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A quartz countertop is a great addition to any home. Quartz is an extremely durable surface that is resistant to chemicals, wear, heat, and more. Quartz is an extremely popular material for kitchen and bathroom countertops not only because it is so durable but because it is also so versatile.

A quartz countertop creates a great workspace that can easily stand the test of time while delivering a beautiful aesthetic. Like all materials, you need to take care of your quartz countertop. These easy-to-follow tips will ensure that your new quartz countertop stays looking great for years to come.

Say No to Harsh Cleaners

Quartz is definitely a strong material, but some of the chemicals in household cleaners can damage the finish, mar the countertop, and negatively affect the bond. It is best to use a simple mix of warm water and regular dishwashing detergent to clean your countertops.

You can also purchase formulas that are designed specifically for cleaning quartz countertops. Just be sure to avoid harsh chemical cleaners.

No Abrasives

Avoid using abrasive cleaners, sponges, and other cleaning tools that can leave micro-scratches behind. Stuck-on messes can usually be cleaned up with hot water and a soapy rag. Leaving the hot rag on the spot for a few minutes will loosen any sticky mess.

While immediate problems will not be obvious if you use abrasive materials on your quartz countertop, it can cause problems over time. Use a soft rag or sponge instead.

Do not Worry About Sealing

Some types of stone countertops do need to be sealed over the lifetime of the countertop. However, quartz countertops do not require sealing. Quartz is a non-porous stone, making it highly stain-resistant and impervious to much of what happens in the kitchen or the bath.

Stay Ahead of Potential Problems

Quartz is resilient, but you should take care to clean spills up quickly. Equally important is to get in the habit of using trivets under hot pots and pans. While quartz can easily tolerate heat up to 300 degrees, heat can cause color fading. Additionally, taking a hot pan or pot and putting it on a cold countertop can encourage cracking.

Protect Your Countertops

Makeup in the bathroom or a wayward permanent marker in the kitchen left unattended can mean trouble for your new Bellingham quartz countertop. Take steps to prevent stains by protecting your countertops anytime damaging materials are being used.

A quartz countertop can last a lifetime with a little bit of maintenance and care. Learn more about stone counter options and how they can fit your lifestyle and improve your home.

Stunning countertops elevate the visual appeal of your kitchen. The human eye is instantly attracted to polished countertops, so the next time you plan to renovate your kitchen, ensure your fabricated countertops are easy to polish.

Countertop fabrication is a trend that is undoubtedly here to stay. However, it is advisable to consult a remodeling company for top-notch results. Your contractor will ensure you get the right design to match your home.

Working with Designers and Fabricators

Even though the kitchen is the most remodeled room in the house, homeowners must avoid making mistakes in the process. Working directly with your contractor and fabricator will give you the best insight into what designs work for you. Because fabricated countertops are trendy, you should know which surfaces are popular and what works for your kitchen. Here are the three most popular ones.

1. Quartz Countertops

Quartz is a striking stone that comes in many colors with a rich, deluxe, and glossy finish. Many people love a quartz kitchen countertop because it screams elegance. Apart from aesthetics, quartz countertops are also strong and do not chip or crack easily.

When it comes to cleanliness, the fabricated stone is more resistant to staining than most other stone countertops. This benefit is perfect for your kitchen since the non-porous nature makes quartz stand up to tomatoes, wine, oil, coffee, juice, soups, and more. If you are looking for a swanky, contemporary theme, you should definitely consider this stone countertop.

2. Marble Countertops

On top of offering spectacular beauty, marble has proved to be effective and worth the investment. Marble slabs became popular due to their white and black spectrums. Now, they are available in a wide range of colors like green, rose, and yellow.

The slabs are also unique, so you know your countertop will be one of a kind. Marble is also heat resistant, and therefore safe for hot pots, pans, and plates. After all, having a yellowing countertop due to heat damage is quite embarrassing and irritating. You will, however, have to maintain marble to enjoy its beauty and luxury.

3. Granite Countertops

Many people prefer a granite surface, as it never seems to run out of style. It is low-maintenance and sustainable. Granite is also durable, non-toxic, and does not emit gases or radiation. These factors make it one of the best surfaces for kitchen countertops.

Like marble, the stone is highly heat-resistant. You can place a hot pan on granite countertops without damaging them. Granite has a score of seven on the Moh’s hardness scale, which means it is quite difficult to scratch or damage. Once you upgrade to a granite kitchen countertop, you can go for years without needing a repair or replacement.

Are you tired of your old countertops and want a kitchen makeover that will transform the room for the better? Do you want custom-made countertops that fit your home’s theme or one that guarantees a good ROI? Then it is about time you hired a qualified remodeling company.

A countertop replacement or installation is tedious, but everything is made easy when you work with professionals. Besides, you get a chance to select your favorite design from the samples. With the help of a fabricating team, you will make the most suitable decision for an eye-catching kitchen countertop.

The kitchen is usually the focus of most homebuyers. It has become more than just a place for preparing food. Today, it is also a place for socializing with family or getting work done. It is a space that needs all the attention and investment you can afford during a renovation. But before you remodel your kitchen, it is essential to evaluate the return on investment. Here are some top updates to boost your home’s ROI.

1. Install a Kitchen Island

A kitchen island is a trendy option that is becoming popular with many homeowners. As more people shift to working from home, it is essential to create space for entertainment. There are many options for the finish, from marble to quartz countertops.

The kitchen island is a perfect merge between aesthetics and functionality. It is ideal for adding extra space for storage alongside your existing cabinetry. It can also serve as a place for snacking, working, or socializing. You can have additional seating for the whole family.

2. Update Your Backsplash and Countertops

To really make an impact, you need to consider updating your kitchen’s backsplash. The backsplash can brighten the interior and is one way to ensure the colors coordinate. It is usually cost-effective and does not require a lot of investment in either labor or materials. You can also update your kitchen lighting when upgrading your backsplash. This will help you bring out the beauty of the room, especially at night.

You can also spruce up your kitchen by updating it with a granite or quartz countertop. Granite is a popular timeless option built to last, while quartz is more cost-effective and durable. Unfortunately, marble is porous and soft, and therefore, it requires treatment to make it suitable for a busy home.

The goal is to find an inexpensive, durable option that has a high ROI. While granite is hard, it also requires sealing due to its porous surface. When you consider all the factors, quartz countertops have a higher return on investment.

3. Repaint or Refinish the Cabinets

Installing cabinets is one of the most expensive kitchen remodeling projects. It requires specialized labor, and quality materials are costly. However, your cabinetry will need an update to complement the design of other fixtures and appliances.

You may choose to repaint the cabinets to complement the colors of the new backsplash or quartz countertop. If the paint on the cabinetry deteriorates, refacing yields a better return on investment. It could also include changing the hardware as opposed to only updating the color.

4. Rethink kitchen Layout and Aesthetics

Your kitchen needs to have a layout that facilitates movement without obstructions. That means rethinking the placement of your appliances and fixtures. The doors of your cabinetry or appliances should not block the path when open.

Even as you update your quartz countertops, consider buying appliances that complement the aesthetics of your kitchen. Matching colors can make the design of the kitchen look uniform and is trendy for modern interiors. Homebuyers will appreciate an intelligent layout that is classy and functional.

According to statistics, 10 million kitchens are remodeled annually. That underscores the value of the kitchen to homeowners. Whether you want to reface your cabinetry or install a quartz countertop, it is always wise to consider the return on investment. For more information on how you can spruce up your kitchen to maximize ROI, contact Supreme Stone today.

About 10% of homeowners refinished their kitchen or bath and many chose quartz countertops. Quartz is a great durable material for countertops. It looks beautiful, can withstand a busy kitchen, and is easy to care for. With a quartz countertop, you get the best of both worlds. Quartz can provide great utility while delivering unmatched beauty.

Keeping your countertops in top condition and looking great for years to come is easy if you follow these simple tips. Follow these Dos and the Don’ts of caring for your quartz countertops.

Do This

Quartz is a tough surface that can is scorch resistant and stain resistant, but you do still need to clean it up. For everyday cleaning, a simple soap and water solution on a damp rag will easily do the trick. If you want a deeper clean, you can use 30% denatured alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and a 70% water cleaning mixture.

Of course, no matter how careful you are with your countertops, stains can happen. Getting rid of stains on a quartz countertop is easy if you know what to use. Here are some common stains and how to treat them:

• Food coloring. Food coloring mishaps are common in the kitchen. You can use a solution of hydrogen peroxide (30%) to remove food coloring or spice stains. Soak a cloth with the hydrogen peroxide and place it over the stain and leave it on in 10-minute increments (not to exceed 30 minutes total).
• Transfer stains. Markers, pens, even sticky labels left on the counter can be removed with rubbing alcohol.
• Hard water stains. Cleaning vinegar will remove water rings from hard water.

After cleaning any of the above, you should wipe the spot with a damp cloth wet with mild soap and water to remove any residue.

Don’t Do Any Of This

There are some things you never want to do to your quartz countertop. You never want to use any type of abrasive. You also should not use harsh chemical cleaners on your quartz countertops. Avoid using steel wool and scouring sponges as well.

Your countertops do not need to be sealed. They will maintain their beauty for years and years without any special sealant. A sealant will not soak into the stone and will wind up wearing away in high traffic areas first and reduce the beauty of the aesthetic.

While your new Bellingham quartz countertop can take a lot of wear and tear, you should use a trivet under a hot pot to protect the surface. You can learn more about the proper care of your quartz countertops by contacting the trusted source for kitchen design and countertops today.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy has slowed. However, consumer spending on home remodeling has increased by nearly 9%. Economists identify a few reasons for this increase:

• It follows a trend of ever-increasing spending on remodeling projects. For example, in 2018, consumer investment in kitchen remodels jumped by 27%.
• Consumers have money to spend on remodeling projects because they have not been able to spend on entertainment and travel during the pandemic.
• Homeowners want a comfortable home because the pandemic has forced them to spend more time there.

Kitchen remodels are consistently in the top two remodeling projects along with bathroom remodels. In kitchen remodeling, one of the most popular projects is a new countertop. A new countertop can update the entire feel of a kitchen with just one change.

Choosing a stone countertop might seem intimidating. Here are three factors to consider when choosing a stone countertop for your remodeling project:

Material

Different materials have different properties. Some of the differences include:

• Marble countertops: Marble is heat resistant. In fact, it is the surface of choice for many bakeries. However, marble is porous and can stain. Moreover, marble is not as hard as other stone surfaces, so knives can scratch it and acid can etch it.
• Granite countertops: Granite is also heat resistant. Unlike marble, granite will resist scratching and etching. However, granite is porous, so it will stain if it is not treated and maintained with sealant.
• Quartz countertops: Quartz is a manufactured product that includes stone and epoxy. Quarts comes in a wider variety of colors than natural stone materials like granite and marble. Quartz is non-porous, so it is easier to care for. Quarts is not heat resistant, but will resist scratching and etching.

Color and Pattern

The color and pattern of your stone countertop should complement your kitchen’s color scheme. Quartz is available in a wider variety of colors and patterns. Bellingham quartz, for example, includes white, grey, and beige colors and matches almost any kitchen color scheme.

Patterns can also have a dramatic effect on the feel of your kitchen. Stone products with a solid or flecked pattern will feel different than a countertop with large patterns.

Finally, stone products come in a variety of finishes. Your choices will include:

• Polished: Polished will provide a highly reflective surface.
• Matte: Matte will provide a duller, satin surface.
• Rugged: Rugged will provide the most natural surface.

Cost

Different stone surfaces have different costs for materials and maintenance.

• Marble: Marble costs more than other stone surfaces. It also has a high maintenance cost because of the need for frequent cleaning and regular sealing.
• Granite: Granite is less expensive than marble but more expensive than quartz. Granite does require maintenance because it must be sealed at regular intervals. However, since granite is not as sensitive as marble, the maintenance costs are significantly less than marble’s maintenance costs.
• Quartz: Quartz is the least expensive material among stone countertops. Moreover, maintenance costs for quartz are low because it is non-porous.

Stone countertops are a popular option for kitchen remodeling projects. A stone countertop can instantly create a sophisticated look and feel for a remodeled kitchen. Equally importantly, a stone countertop has a long lifespan. This means that installing a stone countertop will reduce, or even eliminate, your replacement costs since your marble, granite, or quartz countertop will last as long as your home does.