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.

Kitchen Cart With Granite Top

02.17.2015 by Amanda Hartley //

Deb writes:

Diva, I am so tired of my kitchen I could scream. It’s large, yet somehow lacks countertop space. I wish I had granite instead of black laminate countertops. I’m renting so I can’t make any permanent changes but is there anything I can do to class the place up?

Deb, I know how it feels to hate your kitchen, but don’t despair there is always something you can do to make it better. For example, have you ever thought about adding a kitchen cart with granite top? This way you get more of the countertop space that is needed, as well as, the granite you’re wishing for. And since you’re renting, a kitchen cart is something that you can take with you when you move later on. Add to that the fact that kitchen carts can get as cheap or expensive as your budget can afford and you’ve got a viable option for any modern household! Here are a few things to keep in mind before you purchase your kitchen cart.

Size Matters: The key to picking out the perfect kitchen cart is to make sure you consider the flow of your kitchen. You don’t want a cart that is too large or bulky and just gets in your way. This is why, in my opinion the most important aspect is to make sure that the cart will fit well within the classic kitchen triangle. The best way to do this is to open the doors of the oven, dishwasher and refrigerator and measure from the edge of the open door, instead of the edge of the appliance. Otherwise it could get annoying if you have to move the cart out of the way every time you load your dishwasher or take something out of the oven, let alone have to put something away in the fridge! So by choosing something that fits well within those guidelines, you’ll be preventing a size issue from occurring later on down the line.

Wear and Tear: Another thing to be wary of is whether or not the granite countertop part of the cart has been pre-sealed. This is especially important if you are going to use it for food prep because you’ll want to protect the granite from staining. I recommend getting a good food grade quality penetrating sealer. This way you’re prepared for food handling right from the beginning. Then depending on how often you use the kitchen cart, I would recommend re-sealing it every one to two years.

Make your Own: If you can’t find one that is the right color or has the right type of granite consider making your own kitchen cart. You can make it as challenging or easy as you like. If you don’t want to have to build the cart from scratch, consider getting one that is unfinished wood and painting it the color you want. I did this in my kitchen about two years ago and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. The best news is that the unfinished “wood block” looking ones are pretty cheap, too. I think the one I purchased was around $60 or $70 from IKEA. I used mosaic tile on the top of my kitchen island, but you can use 12×12 granite tiles or go to a fabricator. Most stores selling countertops will sell their small scraps cheap and if you pay a little extra, they can finish the edges so it will fit to your new kitchen cart.

The bottom line here Deb, is that you are not completely stuck with the kitchen you hate. There are “little things” you can do that may not change the entire look of your kitchen, but they will give you something to look at and be proud of everyday! Especially considering that you brought in something that is actually made of the material you love! And if that’s not enough, I’m willing to bet that kitchen cart with granite top will become the new focal point for that area!

Alternatives To Granite Countertops

09.22.2010 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Sally writes:

Dear Diva, I really want a solid surface countertop but I hate granite. I want something more unique in my kitchen, something that I won’t find in my friends houses. What are the alternatives to granite countertops? Please help!

Granite has definitely become the standard that all kitchens strive for. So I do understand wanting something a little different, especially if your friends have granite in their homes. Regionally some colors are more popular than others. Which means you may see the same color in more than one friends home. In this article I will highlight three unique solid surface countertops as an alternative to granite.

#1 If you’ve got extra money to put into your countertops, consider Caesarstone Concetto. Concetto is available in eight colors with eleven more available to special order. Concetto is handmade and consists of semi-precious stones. Each slab is unique and stain, scratch and heat-resistant. Because Concetto is a luxury countertop surface and made of semi-precious stones, expect to pay around $400 per square foot.

#2 Why not go green? Consider a recycled material solid surface countertop. Companies like Vetrazzo offer a beautiful countertop with the benefit of being eco friendly. Vetrazzo countertops are made up of recycled glass. In fact, their countertops make up 85% of the solid countertop material. At $90 – $140 a square foot, it’s comparable to granite in price with the added benefits of being eco friendly and unique.

#3 Consider soapstone countertops. Soapstone is not for everyone, it does require more maintenance than granite or engineered stone. You will need to reapply an oil mineral to bring back the dark rich color. Soapstone is also softer than granite and will scratch or dent. For people who love soapstone though, these marks only enhance the beauty. As well as the patina the soapstone gets with age. Soapstone countertops start out gray and start looking more black or dark green with time. If you are interested in soapstone you should look at a countertop that has been in use for a few years before making your final decision. Soapstone countertops are also similar to granite in price ranging from $70-$100 a square foot.

These are just three of the many options out there for slab countertops. Depending on what look you are going for, or whether you want something eco friendly there are many more options available. You simply need to shop around and be willing to ask about the products your considering.

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!

Five Things You Should Know About Granite Countertops

05.10.2009 by Amanda Hartley //

Choosing solid surface countertops is a big step. So we thought that these five things you should know about granite countertops would be a good place to start off at, before dropping big bucks at your local big box store.

They can be expensive. Slab granite starts at $50 a square foot installed! It’s less expensive if you can lay the slab yourself, unless your experienced in laying slab surfaces. But that being said once you get it down, you won’t need to replace for at least 10 years unless you taste changes or you decide to change your cabinets. (As a quick side note, if you are going to the expense of replacing your counter tops, make sure your cabinets are worthy!)
They need to be sealed. Not every kind of granite countertop needs to be sealed, but you need to know what you got and figure out which way you have to go. Sealing or having someone else seal it for you, will cut down on those pesky water spots and possible staining. Also keep up on your seal. I recommend resealing every six months to a year, with a food grade eco-friendly granite sealer. Good sealer is expensive, there is no question of this. But don’t cheap out at the end as you will definitely get what you pay for. You need to protect your purchase. It doesn’t make any sense to spend all that money on the granite and try to save $20 on the sealer.

Granite doesn’t only come in slab form it also comes in tiles. which is much less expensive. Tiles start at $3 a square foot. Though install will start at $10 a square foot. You can install it yourself, but once again make sure you know what your doing first. Natural stone is much harder to install than ceramic. It’s harder to cut, and the tiles aren’t always the same thickness so you need to know how to adjust for that. Also if you are installing tile instead of doing slab, don’t expect it to look like a slab because it’s not! You are going to have grout lines and you are going to see them. Also you are going to notice the slight differences int he tile height. So start out with realistic expectations. Just because it doesn’t look like slab, doesn’t mean it’s not going to look beautiful.
It’s durable. Heat resistant and scratch resistant it’s not going to show wear like traditional laminate or tile countertops. That’s the beauty of natural stone, it’s not going anywhere. Now just because I said it was heat and scratch resistant , doesn’t mean you can try to intentionally burn or scratch it. It just means it won’t burn or scratch under normal everyday tasks.
It’s beautiful. You don’t have to be a geologist to appreciate the beauty of the shade variations and stone formations of natural granite. Speaking as someone who often goes to granite show rooms with clients, I can tell you there is something there for every taste. From neutrals in the golden and brown tones to colors that pop in the greens, blues and reds whatever your statement there’s a granite for it. Whether you want it to blend to or to be the focus of your kitchen.