Caring for Granite Countertops from A-Z

Simple tips to help you care for your granite countertops…

How to care for granite countertops


If you don’t know already, Granite is a gorgeous stone often used for countertops and flooring in kitchens and bathrooms. Unlike marble, granite is more durable and easier to care for. Real natural granite offers much sought after qualities such as durability, wear ability, and a rich design that is unmatched by synthetics.

Granite is an all natural, naturally formed stone that is simply harvested from quarries, cut, polished, sealed, and installed. Granite is available in many natural styles and colors such as black, pink, brown, grey, and 275 other varieties. Its enduring qualities and easy care maintenance make it the perfect stone for countertops in bathrooms and kitchens.

All about granite

Granite’s many colors are due to the various minerals that are found in the rock naturally. Granite comes from all over the world, the different regions and different environmental factors that lend to its uniqueness are due to these minerals or cofactors of the regions in which granite formed.

In addition to its main component quartz crystal, it also contains various amounts of feldspar, mica, copper, iron, and other metals. Some granite may even have bits of gold or silver. These are all formed into a hard stone by heat and pressure over time. While the rock is forming, rain adds other minerals to the granite. The amount of the ingredients as well as the way the granite is formed depends on the region of the world it comes from. Granite is available on every continent and in every country. The granite from each region is unique to that region.

How to care for granite

Granite is a natural indigenous rock that is not duplicatable by man. It’s sought after qualities include scratch resistance, stain resistance, heat resistance, and wear ability. Granite is a figure that becomes part of your home. Its long lasting durability means that you will not have to replace it every few years like synthetic products. Even so, granite still requires proper care if it is to last a lifetime.

First, granite is very durable, but it is not stain resistant. For optimal stain resistance a highly durable sealant coating is placed on the granite. Since granite is extremely porous, this coating is important. Therefore, it is this sealant coating that needs the attention when it comes to caring for your granite stone.

Second, granite is scratch resistant. This means that it should not show wear and tear as readily as synthetic products or ceramic tile. However, this does not mean it should be used as a cutting board nor should cleaning products such as steel wool or comet be used to clean it. These can also dull the sealant coat and expose the granite to the possibility of stains.

Third, while granite is heat resistant, it is still wise to place a barrier between the granite and hot pans. When taking items from the stove or oven and placing them on the granite simply place a trivet, thick towel, or hot pad between them. Even though granite is heat resistant, over time the stress from hot objects can begin to show by dulling the sealant.

Fourth, to care for your granite and improve its long lasting durability, it needs to be cleaned properly. Simply wiping up spills as soon as they occur so that no abrasive agents or scrubber pads need to be used is ideal. To keep the surface clean a simple mild cleaning solution such as dish soap or multi-surface cleaner should be used on a daily basis. Spray or wipe on the cleaner, and rinse off with a damp cloth. Dry the surface with a lint free cloth to reduce water spotting or lint trails.

Why granite?

Granite is an all natural stone that is both durable and beautiful. Of all installed surfaces it is the strongest and most durable. It is heat resistant, scratch resistant, and when sealed it is also stain resistant. When cared for properly, granite will likely outlive your home. With over 275 colors and textures to choose from, you can be sure to find one that will add a touch of beauty and elegance to your home. Granite is an excellent choice for your home, bathroom, flooring or even fireplace surround. Keeping your granite cleaned and well maintained will ensure your granite countertops last a lifetime.

Looking for a supplier of granite countertops? Wisconsin’s premier supplier of exotic marble and granite in Wisconsin is Halquist Stone. Halquist Stone Comany has a 10,000 square foot showroom you can visit to see these unique stones live and in person. For more information, call (262) 246-9000 for a free brochure or visit Halquist Stone’s showroom to find elaborate stone fireplaces and much more.

Top 5 remodeling projects for your kitchen

If you are planning on remodeling your kitchen, any of the top 5 remodeling projects will transform your kitchen into an inviting and beautiful room without breaking the bank.

Remodeling your kitchen is one of the most expensive home renovation projects you can undertake. However, certain remodeling projects will give your kitchen a great new look without having to redo the whole kitchen or without spending all the equity on your home. The kitchen has become the most important room in the home for many families and the good news is that there are many great ways to give your kitchen a new look, make it more functional, and entertaining for you, your family and friends. The following is a list of the most popular projects:

The top 5 kitchen remodeling projects:

1 – Painting is one of the best ways to give your kitchen a new look. This is also one of the least expensive kitchen remodeling projects that you can do. Whether you go with a wild color or a simply choose a coat of fresh paint, you are literally applying a brand new feeling to your kitchen. Remember that high quality paint is more economical in the long run.

2- Re-facing or resurfacing your cabinets is also on the top five lists. As long as your cabinets are structurally sound then this is a great way to give your kitchen a new look. You can also paint your cabinets. Painting your cabinets is an inexpensive way to make a dramatic difference in the appearance of your kitchen. This is definitely more affordable than replacing all your cabinets.

3 – New countertops are also a very popular kitchen remodeling project. Countertop choices range from very durable to very expensive like granite. Selecting a counter top material is not as simple as it used to be. There more choices in color and textures to the new materials. There are no hard fast rules for selecting the countertop material. However, one important factor to keep in mind is to make sure that is easy to maintain.

4 – A new floor is another favorite for kitchen remodeling. This can give your kitchen a whole new feel. There are thousands of options available. Recently, vinyl has been the predominant choice for moderately priced kitchens. Ceramic tiled has always been popular in more expensive kitchens. Wood floors are gaining popularity in high end kitchens. Choose a slip resistant material for you floors, such as matte finished wood, or laminate, textured vinyl. Remember to ask about the slip resistant rating for the flooring material that you consider for your kitchen.

5 – A new stove or cook top range is another one of the kitchen remodeling projects that is popular. Today’s appliances are practically a status symbol, and the vast selection of models may seem dazzling and overwhelming. Before making your selections, it s important to analyze your needs…

Any of these projects will take your kitchen from bland to beautiful, You do not have to spend a fortune to make your kitchen more functional and inviting. In addition, your get a bonus – if you are thinking about remodeling the kitchen for resale purposes, you will be happy to know that you may get as much back as you invest – maybe more.

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How to Design a Gourmet Kitchen

The kitchen is very important in a luxury home and no expense should be spared when designing a gourmet kitchen.

The kitchen is the one room that needs to function really well. After all, good food is one of the most basic needs of the family. The kitchen is the place where you rustle up those delicious meals and keep your family and friends entertained. Thus, the kitchen has to be clean, clutter free and convenient.

If you’ve ever spent some time in a kitchen you know it is essential to have plenty of space and all of the right amenities. A good meal takes time to prepare, not to mention more cooking utensils and space. There is also a good chance that at some point you will do some entertaining around the kitchen. With all of this time spent in the kitchen it is worth the effort to make the kitchen a good fit for your lifestyle. Make sure there is plenty of room, and most importantly it is a comfortable place to work in.

Given below is a list of must haves for the ultra gourmet kitchen:

The Food Prep Zone: Gourmet kitchens need to have knife drawers with special tools to keep the knives straight and sharp, cutting boards that come out and disappear into the cabinets when required and counters with lower height. Marble countertops help to retard the growth of bacteria.

Cooking Zone: Many homeowners now prefer separate ovens instead of freestanding ranges, a selection of tall cabinets, base cabinets and ones with special pull out systems.

Baking Zone: Cooks who are serious about baking like counters with less height, making them easier to knead bread on. Nowadays, you can also get pull out box cabinets, special tiered cabinets, cake decorating kits and various other items.

Specific Storage Zone: Instead of having a pantry that stores everything in one spot, gourmet kitchens have work-specific storage areas. For example, there can be a ‘breakfast center’ where you can store cereals, syrups, bagels, mixes, and so on. Similarly, you can have lunch and dinner centers where you can store equipment appropriately.

Dining Zone: Gourmet kitchens often have built-in cabinets that double as buffets, used to separate the kitchen from the dining space. With proper lighting and aesthetics, you can make this area look very luxurious.

Wet Bar Service Zone: This area can be used as a transition area between the food preparation and serving zones. Wine racks can be built in and combined with under-the-counter wine coolers and beverage centers.

Meal Planning Zone: You can have built in bookshelves or cabinets that can be a perfect corner for planning your meals, searching for new recipes, mulling over cookbooks and similar activities. You should have all the modern appliances required for cooking – starting from microwaves to ovens to dishwashers and similar. Having all of your appliances in Stainless Steel, or built into the cabinets gives your kitchen a clean, streamlined look.

For the best in gourmet kitchens it is a good idea to hire a professional to help you design the most functional space possible. Some interior decorators specialize in kitchen design, or there are kitchen specialists to assist you with the kitchen setup. Another good resource are home shows and designer showrooms. There you will find all of the latest ideas for making the kitchen space as good as it can be. You can also take a look at what products the top companies are coming out with to enhance your gourmet kitchen.

Pam Ingram has resided in the Santa Clarita Valley real estate market for over 30 years. Her local knowledge, experience, and contacts are invaluable in finding your dream home or a buyer for your current property. Looking for a Santa Clarita realtor? Call Pam for the scoop on the local neighborhoods and other useful information.