Will Granite Countertops Stain?

If you are thinking about remodeling your kitchen, upgrading the countertops should be at the top of your list of things to do. Aside from appliances, these are the one thing people use the most, for obvious reasons. Given the amount of use they receive from cooking and storing items, spending the money on quality material is worth it. Laminate may be cheaper than stone, but it is also much more susceptible to damage. These types of countertops are notorious for cracking, warping and deteriorating faster. Thus, one tried and true alternative that is more affordable than ever these days, is granite. Well-known for its rugged yet aesthetic charm, granite has long been the go-to choice for homeowners.

Clean Granite Countertops in Due Time to Prevent Stains

No matter what color or style you choose, your countertops will be guaranteed to stay in pristine condition for a long time. That is, if you take care of them the right way. Although one of the top benefits of this stone is its ability to resist stains, it should be noted that even it can become discolored. This typically happens when water and cooking oils are left on the countertops for an extended period of time, rather than being cleaned up shortly after they occur. This doesn't mean you have to rush to wipe away spills, but you shouldn't let them stay idle for longer than a few minutes. Also, don't be concerned if you notice a dark spot on the stone if water has been soaking for a short amount of time, as the moisture will evaporate shortly afterwards. To prevent staining and discoloration, you should make it a habit to clean spills right away. If you have children, stress the importance of cleaning them on a regular basis and make it a daily chore.

How to Remove Stains from Granite Countertops

Contrary to popular belief, staining is not a permanent issue with these types of countertops. Even those caused by cooking oils can be removed quite easily, with the proper equipment of course.



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Installing Granite Countertops For Less

When it's time for new kitchen countertops granite is a great option. If your current countertops are the typical 6inch square ceramic tiles that are about 10-20 years old, they probably show their age. Worn tiles will have worn edges and grout falling out. Also cracks can form in high-use areas which can become eyesores. Granite countertops are a big upgrade from ceramic tile or laminate covering- this upgrade can add to the value of your home and it's overall appearance. Granite slab countertops can be installed faster that tiles and is a cost effective choice for your kitchen. Most can find the best granite kitchen coutertops Denver has to offer for a fair price at local retailers.

Granite slabs come in various sizes. One great option is lazy granite which comes in 18 inch wide slabs which are less expensive than traditional slabs and sometimes easier to lay. Laying granite countertops is a project you can take on yourself, or you can have a professional do it for you.

Removing Old Tile
If you are doing it your self, first remove the sink, garbage disposal, range, and microwave from the counter so you have a clear work space. Next you'll remove your current countertop. If you have ceramic tiles, remove them using a hammer and chisel (wear gloves). Be very careful not to damage the drywall behind the tiles. If you are trying to preserve the tiles, you should remove the edging before moving on to the interior flat tiles. Older installations of flat tiles on plywood will be fairly easy to remove as the glue will not have much hold to it. Once all the tiles are removed you'll need to remove the remaining glue from the plywood to check to see if the plywood needs to be replaced. Removing the glue will take some time. The best tools for removing the tile adhesive are a chisel and hand sander.  After the glue is removed, check to make sure the counters are structurally sound, level, and free of any rot and mold.

Granite Slabs Vs Granite Tiles

You're redecorating and have finally narrowed down your choice to granite. Now you must decide on a slab or tiles.

Why Does It Matter?

Countertops are often heavily used items in your house. Making sure your granite countertop can handle your busy family will ensure its life and luster. Although the basis for both slab and tile is granite, installation, cleaning and upkeep, and price can be the factors that alter your decision.

Installation

It may seem that tile and slab countertops are installed the same, but one requires additional labor time and supply materials. Tiles are smaller and must be laid together aligning geometrically and held together with the use of grout. Since a slab is one continuous piece, it demands less time, precision and supplies to install. Without the need to apply several pieces in a particular pattern, the design is guaranteed to be flawless.

Granite VS Marble Countertops

When building the kitchen or bathroom of your dreams, the two most popular choices for countertops are granite and marble. No luxury household is complete without one of these natural stones. But which one is better to use and easier to maintain? No one can make the decision for you, but you can learn the facts about each so you can make an informed decision.

Marble results from metamorphism of sedimentary carbonate rocks such as limestone or dolomite, whereas granite is an igneous rock formed from magma. Marble comes in a variety of light to medium colors and patterns of veining. Granite is a composite of mica, quartz, silicon, feldspar, and other minerals and comes in a vast array of colors and patterns. It is found in the Earth's continental crust and has a medium- to coarse-grained texture that is characteristic of the material. Due to their differences in composition and mineral make-up, marble is more porous and susceptible to scratching and etching from acidic foods and drinks when compared to granite. Also, granite can stand up to heat from cookware and marble will scald if exposed to high temperatures. Because of the porosity of these stones, they can both be susceptible to staining, though marble is more likely than granite to do so.

Sealants are recommended and applied to the surface upon installation to prevent staining of both granite and marble. Resealing your stone is a relatively straightforward process and should be done every 6 months to a year for marble, and every 1-3 years from granite. However, depending on the amount of use your stone gets and its color - lighter stones are less dense and more porous and darker stones are denser and less porous - resealing as often may not be necessary. Using proper cleaning agents specifically formulated for natural stone products will extend the life of your sealer and ensure your marble countertops and granite countertops will stay beautiful for many years to come. Harsh chemicals and abrasive cleansers should not be used to clean your marble or granite countertops.

If you're considering marble or granite countertops in your kitchen, granite is a better choice if your countertops are used constantly for cooking and preparing food. If you're more of a "take-out food" kind of family, marble shouldn't be a problem, despite some of the disadvantages of the material. On the other hand, marble is an excellent choice for vanities and other bathroom applications.

In terms of cost, there are many factors that influence the price of natural stone countertops, such as color, finish, country of origin, and availability of the material. Contact or visit local suppliers of natural stone products, as well as fabricators and designers to better understand the selection of the material and process it will take to complete your project. It is not recommended to select natural stone through pictures or small samples. To truly appreciate the individuality and beauty of each slab, you need to see it in person. Since it is a product of nature, no two slabs will be exactly alike, but this is what makes natural stone so appealing.

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