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Upgrade Your Kitchen with New Counters
Does your kitchen look outdated? You can update the space and make it look new again by having a beautiful stone kitchen countertop installed. Specifically, a granite or quartz countertop can rejuvenate your kitchen and make you fall in love with it again. Discount Granite Express LLC can help you pick out and install new kitchen countertops in Baltimore.
When you come to our showroom, we will allow you to take a look at plenty of new kitchen countertop options. Whether you love granite or quartz countertops, we carry a wide selection and can assist you as you pick out the one you want. We know the benefits of installing natural stone countertops and can tell you all about them. We can also teach you about maintaining natural stone. Once you have made your decision, we will take all the measurements in your kitchen and have our craftsmen install your new kitchen countertop for you. By working with Discount Granite Express, you can upgrade your kitchen with your new countertop and add a lot of value to your home.
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Color Options for Granite Counters
The amazing thing about granite is that no two slabs of it are created equal. As a result, every single granite countertop has its own unique features. There are even some granite countertops near Baltimore that are available in colors like blue that will truly set your kitchen apart from the rest. Discount Granite Express can help you obtain a new granite countertop for your home.
One thing you are going to want to remember when choosing a granite countertop is that the rarer colors of granite will cost you more to install. A color like blue is very rare, so it will often times cost you a significant amount of money to purchase it. There are a wide range of black, brown, green, beige, and even white granite countertops, though, so you will have plenty of options. When you visit Discount Granite Express, we will show you dozens and dozens of samples and allow you to pick the granite slabs that you like the best for your home.
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The Kitchen Countertop Cleaning Guide
Once you install a new kitchen countertop , you need to begin cleaning it on a regular basis to make sure that it shines for years to come. Watch this video to learn how to take care of your new countertop once countertop installation in Baltimore is complete.
You can clean most granite, quartz, and natural stone countertops with warm water and kitchen soap. However, you need to be very careful about drying certain types of natural stone countertops like granite, because they are porous and can actually absorb any water that is left on top of them if they aren’t sealed. This can cause discoloration and can ruin your kitchen countertop if you aren’t careful. Find the best way to clean your countertops and make sure you do the proper maintenance to keep them clean all the time.
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Dispelling Myths About Granite Countertops
Installing a granite countertop in your kitchen can dramatically improve the look and feel of it and increase the value of your home as a whole. Before you order granite kitchen countertops in Baltimore though, you should familiarize yourself with granite so that you know exactly what to expect from your investment. There are many myths out there about granite countertops. Check out a few of them below and get some information on why they aren’t necessarily true.
“Granite countertops are indestructible.”
When you install a granite countertop in your kitchen, you will be getting one of the hardest countertops known to man. This means you will be able to do just about anything without worrying about damaging your granite. However, granite countertops aren’t 100 percent indestructible, and it’s important for you to remember that you can chip or crack granite if you aren’t somewhat careful with your countertops. Corner pieces in particular are susceptible to being damaged if they come into contact with another very hard object.
“Granite countertops are heat resistant.”
For the most part, your granite countertop will be able to withstand very high temperatures, but that doesn’t mean that you should feel free to put hot pots and pans on it as you please. Depending on the color of your granite, you may experience some discoloration if you place a hot item down on it. You can also weaken the granite if you place a hot item on it and cause it to heat up very quickly. When possible, it’s always a good idea to place hot pots and pans on trivets to eliminate the risk associated with putting them directly on granite.
“Granite countertops need to be sealed annually.”
This isn’t necessarily a myth, because most granite countertops do need to be sealed to prevent liquids from seeping into them. But you should speak with your granite installers about how often you need to seal your specific granite countertop. You may not need to reseal your granite kitchen countertops as often as you think, which will eliminate some of your maintenance of them.
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Kitchen Makeover: Choosing New Countertops
New kitchen countertops near Baltimore can give your kitchen a whole new look without the hassle of undergoing a total kitchen renovation. Depending on your kitchen makeover needs, new kitchen countertops will not only increase the visual appeal of your kitchen, but can also provide added function and durability. When it comes to choosing new countertops, there are a number of different decisions to be made. From color to size to cost, there are many factors that will be important in making a final call. One of the most important choices to make is finding the right material. While there are many materials to choose from for your new countertop installation, there are two materials that stand out above all else—quartz and granite. Continue reading to find out which material may be best for your new kitchen countertops.
Quartz
Quartz countertops consist of natural quartz mixed with resins for increased strength and durability. Quartz is naturally stain-resistant and scratch-resistant, making it an excellent choice for a kitchen countertop. Quartz is easily cleaned and requires little maintenance. It is an extremely durable material, meaning it will be long-lasting. Quartz is also a non-porous material, so you do not need to worry about bacteria in your kitchen. Quartz is available in a variety of colors, with white being the most popular. Even better, quartz countertops are resistant to heat, making it an ideal choice for the kitchen.
Granite
Granite countertops can turn any kitchen into a luxurious, chef-approved workspace. Granite comes in a variety of colors, so there are options to match any existing kitchen designs or cabinets. Granite is a natural stone that is very durable and can be polished to give your kitchen a sparkling clean finish. With regular sealing, granite countertops are easy to maintain and keep clean. Granite is also heat-resistant and resistant to scratches, making it another great choice for any kitchen.
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Design Tips for Master Bathrooms
When you are designing your master bathroom, consider the many features you will need to incorporate into your design. Cabinets, paint, decorative items, and bathroom countertops in Baltimore are the main items you’ll need to complete your bathroom. If you’re at a loss for ideas—whether for your whole bathroom design or just a bathroom countertop —consider these tips to get started.
Keep It Simple
Simplicity is a wonderful and understated way to take breaths away. You can install a large, white tub with a long white granite vanity top and white walls. For a splash of color, use paint to add accents on the walls, or keep a fresh potted plant in between the sinks of a dual vanity.
Go Back in Time
Do you yearn for another time and place? Take your bathroom back in time to the Victorian Era with a claw-foot tub, dark colors, and a classic bathroom vanity. Cover your windows with long, flowing drapes to create an ethereal effect.
Create an Oasis
You can bring your favorite tropical locale to your bathroom through the design choices you make. Paint your walls in a light tan or green and accent your master bathroom with blue and orange cushions and decorations. Bring in some potted palms for the corners, or even in your walk-in shower. You can also use granite slabs with blue accents and enhance your bathroom countertop with a vase full of sand and seashells. Look into stained and broken glass mirrors and fixtures, as well. These beautiful additions will have anyone thinking they walked into a tropical oasis.
Brighten It Up
Sometimes, the best way to create a place of relaxation is to brighten it up with happy and cheerful colors. Bright or pastel blues, pinks, and oranges can cover your walls or simply accent your countertops and walls through decorative pieces. No matter your favorite color, there is a beautiful countertop material, paint, or cabinet to match it.
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Kitchen Makeover: Tips for Matching Your Countertops and Cabinets
You may have the perfect kitchen makeover pictured in your head, along with a beautiful kitchen countertop, cabinets, and appliances. What happens if the fixtures don’t match each other, though? You have many options when it comes to your kitchen countertops in Baltimore , so be sure to plan ahead and take the advice of your renovation professionals.
Decide on a Color Scheme
If you know you want a black and white checkerboard theme, then you need to plan ahead for how your kitchen will be designed. The same goes for any other color scheme you might like. There are hundreds of different colors and makes of cabinets, as well as kitchen countertop materials. When you and your family have decided on the colors for your kitchen, whether they are neutral, pastels, or dark, you can go forward looking for the right color cabinets, kitchen countertops, and appliances.
Find the Right Stone
Not every stone will come in the color or design you want. Granite slabs are completely natural, so no two slabs are alike. You should be able to find the same colors and veining at your granite shop, but keep in mind that each slab will not match 100%. However, granite does come in a variety of colors to suit any home’s décor. Quartz is an engineered stone countertop—it is a mix of crushed quartz and resin material. Since a quartz countertop is manufactured, it can come in even more varieties than granite. If you have decided on a color scheme for your kitchen, consider these two stone countertop options to complement your color choices.
Work with a Professional
Take advantage of your stone installer’s knowledge. He will know what colors look good together, along with how each material will stand the test of time. There are also design options to customize your countertops; see how these little additions can make a big impact on your kitchen.
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Granite Counter Maintenance: Preventing Scratches, Stains, and Other Damage
When you are seeking new kitchen countertops that will provide your home with the ultimate in luxury and style, you may want to plan a new granite countertop installation. As one of the top kitchen materials available, granite countertops are a durable and attractive choice for your home design. After your countertop installation in Baltimore is complete, it will be up to you to perform proper care and maintenance for your granite countertops. By taking the steps needed to maintain your granite slabs, you can help them remain in beautiful condition. Here is a quick look at some of the essentials of granite counter maintenance.
Seal Your Countertops
One of the most important steps of granite counter maintenance is to seal your countertops on a regular basis. When your granite countertops are first installed, your technicians will take the time to apply a protective seal to the surface of your granite. This sealant will cover the natural porous surface of the stone. To help make sure that your countertop remains intact, you should take the time to seal your granite counters at least once a year.
Use Approved Cleaning Solutions
Along with sealing your counters at least once a year, you will want to clean your granite countertops using an approved cleaning solution on a daily basis. Cleaners that are too harsh or abrasive can cause scratches, stains, and other unsightly issues on the surface of your countertops. A gentle cleanser, such as a mixture of water and dish soap, is all that you will need to keep your countertops clean and looking great.
Clean Stains Immediately
A final step of countertop maintenance is to clean up stains as soon as they occur. If you leave spilled substances to sit on the surface of your countertops for too long, you can create a permanent stain on the surface of your granite. To clean up staining substances, you can use a paste that is made of baking soda and water to soak up the spill.
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Touring This Year’s Most Popular Countertop Materials
Are you thinking of replacing your kitchen countertop near Baltimore ? When you choose to remodel your bathroom or kitchen, one of the biggest decisions you’ll face is your new countertop material. Today, you can have a countertop designed from copper, stainless steel, tile, cement, zinc, recycled glass, or plastic laminate to name just a few of your options. Here, we’ll discuss three of this year’s most popular bathroom and kitchen countertop materials: soapstone, granite, and quartz.
Soapstone
A natural stone made mostly of mineral talc, soapstone gets its name from its smooth, soap-like texture. This stone is usually seen in hues of gray which darken over time and sometimes have quartz graining. Soapstone is durable and resistant to heat, stains, chemicals, and bacteria, making it ideal for kitchen countertops. This material is softer than other stones, making it vulnerable to scratches and nicks, but soapstone is also chemically neutral which protects it against damage from acidic foods like lemons and tomatoes.
Granite
Known for its unique grains and variety of colors, granite is a stone riddled with character and natural beauty. With so much variety, the price range for granite can be broad. Granite is commonly seen in browns and creams, but more exotic colors include blues, greens, reds, pinks, and blacks. Costs increase depending on how rare a stone’s color or type is, and how difficult it is to work with and cut. Granite is also favored for its durability, being scratch resistant and nearly invulnerable to wear when properly sealed. Once you find a slab that you would love for your granite kitchen countertop, buy it and secure it as yours because it’s one of a kind.
Engineered Quartz
Among the most customizable options for countertops, engineered quartz can be found in almost any color or shade, and can be made with a variety of patterns and finishes. The material is composed mostly of natural quartz and is mixed with resins and pigments. Because of its high quartz content, engineered quartz is similar in durability to granite, and is also non-allergenic, non-toxic, and easy to maintain.
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The Homeowner’s Guide to Kitchen Countertops
Your kitchen countertops near Baltimore can make or break the look of your kitchen. Fortunately there are many materials available; from granite slabs to quartz countertops, it should not be difficult to find the perfect option for your home. The right choice in countertop can improve the cosmetic appeal of your kitchen as well as increase the overall value of your home, and these factors are important if you plan to sell your house in the future. Keep reading if you are interested in taking a brief look at a homeowner’s guide to kitchen countertops.
Materials
Two of the most popular kitchen countertop materials are granite and quartz. While both of these materials can liven up your kitchen, they come with slightly different advantages. Quartz countertops come in an expansive array of colors and patterns, while granite is slightly limited. However, granite countertops can still look beautiful when incorporated into the right design. Both of these materials are durable and long lasting, but granite countertops should be sealed in order to resist stains. Quartz does not need to be sealed and tends to be a bit harder than granite. If you are interested in a low maintenance countertop that can look great in various situations, quartz may be your best bet.
Aesthetic
Kitchen countertops can tie your kitchen design together and enhance the overall look of your home. Although granite does not offer as wide of a range of options as quartz, it can still complement certain aspects of your interior design. Black or dark granite may be an excellent choice if your existing kitchen design is on the modern side. This type of countertop can offer a sleek yet unique look that gives your kitchen a dose of character.
Resale Value
The right kitchen countertops will not only allow you to enjoy your kitchen again; they will also make your home more valuable. This is an important point to consider if you have thought about selling your house or if you are leaving that option open for the future. Beautiful kitchen countertops can even serve as a selling point for your home.