Granite countertops are beautiful and durable enough to enhance every aspect of your kitchen décor. They require very little maintenance to maintain their original aesthetic appeal and condition. If you want to increase the value of your home with these new countertops, use the following tips to properly care for them:

Get the Granite Sealed

While granite slabs are incredibly strong, they are still susceptible to stains. When you get your granite counters installed, you should have them sealed. Once you go through this step, you can significantly decrease your workload when it comes to caring for your granite countertops.

Clean with Gentle Soap

You should not use chemical-laden products to clean your granite counters. While it is important to wipe up stains, you should not do it with a sponge. Stay away from Windex, vinegar, lemon lime, ammonia, or bleach. These strong cleaning solutions can actually wear down the sealant and leave your counters more susceptible to stains. When you clean your counters, you should use a mixture of warm water and gentle dish soap. Wipe them off with a washcloth or a microfiber cloth to keep the sealant working longer.

Be Careful with Heat and Sharp Objects

Although granite counters can handle a lot of wear and tear in the kitchen, you should avoid situations that might change the look of the stone. Do not place hot pots or pans directly onto the countertop. Even though granite counters are very scratch-resistant, you should use a cutting board when working with knives to avoid any unnecessary marks or nicks.

Do Not Sit or Stand on the Counters

Stone counters like granite are hard, but they are not flexible. This means that it is difficult for them to hold your weight if you try to sit or stand on them. Sitting or standing on them might cause cracks that ruin their aesthetic appeal. With a little bit of attention, you can get the most use out of your granite kitchen countertops in Baltimore.

Since granite is a natural stone countertop , it gives you access to a wide range of styles and colors. If you want your new counters to complement your current kitchen décor, you should try to color coordinate it with the rest of your design features. Use the following tips to make sure your countertops work well with the rest of your space:

When you start shopping for granite countertops in Baltimore, you should bring a picture or a color sample from your kitchen so you can compare it to the different stone slabs. Similarly, you should take a few granite samples with you to your house so you can actually compare and contrast the different hues. Place a white sheet over your current counters and put the different samples on top so you can get a realistic idea of how they all look.

When you can find the perfect color granite to use in your kitchen, it instantly enhances the aesthetic appeal of the space. Take your time shopping for the right countertops so you can optimize your design possibilities.

If you want the perfect combination of beauty and durability, you should choose granite countertops for your kitchen décor. As a natural stone countertop, granite can stand up to the harshest forms of abuse and still give you impressive aesthetic appeal.

Every piece of granite is unique, which means you can choose from a practically endless array of styles, colors, patterns, and veining. Find the perfect granite kitchen countertop in Baltimore with which to enhance your home.

Learn more about the benefits of granite in this video. When it comes to inherent beauty and durability, there is nothing better than natural stone counters for your decorating needs.

If you’re looking for something a little different for your kitchen or bathroom, consider honed granite countertops. Granite is already the most demanded materials for countertops in the kitchen and bathroom thanks to its beauty, durability, and ease of maintenance. Honed granite offers all of these benefits without the high shine thanks to its matte finish.

With honed granite, the polishing process ends before buffing to create a low-gloss sheen that is quite opposite the highly reflective, mirror-like look of traditional granite. Honed granite countertops look great in kitchens or bathrooms that aspire for an aged or casual look.

Visit a countertop showroom in Baltimore to compare honed granite and traditional granite countertops side by side. If you are in the process of remodeling, bring color samples to compare against honed granite and traditional granite slabs.

There are many different types of granite countertops available, each of which offers a unique design for your kitchen or bathroom. At Unlimited Stone, we offer a wide selection of granite colors in Baltimore . Read on to learn more about the different types of granite colors available.

White

This is an excellent color for your granite countertop if you want a classic white kitchen. It works especially well with warm-colored cabinets in pure white, warm white, or beige. Even stain-grade cabinets in walnut and medium oak look great with white granite. White granite countertops are also attractive when paired with nickel- or bronze-colored hardware, as this highlights the gray, cream, white, and deep red veining of the stone.

Green

An earthy green shade of granite with overtones of gray or brown looks beautiful in the kitchen. In this shade of green, some of the markings in the stone are mesmerizing when exposed to natural light. Green granite looks wonderful when it’s polished and pairs well with painted cabinets as well as bronze, copper, and satin nickel hardware.

Green-Blue

While it varies from slab to slab, this type of granite usually reminds homeowners of ocean colors. This is what makes it match so nicely with white cabinets. The green-blue color palette matches well with nickel fixtures and hardware, stain-grade cabinets, and plenty of natural light.

Black

Black granite is striking in just about any kitchen. Many homeowners like the contrast created by pairing white cabinets with polished black granite. Painted cabinets in just about any color will pair well with this granite color, as well as hardware in bronze, chrome, or nickel. If you are pairing your black granite with stain-grade cabinets, you can create a terrific style with walnut or medium oak.

Bordeaux

The red veining in some types of granite are typically very dark, like red wine. This leads many people to say that the granite has Bordeaux veining. Bordeaux granite looks fantastic with kitchen flooring that has subtle red undercurrents.

At Discount Granite Express, we are proud to offer a great selection of custom countertops in Baltimore . We can even install your granite countertops for you. To learn more about the process of selecting, fabricating, and installing a granite countertop, read on.

Consultation and Selection

The first step in the granite countertop installation process is calling a granite countertop company and scheduling a time for them to come to your home for an estimate. They will measure your cabinets, vanities, or countertops to get an idea for what will be involved in the installation process. Then you will have to choose a type of granite. At Unlimited Stone, we have more than 200 colors and 420 types of natural stone and granite.

Template and Fabrication

Before we begin the fabrication of your granite countertops , we make sure that measurements and templates are taken of your new countertop. We complete this step without removing your current countertops. Measurements and details such as appliance openings are carefully noted. After this, we begin the fabrication process, which can take up to two weeks. We will bring the granite into your home in a sequence. First, we cut large blocks of the stone into small pieces, also known as slabs. Then we shape the slab and polish it to prepare it for installation in your home.

Installation and Sealing

Installing a new granite countertop in a home usually takes us between two to five hours for normal projects. For large, complex projects it can take an entire day. When installing the granite, we will hold the granite in place using a special epoxy. If the epoxy is at a granite seam, we mix it with colored resin so that it blends perfectly with the granite. We also apply silicone between the slabs to allow for contraction and expansion. After the installation process, we carefully clean the installation area and seal the granite.

If you are looking for natural stone countertops in Baltimore , granite and quartz are excellent choices. Each material has something unique to offer in terms of style, durability, and required maintenance. To learn more about granite and quartz countertops to decide which material is right for you, read on.

Natural Material

Both granite and quartz countertops primarily consist of natural materials. Granite is 100 percent natural, as slab granite countertops are sliced from quarries, and then cut and honed until they are smooth. Quartz, on the other hand, is about 93 to 97 percent natural.

Appearance

Both natural stone countertops are known for being very attractive. Granite is usually described as looking natural and unique, while quartz is known for offering a wide range of patterns and colors.

Maintenance

Whether you go with a countertop made of granite or quartz, you will have to provide regular maintenance. Granite needs to be sealed after it’s installed, and then sealed again every year after that to ensure it is resistant to stains. Minor scratches and chips in granite can be taken care of with color-matching resin or epoxy, but your countertop installation company will have to repair larger cracks or damage. Quartz does not require as much maintenance. It is a nonporous material, so it naturally repels oil, coffee, and even food coloring without sealing. Damaged quartz is harder to repair, so it must be left to a professional.

Durability

Because of its resistant to cracks and chips, granite is widely regarded as the most durable natural stone countertop material available. But in fact, manmade quartz is actually harder and more resistant to damage than granite.

Installation

Granite and quartz countertops are both extremely heavy and difficult to handle. Cutting holes in the slab for the sink is not easy either. To ensure proper installation of your countertop, leave it to the professionals.

For more than twenty five years, Discount Granite Express has offered top quality countertop installation near Baltimore . Our team is completely dedicated the satisfaction of our customers. Whether you are looking for granite countertops, marble countertops, or other natural stone countertops, our showroom is sure to have custom countertops that are perfectly suited to your needs. We offer a variety of countertop services, including custom slab fabrication and top quality countertop installation. Using our customized approach, we will make sure that your new countertops are designed and installed to your exact preferences. In addition, we work on each project on an individual basis. When we create your new kitchen countertops or bathroom countertops, we will pay attention to each and every detail. When you work with our Baltimore company on your next countertop installation project, you will be able to create the gorgeous new countertops of your dreams.

If you are looking for a beautiful and durable solution for your kitchen countertops, look no further than new granite countertops. When you install granite kitchen countertops in your home, you will enjoy a beautiful and functional surface that is perfectly suited for both cooking and entertaining. At Discount Granite Express, we offer granite countertops in Baltimore. By choosing natural stone countertops for your home, you will ensure that your new kitchen is perfectly equipped for your day to day needs. To highlight the advantages of installing a granite countertop in your kitchen, here is a look at the benefits of granite countertops.

Fantastic Durability

One of the primary advantages of granite countertops is their fantastic durability. Granite countertops are composed of an extremely hard and durable mineral. When you install granite countertops in your kitchen, your counters will not scratch, mark, blister, or burn. New granite countertops will provide you with long lasting performance for generations to come.

Versatile Style

No matter the style of your home, you will be able to choose a granite countertop material that matches with your taste and preferences. Granite is available in a variety of styles and colors, ranging from subtle neutral shades to vibrant reds and greens. In addition, each granite slab is distinguished by unique patterns and grains. By installing granite countertops, you will be able to complete the beautiful look of your kitchen.

Terrific Investment

Granite countertops are a terrific investment for your home. When you install granite countertops in your kitchen, you will increase the overall value of your house. If you plan on selling your house in the future, granite countertops will also make your home more appealing to potential buyers. With their beautiful good looks and exceptional durability, granite countertops are a smart and functional choice for your future home renovation project.

Are you looking for a unique and beautiful way to spruce up the look of your home while adding value at the same time? Granite countertops installed in your kitchen or bathroom will be functional and aesthetically pleasing, and can make your home look more modern. Many homebuyers look for granite countertops when they search for houses. Even if you’re not planning on selling your house soon, custom granite countertops will look great for years to come. Granite countertops are durable and versatile, and since no two pieces of granite are alike, they also add character to your kitchen. Explore this infographic from Discount Granite Express, your home for countertops near Baltimore , to learn more about the benefits of granite and to find out how to care for your countertops once the installation is complete. Please share with your friends and fellow homeowners!