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The Benefits of a Marble Countertop in Your Kitchen

Enjoy a Kitchen With Marble Countertops in Butler, PA

If you have ever agonized over choosing countertops, you know it can be challenging to select a material. Although granite has its advantages, there is little in the world that can beat the luxury and elegance of marble. Once you see it, you may feel compelled to call your local supplier and place your order for marble countertops in Butler, PA.

As a rule, marble takes the cake in the kitchen. It offers several benefits to chefs and bakers, including:

A Baker’s Dream

Marble counters stay cool, which gives bakers an advantage when working with their ingredients. No matter what the thermostat says, your marble will stay below room temperature.

Easy to Cut and Shape

If you need a particular workstation or an unusual shape, marble is ready to deliver. It offers much more flexibility when it comes to fitting and size.

Durability

Marble countertops are stain-resistant when sealed, and although they can become etched by acidic foods, it’s a very durable choice in the kitchen.

Timeless Elegance

Nothing says elegance more than marble. There is a reason designers still recommend this material and why people feel drawn to it for their homes.

Heat Resistance

While it is not necessarily recommended that you set hot pots and items on countertops, marble is one where you don’t need to worry about damage.

The Durability of Quartz Countertops

Easy-To-Clean Quartz Countertops in Pittsburgh, PA

Quartz countertops in Pittsburgh, PA, are quite the popular option for many homeowners. This is because this is a material that doesn’t just deliver the looks people desire, but also the durability.

An impressive 90% of any quartz countertop is made from quartz crystals. Quartz is one of the hardest minerals on the planet. The other 10% is comprised of pigments and binders to give homeowners the beautiful, hardy, and nonporous surface they want. This perfect combination of form and function delivers the best of the natural material while making it even better suited for the wear and tear seen in most kitchens or bathrooms.

The durability of quartz is what makes it stand out when compared to marble or granite. Thanks to its unique engineering, quartz is better situated to handle the splashes, abrasive forces, and impacts that your surfaces might experience in a kitchen or bathroom setting. That means your surfaces are less likely to require ongoing maintenance and special considerations.

Quartz countertops are likely to be the best option for you when you want a beautiful surface that doesn’t need coddling. Finally, you can have that natural stone look you desire without having to worry about premature discoloring, cracking, or scratches.

How to Polish Your Granite Countertops

Learn How to Polish Granite Countertops

You love your granite countertops in PA, but over time you have noticed they have lost a little bit of that luster that you first fell in love with. That beautiful surface can be restored. All you need to do is polish your stonework so that it can shine like new again. But before you start, it is crucial to understand the right way to polish your granite so that you don’t end up causing any damage while trying to restore it. We are here with the advice you need.

The first step to polishing your countertop is to clean the entire surface with a granite-specific cleaner. We recommend using the appropriate polishing pad set to the recommended speed—usually a low one—to help you avoid creating any scratches. You also typically want to work from the outside edge of the granite inwards.

As you remove excessive dirt, you can keep repeating the process with finer diamond polishing pads until you reach the finest grit. It is important to remember never to apply pressure during the polishing process—let the pad do its work.

Once all the dirt is removed, you can apply a polishing cream and buff it to the desired finish using a hog’s hair or buffing pad. Finally, once you have achieved your desired shine, you will need to re-seal the granite to make sure it continues to look its best for many more years to come.

Why Marble Countertops Are Perfect For Cooking

Cooking With Marble Countertops in Butler, PA

When working in the kitchen, you deal with temperature extremes, from the oven’s heat to the deep freeze. Fortunately, you can cook confidently in Butler, PA, with marble countertops. There are several reasons why marble is one of the first choices for people that spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

Great For Baking

If you like to bake, marble counters are the answer. Marble stays naturally cool, which makes it the perfect work surface for baking. Hot items like freshly baked cookies will also cool faster when placed on marble.

Heat Resistance

Although you need to be mindful of the finish, marble can handle just about any temperature because it is made of stone. For this reason, it is a popular choice for fireplaces as well as kitchens.

Easy To Clean

While marble counters cannot be cleaned with harsh chemicals or abrasives, they are still simple to maintain. Use a solution of warm water and dish soap to reveal a beautiful fresh surface. Stubborn stains will disappear with a simple baking soda paste.

Durability

Marble countertops require extra maintenance because the stone is softer than other stone materials. However, it is still very durable and will easily resist scratching and cracking.

The Ease of Maintaining Soapstone Countertops

Maintaining Soapstone Countertops in Cranberry Township, PA

You may have initially chosen your counters because they are beautiful and environmentally friendly, but with that comes an array of additional benefits. With some simple maintenance tips, you will enjoy years of use from your soapstone countertops in Cranberry Township, PA.

Stain Resistance

Because soapstone counters do not stain, they require little to no maintenance. It also means there is also no need to apply harsh chemicals or rough cleaning pads to remove unsightly blemishes. You will enjoy years of beauty when you add this material to your kitchen design.

Hard To Crack

Soapstone may seem soft, but it is tough to crack. While you need to be aware that it can scratch, you never need to worry that it will break and require expensive repairs.

Durability

Because soapstone countertops don’t crack easily, they are very durable. Since they are also non-porous, they will serve you well for many years without the need to be sealed.

Cleaning Is A Breeze

As a non-porous material, soapstone wipes clean with no effort. Just use a soft cloth and mild soap along with regular oiling, and your countertops will look incredible for years to come.

Heat Resistance

You can’t put hot pots or pans on some countertops because of concerns over the potential for damage or discoloration. With soapstone countertops, you never need to worry since they are not affected by heat.

Why You Should Use Quartz Countertops

Quartz Countertops in Pittsburgh, PA

Quartz is a material that both homeowners and builders love to work with. Why? Because it outperforms the competition in numerous ways—all of which benefit you. Here are just some of the reasons why you should consider quartz countertops in Pittsburgh, PA, when you are looking to update your kitchen or bathroom:

It Is Non-Porous – Quartz is stain resistant and—as long as they are wiped away soon after a spill—will reject any liquids. This is quite different than some of the other natural stone surfaces, which can begin to absorb all of the different oils, juices, wines, and moisture that they have been in contact with throughout the years. Additionally, since quartz is non-porous, it does not need to be sealed.

It Is Low MaintenanceQuartz countertops continue to look good for many years without much work on your behalf. Spills just need to be wiped up with a damp sponge—no scrubbing, poultices, or special cleansers required. It is also scratch-resistant, which means even less to worry about.

It Is Highly Durable – Quartz is a solid and durable surface that allows you to move at your own pace in the kitchen without worrying about damaging your counters. It is also heat resistant, which helps reduce the potential of burns and fires.

It Is Stylish – All of that durability may not mean a lot if quartz wasn’t also quite attractive. These counters come in a wide range of colors and patterns that can perfectly mimic the look of granite, marble, and concrete. You also won’t see as many pits, fissures, cracks, color streaks, and other imperfections that are common in other stone surfaces.

Modernize Your Home with Custom Countertops

Plans for Custom Cabinets in Pittsburgh, PA

The counters in your kitchen take up a lot of space. That means if they are looking outdated—so is your kitchen. It also means that installing new, custom countertops in Pittsburgh, PA, is a quick way to give your space the makeover it needs.

There are three primary benefits of installing custom countertops in your kitchen. No matter what material you choose—granite, marble, soapstone, or quartz—your custom counters are sure to:

Fit Your Home – Not all kitchens are the same size, which means it is pretty challenging to walk into a store and get the perfect slab of material to fit your kitchen. Thankfully, a custom countertop is guaranteed to perfectly fit your kitchen, even when generic counters don’t.

Improved Durability – Custom countertops mean you have complete control over what materials you want to use. That means you can look into the advantages of all the different types of materials out there and choose one that best fits your needs. That is something that generic, ready-made countertops simply cannot offer you.

A Boost to Your Aesthetics – Finally, we come back to that kitchen makeover you’ve been thinking about. With a custom countertop, you are able to perfectly coordinate the color and design of your surface to match whatever vision you have for your kitchen’s current or future look.

natural stone countertops

Choosing Natural Stone for Your Bathroom Counters

Some popular countertop materials are made from genuine stone, a material that naturally occurs in the earth. Large chunks of natural stone are trimmed into smooth slabs that can then be customized in designs for countertops in Pittsburgh, PA. There are many kinds of natural stone surfaces on the market, but which is the best natural stone for your bathroom countertops?

Marble

Marble has been used as a surface material for centuries. While it is an incredibly beautiful stone, it is also soft and porous, so it soaks up water and pathogens. As this would be unhygienic, marble is sealed with a protective coat that also enhances the stone’s color.

Quartzite

Quartzite is a lesser-known natural stone option. It has a beautiful, almost slightly translucent quality and offers a beautiful look to bathroom countertops. Not to be confused with quartz, an engineered stone, quartzite is totally natural. Its strong and long-lasting and can handle the rigors of everyday use.

Granite

Granite countertops have become very popular and have almost become an expectation. While marble has long streaks and veins, granite typically has a speckled appearance. Its very tough and lasts for a very long time. While granite does need to be resealed, it is still a very durable option for your home.

food on a quartz countertop

Quartz Countertops: The Sensible Choice for Kitchen Remodeling

Nothing exudes elegance and timelessness like white stone. When you are in the market for a kitchen remodeling project, then you may have entertained the idea of a marble countertop. Unfortunately, its maintenance requirements might make most homeowners think twice about choosing it.

Quartz countertops in Pittsburgh, PA, have risen in popularity. They have similar characteristics to marble, but are also more durable. Here are a few reasons why quartz would be a good choice for your kitchen.

Engineered Stone: Making Elegance Accessible

Remodeling projects are investments. In today’s market, it is crucial that your dollar goes further. When it comes to remodeling, quartz countertops can make a difference for your project decisions.

The main advantage is that quartz countertops are more durable. Although marble is beautiful, it is soft and prone to staining. It is also etched by water, meaning it needs to carefully sealed. This can make a maintenance routine a time-consuming and even more expensive process. Quartz, on the other hand, is non-porous and is resistant to cracking and pitting.

Before ditching the idea of a beautiful, bright kitchen; consider choosing quartz as your countertop. It can be the solid surface option that is right for your home.

stone samples

Stone Remnants and Remodeling: Tips for Your Next Project

Stone remnants in Pittsburgh, PA, can be a great way to add style, elegance, and sophistication to your favorite spaces–while also saving on your total project costs. Although stone remnants may not be ideal for creating new countertops, you can utilize these materials in creative ways to great effect.

But first things first: where do stone remnants come from? Remnants are actually pieces of granite, quartz, or other stone surface material that have been cut for other projects. After a fabricator or remodeler cuts the original stone into a client’s desired countertop shape or wall tiles, it cannot be used for much anything else. Stone has different grains and colors, and they are difficult to match to craft entirely new countertops. Some contractors may sell these remnants at drastically reduced prices, allowing customers to give them new uses.

Stone remnants can meet a variety of needs for the customer who wants to use recycled products. Large remnants, for instance, can be used as countertops for kitchen islands–or for smaller areas where variance in the stone will mostly go unnoticed. They can also be repurposed to create bathroom vanities, coffee tables, or as decorative insets for a mosaic.

When working with stone remnants, the possibilities are virtually limitless. If you are interested in using these specimens for your next project, reach out to your local countertop or remodeling contractor to learn if they have anything to offer.