Posts made in November 2019

Anyone who has ever sold a home before can tell you that it can be a pretty stressful experience. Much of the time is spent hoping you will find an interested buyer and, when found, that the buyer isn’t going to try to low ball you on your price. Many homeowners wonder if there is a way to attract more buyers willing to spend the amount they believe their home is valued at, and the answer is yes!

The key to getting what you feel your home is worth when trying to sell it is to make strategic upgrades and repairs that potential buyers are going to notice and fall in love with. One of the smartest upgrades you can make is with your countertops in Pittsburgh, PA.

Whether in a kitchen or in a bathroom, countertops take up a lot of valuable real estate. Their appearance can also help dictate the overall look of the room they are located in. That means you want to make sure the counters you are presenting are looking their very best. By updating your countertops so that they complement your cabinets, floor, and appliances, you can turn what was maybe a bland space into something eye-catching.

Remember, as a seller, you want to create some sort of draw to your property that sucks in buyers and makes your space irresistible. Investing in new countertops helps you do just that so you can see a nice return for your hard work when the home sells.

You already know that marble is a great looking choice for kitchen counters, but what else do you need to know about marble countertops?

For starters, marble is a durable material that ages nicely and develops a very pleasing character over time. It can be considered in the same way as a favorite pair of jeans that build up a familiar, likable personality with use and wear.

It’s long-lasting, but it’s also porous which means that it is susceptible to staining and should be cleaned regularly. Because it’s porous you might want to consider what finish you choose. A honed finish gives it a matte look that doesn’t show scratches as much, but its pores are open. In that case you will want to apply a sealant.

A polished finish doesn’t stain as easily, but the surface can etch and scratch. The shiny surface can also wear down eventually.

Frequent and effective cleaning is ideal for preventing marble from showing its age from accumulated stains. A solution of warm water and dish soap spritzed onto the counter and wiped away works very well. Mix baking soda and water into a paste and apply it to stains overnight. The surface stains will lift right out.

As a business that spends a lot of time working with marble countertops in Wexford, PA, and the surrounding areas, we hope you find our insight helpful in informing your decision

Making your kitchen look like new is as easy as installing updated countertops. But, deciding which type of material to use can be the tough part as there are many options on the market.

Let’s say you’ve narrowed down the choices between granite and quartz countertops in Pittsburgh, PA, but still need some help finalizing your choice. The team at Top It Off, Inc., has the knowledge and experience that you can rely on for guidance with this decision.

Let’s take a look at both materials.

Granite is mined from pure stone with a wide range of colors including blues, greens, roses, and earth tones. Quartz is manufactured from crushed stone that is mixed with a pigment and other binders. Granite contains abstract veining and movement within the design, while quartz has more consistency in the color.

Quartz is extremely durable. It withstands the test of time admirably, and since it’s not porous, there is no worry about food preparation and serving areas being contaminated with germs and bacteria getting trapped in the surface. That also means it resists staining too. Granite needs to be sealed to prevent damage, and you’ll need to reseal it every ten years depending on use.

As far as cost goes, you can get similar pricing depending on what you are looking for. Quartz can cost much more than some granite, but if you are looking at high-end, rare granites you will be looking at a steeper price tag.