clean Marble Safely

The second most prevalent source of acid exposure in marble surfaces is household cleansers. Most natural stone contractors advocate washing your worktops with soap and warm water rather than chemical cleaners. Bleach, in particular, should be avoided since it may cause damage in minutes, and never clean your countertops with abrasive pads or sponges. If you can’t get rid of persistent countertop stains using soap and water, try swabbing the stain with a little amount of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. Because ammonia is a weak acid, you may dissolve just enough stone to remove the stain without causing visible etching.

3. Use a Spray Sealant Regularly.

Once a month, use a spray sealer on your marble countertops to prevent acids or staining liquids from entering the surface in the case of a spill. Liquids will bead up on the surface of a well-sealed tabletop. Keep a watch out for this effect, as it is a good indication that you should reseal when beading no longer happens. Not all marble countertop sealants are created equal. Surface coverage varies amongst sealants, and those with more surface covering will last longer and may be applied infrequently. Some sealants have compounds that assist to preserve your family’s health by limiting bacterial development, while others will both polish and seal the marble.

4. Recognize When to Contact a Professional

Keeping marble countertops clean is a chore that almost any homeowner can manage, but repairs should be left to a professional. If your countertop is chipped, fractured, or has serious etching, a natural stone contractor may restore it to like-new condition. To replicate the look of genuine marble, contractors use specialized dies, additives, and sanders. If any parts of your marble countertop have broken off, keep them and contact a professional. In most situations, specialists can reassemble marble countertops and fix them with epoxy resin. Recover as many original components as possible to decrease the quantity of epoxy used and make the final restoration appear much nicer.

Marble countertop upkeep is simple, and the benefits are well worth it. Use these marble countertop care guidelines to ensure that your marble worktops last for many years. Remember to contact Global Stone Inc. for quick and courteous stone countertop repair and installation. We look forward to assisting you in having the nicest marble countertops available in your house.