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Quartz Countertops and the Colors of the Rainbow

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Quartz Countertops and the Colors of the Rainbow

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While you were at The Countertop Shop in Monclova, OH, did you wonder why there are so many more options for quartz counters compared to the other natural stones? How do they offer a natural product available in so many colors, patterns, and textures? Read on and learn a little bit more about this versatile option when you are making plans for your kitchen or bathroom renovation.

A Natural Material Molded by Man

Quartz is a stone that occurs side by side with many other types of stone. During the mining process, deposits of quartz are removed from the other types of stone that are being quarried. But it doesn't head to the manufacturing plant as large boulders, blocks, or slabs. It begins as gravel-sized or smaller bits of the silicon-based material. At the plant, the quartz is mixed with resin to create a batter that is poured into molds. All the extra air and most of the moisture is removed and it compresses into a slab. The slab rides through an oven, cools, and is ready to be shipped to a countertop manufacturing facility.

Mixing Pigments and Additives to Create a Look You Love

Without additional colors or textures, a quartz slab would be a slightly mottled white color. However, pigment and other materials are often added to the batter to create the look of other types of material like granite or marble. Some processes add veining or gold flecks. If you love bright blue, green, or even red, some quartz products add colored glass or even plastics into the mix. The end product is as hard as any other natural stone on the market, and in many cases, you cannot tell the difference between the manufactured quartz and a piece of cut stone.

Going Green without Giving Up Performance

If you are searching for a countertop that helps to support your eco-friendly lifestyle, quartz is a smart choice. There are no quartz quarries. It is actually a by-product of quarrying other types of stone. In some instances, the manufacturer will use recycled glass or plastics to bring the pop of color they want to their design. Quartz counters are expected to last 15 years or longer, so it will survive until you are ready for your next kitchen facelift.

Perfectly Matched to Your Style without Added Maintenance

Finally, quartz is a great option for your busy life. It is a non-porous material, so it resists stains and cracking. You never need to seal it and you can keep its polished appearance using non-abrasive cleaners. If it does get scratched, its color runs through the entire slab, so marks are much less noticeable.

Ultimately, if you picture a deep rust colored stone counter in your kitchen, but you can't find a slab of granite that matches your dream finishes, you might want to check out the samples of quartz in the showroom at The Countertop Shop. You can order up the color-match you desire that still delivers the function and feel of solid stone.

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Kitchen Counter Design Ideas that Can Help to Keep Your Remodeling Budget on Track

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Kitchen Counter Design Ideas that Can Help to Keep Your Remodeling Budget on Track

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This renovation is supposed to get you the kitchen of your dreams! But the bids are coming in a bit higher than you expected. It is possible to still create a top of the line kitchen using premium materials if you get a little creative. The Countertop Shop showroom in Monclova is a great place to visit for inspiration, ideas, and support. But first, some tips to get your kitchen reno moving!

Leave the Solid Wood Cabinets and Spruce them Up with a New Granite Counter

You have always liked your cherry or oak cabinets, and you have plenty of storage. You can save thousands on the new custom cabinetry when you have your existing units painted or re-stained. Then you can create a whole new vibe for the space with a new granite or marble countertop that complements the new flooring. Nobody will know that you saved a few dollars.

Adding an Island? Use a Contrasting Marble Counter

Is the entire point of this kitchen redesign to get you a big island for improved food preparation and some seating? If your existing cabinets and counters are still beautiful and will not be moving, give your new island a life of its own. Shop for a cabinet and marble or soapstone counter that contrasts, yet complements, your original kitchen. You will still have a new space with the removed wall, new flooring, and lighting without emptying the bank.

Preserve the Footprint and Reuse Your Like New Stone Counters

You had the new granite counters installed just a few years ago during a refresh. They still have that like-new gleam under the overhead lights. If you are working with a custom kitchen designer in the first place, you can save a few thousand by reusing that gorgeous stone that you love. The new cabinets and appliances will have to go in the same place, but they will look absolutely fabulous!

Explore Optional Solid Surfaces like Quartz or Glass

If the granite, marble, or quartzite slab is simply out of your budget, you might be surprised that you can nearly match the look with a man-made solid surface counter in quartz or recycled glass. These versatile materials offer many of the same perks as natural stone, but can shave several hundred or even a few thousand dollars off your bottom line.

If you are fighting with your renovation budget, give the Countertop Shop a ring and schedule your personal tour of our gallery in Monclova, OH. Bring your designer with you and explore the wide range of options and price points available for a kitchen remodel that you will love!

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You love the look and feel of granite countertops and can't wait to add some to your renovated kitchen. However, you are wondering how a hunk of rock is turned into a stunning surface for your family to enjoy for decades. Every granite countertop is a custom piece of art that begins in distant lands and ends with a qualified installation craftsman from The Countertop Shop in Monclova, OH.

Cutting Down the Granite Mountain

Granite is a naturally occurring igneous rock that is often the foundation of mountains around the world. It comes in a wide range of colors from dark gray to silvery tones and even rosy reds. It gets it speckled appearance from flecks of quartz or mica. The look of your piece of granite depends on the geology on where it originated. Explosives are used to blast giant cubes of granite the size of a large Delivery van from the mountainside. These massive blocks are transported to a nearby cutting shop for the next step in the process.

Slicing the Slabs and Sending them to the Countertop Shop

At the mill, giant saws slice the block down into oversized slabs roughly four feet by ten feet--depending on the size of the original block. One side of the slab is polished. Several slabs are bundled and shipped to a granite countertop manufacturer like the Countertop Shop. We display them in our yard, so you can select which slab you want used for your kitchen or bath remodel. No two slabs are exactly the same, but slabs cut from the same block are recommended when trying to match multiple counters.

Measuring Your Kitchen and Creating a Digital Template

Before your slab is cut down for installation, a template must be created by our installation team. Once your cabinets are in their final position, the template is made by laying strips of flexible material on top of them. The strips are glued together and trimmed to create the precise dimensions needed for your counters. The template is taken back to the shop where it is scanned into our CAD, which then uses a robotic stone saw to precisely mill out your countertops--including the edging of your choice.

Onsite Installation and Finishing Touches

Now your granite countertop is ready for installation! Even though it has been cut down from that enormous block pulled from the mountain, it is still very heavy. It takes several workers to position the countertop in place. Colored resin is used to create a nearly invisible seam, if one exists. Your under mount sink is finally put into place, and holes are drilled on site for your faucets. Blocks are used to secure the counter to the cabinets from underneath. Since no two kitchens ever have the exact same measurement, every granite countertop we install is made specifically for that job.

Now that you know how your granite countertop is made, you will feel even more appreciation for its unique beauty, polished surface, and timeless durability. Visit the Countertop Shop in Monclova, OH today and discover all the different slabs we have on display.

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Kitchen Countertops: Can I Chop Veggies on the Counter and other Common Questions

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Kitchen Countertops: Can I Chop Veggies on the Counter and other Common Questions

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If you are thinking about changing out your kitchen cabinets and counters, you are probably wondering what you can do to protect your home improvement investment. At the Countertop Shop in Monclova, OH, we are here to help you with any of your countertop care questions. Ask away!

Can I Chop Veggies on My Granite Countertop?

Of course, you can! As a hard, natural stone, granite does a good job of resisting scratches, but it is not impervious. Its polished surface can become dull over time when scratched repeatedly by knives and other kitchen utensils. While you probably won't notice a deep scratch with the first cut, over time there will be a noticeable difference. Use a cutting board, even a matching granite one, to protect your investment.

Will a Hot Pot Burn My Marble Counter?

Maybe. While your marble counter won't melt under the heat of a hot pan, it can discolor or be scratched. The worst-case scenario is if the thermal shock of the hot pan creates a crack in the stone. It is always wise to use a trivet or hot pad when placing a hot pot or baking pan on the countertop.

A Natural Stone Counter will Never Crack, Right?

Never is a very long time. Your granite or marble countertop will be able to withstand far more abuse than a manufactured solid surface or laminate counter, but it is not indestructible. Heavy sharp objects dropped on the counter from a height can cause a crack. It is also feasible for it to crack due to an extreme and sudden change in temperature. The most susceptible part of the counter is the edging, which can chip off when subjected to a heavy impact. But, for daily use, there is very little you can do to it to make it crack.

Do Laminate Counters Always Show Scratches?

This budget friendly material is often dismissed as the one that will show damage the most. While this is true when compared to a beautiful natural stone counter, the fact is that laminate will stand up to scrubbing and even some food preparation without losing its shine or smooth surface. It remains the go to product for a large segment of the residential countertop sector due to its durability, wide range of colors, and ease of installation. Use a cutting board, and your laminate will look like new for years.

How Long will a New Kitchen Countertop Last?

Laminate counters will survive your kitchen antics for at least 10 years and up to 20 before they are simply worn out. Quartz and recycled glass counters offer a similar lifespan, with some warranties starting at 15 years. A granite or marble countertop can literally last a lifetime if they are properly maintained using a proper sealant and cleaners that protect the polished surface.

If you have more questions regarding which countertop material is best for your family, give us a ring at the Countertop Shop. Our experts are always here to help. If you have damage to an existing counter, we may even be able to help you have it repaired.

https://www.countertopshop.net/

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Points of interest Of Using Marble And Granite Countertops In Kitchen And Bathroom

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Points of interest Of Using Marble And Granite Countertops In Kitchen And Bathroom

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If you see lately you'd find granite in most the kitchen. You’d generally see either marble countertops or granite countertops in one's kitchen. These are used due to their durability and resistance power.

Granite countertops:

These are famous due to its everlasting quality. This is often one among the strongest stone next to diamond. It is often either cut by a diamond saw or with an equivalent stone. These are found in neutral to dark colors stones. The newest drift for decorating the kitchen is that the Granite countertops toledo. These are high priced than the opposite sorts of countertops. The merits of adding this countertop in your kitchen or bath are:

These retain its value even after 50 years.

The most merit of this is often they're heat resistant. For instance, a hot pan doesn't damage the surface.

When not working the surface of this is often cool. You’ll use the surface of the countertop for preparing bakery items.

This makes the cleaning very easy in lesser time.

You’ll find these in various colors and textures.

The color of the granite won't change. It’ll be an equivalent even after 50 yrs.

These are durable and neither allows cracks nor scratches.

You’ll invest in this product which can be profitable to you in the coming years.

Marble countertops:

These are formed from limestone and crystalline texture with the composition of quartz and orthoclase. The most advantage of this countertop is that they allow the smaller designs to be carved on marble. These are generally used for vases, fireplace and for bathroom designs. These marble countertops are very rarely used for countertops but provide a sophisticated look to your kitchen. These get easily stained with acidic foods like lemon, fruits, etc. It also gets damaged by placing hot utensils. These also are expensive countertops. If these are well maintained then the countertop will remain an equivalent because it was first fabricated. You’ll find many sorts of colors and styles for these countertops.

These are heat resistant but the sting of the countertop may erupt if you place hot items on to the surface.

These are made out of natural stones that are highly immune to cracks, breakage, and scratches. You’ll either choose slabs or tiles for your countertops.

The slabs are very costly ones but you do not need to worry about your life whereas the tiles are less costly and therefore the repair or damage work is costlier.

Maintenance of this countertop is certainly simple.

The stains should be removed with none delay otherwise your countertops will have patches of various colors. Never attempt to clean the stains with vinegar or any acid solution which leaves strange marks on the countertops.

You’ll wipe the countertop with lukewarm water otherwise you can add bicarbonate of soda to water for cleaning.

For more info : - Granite countertops Toledo