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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.

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.

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!

Granite As A Backsplash

04.26.2011 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Mary writes:

Dear Diva, I’m going to use Baltic Brown granite in a small kitchenette studio apartment. The backsplash will be 7 foot long by 2 foot . On the 2 foot wall will be a white refrigerator (All cabinets and appliances are white). I really like the new glass tiles and would like to use a coordinating color. The studio will be somewhat modern and it’s 19’x19′ one open room, should I use 3-4″ of granite as the backsplash for expansion, then add the glass tiles? Please give suggestions. Thank You

Mary, there really is no right or wrong answer to your question. Basically it boils down to what do you prefer? Do you prefer the look of the countertop being extended 3-4″ or do you prefer a backsplash made entirely out of the glass tiles instead? Either answer is perfectly acceptable and will look great! If you’re unsure exactly which you prefer, here are three questions that may help you narrow down your choice:

What can you afford? If budget is a concern, then go with the option that is least expensive. If the granite is less expensive than the glass tiles then by all means supplement the cost by doing 4″ of granite first. If the granite is more expensive than use the glass tiles for the entire space.

Is the countertop slab or tile? If the countertop is slab then I’d suggest not doing a 4″ granite backsplash, instead just going with the glass tile backsplash. This is mainly because there’s a considerable up charge for backsplashes on slab countertops and if you are planning on adding a backsplash you might as well save some money. Also typically I consider granite backsplashes on a slab countertop as a substitution for a tile backsplash. However if you’re going with granite tiles, then either solution is a good one.

Are you living there or renting it out? If it’s being rented and you’re unsure of how the renters will treat things, I would suggest going with 3 or 4″ of granite. Mostly just because granite will be heartier then the glass tiles and can take a beating better in the long run. This is especially true if everyday kitchen items get slammed towards the wall. If you’re the one who is going to be staying there then you can go with either the granite or the glass tiles. Because you will most likely be more careful since you’re more attached to the items, than someone you’re renting the apartment out to would likely be.

This is also a great time to remind you to purchase extra tile of whichever one you choose, incase you have to repair something later on down the line. This way you will be ready to make a repair without experiencing the difficulty of matching different dye lots of tile or having to get creative finding something that will work with the original design.

Other than these three questions to consider, the bottom line is both options work. It just depends on which one you find more visually interesting. Especially when you consider the fact that Baltic Brown granite as a backsplash is beautiful and will look great in both scenarios!

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!

White Quartz Countertops For Kitchens

11.29.2010 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Kim writes:

I hate my countertops, diva. But I am not entirely sure what to do about it. I’ve thought about replacing it with granite, but I want something in white. Unfortunately I am not finding anything available in white granite here locally. Worse, I’ve heard that granite isn’t as popular as it once was. Is there something that comes with different white colors that is as strong as granite, but might hold its value a little longer? Help!

Kim, I do have some thoughts here that might help. Have you considered using white quartz countertops for kitchens instead of a white granite? As you can see here, going with a white quartz vs granite for your countertops translates into plenty of new color choices.

White quartz countertops are made from slabs of natural stone then engineered as natural quartz with five percent polymer resins. Another feature with white quartz countertops are the offering of warranty protection. Yes, they’re so strong and so heat-resistant that you will find most quartz countertops come with a solid warranty to protect your new kitchen addition.

Easier to get installed by qualified pros, endless edging options and with its low maintenance, going with a white quartz countertop in kitchens these days is clearly a no-brainer. Despite the price continuing to drop on this countertop option, you will be relying on a skilled installer to get things put together in a way that will work for your needs.

Availability? If you live near a Home Depot or Lowes, chances are excellent you will be able to find a white quartz countertop in a style that fits without your kitchen’s theme.