Welcome to the captivating realm of granite, an ancient rock with mesmerizing patterns and unique, contemporary allure. In this blog post, we’ll unearth some of the many vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and lustrous textures that make granite one of the most coveted choices for both interior and exterior design applications.
Discover how different hues and veining can transform spaces to reflect your personality and aesthetic preferences. Whether you’re a design enthusiast or a homeowner looking to revitalize your countertops, join us as we explore the myriad possibilities of granite.
Find out how granite can add a touch of elegance and natural beauty to your living space!
Granite
How Granite Countertops Can Be Customized to Match Your Fondest Design Dreams
Custom granite countertops are how you make sure no one in the world has your exact countertop—the stone or the style—and tailor the slab to your needs.
What Is Custom Granite Customization?
If you’ve been googling “custom granite countertops near me,” we bet that you’re curious about how the custom countertop process works.
A custom countertop is created to meet the parameters you come up with, and you have complete control over the color, pattern, edge profile, and finish. Regarding the final look of your countertop, you are the boss. The slab will reflect your personal style and undoubtedly be something you enjoy looking at and working with each day.
Customization Benefits
There are quite a few benefits if you’re interested in customizing your countertops:
A one-of-a-kind design
When you customize your granite, you’re choosing a slab that reflects your personal style. There’s no compromising in this situation; we’ll make sure you get exactly what you want. Your countertop will also stand apart from the rest because of the edge profile of your choosing.
A perfect fit
If you have a unique countertop layout or an oddly shaped kitchen, a custom countertop is sure to fit whatever space you’re working with. Since this countertop is made especially for you, there won’t be any worries about problems with fit or shaping.
Higher home value
A customized countertop is a great selling point if you’re looking to sell your home. Since custom granite countertops’ cost is reasonable, it’s a great investment that allows you to see major returns.
Durability
Granite is durable in the first place, but customizing the countertop can make it even more so. You can choose a type of granite that is known for the way it’s resistant to scratches, or you can customize the edge profiles to ensure that it won’t chip.
Why Customize?
Raw granite doesn’t turn into the beautifully finished product you’re used to seeing in the blink of an eye. The process is much more complicated than that. But at Stone Concepts, Inc., we have the advanced technology required to get the job done efficiently and, most importantly, impressively.
When you work with us, rest assured that you’ll receive the best quality possible—we care about your countertop project just as much as you do, and we have the equipment and the expertise to make the best results come to life.
After we polish your slab, you’ll be amazed by the gorgeous nature. You won’t find such quality anywhere else.
When you work with us, know that we will show up on time, pay great attention to detail when we fabricate and install your custom countertops, inspect each step of the installation process, and seal the final product for long-term durability and preservation.
Bringing Your Dreams to Life
When it comes to your granite countertop, you should never compromise. That’s why we recommend customization over anything else. To get started on your custom journey, reach out to Stone Concepts, Inc. today.
Parents, Pet Owners, Cooks, and More: The Right Countertops for Different Types of People
Here at Stone Concepts, Inc., we care about every member of your family—and we care about all types of families as well. Here in this article, we’ve put together some valuable information for three common types of families:
- The family with busy kids
- The pet lovers
- The cooks (serious or recreational)
We’ll get into the reasoning why each of these countertop materials work for each type of person, and even if you’re not a parent, a pet owner, or a chef, you’ll see how they can work for you too.
Countertops for Parents
We know that your family is busy and you don’t have the time to follow your kids around with a rag—no matter how old they are. So you’ll need something that’s practical and low maintenance, as well as nice to look at.
The two materials that check all these boxes are the following:
Quartz countertops. Engineered quartz countertops are great for busy families because they are heat, scratch, and stain resistant. They don’t sustain etches, either! They are super easy to maintain and clean, and they don’t require sealing either.
Granite countertops. Granite is your family’s best bet if you gravitate toward natural stone. This hardy material doesn’t need much maintenance, and it’s extremely durable and heat resistant. Because it’s porous, it does need to be sealed regularly, but it doesn’t require any other major maintenance.
Countertops for Pet Lovers
Most people in the world see their pets as a part of their family, which means they value making their home pet friendly. Pets who jump on the counter can leave scratches and germs behind, and sometimes stains, so choosing a countertop that’s easy to clean is essential.
Soft-stoned countertops like marble are off the table simply because they scratch too easily. A couple good choices include granite and quartzite—because while it’s also possible for them to sustain scratches, it’s much less likely.
Engineered quartz is also smart for pet lovers because it’s an inherently nonporous material. So that means it’s less likely to create a home for pet germs to live.
Countertops for Cooks
If you love to cook, you know that a countertop’s function is just as—if not more so—important than its looks. It should be able to hold up under heavy use and clean up nicely.
One of our favorite choices for chefs is the granite countertop because they don’t scratch easily, and they’re heat resistant too. Sealing granite will prevent damage from water rings, stains, or grease spots, which makes it a great candidate for a chef’s kitchen. These countertops are also easy to clean, so you won’t have to scrub madly after making a meal.
We like quartz countertops for cooks too, simply because they’re so durable. They don’t need to be sealed, yet they don’t scratch, chip, or stain.
The Perfect Countertop
Whether you’re a parent, a pet lover, a cook, or a mix of the three, you can’t go wrong with granite or quartz countertops. They are our frontrunners, and they can benefit any home. To learn more about their impact, reach out to Stone Concepts, Inc. today.
Don’t Take Your Countertop for Granite: 6 Ideas for Preventing Stains and Protecting the Finish
When you invest in granite countertops, you want to make sure they look great for as long as possible—and that means knowing how to prevent countertop stains. While it’s true that granite doesn’t necessarily stain easily, it’s also wise to do all you can to keep it safe.
Protecting Granite Countertops
To follow are six ideas to prevent stains and protect the finish of your granite countertops:
- Seal your countertop (and reseal regularly—talk to our team to figure out how often you should reseal).
- Avoid using harsh cleaners that have citrus, vinegar, or bleach in their ingredients.
- Use a trivet when necessary—the hot pan won’t damage your stone, but the grime on the bottom of the pan might stain it.
- Avoid spilling fruit juices and wine on the surface (these are acidic substances).
- Never place cooking oil, creams (like makeup), or perfumes on the surface.
- Always use a coaster.
Does Granite Stain Easily?
While it’s important to know how to prevent countertop stains, you can rest easy knowing that granite countertops don’t incur stains easily. Though they are a porous stone that must be sealed, they are actually much less porous than other types of natural stone, like marble.
Removing Stains from Granite
If a stain has occurred on your granite countertop, there’s no need to fret. Most of the time, stains aren’t permanent and can be removed easily. All you need to do is create a poultice or a paste—the type of ingredients put into it depends on what type of stain your granite is experiencing.
Oil. Create a mixture of baking soda and water, then place it over the stain. Cover the mixture with plastic wrap and hold it in place with tape, then let it sit anywhere from twenty-four hours to three days.
Superglue. Soak a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and carefully scrub the glue stain.
Ink or paint. For lighter stones, use hydrogen peroxide. For darker stones, use lacquer thinner.
Remember not to use bleach when you remove stains from your granite; doing so may permanently damage your stone.
Keeping Granite Beautiful
Understanding how to prevent stains on your granite is essential to keeping your stone looking beautiful for as long as possible. For more tips on how to care for your granite countertop, get in touch with Stone Concepts, Inc. at (978) 568-1911.