From spacious walk-in pantries to window treatments, there are a number of ways in which homeowners are renovating their living spaces in 2022. Some of the most popular projects are those of the kitchen and bathroom. Whether the appliances are outdated, or perhaps the flooring needs to be redone, there are several ways in which a kitchen or bathroom can be upgraded.
One of the main ways to transform these spaces is to change the countertops. This is one of the reasons why countertops may be a topic of conversation more now than ever. With this being said, one form of countertop has been more requested than the rest- stone countertops. Let’s take a look at the stone countertop trend, and see why they are so popular.
Durability
Gerri Chmiel, residential design lead at Formica Corporation, makes a good point when saying, “Homeowners are expecting greater performance from surfaces in their homes, especially as the majority of us are still spending a lot of time at home and cleaning our countertops more often, meaning they need to stand up to extra scrubbing.”
Maybe, you have young children who make a bit more of a mess. Or, perhaps you’re simply at home more often than you were “pre-COVID”. We’re working from home, taking up hobbies, and we are making more meals from scratch. This is one of the reasons why stone countertops are so popular- they were made to last no matter how much (or how little) we use them.
Proper care is needed of course, but we are able to depend on stone countertops to stand the test of time. Accidents can happen, so as with anything else, you should be prepared for the worst-case scenarios. However, with how durable these countertops are, they may even outlast your time spent in your home.
Porosity
Every natural stone is porous. By this, we mean they have tiny holes and/or spaces where liquid and air may pass through. However, some stones are more porous than others. More about this can be found here.
When it comes to kitchen stone countertops, you’d want to use stone that is less porous. For example, quartz countertops have risen in popularity over the years due to using one of the less porous stones.
It’s no surprise that your kitchen countertops are exposed to a variety of things. From sauces and raw meats to seafood and broths- there are many ingredients that you would not want to have soaked into your counters.
While it’s important to know the porosity of the stone you wish to use in your kitchen, it is just as important to know how resistant to acid they are. For example, granite countertops are extremely resistant to acid. So, a spill of lemon juice here, and drops of vinegar or tomato sauce there, won’t be the end of the world.
Better yet, if you decide prestige quartz is best for your kitchen, you won’t need to worry as much about acidic spills or staining, as they are non-porous. It just goes to show that there are pros to using engineered materials!
We’re not suggesting that it’s okay to leave these spills indefinitely on your counters.
We recommend giving your prestige countertops the proper care. It would not only be wise to look into the appropriate sealant for your specific countertops but to also remember when to reseal them.
The amount of time between initially sealing them and subsequent applications depends on your countertop. Generally, it should be done once a year. However, if you notice that the surface takes in most of any spilled water, thereby resulting in a ring or a mark, then you should do it more often. Preferably, every month or two. Ideally, these countertops should last for the remainder of your time in your home- they’re worth taking care of!
If you need another reason to look after your stone countertops, just keep in mind how much money you have already invested in them. And, how much money it would take to return them to their “as sold” state. It can be pretty expensive!
Is this making you reconsider your countertops?
After reading this, have you begun to eye your own countertops? Do you wish to renovate your kitchen but don’t know a thing about how to begin? The granite, marble, and quartz countertop experts at Granite Prestige Montreal are the ones to talk to.
They may not be able to offer advice when it comes to which major appliance works best for your needs. However, when it comes to any luxury countertop need, they are the ones to call.
They’ll work with you until you get the kitchen countertops you’ve always wanted. To learn more about how their services can help you and your home, you can e-mail Granite Prestige, or reach them at (514) 331-8337 for personalized help.
