Why granite is a perfect fit for your kitchen remodeling project

While your personal preferences, to a large extent, govern the way you would want to deck up your kitchen, you have to keep its functional requirements in view as well. For instance, you might as well love the idea of installing milky-white marble in your kitchen. However, white stones are not ideal for areas exposed to heavy use. So, you need to look for something which is not only backed by visual appeal but a significant level of functionality as well. Here’s where a Granite Worktop works wonders for you. A few advantages of installing granite worktops are provided below.

Installing granite worktops in your kitchen: How will it benefit you?

Can a granite worktop be considered to be a profitable investment? Definitely yes! We’ll try to find out answers why it’s so!

One of the foremost merits of granite is that it’s a natural surface not consisting of plywood or laminate. A slab composed of natural material is a great fit forthe modern kitchens with limited space since it makes them look larger and accentuates its general appeal.

Granite, in general, is known to add value to your property. You have the liberty to settle for a cheap worktop but it won’t be long before you start regretting your decision. Not only will it start showing cracks soon but also decrease the value of your property. Don’t forget that your kitchen will be in focus when your potential pays a visit to your house. The addition of a cheap worktop will not really help you get the best value for your home. Granite, on the other hand, never depreciates in price and its functional value and visual appeal are taken into account while estimating the value of your property.

Granite is also known for its durability- a perfect answer to all the woes typically associated with every kitchen- oil spills, exposure to heat and what not? For instance, granite is known to endure hot utensils for a longer period of time than most of its other counterparts. However, that doesn’t really mean that you can go on to expose it to direct heat for hours. A little bit of prudence from your end can ensure longer life as far as your granite worktop is concerned.

Taking off from the previous point itself, let us tell you that granite is a low-maintenance stone – which of course justifies its price. You just need to ensure that you’re wiping away the spills and other marks after you’re done with your kitchen chores (you don’t have to do it immediately if you don’t want to). Don’t cut vegetables directly on granite since it is not immune to the cuts inflicted by knives. Use cutting boards instead.

Don’t forget!

Please be sagacious enough to procure your stone from reputed granite manufacturers in town. There is no dearth of stone manufacturers in the UK. However, not all of them are equally credentialed to offer you similar quality. So, it is important to check their credentials thoroughly before investing. 

Buying granite worktops: Don’t commit these mistakes

A granite countertop is a costly investment but most of the homeowners are ready to make this investment owing to the benefits exclusively associated with the stone (i.e. granite) - strength, durability, visual appeal and low maintenance. For many, a home remodeling project is incomplete without granite worktops. However, property owners are often found committing the following mistakes repeatedly while buying a granite worktop.

Mistakes while buying granite worktop

Are you aware of the fact that all granite worktops are not created equal? There are major variations in colors, textures and patterns. However, there are many who are not aware of the fact that the most vibrant of colors are the most porous of them all.

Being too fussy about thickness

Realistically the granite slabs are available in two major variations (thickness) – the 1 ¼” cut or the ¾” slab. Anything thicker than that implies two slabs glued together. If you end up settling for the same, do be prepared for a number of maintenance problems.

Going horribly wrong with colors and quality

We are talking about polar opposites here. You are either too fussy about the color of the worktop- so much so, that you even end up undermining quality or you are ready to settle for the sample piece itself without even checking out other colors.

We have already indicated how flamboyant colors rule the roost as far as personal favorites are concerned. However, the darker countertops are a wiser investment owing to their non-porous nature. Additionally, they can absorb spills and liquids better than their more flamboyant counterparts as well.

Not resorting to professional help

DIY installation is a great thing but not always. If you aren’t a professional worktop installer you should not ideally deal with the high traffic areas of your house including kitchens and bathrooms. Your kitchen countertops, for instance, are exposed to substantial use. Any installation mistake can even end up injuring your family members. Instead, rope in a professional to get the work done. Find out the maintenance needs of the worktops from the professionals. And as far DIY is concerned, if you’re interested in rendering that personal touch to your home you can always try out some lighter woodwork or a garden patio.

Not planning way ahead

Please remember that whenever you’re embarking on a remodeling project you are supposed to attain the right balance between your budget and the things that you want for your home. For instance, you would definitely want sufficient counter space for your sink, refrigerator and other kitchen appliances. Consult a contractor to be better guided regarding the placement of the countertops and ways in which you can bolster the resale value of your home in future.

So, all this definitely takes time. You need to consider the aforementioned factors at first and then go on to choose the countertop. So don’t commit the mistake of not planning everything way ahead.

Are you going to install new worktops soon? If yes, then make sure you’re not repeating these mistakes. 

Granite for your Bathroom: What it has to Offer

It has been quite a long time since natural stones have been a used in private and public bathrooms. Needless to say, their durability, aesthetic qualities and strong resistance from dampening are just a few of the attributes that have contributed to their unprecedented popularity. Homeowners, looking forward to introduce spa elements in their bathrooms have affordable access to beautifully crafted granite tiles. Read on to know more. 

Granite: Combining Class, Prestige and Vibrancy

To start off with, it can well be said that granite is a prestigious addition to your bathrooms. Applying granite tiles and surfaces of contrasting textures and colors can render an exotic look to your “home sanctuary” (i.e. your bathroom). However, one has to ensure that the right contrasts are added so as to make the most of the aesthetic qualities of granite. Selecting the right style, shades and textures and combining them with the right fixtures and decoration are important. One necessarily does not have to restrict his choices when it comes to selecting the right finishes and textures of granite, because there are so many options made available by different stores out there.

One of the most notable advantages of selecting granite as your bathroom tile is that it adds unparalleled functionality to your bathroom. Granite is known to be one of the hardest stones in the world – thanks to its composition. A mix of quartz, feldspar and mica makes the stone extremely durable. Plus, the combination of different schemes and colors render a very unique appeal to your bathroom.

What you should know

Coming back to selecting the right mix of shades and textures, it would be advisable for you to get ideas from relevant resources. For instance, you can always team up the darkest of granite shades with that of creams and whites. The entire color scheme presents a unique contrast and looks great when further teamed up with luxurious granite worktop, basins and sinks. Creams and beiges are branded as the “warmer colours” and are great for the winter season.

Selecting the craftsmen

It is important to ensure that you’re procuring your granite tiles and worktops from reputed craftsmen. There are several ways in which you can become sure about the credentials of the store you’re buying from. Read reviews of companies on the internet. Go through the testimonials. What do clients, in general, have to say about the quality of products offered by these stores? Are they satisfied with the quality thus offered or do they think that they could have settled for better choices? Please make sure you’re going through all the points of complaints or grievances against the leading craftsmen in the UK. There are so many stores offering granite tiles and other bathroom surfaces but not all of them can offer equally satisfactory services. So, conducting a background research of these craftsmen is only a sagacious move on your end.    

Keep the aforementioned points in view in order to find the best of bathroom surfaces and their craftsmen in the UK.    

Granite Worktops for Bathrooms: When Opulence Meets Functionality

As much as we would like to install the most delicate of décor pieces in our bathrooms, we cannot actually afford to do that. Worktops – especially when they are installed in the bathrooms should be able to withstand possible stains generated from soaps and other cosmetics as well. So, there is actually no room for porous or delicate easy-to-stain worktops in your bathroom.

Finding out about bathroom worktops and more

Now, the worktop surface that you end up choosing will depend primarily on your personal tastes as well as budget. It will not really be an exaggeration to claim that granite worktops actually comply with the personal preferences of most of the homeowners out there. Why? Let us explore in the course of the post.

Firstly, the very inclusion of granite in a master bath turns out to be a profitable proposition owing to the very fact that it renders a very sleek and opulent look to the entire space thereby bolstering the resale value of your home as a result. However, it would actually be wrong to claim that granite’s merit is confined solely to its visual appeal.

Granite remains one of the most treasured stones known for its high endurance. It can tackle heat and wear better than most of its counterparts. It might as well cost you a tad more but please remember that you are not required breaking a bank for the same. And, if installed and sealed with due care, a granite worktop can actually last for years without you having to waste your time and money looking for a replacement just after a few years or so. As already indicated above, one must take proper care to seal granite so that it can repel grease. Notably, granite withstands stains better than marble does.

Granite is a low maintenance piece of décor which can be cleaned just with the help of a small piece of damp cloth. There are various grades of the stone made available in the market today. All you need to do is to conduct your research properly and find out which grade suits your tastes, budget and demands from a worktop perfectly.

The Significance of choosing a great manufacturer: How you can do it

Make sure you’re paying equal attention to the choice of the worktop manufacturer and provider as well. There are several stores engaged in offering bespoke granite worktops in London. However, don’t forget that not all of them are equally credentialed to offer you exactly what you want. You must find out whether the store is backed by the services of craftsmen adept at engineering products with superior finish, durability and an impeccable look or not.

You must have a look at the experience of the worktop engineers to start off with. Check out the catalogue of the stores so as to find out how diverse it is. Please make sure that you are not confined by choices. The store should be eager to offer you bespoke services besides their standard designs as well.

Adorning your homes with granite worktops

Granite worktops come in various styles and colours. However, this is not the only reason why it is such a popular choice among people. A granite worktop, at once combines a number of beneficial attributes that add a lot of functionality to your kitchen or for that matter to any corner of the house where you want to install the worktop. They are durable, beautiful, and resistant to heat and stains and require little maintenance. In short, they do turn out to be a worthy investment for your home.

Exploring the reasons why Granite remains a preferred stone

One of the primary reasons why granite has earned major traction today is its natural surface. Your culinary space is accentuated by natural stone (if you choose to invest in granite worktops) instead plywood or laminate. In this regard, let us mention that kitchens are crucial to amplifying your home’s resale value. That’s why homeowners generally attach a lot of importance to this part of their homes while carrying out a home improvement project. 

And, this is where granite turns out to be a worthy investment. Backed by a timeless appeal, these worktops are also durable. They come in variant sizes, patterns and styles and are available within reasonable price brackets – neither too cheap nor too expensive. You might as well be tempted to invest in a cheap worktop today, but be ready to change it after a few years or so. Granite, it can safely be said adds a lot of value to your home. You just have to ensure that you’re sealing it properly in regular intervals.

Plus you don’t have to worry about your countertop being scathed even by the touch of a heating pot. Granite is duly heat resistant – though you are advised against keeping it exposed to a heating pot for a prolonged period of time unnecessarily. 

Finding the finest of craftsmen: How exactly do you do that?

In order to get the best value for your money you need to ensure that you are procuring your worktops from credentialed craftsmen. There are several stores in the UK engaged in designing quality worktops. It should, in fact, be said that there are several stores offering granite worktops but not all of them have similar quality to offer. A lot depends on the expertise of the craftsmen responsible for engineering these worktops. Not all have the potential to offer you similar quality of work. Please ensure that you are only selecting a name after conducting thorough research on the background of the stores. For how long have they been in the business? Have they been able to garner positive reviews in the market? Would they be able to offer you bespoke services? How much do they charge? Have you compared the price and quality combination offered by other stores? What do their clients have to say about the quality of services offered by them?

Consider these points thoroughly before investing in granite. Hope this article has been of help.

A few ways to maintain granite worktops properly

Can’t stop admiring the newly installed granite worktops in your kitchen, right? Every home improvement project gives a new lease of life not only to your home but also to the people living in it. And, it brings along certain responsibilities as well. Let us take the example of the newly installed granite worktops in your kitchen. 

Granite Worktops: Exploring the reasons behind their popularity

Granite worktops are known for their unparalleled visual appeal as well as functionality. As a homemaker you will not really want to compromise on any of these factors (i.e. either visual appeal or functionality). While you would want your visitors to sing praises of the worktop, you won’t really want it to crack when a hot pan is placed over it. And a granite worktop will ensure all these qualities without really burning a hole in your pocket. 

Not only is granite available in a plethora patterns, textures and designs, it is durable and resistant to scratches as well. However, you need to take a few steps in order to ensure longer life of the granite worktop. The question is – “How exactly should you go on to maintain the granite worktops?” Given below are the answers. 

Simple Maintenance

Yes! That’s the best thing about granite worktops. You are not required to resort to heavy maintenance in order to ensure longer life of the granite worktops. A few simple steps will help you. Clean the countertop with the help of warm water. You can use a few drops of antibacterial detergent. Use a soft cloth while cleaning. 

Maintaining Granite Countertops

Though granite does not require heavy duty maintenance, it is important to ensure that you are prudently avoiding a few things. First of all, it is essential on your part to remember that you cannot really go on to expose the worktop to extreme heat and still expect it to last very long. Though putting a very hot pan for a very short period of time will not harm your worktop, you should be careful enough not to expose the worktop to heat for a prolonged period of time. Constant exposure to fluctuating temperatures is not advised either. So, you should be especially careful about not exposing the worktop to constant heat during the winters. 

DO not cut vegetables on it directly. Always use a cutting board.

And yes do not stand on the countertop. Make sure proper sealants are applied after the countertop is installed.

Procuring these worktops

Last but not the least- kindly be careful enough to ensure that you are procuring the countertop only from a reputed store- known for supplying quality countertops to people. Please make sure you are actually taking the trouble to invest due time in investigating the qualities of the store thoroughly before buying from them. Are they reputed enough? Do they offer you bespoke designs? Are they known for their superior craftsmanship? What are the clients saying about the quality of services offered by them?

Do consider these points thoroughly.