Granite countertops are one of the most popular countertop options in the market. Are you thinking about installing them in your kitchen or bathroom? There are plenty of things you should know about them. Some of these things include:
You have many options to choose from
Whether you are a minimalist, looking to give your house a modern look, or you want them for any other reason, there are plenty of countertop options for you for you to choose from. The natural stone surfaces come in different colors and patterns for you to choose from.
Due to the many options available for you, it can be a daunting task to choose the right material for your home. When you are choosing the right units, one of the most important factors you should consider is the design you want to create in your home. As a rule of thumb, you should go for materials that improve the overall design of your house.
If you aren’t sure of the right color, design, or style that is ideal for your house, you should get the input of an experienced professional.
Pay attention to the seams
While the countertops look great when you properly install them in your home, the seams can sometimes give them an ugly look. You don’t want this. For you to ensure that the countertops are as seamless as possible, you should hire the right countertop contractor.
The professional will help you with the inspection of the countertops, measuring of the space, cutting of the granite in order to fit your home and undertaking the installation so that the countertops look as great as possible.
A good contractor should be able to hide as many seams as possible, but in some cases, there are some that are unavoidable.
In addition to hiring an experienced contractor, you also should ensure that the contractor has the right machines for the work. For example, the contractor should have a suction-automated machine that aids in holding the granite in place thus ensuring that the existing seams are as unobstructive as much as possible.
Granite is breakable
It’s true that granite is a tough material, but this doesn’t mean that it’s unbreakable. This calls for you to be cautious of how you handle it. When you hit the surfaces, they can easily get dinged, chipped, and even scuffed.
The cool thing is that you can protect the surfaces from getting damaged. Some of the best ways of doing so is by polishing, sealing, and cleaning them regularly. When it comes to the kitchen countertops, carefully place the pots on them.
For the bathroom countertops, avoid placing any materials that can scratch them.
When repairing the cabinets or undertaking any other home improvement project, avoid placing hammers and other tools on them as they can get broken. Find a towel or any other material that will provide the much-needed protection.
If you have installed the countertops in a restaurant or any other place of work, educate the people on how to properly handle them. The last thing you want is your favorite pieces getting damaged.
The countertops aren’t all-purpose workspaces
As mentioned, granite is a tough material and holds up very well in a wide range of uses. While this is the case, it doesn’t mean that you can use it in any way that you please. You can roll dough on the units, but remember to use a chopping board when cutting the vegetables.
Although, they are tough and durable, you should avoid placing hot pans straight from the stove or oven. This is because the extreme temperature changes can damage the finish of the countertops giving them an ugly look.
When cooking, always use a trivet or potholder.
You need to maintain the countertops
For the countertops to look great and also last for a long time, you need to take good care of them. The cool thing is that it’s extremely easy to maintain the countertops. The only thing you need to do is to polish, seal, and clean the pieces and you will be good to go.
Of course, for you to get the most from the units, you need to ensure that they are of high quality. This calls for you to buy them from reputable granite companies Raleigh.
