Choosing the Stone for Your Countertop

When choosing to go with a stone countertop in your home, you not only have several stone types to choose from, but you also have different pros and cons for each type of stone. You can use these pros and cons to choose a stone type for your counter if you know what the counter will primarily be used for.

Granite is scratch resistant, bacteria resistant, heat resistant, burn resistant and is 100% natural. As far as staining goes, granite is pretty stain resistant, but it isn't 100%.

Marble is burn resistant and is 100% natural -- unfortunately, it falls short in several other categories. It's not scratch, stain, bacteria or heat resistant, which means you'll have to be more careful about how you treat your marble countertop.

Soapstone is not scratch resistant, but it can offer every other protection, including being stain resistant, bacteria resistant, heat resistant and burn resistant. As long as you're careful not to scratch your soapstone countertop, it should last you for years to come.

Need a granite countertop installation performed? Perhaps you prefer a different stone type for your counter? Contact Universal Stone today and request a free quote.

Adding Value to Your Home With a Granite Countertop

A major upgrade trend in home remodeling is the installation of granite kitchen countertops. These countertops are incredibly durable and last a very long time. In fact, the likelyhood of your granite countertop in your lifetime or even your child's lifetime is slim, at best.

Granite kitchen countertops used to be a sign of wealth in a home, but granite countertop installations are now available for many different types of budgets. Installing granite has really taken off in the last few years thanks to reality TV cooking shows set in high-end kitchens. When looking at new homes, buyers often view the existence of granite countertops as a big plus when decided whether or not to buy, which is why installing these types of countertops is such a good idea. They provide a return on their investment, whether you live in your home for the rest of your life, or if you decide to sell and move elsewhere.

Universal Stone is a company that specializes in the installation of granite kitchen countertops.
Take a look at some of the testimonials Universal has received from satisfied customers, and get in touch if you're interested in installing granite countertops in your own home.

Cleaning a Granite Countertop

Granite countertops were once a feature found in expensive homes owned by the affluent. In recent times, however, the price of granite countertops have come down and there is a type of granite coutnertop for any budget.

One of the most popular reasons for going with a granite countertop is its natural beauty. In order to keep your countertop looking good, though, you'll need to keep it clean. Cleaning a granite countertop is extremely simple and, with the right tools, can be done in a few steps.

First, you'll need a bottle of Windex and a soft white cloth. With the Windex bottle eight inches away from the granite countertop surface, spray some Windex onto the surface. Using the soft white cloth, wipe the granite countertop down until it looks clean.

You can also use vinegar in place of Windex if you'd like to clean more quickly and you don't mind your countertop smelling like vinegar.

A daily cleaning of your granite countertop isn't necessary. If you see spots or stains, though, it is usually a good idea to get them cleaned up as soon as possible.

Granite Countertop Colors

Granite countertops are made from 100% natural granite. Because of its natural origin, you might think that granite only has a select few colors you can choose from. That, however, is far from the case.

Granite comes from many different locations in the world, each with its own unique granite color characteristics. This opens up a multitude of possibilities in terms of colors and natural design patterns. African Red Granite, for example, is mostly red with black, white and gray specs mixed in throughout the stone. Blue Perola Granite mixes black, gray and a green/yellow color into a wavy pattern, of sorts. Seaweed Green Granite mixes several shades of green into a pattern that very much resembles a seaweed-covered sea bottom. The colors go on and on and reach into the hundreds.

If you're interested in learning more about our granite color selection and how much it would cost to get a granite countertop installed in your home, contact us via our Quote Request page.

Granite Countertop Durability

When installing a granite countertop in your home, you know you're getting one of the most durable countertop surfaces there are. In terms of kitchen countertops, granite is one of the hardest surfaces that can be used, and its tough characteristics make it one of the most popular choices for new home owners or those replacing their kitchen counters.

Granite countertops can stand up to a number of different challenges, such as heat from pots and pans, sharp objects, or stains. Granite is also bacteria resistant. Selecting granite as your countertop of choice means you're investing in a countertop that will last for several lifetimes. You can learn more about installing a granite countertop in your home by visiting our website.

Taking Care of Your Granite Countertops

While granite counters are strong and durable, there are a number of things you can do to take care of them. So, to maintain your granite countertops beauty and to ensure it lives a long life, experts recommend you do the following:

Avoid Large Weights on the Edges

You don’t want to damage your counters. And one of the best ways granite counter pros say you can prevent damage is to not putting any unnecessary weight on the edges. The added weight can cause extra pressure and damage, which may take away from its attractiveness.

Use a Sealant

Once they’ve been installed, it’s recommended you apply a sealant to the counters. This will add an extra layer of defense to the counters, and while it doesn’t mean you’ll be protected from stains, you’ll have a little extra time to clean up a spill before they become stained

Clean Up Spills Stat

While they are resistant, granite counters can fall victim to liquids with a high level of acidity. Orange juice, soda and alcohol can all damage your counters if not cleaned up immediately. If you do spill something, take a cloth or paper towel to soak up the spill, followed up with a damp rag to remove sticky residue. 

"The Most Interesting Article You Will Ever Read About Granite"

We love reading articles about granite, since we fabricate and install granite countertops. So, when we see an article called "The Most Interesting Article You Will Ever Read About Granite," we have to give it a look. Without further ado, here's blogcritics' "The Most Interesting Article You Will Ever Read About Granite":

A type of rock forged from magma, granite has been used in construction for over 4,000 years. The ancient Egyptians used granite in their pyramids, and the Easter Island Moai head statues and many Hindu temples in India were built with granite also, mostly because of its resistance to erosion and durable structure. It’s no surprise that some of these pyramids and temples have survived to this day. What is surprising is that these structures were built in the first place, considering how heavy some of the pieces are. Below are a few of these constructions that have made it through the years and continue to confound researchers. 

You can read the entire article at BlogCritics.org. You can also check out Universal Stone at www.UniversalStone-Inc.com for all your granite countertops needs.