The Many Benefits Of Natural Stone Kitchen Counter Tops

Filed Under (Home Improvements) by Francine Alexander on 16-02-2010

Tagged Under : bay window, counter tops, granite top, home improvement, Home Improvements, Interior Design and Decorating, kitchen improvement, kitchen supplies

Redoing a kitchen is 1 of the most common home remodeling projects. Homeowners spend a lot of money and time to make this very important room more stylish & practical. Normally, homeowners would select luxury and durability over boring & plain, but natural stone kitchen counter tops are the hot new thing in kitchen renovation.

When searching for a new countertop, homeowners decidedly choose strength, stain resistance, burn proof, long lasting, & sophistication. These are just a few of the reasons why a counter top made of natural stone is a striking feature in a kitchen.

Natural stone kitchen countertops are a beautiful choice for any kitchen theme and apart from that, but these kinds of counters add more value to your house. Natural stone is long lasting, tough & found in many colours and styles, each bringing extravagance & luxury appeal to your kitchen. Through soapstone is one such way.

Sften, soapstone is referred to as the original stone counter top. It’s rapidly becoming as popular as stones like marble or granite. Soapstone is a smooth soft stone consisting primarily of magnesite, dolomite, chlorite & talc. The stone itself can be brittle, very soft to the touch and have a soapy texture to it. The talc in the stone is what gives it that soft texture. Soapstone is very resistant against acids & alkalis. Soapstone counters can bring a beautiful touch to your new kitchen because they are extremely durable. Soapstone is very commonly used widely for sinks, laboratories, fireplaces and is easily shaped with common stone cutting tools.

Soapstone is resistant to heat & extremely durable. They will not retain stains as easily as other natural stone materials. This is another selling point or characteristic that makes soapstone popular. The stone is quite soft however and can scratch but these are easily removed after a quick coating of mineral oil. Ugly deeper cuts can simply be sanded away. Through the regular treatment of a mineral oil or sealer, your soapstone countertop can live a long life & will hold up to the test of time. No other natural stone is as fitting for a busy kitchen as soapstone.

Soapstone counters are set apart from other stone counter tops because of the dark, rich color & its versatility when used in design. This natural stone can be found in colours of blue, green and gray, and once a mineral oil applied consistently, it will bring out a charcoal-gray color. This makes your counters to seem older & much more elegant. Soapstone counter tops can bring a lot of elegance to your kitchen are.

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Granite Tops – Proper Care & Maintenance

Filed Under (Home Improvements) by Micheal Griffin on 16-02-2010

Tagged Under : bay window, granite top, home improvement, Home Improvements, Interior Design and Decorating, kitchen improvement, kitchen supplies, table top

Granite is a popular material to use when it comes to kitchen counter tops ’cause of its hard & non-porous surface. Irrespective of its comparatively strong ability to withstand stains and chemical damages, even so, proper maintenance is required to ensure the longevity of granite countertops. Maintenance for your countertops includes both cleaning and sealing to keep them looking as good as new for many more years. Here are a couple of tips on how to seal & clean your countertops without causing any improper damage.

Clean Daily

Caring for granite tops starts with keeping the surface clean from spills. Should there be a spill, remove it straightaway and then rinse with warm water. If an acidic substance such as lemon, orange, or vinegar has been spilled, this is even more important.

You should wipe your granite tops with a soft cloth using a mild detergent daily. This will make sure any surface deposits are removed & keep your counter tops looking new for a long while. Remember not to use strong chemical cleaners, because they can damage the sealant. Powder detergents should be avoided as well, as they can scratch the countertop surface.

Some more daily care tips:

- Always dust the counter surface – Rinse well using warm water after applying any cleansers or soaps on the granite – Never use bleach or ammonia on your counter top – Sanitize the surface with a few drops of a cleaner that’s pH-neutral – Although granite countertops are frequently marketed as heat resistant, constantly avoid placing hot pots directly on them

Occasional Sealing

Another important part of a care routine is sealing granite tops, as the seal enables the counter tops to retain the beautiful high gloss finish. Every 6 months, your granite top should be resealed. It is often impossible to detect sealant wear, so even if it doesn’t look worn, granite countertops should still be resealed twice each year.

There are permanent granite sealers, if you want to avoid the hassle typically involved in granite counter top care. Or, you may wish to consider engineered granite which doesn’t require regular sealing.

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