📹 Pros & Cons of Epoxy Countertops. Is it the best cheap countertop?
Learn the pros and cons of epoxy countertops. Epoxy is a popular cheap kitchen countertop option for creative DIYers. Is it the …
What is the difference between honed and satin granite?
The honed finish, also known as matte or buffed, creates a smooth, flat surface without gloss or reflection. It is popular on floors to prevent slipping and can be used on countertops but increases staining risk. Honed granite requires more frequent sealing but doesn’t require polishing. The leathered finish, also known as the brushed finish, is a new style that adds texture with subtle dimples to a honed surface. It is more sophisticated and often retains the natural stone color, unlike the honed finish. Both finishes are popular for their unique aesthetics and durability.
Is granite scratch resistance?
Granite countertops are highly durable due to their scratch resistance, strength, and resistance to common kitchen chemicals. They range from 6 to 8, making them suitable for protecting knives. Granite is also strong enough to withstand twice the force of concrete, and it doesn’t etch or stain under normal use conditions. Additionally, granite is heat resistant, able to withstand temperatures of 350° F to 450° F without damage, making it a superior choice over engineered quartz materials. Overall, granite is a durable and practical choice for kitchen countertops.
Which scratches easier, granite or quartz?
Granite is more heat-resistant, less scratchy, and easier to repair than quartz. Its porous nature makes it susceptible to stains, but can be easily remedied with a sealant once or twice a year. This is a quick 10 to 15 minute job, compared to quartz’s 15 minutes. Additionally, granite is less expensive than quartz, making it a more cost-effective choice for kitchens. To get a free estimate, contact a professional for more information.
What should you avoid with granite countertops?
This text provides a list of eight things to avoid on granite countertops to maintain their durability. These include working with raw meat, storing acidic items on the granite, letting spills remain on the granite, using knives directly on the granite, placing hot pans on the granite, and sitting or standing on the granite. It emphasizes the importance of understanding proper cleaning methods and what not to put on granite countertops to prevent cross-contamination and ensure the longevity of the countertops. By following these guidelines, you can ensure the longevity of your granite countertops and maintain their beauty and durability.
How to prevent chips in granite countertops?
To protect your granite countertop from chipping, use a sealant and clean it regularly to remove stains and weaken the surface. Chipping is common around edges due to impact from household appliances like hotpots. Place appliances carefully and avoid using abrasives to avoid chipping. Use coasters to hold fragile items and avoid using the countertop as a cutting board to avoid scratching the surface.
Granite countertops are excellent home improvement items that add a sleek feel and last several years. If you select quality granite countertops and take good care of them, they will serve you for many years. Explore our range of countertop options to find the design that best suits your home.
How do you clean grey granite?
To maintain the lustrous finish of your granite worktops, use warm water and soap for daily cleansing, a soft cloth, and distilled water. Avoid using chlorine-containing tap water, as it can be hard on granite. Rinse the cloth thoroughly and wipe the worktops with a microfiber cloth for added shine. If the finish appears dull, give it another clean with hot water.
For commercial granite worktop cleaners, choose a neutral base cleaner with a low pH balance, no harsh chemicals, and no abrasives. Avoid lemon, lime, and ammonia bases at all costs.
To avoid concerns related to commercial granite worktop cleaners, make homemade cleaning solutions. The most safe and effective solution is 25 isopropyl alcohol, a few drops of dish soap, and three parts water. Shake it up in a spray bottle and grab a soft cloth, and you have an inexpensive, low pH, non-abrasive solution that effectively cleans and kills germs on your granite worktops.
What is the most scratch-resistant countertop?
Quartz is the most durable countertop material due to its hardness, resistance to chips, scratches, and water. It is made of resin and stone and can last without significant maintenance. Corian, a man-made solid surface material that mimics the look of natural quartz, is less expensive but looks like quartz. Quartz is the easiest to maintain due to its durability, low maintenance, and smooth surface, which doesn’t require sealant or specialty cleaners. It’s not fully heat-resistant or suitable for cutting boards.
Will granite countertops scratch easily?
Granite is a versatile material suitable for kitchen worktops due to its scratch-resistant properties and deep color and patterns. It can only be scratched by another piece of granite or sharpened tools. While granite chopping boards may seem appealing, they can scratch the surface due to daily kitchen activities. Granite is resistant to scratches from hot pots, pans, knives, and other kitchen items.
It can be considered a large chopping board, as it serves as a work surface to work on. In a farm kitchen, granite has been used for years for chopping and placing baking trays, ensuring its appearance is as good as new.
What is the downside to granite countertops?
Granite countertops offer a natural, earthy look but require regular maintenance. They are strong and durable, but improper sealing can lead to the sucking up of oils, juice, and wine, making them impossible to remove. Bacteria can also harbor inside granite if not sealed properly. As Americans use their kitchens more, accidents are more likely to occur. Zero-maintenance surfacing is a top client request for kitchen and bath updates, as it captures the drama of natural stone without constant sealing and upkeep. Despite being strong, heavy pots or pans can crack and chip granite due to its flaws and imperfections. Sealed granite is not as strong as quartz.
Does GREY granite stain easily?
Granite countertops are surprisingly stain-resistant, even in light colors, due to the natural stone’s hardness and minimal pores. This makes it an ideal choice for busy kitchens. Giallo Ornamental Granite, imported from Brazil, features white specks, dark gray, and brown veins on a beige backdrop, blending well with the natural stone backsplash and warm wood cabinetry. The beauty of natural granite is also its stain-resistant functionality, ensuring that drink spills won’t stain your granite as long as you clean up messes promptly.
Does granite countertop chip easily?
Granite countertops are not easily chipped due to their toughness, but they can chip when pressure is applied, such as sitting or hitting them. Weighty materials on the edges can also cause chips. To fix a chip, it is essential to remove the chip to prevent staining or an ugly appearance. However, it is not possible to restore the granite surface to its original state. If you have the skills, you can fix the chip yourself, but a professional should be consulted for the best outcome. While granite countertops are tough, they can chip if you apply too much pressure or place weighty materials on the edges.
📹 Is Soapstone The BEST Countertop EVER!
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My SIL has had soapstone counters for 20 years and they are gorgeous. She’s oiled them maaaaybe 3 times. It’s really not necessary, only for looks, and they develop a patina over time that ultimately makes it unnecessary. Soapstone is used in chemistry labs as it is impervious to literally almost everything. My top three requirements are stain resistance ✅ heat resistance ✅, low maintenance ✅ and soapstone is (almost?) the only surface that checks all those boxes.
Great article. FYI, asbestos is a problem only when it is friable (easily crumbled into small particles that can become airborne). Any asbestos in a soapstone countertop would be well encapsulated and almost impossible to make friable under normal use. It may require some special care in the fabrication process (into countertops) but should be no concern once installed.
Another awesome article Mark! I loved it. But I was confused when I landed in the woods 7:19 for a bit… with the chirping birds and crickets. Your articles always take me on a journey but in this case, over the river and through the woods, I wasn’t sure if I would find Grandmother’s house or the Big Bad Wolf at the end of it. Luckily we hit the Happily Ever After. So so masterful! Thanks again for another great one!
I just had a kitchen renovation done. Because of the age of the house (built in ’45), the style of the kitchen, my experience with the material in the past, the durability, heat resistance, the fact that it isn’t a bacterial super highway, and other reasons led me to soapstone. I whipped up my own walnut oil and carnauba wax concoction, I’ve applied it twice so far, and I have to say, it is one of the most beautiful countertops I have ever seen. It is magnificent. I’m not worried about asbestos because I don’t plan on grinding it to a fine particulate. Small chips and scratches are often just family memories. I love it.
We have our very own Soapstone quarry, the only quarry in the United States that still quarry’s soapstone right here in Virginia. The Albarene Soapstone Company. It seems that the only locations for it’s showrooms is in the Northeastern states. I can’t find anyone near me who handles the installation of soapstone countertops. Very frustrating.
Great article! Informative and entertaining with good energy level. We recently decided on new countertops and your articles have helped us in our decision. We’re done with granite which came with the house and is quite esthetically unpleasant to the eye. We are older folks and don’t want to spend a lot of money on new countertops as we use our kitchen minimally for cooking – just the two of us. We went with Corian!! I can remember, back in the day, when we had to settle for laminate because Corian was too expensive -lol! We’ve decided that Corian fits our lifestyle the best and I, personally, like the look of it. We’ll get a new sink and faucet and we’re good to go. Looking forward to installation and more of your articles. Thanks for sharing!!
I’ve had a soapstone counter for two years now. I grew up with one in my family home, which my parents still live in, since 1999. I gotta say, scratching is not the problem that sales people make you think it is when they just so happen to not have it in stock. Also waxing it is easier than oiling, and you do it less and less over time. My parents maybe have accumulated a total of 3 scratches in multiple decades of having soapstone and they just buffed it out with a fine grit sandpaper. Like scratching isn’t an issue if you’re not cutting directly on it.
MY GOD! Your background is gorgeous! I just noticed it. You got rid of that dark brown cabinet thing (I asked you once what it was and you wouldn’t tell us) and now there’s beautiful new furniture and lovely paintings and artwork arranged in a gallery wall motif. Well done! And you say you’re not an interior designer. Your wife must be so pleased 🙂
I just ordered our soapstone slab a couple of days ago, such great timing to your article! But we are doing Invisacook hidden induction in our island, so that will be honed granite. I cannot find if soapstone can work with hidden undermount induction, but for the island I think the harder stone will be better anyway. I am debating if I should blend or have a bit of contrast in the two stone colors. (like black and charcoal, or all black). But mainly I am SO excited for the soapstone, a living surface that can be buffed and contribute so much life to the space. And we having the fabricator make a molded-in deep basin sink, so wonderful!
Laminate counters were my first choice, For cleaning, maintenance, and options in color had its on voice. Value & accessability who could contest, Never looked back we knew for us…our choice was the best. Soapstone oooh🤩 would have been a yes please, But with our life circumstances we needed a counter that worked for us with ease. Every material has its own intricate personality, Chose what you love even if what you love is a whimsacaliity, Pros will enhance… cons will dissappear Once you’ve made your choice You’ll love it year after year. Said all that just to say this… When nerves were on edge choices incomplete, We took a deep breath binged watched Mr Marks articles as we propt up our feet. To our suprise at the end of the day. It confirmed our choices all doubt cleared away. Good kitchen designers are not bullys of their own design, They understand what we love, give us realistic within budget goals….take our ideas and make them shine! 🤣🤣🤣Great job Mr Mark thumbs up all day everyday👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
We just had Alberne soapstone countertops installed. They put 511 seal and enhance on them. Everything I have read is to just use mineral oil. Any suggestions? Is it okay to reapply as needed or should we try to remove the 511 and just use mineral oil. We want the dark look of the stone. And it is also scratching like crazy. I am shocked how much. Our daughter just moved one of our cereal bowls across the counter and it left six long scratches. I am going to have to let the scratches go but honestly I was not expecting it to scratch this easily.
Soapstone has been the countertop of choice in labs since alchemist days. We had WONDERFUL soapstone counters in an old hospital’s lab – decades old and silky-smooth from all the use and cleaning, and fabulous quarter-sawn oak cabinets. When they remodeled that wing, they reassured us that they would save the countertops and the cabinets. They did. The counters were recut into a tabletop for the executive meeting rooms and some exec washroom countertops and the cabinets became bookcases for the same management. The lab got stupid plastic and metal crap. We wuz robbed!
I just have to know if this is a thing….I never, no matter what the material, put a hot anything on my counters. It’s just not something that would ever cross my mind. Why is this a topic. Even if your counter could take it, why would you want to. Why not always take the extra step to protect your countertop.