Countertop | Home Makeover Diva

Help With Choosing Granite or Quartz Countertops

02.26.2015 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Mitch writes:

I’m picking out new countertops, but I am not sure which one is the best choice.Granite or Quartz? Please help!

Mitch, if I had a dollar for every time I got asked that question. . . I wouldn’t be a millionaire, but I would definitely be a couple hundred dollars richer! When it comes to picking out granite or quartz countertop surfaces, many people are at a loss of what to choose. Rest assured though that you’re not alone in your quest for the best countertop surface!

Let me also assure you that there’s no real right or wrong countertop when considering these two wonderful surfaces. Simply put, both granite and quartz are great countertop options. To better help with your dilemma, I’ve got a couple of questions to help us narrow down which countertop will work best for you.

Naturally occurring beauty that will be unpredictable or a consistent countertop pattern and color?

Granite is a beautiful choice, but it’s not appropriate for everyone or every kitchen. This comes into play because granite often makes for a bold statement, especially considering that some granite patterns are difficult to ignore. Confused by that last statement? Think back to the last kitchen you saw with a bold granite countertop. Do you remember anything else about that particular kitchen? Often times granites with large designs and a lot of color can become the focal point of the kitchen, making the rest of the features barely noticeable by contrast. There is nothing wrong with this, but it is something to keep in mind when you go countertop shopping! If your kitchen already has a lot going with patterns and colors, then you may wish to find milder colors and patterns when looking into a new countertop. With regard to style, typically speaking, granite fits in more with a traditional design.

I also strongly recommend going to the warehouse yourself and picking out your own granite slab for your countertops. This way, you can avoid any “surprises” that may arise after installation. As splotches may be bigger or smaller than at the showroom, a tone or hue may be different or the rock formation could change the pattern as the granite is mined, it’s best to be there in person to inspect things. You just don’t know what little change may happen in the rock from the time it was mined and put in the showroom to the slab that actually gets installed in your kitchen.

While granite is natural and unpredictable, Quartz is man-made and more uniform. What you see in the showroom is almost exactly what you’ll get installed in your home. The two biggest brands of quartz are Silestone and Zodiaq, each have between 30 to 50 different colors. Some have small splotches while others are bigger. They even come in different textured looks. For example, Silestone has a line that reminds me of honed limestone or marble. Because of the uniform appearance and smaller splotches some colors in quartz work well with a heavily patterned kitchen backsplash. This makes quartz perfect for more modern kitchens.

How much countertop upkeep are you looking for?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54BKL7jvhks

Most granite surfaces require sealing. There are some that do not, but many granite countertops do. For those surfaces, you’ll have to seal them when they’re installed and then you will need to re-seal the countertop every 1 to 2 years. This will help protect your investment and keep your countertop from staining. If you’re instead looking for a countertop with minimal upkeep, I’d suggest quartz. Because quartz is nonporous and doesn’t require sealing like granite. This makes for a great selling point for quartz since it makes it’s more difficult to stain and happens to be antimicrobial. Neither granite or quartz is completely stain proof, however quartz offers greater stain resistance. The final point I would make between the two countertop surfaces is that quartz is slightly harder than granite. This means that it’s less likely to see scratches during daily use than a granite countertop.

Now I must tell you that I’m slightly biased when it comes to choosing countertops because my countertop happens to be quartz. That said, understand that I chose my countertop based on its color and pattern, not the type of surface. At the time, I was going for a modern look that matched well with my cabinets and flooring. The fact that it is low maintenance turned out to be a bonus. So when it comes to choosing your own countertops, you’ve got to decide which is the best for you and your kitchen. As I mentioned earlier, there is no true right or wrong answer for your question. What it boils down to are the above benefits I’ve explained, your own personal preference and which countertop surface looks best in your kitchen. Either way, whichever countertop you choose will be great I’m sure!

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe (diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog.

Can You Paint Cultured Marble Or Tile Countertops?

02.24.2015 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Mary asks,

Have any ideas about making over countertops that are cultured marble, and tile countertops? Rust-Oleum Countertop Transformations won’t work on these surfaces. 🙂

Mary, unfortunately neither one of those surfaces handle paint well in wet areas. This is one of the reasons why it’s not recommended to use a product like Rust-Oleum CountertropTransformations on cultured marble or tile.

Upon receiving your question, I asked all my contacts in the painting industry for help and I also scoured the internet to find a paint for a DIY makeover on a cultured marble countertop. Unfortunately, short of buffing and reapplying a gel coat to get it back to its former glory, there really isn’t much you can do yourself to give a cultured marble countertop a new look. In fact, when it comes to making over cultured marble you really have only three options: live with it, replace it or hire a company to come in and professionally refinish it.

The first option is pretty self-explanatory, do nothing and live with the countertop you’ve already got. Not the most glamours option, but it’s certainly the cheapest.

The second option requires you to choose a new countertop and install it yourself, or hire someone else to install it for you. Depending on the size of your countertop, you might be able to find a pretty cheap replacement at a home improvement store. If you go this route and decided to do it yourself, be aware that you are also going to have to deal with the plumbing attached to the sink and faucet as well. After all, it’s not just the countertop that has to be removed and replaced.

The last option is to hire a company to professionally refinish it for you. This is done very similarly to how you would have a bathtub or shower refinished, which is why it’s best to have someone else do the work for you. To date, none of the attempts I’ve seen by DIYer’s have turned out very well. It’s also important to mention that if you are going to have this done, it may be more cost-effective in the long run to just replace the countertop. These finishes can last for awhile, but eventually may chip and crack. At which point, you’d be back to square one. Which brings us back to option two – replace it.

As for a tile countertop, if the tiles are well secured, just about the only thing you can do that will last is to put a new tile right over the existing ones. However, this poses a unique problem when it comes to the sink. Whether the sink is an under mount or a drop in sink, you’ll have to get creative with the new edge. In the case of an under mount sink, how will you treat the overlap of the tile onto the sink? It will now be twice as thick as it was before and if you leave it the way it is it, you’ll be able to see the edges of both layers of tile. So, you’ll have to find away to cover up the existing tile and make a finished looking edge at the same time.

If the sink is a drop in, you’ll want to make sure that the additional tile with thinset isn’t too tall. You don’t want the tile to be taller than the sink. And then if the sink is round, you are going to have a lot of angled circular cuts to make. Which can be frustrating if you are not familiar with how to make those types of tile cuts.

I wish I had better advice to give, but when it comes to cultured marble and tile countertops there really isn’t much you can do. My advice is to wait until you can replace them completely, as this is the only option that will be cost effective and long lasting.

Cleaning Granite Countertops Safely

02.18.2015 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Susan writes:

Dear Diva, A friend of mine just told me I could use regular Pledge on my granite countertops. Is this true? I’ve used Pledge on my wooden surfaces but it just doesn’t seem like the thing to use on granite. Please help, I’m confused! Cleaning granite countertops safely is what I’m after here.

Dear Susan, you will hear a lot of other people’s advice on what they think you can use to clean or polish your granite countertops. And Pledge is one of those items that even some of the high-profile websites have readily endorsed lately. However this advice could be absolutely wrong for your countertops. Despite the fact that the can of Pledge even says that it can be used on granite and marble alike, there is some fine print that should be noted. Right on the can and on their own website Pledge specifies that it is ‘safe to use only on finished, sealed surfaces.’

1) Important Warranty and Disclaimer Information – Unfortunately, though, none of the high-profile websites or your friend probably mentioned that disclaimer. This is a shame because it could cause a problem if your granite has never been sealed or is in need of a fresh coat of sealer. If your granite countertops were made in the last couple years than the odds are pretty good that they have the lifetime (15 year) warranty and seal. If this is the case than you could probably use Pledge and be perfectly fine. However, if your granite countertops are older or in need of a sealer, you could have some discoloration or staining appear depending on the colors in your granite.

2) Read the Product Label – This is why I always recommend reading the entire label (fine print and all), on any product you are going to use on your countertops and when possible contacting the company who provided your countertops to find out what the manufacturer suggestions for cleaning products are. Especially, considering that if you use the wrong product you could void your manufacturer warranty. Now I know what some of you are thinking: manufacturer warranties don’t cover a lot. But in my experience the time you dismiss that warranty is the time you need it! And on a product that costs as much as granite, it would be wise to preserve that warranty as much as you can.

Beware: Pledge is not the only product that is being recommended incorrectly for granite countertops. Some websites are advising readers on how to remove specific stains on granite countertops using other unsafe products. While I have no doubt that most of these remedies will work, I am concerned that none of the granite cleaners recommend by legitimate countertop experts rely on bleach or other harsh chemicals.

These household cleaners aren’t mindful of the sealer applied to your granite counters. So while using bleach or acetone on your granite will no doubt strip the stain, it will also strip the sealer at the same time. This of course, means you would be even more susceptible to countertop staining in the future.

3) Avoid Misleading Advise – Why the so-called “experts” on these unnamed websites aren’t mentioning this critical info is beyond me. Apparently they’re also suggesting that you reseal your granite every two to three years based on their cleaning advice. Just remember to be mindful of the granite warranty and the warranty on any granite sealers you’ve used prior to stain removal. Following directions on the back of your granite cleaner is always a good idea while using household products and following bad advice, is something that is best to be avoided.

Granite countertops are expensive and you should protect your investment regardless of how easy someone else’s advice may be to follow. If you read the fine print on any cleaning products and do your research as far as warranties go, you’ll save yourself valuable time and money.

Update: One other product that is made specifically for cleaning granite countertops safely is called Rock Doctor. Despite the silly name, this product has received great reviews! You will only need the polish and cleaner, assuming your granite as already be sealed. These products are designed for granite and will prevent you from voiding your warranty using the wrong granite cleaning products.

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe(diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog.

Selecting New Solid Surface Countertops

02.02.2015 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Dianne asks,

Dear Diva: What factors should I consider when selecting new solid surface countertops? I’ve been looking online at all the different options available and now I’m so overwhelmed! I don’t even know where to go from here! Please help!

Dianne, as with almost every home makeover product there are several factors one should consider when choosing a new solid surface countertop. With so many options out there, it’s no surprise that this task could be daunting. But don’t worry, you’re not alone! Having helped countless clients choose their own solid surface countertops and having gone through the process myself, I’ve learned a few things that are sure to help you find the perfect countertops. However in this article, I’m not going to address how to find the perfect brand or color, because I don’t think you are quite there just yet. Instead I’m going to address 3 questions you should ask yourself before beginning your search for new solid surface countertops.

What’s your budget?

Save yourself some time and heartache by figuring out what your budget actually is before you set foot in a kitchen showroom. By having your budget figured out first, you’ll be able to know whether or not what you fall in love with at the showroom is actually in your budget. You’ll also have a better idea of what types of solid surface countertop materials you should be looking at. For example the basic choices in Corian are cheaper than those made of recycled glass or quartz. So if you can’t afford recycled glass solid surface countertops, then there is no sense looking at those types of countertops! Unless, of course, you can hold off on getting new countertops until you can afford something more expensive. Otherwise, I’d suggest sticking to what you can afford now.

What’s available in your area?

If you haven’t started looking at what the different companies in your area have to offer, I’d suggest starting by doing a little leg work first. You can find a lot of good information online, when it comes to a product’s features and benefits, but what you can’t really see is exactly what it looks like. Now, I’m not saying you won’t see a lot of good quality photos online. What I am saying though, is that between the color of your computer screen and the type of lighting the photo was taken in, you can’t expect the color of the countertop to look exactly like you see it in the photo when it gets installed in your home. So by looking around at what is available locally, you’ll get a better idea of how that countertop actually looks and feels. If you do find something you like while you are out doing your legwork, get a sample to take home. This way you can compare it with the items in your kitchen and see just how it will look in your kitchen. This is an important step, because odds are you have more natural and/or artificial light than what you saw at the showroom. And this will affect the color the countertop.

Additionally, there are a lot of different kinds of solid surface countertops available. And if you’ve searched online, you’ve seen a plethora of available options. Unfortunately, not everything you see online may be available in your area. And shipping a countertop slab or preformed countertop can be quite expensive! Not to mention, you’ll also want to make sure that you have someone locally who is knowledgeable with the product to install it. Otherwise you could be setting yourself up for even bigger issues down the line.

What type of material would better suit your lifestyle?

This is a very important question to ask yourself before you decide on any one material over another for several factors. First, how much upkeep do you want to be responsible for. Some solid surface countertops take a lot less maintenance than others. For example most Quartz countertops don’t need to be resealed. Unlike some granite countertops that should be resealed every six months to a year. If you don’t want the extra work or aren’t good at remembering to do things annually, you should probably stay away from granite and other surfaces that require regular maintenance.

You should also find out what type of needs are and aren’t being met by your current countertop. You could even make a pros and cons list or what you like and dislike from your current countertop. This may seem like over kill but I found it very helpful when I choose my first new countertop material. My old laminate countertops were a great color but I hated how easily they stained and dented. Even though my list was small it gave me a starting out point. I knew the color family I wanted to stay in and I also knew I needed something more durable.

As you can see choosing a new countertop doesn’t have to be a completely overwhelming process. You just need to break it down into little parts that are easier to deal with. It’ll be a much easier process for you, if you start by asking yourself these 3 simple questions and go from there. Once you know what you can afford, what’s available in your area, and what type of material will better suit your lifestyle, you’re on your way! You will have accessed the basics and will be ready to find the right color and pattern for you and your home.

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!

Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations Revisited

07.15.2011 by Amanda Hartley //

In a tight economy, it’s now more important than ever to find ways to make sure our home makeover projects are done as cost effectively as possible. And to make this happen, this means using products like Rustoleum Cabinet Transformation to get the most out of what we already have available. Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformations is a product that’s designed to provide a genuine alternative to traditional cabinet refacing offered by professionals. Truth is, cabinet refacing isn’t something that is generally done by the casual “do it yourself” type of person simply due to the various complexities involved.

Kitchens and bathrooms – cabinet refacing made easy with Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations

For a very affordable price of just under $80, happy customers are showing up all over the Internet expressing their satisfaction with being able to essentially paint their existing cabinets to look like new again! The only additional supplies that will be needed are the usual items for a semi-large paint job. A tarp, tape, paint brushes, and one addition thing that is lacking with the Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations product — more product.

Yes, as good as Rustoleum or Rust-oleum is in offering a fantastic, effective means of redoing your cabinets for under a $100, it reportedly doesn’t provide enough product to cover the surface of some larger cabinet transformation jobs. To better highlight this issue, one individual recently explained that while the painting material is unbelievably easy to apply and it provides a great result, there’s a shortage taking place in the limited about available per container. Their specific project in question was to use Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations on two bathrooms and a kitchen.For this customer, the entire project ran them $240 in painting kits but it was a small price to pay since they dodged a massive expense of $20,000 for new cabinets. Best of all, Rust-oleum came to the rescue on the product shortage as well.

Unless you plan on Installing Kitchen Cabinets, sticking with the Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations paining kit is going to be the most effective, cost worthy method of taking your cabinets from ugly to gorgeous for less than most home improvement projects.

Is repainting/resurfacing cabinets difficult?

The above question can be answered with a single statement. If you’re using the Rust-oleum transformation paint, the cabinet transformation project is a snap. As long as you understand that completing your bathroom or kitchen project may require more than a single trip to the hardware store for the paint product, you’ll find that this entire process is much simpler than most people let on.

So if you’re someone with some extra time, that has a desire to fix some cabinets in dire need of an update, then I recommend you give Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformations a serious second look. Worst case scenario, you decide to start over and take another cost-effective approach by installing kitchen cabinets instead.