Countertops

At Creative Stone, our team of countertop professionals has seen it all. We have installed many different types of countertops for homeowners and home builders over the years, which means we have also taken out lots of old countertops too. The choices that homeowners and home builders have these days for countertops is almost endless. While many countertop options are highly durable and made to last a very long time, damage can still occur. Like most things, the more expensive the countertops are, the higher quality there are and the less damage you are likely to see. However, regardless of the price of the countertops, damage repair is usually possible.

Countertops can be susceptible to scratches. While specialty pens can repair laminate countertops that are scratched, the process for repairing scratches on, say, a granite countertop is more complicated that that. The repair would include several steps, but it can be done!

When it comes to damage done to countertops because of heat from pans or other sources, methods of repair vary but are fairly easy to do yourself with some unconventional materials that you already probably have. For laminate countertops, use toothpaste. For porcelain countertops, use baking soda and water, and for steel countertops, use club soda. Of course, any countertop damage from heat can be prevented altogether by using insulated towels, pot holders, or trivets to set hot dishes on.

One common mistake that homeowners do is use harsh cleaners to clean their countertops. If you want to extend the life of your countertops, warm soapy water is your best option. Far too many granite countertop owners have found this out the hard way. Harsh chemicals on your countertops can damage them, and pretty much the only way to repair the damage is to have a professional buff and polish them again for you.

If you find that there are water stains on your countertops, they can be repaired many times by taking a gentle cleaner and something with bristles, like a toothbrush, and brushing the surface in circular motions. For stubborn water stains on granite countertops, you can purchase a special pumice stone for that purpose. The best practice is to always clean up water or liquid stains as soon as you can.

If you are looking for a stunning countertop material for your kitchen space, you really do not have to look much further than quartz countertops. Quartz countertops come in some of the most beautiful designs and colors to ever grace a kitchen space. There really are some gorgeous options in quartz countertops. However, there are more reasons than beauty alone that make quartz the trendiest choice in countertop design this year. Many homeowners are choosing quartz over the most popular countertop choices, like marble and granite.

Quartz countertops are tough. Really tough. As a matter of fact, they are probably the best countertop option based on durability alone since quartz is one of the toughest minerals on the planet. They are made from quartz that has been ground up and mixed with resin. This means that, unlike granite countertops, quartz countertops don’t ever have to be sealed. Homeowners with granite countertops know that they need to reseal their countertops as often as once a year. With quartz countertops, homeowners do not have to worry about that.

They are super easy to clean and take care of as well. A little warm, soapy water is all you really need to clean quartz countertops. They are non-porous too, so mildew and bacteria are not an issue with these countertops. You wouldn’t want to use harsh chemical cleaners on the surface though. Over time, they could mess up the surface. Quartz countertops can easily be installed as well.

Quartz countertops are a little pricier than other countertop options, but believe us when we say that they are worth the price. Many manufacturers of quartz countertops will give lifetime warranties on the countertops, or at the very least 10 to 15 years. They know that quartz countertops will last a homeowner a long, long time.

If you are ready to make the change to quartz countertops, let Creative Stone help you! Our experts are ready to assist you in finding the perfect quartz countertop design for your kitchen. We know you absolutely will not be disappointed! Give us a call today at (910) 491-1225.

In the United States, two of the biggest holidays for food consumption are Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is estimated that every Thanksgiving, nearly 46 million turkeys are served, and that during Christmas season, Americans drink about 122 pounds of eggnog. Meals tend to be more robust during the holidays when around 150 million people will be traveling to see family and friends all across the nation.

With so much food being prepared for family meals, it is important that holiday hosts take special care of their countertops during the holiday season. Creative Stone has a few tips on how to care for your countertops when big meals are being prepared.

Clean Up Spills Immediately. The potential for spills on your countertops is great during the holidays when so many different dishes are being prepared. It may be tempting when a spill happens to just wait until all of the food preparation is done to clean it up. Resist that temptation. It is always best to clean spills up as soon as possible to prevent any countertop damage, especially if the substance was dark in color or could stain if left to dry.

Do Not Set Hot Dishes On Countertops. As soon as a hot dish comes out of the oven or from the stove, protect your countertops by placing a trivet or heat resistant surface between the countertop and the pan.

Seal Your Countertops. It is a good practice of every homeowner that has invested in great countertops to seal your countertops periodically, or at least once a year. Sealing your countertops prevents a lot of damage to them, and ensures that they last for a very long time. You will be so glad that you took the time to do it!

Clean Your Countertops Responsibly. Most countertops made of nearly any material require a simple gentle cleanser and water to clean them. Resist the urge to use harsh countertop cleaners. When cooking with raw meat or any other food that could cause sickness or contamination, use cutting boards or a preparation surface other than your countertops.

Your countertops can survive for a long time with these simple tips for their care. The team at Creative Stone hopes you have a great holiday season, and if you are looking to invest in high quality countertops for your home, we would love to help you find the perfect choice! Give us a call at (910) 491-1225.

Granite countertops have been the most popular choice in countertops for homeowners for many years. Although there are other high quality choices on the market today for countertops, like marble and quartz, granite countertops remain the top choice. Granite countertops are so popular because they look great, are tough and are easy to care for. Granite countertops have also become more affordable over the years, helping them to become an industry standard.

Although granite countertops are resilient, they still need to be sealed every once in a while. Many homeowners will choose to seal their granite countertops every 6 months to a year. The process is not a difficult one, but it is important in order to protect the granite countertops from sustained spills or substances like oil that will permeate the granite.

Homeowners can perform a simple test to see if their granite countertops need to be sealed or not. In a small area of the counter, place a couple of drops of water. In another small area, place a couple of drops of a cooking oil. If the oil seeps into the countertop and the water does not, the granite counter needs to be sealed.

Before you apply a sealant, make sure the countertop has been clean for 24 hours. Clean the surface with a combination of gentle dishwashing liquid and vinegar in a spray bottle of room temperature water. Wait 24 hours before proceeding because it is imperative that there is no moisture present before you seal the counter.

When you apply the sealant, you will want to wear a pair of good kitchen gloves and make sure there is plenty of ventilation in the kitchen. An open window is necessary for ventilation, but if rain can get on the countertop then open windows in a room nearby. Apply the sealant from one end of the counter to the other in a circular motion and then wait the allotted time stated in the manufacturers directions before wiping the counter down with a dry, clean cloth.

Granite countertops are made to stand the test of time. With just a little effort, homeowners can keep their granite countertops looking brand new. If you are interested in granite countertops and how to take care of them, we would be glad to help you. Give Creative Stone a call at (910) 491-1225.

When constructing a new kitchen, there are many features to consider. From appliances to cabinets and flooring, all of the choices made have a big impact on the overall feel and functionality of the room. Countertops are no exception. In many ways, the countertops chosen for a kitchen construction project can make all the difference in the aesthetic of the room. In today’s market, there are many different options in countertop materials that are sure to make any homeowner happy. These options range from traditional choices like laminate and tougher materials like granite and quartz, as well as, fairly newer options like glass countertops, wood countertops or stainless steel countertops. Below are some of the options available to homebuilders.

If you are looking for a more affordable option for your countertops than most, laminate is a great way to go. Not only are laminate countertops friendly to most budgets, but the design possibilities are nearly endless. You can install laminate countertops in unique designs and colors, but also laminate countertops come in material that resembles the look of wood or quartz countertops.

If durability and ease of care are the priority, you cannot beat granite, marble or quartz countertops. The natural material is nearly indestructible and they are very easy to clean and maintain. Nowadays, pattern colors and design are more diverse as well.

Many homebuilders and contractors will choose wood countertops for the kitchen area. Wood countertops offer a rustic feel to most kitchen areas that they are installed in. Wood countertops are great for prepping food for cooking and they withstand high temperatures well. Wood countertops are also not as pricey as granite or quartz may be.

Stainless steel countertops are also great for prepping food, as easy cleanup of the steel material makes it one of the most hygienic options for countertops available to homebuilders.

Glass countertops are a fairly newer trend in kitchen countertops, but homeowners are choosing them for good reason. They are stain resistant and extremely easy to care for, and since they come in many different design options, they can fit into any design plan.

If you are looking for great countertop materials and options on how to install them, Creative Stone would be happy to help you! Come see us at our Creative Stone location in Fayetteville, North Carolina or give us a call today at (910) 491-1225.