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Thursday, October 11th, 2018
The Hooker Furniture Dining Room Skyline Server comes with a granite countertop.
Granite, as every homeowner would admit, can be a big deal when it comes to cleanups. Actually, if you take a closer look at it, it was just misinterpreted as a high maintenance material. But cleaning it can be a breeze if you know the correct steps and cleaning methods to employ.
Granite Countertop Cleanup
The right knowledge is key to proper cleanup. Don’t listen to all the confusing pieces of advice that you’ve been hearing about granite countertops. Some are, of course, spot on, but there are also those that are merely mythical.
Majority of the incorrect pieces of advice are because of generalizations. Some lack proper understanding, while others simply misinterpreting what should have been correct methods.
It is easy to be confused or even be frustrated. But don’t worry about countertop damage for now. What you need to do is to learn the ways that, from now on, you can care for your granite kitchen countertops or furniture with ease.
Granite Is Stone
Don’t experiment with the methods so you avoid the potential hassles, pitfalls, and headaches. Keep in mind that the granite flooring, counters or furniture are all made of stone. You are practically dealing with stone, the same kind that the Egyptian pyramids of old as well as the Roman Colosseum are made of.
Granite is a potential material that can last and even outlive you by hundreds if not thousands of years. This is evident in all the pyramids that have been previously erected. These are resilient and have even aged beautifully.
While these are so, stone is still just stone and it can also be damaged. The key to granite care now is to keep damages at bay, although, granite repair is also now possible. There is no special talent needed to clean this stone material. You can do this.
To Seal Granite, Or Not
Generally, every natural stone must be sealed. But before you do this, take note that there are some exceptions. There are some granite pieces that no longer require sealing.
There is still so much confusion when it comes to granite sealing. First, how does one know if the granite on hand needs to be sealed? How should this be sealed? What granite sealer is right for the slab that you have? How frequently should granite be resealed?
The Do’s and Don’t’s
There are bad habits that you might do which could result in limestone, marble, travertine, quartz, soapstone, or even granite damage.
Do blot the spills right away especially for acidic substances like fruit juices, wine, coffee, tomato sauce, and many types of sodas. These might not cause etching as they would do with marble but they could stain the granite surface.
You also need to clean the surface with a soft cloth or a sponge. Use granite or natural stone cleaner. Hot water can also be used for quick cleanups. Do not repeatedly use dish soap because it could make the granite surface duller. While dish soap can be used sporadically, it might strip the countertop of its lovely shine if you keep using it so it is best to use another cleaner.
Use coasters under all of your bottles, glasses, and those cold soda cans. While granite won’t etch, it is good practice to use coasters to prevent mishaps.
Hot pans and pots should have trivets underneath them. Doing so will keep the granite from having thermal shock. Cracking may be rare but it is best to keep this possibility at bay.
If the damage does happen, don’t fret. Granite damages can now be repaired although, of course, it is best to prevent them from happening in the first place.
Tags: granite, granite care, granite maintenance, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Easy Granite Care Made Possible
Tuesday, January 24th, 2017
Drexel Heritage Dining Room Evolution Counter Table 640-601
Granite is the leading counter material but with its stunning beauty, it has a tendency to steal the limelight. Its mirror finish is what makes it difficult to be subtle. There are moments when it works but most of the time, it simply hogs the scene.
Great news is here – there are a good number of choices out there that you could pick as an alternative to granite. Here are some non-granite pieces that are also great for counters –
Quartz
A lot of people love the look of granite but if you want to avoid the pitfalls that come with owning this pricey piece, then you could always settle for quartz. This is made from quartz aggregate together with some pigments and binders.
Quartz countertops mimic the beauty of natural stone but it offers an advantage that natural pieces aren’t able to give – it is virtually impermeable. This means that you won’t have to worry about sealing. Even the lightest quartz pieces won’t register stains under regular use.
Soapstone
Soapstone is a non-porous, soft, natural stone. It may be soft but it is quite resilient. This is often a dark stone – almost black – and it shows off a honed surface. Those who cook love soapstone because it is a great heat insulator.
Wood
Wood is recently enjoying a huge comeback. It is no less than a standard for kitchen countertop so no one can discredit its aesthetic appeal as well as its renewability.
Wood countertops are also economical compared to other choices. It could stain more easily, though, but a lot of people still choose it because of its look. With the right maintenance such as light oiling (make sure to use food grade oil), wood countertops can be used for years. Occasional sanding of the stains is also highly recommended.
There are also inexpensive types of wood countertops such as those made of beech.
Wood also works well in bathrooms. Imagine a mahogany piece used beautifully as a bathroom counter.
Recycled Glass
If you love a little sparkle and shine, then the material to have this year is recycled glass. A lot of glass countertops are terrazzo which is an age-old method of making hard surfaces. This involves the fusion of aggregate, concrete and marble chips. The resulting material is then poured into place then smoothened with the use of polishers and grinders. Some recycled glass makers replaced stone aggregates with recycled glass chips. What they have achieved are lovely surfaces that are worthy of homeowners’ attention.
Lexington Bar and Game Room Hidden Lake Bistro Table 714-873
Steel
This is a material that spells durability, light maintenance and sleek. Steel countertops project a lovely yet sturdy aura. It is also crisp and modern which is why it is chosen by many professional chefs.
Steel can last for hundreds of years, if not thousands. The great news is that stainless steel can also be recycled.
Invented in the early 1900s, it has made its way to a lot of commercial kitchens. Since then, residential kitchens caught up and this material has become a standard of sorts when it comes to modern look.
Concrete
Whether as slab or lightweight, concrete is a lovely and versatile countertop material. When pigment is added, as well as surface detailing and aggregates, this durable material can be skillfully customized.
Concrete is advantageous in the sense that it is valuable in the creation of integral sinks. There are now a lot of artisans who specialize in the creation and installation of concrete countertops.
Granite’s Out
See, there are many reasons why granite shouldn’t be your only option. It is being quarried which causes irreparable damage to the environment. Bacteria can also build up in the micro-fractures across the granite surface. You also need to worry about sealing the micro-fractures every year or two.
If you don’t want these hassles, then it’s time to turn to the materials suggested above.
Tags: granite, granite alternatives, granite countertop alternatives, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Kitchen Design | Comments Off on 6 Amazing Granite Alternatives
Saturday, February 20th, 2016
Winners Only Dining Room 42 Inch Zahara Mission Tall Square Table To 60 Inch Round With Granite Lazy Susan DZH54260
Granite is the most common igneous rock that you have probably heard of. It is so-named because of its granular texture, with visible yet small crystals. Granite has been used for centuries for different purposes but most specially in building materials. When used with limestone, it was the perfect material for the pyramids in Egypt.
Granite is durable and abundant, thus, it is the preferred material for both interior and exterior applications. The granite dimension stone has been used in building bridges, buildings, monuments, paving and other exterior projects.
Indoors, granite slabs can be polished to become usable countertops and tiles. These are eventually used on flooring, kitchen countertops, and stair treads.
Granite is a prestigious material as it evokes an aura of elegance and timelessness.
The Granite Countertop
One of the most common uses of granite in the country is on kitchen countertops. It can be made of a solid granite slab that has been custom-shaped and edge-finished.
There has been an insatiable demand for granite countertops in the past years that a huge number of contractors now train themselves to have them installed. They also spend more money to add the equipment used in cutting and shaping this stone.
Many local dealers can now install this great material into your kitchen. An increase on the price of the countertop itself can give you the leeway to ask for a discount on the installation price. ‘Want to have a pink countertop instead of the usual black or gray color of granite? You can now have it installed in pink!
Flexsteel Living Room Round Coffee Table 6717-034
The Granite Work Station
Apart from solid granite slab countertops, this material can also be used as a durable work station. Granite tiles can be used to create an elevated counter, backsplash or a sink. More often than not, smooth, finished granite is used for the work station.
Rough cut granite is the least expensive type and it can offer a rugged appearance. Finishing granite blocks can get really pricey but it provides a smoother, more refined appearance.
The Granite Flooring
Granite tiles can be used as flooring material or wall panels. Granite flooring or walls have an elegant and a shiny appearance. Stones used for this kind of tiles is referred to as the gabbro (at least this is the proper term used by geologists). In the decorative stone industry, though, it is still simply referred to as granite.
Granite pavers or paving stones can be an interesting deviation from the usually boring driveway or patio. Since it is a natural stone, it can provide a unique look while giving the best artisans a way to express their creativity.
Back in the day, granite was used to pave the streets. The biggest construction projects use this stone either as a structural element or as a decorative facing.
The Granite Furniture
What a lovely idea it was to finally use this sturdy material together with other raw materials to create furniture. This piece of rock has a lot to offer in terms of durability and timeless beauty. Its usual black color makes it an elegant selection for stylish coffee tables, strong dining tables, and other such beautiful pieces.
You are definitely interested in granite since you have read thus far. Visit our shop and find out which furniture pieces will suit your preference. Are you redesigning your dining area? Then it would be a waste if you did not invest on our square table with a granite Lazy Susan. Imagine inviting your friends over and them noticing your chic dining table. You would surely be proud to tell them of the resilience of granite which is a significant part of your dining set.
Tags: bathroom flooring, bathroom interiors, granite, granite in interior design, granite raw material, kitchen backsplash, kitchen countertop materials, Lazy Susan, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Bathroom Design, Flooring Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Kitchen Design | No Comments »
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