Tag: kitchen countertops

Most Flexible Countertop Material

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Most flexible countertop material is quartz

There are certain areas of your home that require durability and flexibility. While flooring is likely at the top of this list, flexible countertop material is a very close second. Your kitchen is likely the busiest place in your home as it is where you eat, prepare meals, and host guests. Finding the right countertop that is both reasonable in terms of maintenance and looks great with your overall style is key. One of the most modern and most flexible countertop materials for all household types and kitchen styles is quartz. 

Mineral Quartz

Quartz countertops generally have added resin and polymers, but quartz itself is a naturally occurring mineral. Quartz can be found all over the planet in large quantities. It has been mined for years and is not only used for kitchen surfaces but also in electronics. While pure quartz is colorless, the range of colors is caused by impurities. However, the impurities provide a variety of different options for kitchen countertops when it comes to color. The impurities are what the resin and polymers fill, which makes quartz such a dynamic option for kitchen countertops.

Flexibility and Durability

Quarts countertops are known for being aesthetically beautiful, durable, and flexible. They may even be the most flexible countertop material. They are made from a mixture of resin and quartz, and come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. The added resin removes the natural porous nature of quartz. This is helpful when it comes to cleaning. Additionally, quartz has added polymer, which makes it more flexible. Flexible kitchen countertops are less prone to scratches and chips. However, the addition of polymers and resin make quartz countertops less resistant to heat. This is not an issue compared to the added benefits of the material, as you’ll only need to put down a protective pad to be safe.

Types of Quartz

Due to the dynamic nature of quartz in terms of kitchen countertops, there are a wide variety of options in terms of style and color. Below you will find some of the most unique quartz-style countertop options. 

  • Marble Quartz: Because marble is such a popular kitchen surface material, the option provides a classy feeling to the kitchen. It looks high-end and elegant without the difficulty and cost of marble countertops.
  • Concrete Quartz: This style gives an authentic concrete look without all of the maintenance.
  • Quartzite Quartz: Non-porous quartz provides a high end look without the trouble of cleaning quartzite.
  • Solid Quartz: This adds a minimalist look to your kitchen and can pull together any kitchen look with class. 
  • Granite Quarts: This looks nearly exactly like granite but is much more durable and significantly harder material than the original.

No matter which style you choose, quartz countertops offer tremendous value in addition to a wide variety of options. Quartz countertops provide elegance with ease as they are beautiful yet easy to clean and take care of. Finding the right countertops can be tough. Choosing where to buy quartz countertops can simplify your process as it is one of the most dynamic countertop materials on the market. 

Quartz Countertops

If you are looking for new countertops, contact Vadara Quartz. They are the leaders in kitchen and dining surfaces. Vadara’s collection includes the finest quality quartz surfaces in the industry combining beauty, function, innovation, and value. They are so confident in their product that they provide a lifetime warranty to all customers, residential and commercial. There are Vadara distribution centers located worldwide, including an extensive network of authorized dealers around the country. Check out their website for their latest inventory and to see what is trending. Contact Vadara for more information and any questions you may have!

Categories: Interior design

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Top Countertop Cleaning Mistakes

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Cleaner making some countertop cleaning mistakes

Depending on the type of material you choose to build your countertop out of, you may find it very easy to clean. Most countertops are made with low maintenance and high durability in mind. And you should have the satisfaction of coming home to a clean kitchen every day. At Neolith, our sintered stone products are incredibly easy to clean.  Still, you won’t want to make these countertop cleaning mistakes.

Durability doesn’t mean that countertops can easily withstand any and all cleaning materials. In fact, some of the more common household cleaners may prove to be too abrasive for a countertop surface. Below, we’ll take a look at some of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when cleaning their countertops. 

Using the Wrong Cleaning Supplies

Every type of cleaning product contains a specific formula of chemicals and other ingredients to wipe away stains, dirt, and grime. However, some of these chemicals might be harmful to the stone. According to Rock Doctor, cleaning products that contain bleach, ammonia, citrus, vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide have to high abrasiveness for stone countertops. Avoid these to keep your countertops in good shape. Popular brands like Windex, Clorox, and Pledge can damage granite and other similar stone countertops. 

Too Much Water

It is important that you don’t leave too much water puddling around on your countertops. Too many pools of water can actually cause damage and can encourage the buildup of bacteria. Sometimes, leaving water on your countertop can result in a white, crusty stain that must be scrubbed off. Make sure that any and all spills are quickly cleaned up and dried to prevent permanent damage. 

Harsh Cutting on the Surface

Of the countertop cleaning mistakes, this is perhaps the most obvious. No matter what your countertop is made out of, you should not be cutting and chopping vegetables directly on top of the surface. This is a sure-fire way to cause fine scratches from your knife. And this is a permanent mark of damage on your countertop. These scratches can damage the finishing seal on the surface. Usually, this finishing seal is designed to keep the countertop waterproof and damage-proof. When this seal is broken, your countertop becomes susceptible to more destruction.

Placing Hot Pans on the Surface

When cleaning your kitchen and preparing a meal, you may put a hot pan down on the countertop to let it rest for a moment. You should never do this, even if your countertop doesn’t seem to be showing any signs of wear or tear. While most stone is naturally heat-resistant, forming a habit out of putting hot pots on the surface can cause damage over time. You may notice a discoloration in your countertop surface or even a burn mark that won’t go away. 

Repeated Motions

Like any physical thing, a countertop can only withstand so much pressure and movement before it starts to crack. If you always scrub really hard when you clean, or you always choose a particular spot on the countertop to beat dough and mix ingredients, you might incur a little bit of wear and tear. Not to mention, leaning on the countertop surface can loosen the entire slab and cause structural damage. 

Keep Your Countertops Clean and Free from Damage!

With this list of countertop cleaning mistakes, it can be frustrating figuring out what the right thing to do is. A general rule of thumb to remember is that the gentler you are with your countertops, the less damage they will sustain. Stone is very durable in many ways. But over time can start showing signs of scratching, cracking, or discoloring due to the way you use the surface or the products used to clean it. 

Stay aware of what’s best for your countertops and keep them clean with dustrags and non-abrasive cleaning supplies. If you would like more assistance or information about the best ways to clean your countertop, please contact our professionals today. You can call us at 076-897-8407 to speak with a representative directly. We look forward to helping you with all of your countertop needs! 

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How to Clean Stone Countertop Surfaces

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cleaning stone countertop surfaces

Stone has played a central role in interior decorating for centuries, yet we rarely consider the specific needs of stone when it comes to appropriate cleaning and home care. Anyone who has ever taken geology can tell you that every type of stone varies widely in terms of hardness, porosity, and chemical make-up. All of these traits factor into the ways we treat them when they’re incorporated into our homes. To protect the beautiful stone countertops in our homes, let’s look at some of the most common stone types featured in home décor and their care requirements.

Limestone

Limestone can be a beautiful addition to your home, but its physical properties mean that it needs to be treated with a great deal of care. The quarried, natural stone is more porous than many of its counterparts. It is also high in calcium carbonate. The result is that limestone is very sensitive to acidic materials. 

A competent installer will make sure to seal the limestone to protect it from daily wear. Still, you will need to use neutral PH or alkaline cleansers designed specifically for limestone surfaces. We suggest that you let a layer of cleanser sit on the surface without drying. Use a microfiber cloth to clean off the cleaner. Then use warm water and another clean cloth. 

Marble

Marble is relatively similar to limestone in terms of its composition. It contains a lot of calcium carbonate, making it vulnerable to acidic foods, drinks, and products. It will also require sealing more than once. In fact, lighter marbles may need to be sealed as often as every three to six months. Fortunately, it is relatively easy to seal your own countertops as long as they are properly cleaned first.

As with limestone, you’ll want to look for a non-acidic cleanser. A PH neutral dish soap mixed with water does the trick. Use a gentle cloth to scrub and then follow up with an absorbent towel that you can use to remove all moisture and buff the surface before sealing.

Granite

Granite is naturally anti-bacterial and pretty easy to care for once it’s properly sealed. Darker granite, in particular, only have to be sealed about once a year, so they’re a little easier to maintain. However, granite is susceptible to scratching and staining, so cutting boards are a must.

When it comes to cleaning, combine four cups of warm water with a teaspoon of dish soap in a spray bottle. Spritz the counter and gently scrub down with a microfiber cloth. Then just let them air dry. For tough stains, use a stone poultice designed for the task or mix baking soda with hydrogen peroxide to create a paste.

Sintered Stone

Sintered stone countertops are some of the sturdiest options available on the market. Neolith uses a sealant that protects them against extreme temperatures, acids, scratches, and fractures. 

However, it is still a good idea to use non-acidic cleansers for lesser stains. But, if there is a mess that takes something heavier, sintered stone can handle it. We also advise considering a water softening system if you have hard water.  

Quartz

Quartz has many of the same requirements as quarried stone countertops. But, as with limestone and concrete, their seals are long-lasting to permanent depending on care. You will want to use a gentle cleanser. They can also be vulnerable to oils, so make sure you have a non-bleach degreaser on hand to remove oils.

Soapstone

Soapstone is one of the few non-porous options on the market, with quartz and concrete also falling into that category. This makes them less likely to stain and generally easier to clean. In fact, you can use pretty much any cleanser, but you should avoid harsh scrubbing tools. If you do see scratches in the surface, then you can buff mineral oil onto the counter to reduce its visibility. If you do apply mineral oil, then switch to milder soaps for future cleaning.

Categories: Kitchen remodeling

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