Why Spending Money on Quality Granite Countertops Is Well Worth It

As far as your home is concerned, nothing is as important as your kitchen. It is the space that is especially dedicated not only to cooking but also to spending quality time with your family. And when you want to resell your house, your kitchen has a huge impact on your property’s resale value.

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And beautiful countertops are among the most interesting and useful parts of your kitchen. In this respect, spending money on good quality granite countertops may be a very good idea, for several good reasons. For one thing, they are very durable. Although some countertop materials can appear as beautiful, they may be less resistant. Other types of materials, such as laminate, can last for shorter periods but they are more affordable.

According to trusted Denver countertops installation experts, granite is highly resistant to scratches and chipping.  Granite is one of the toughest materials on the planet. And if granite countertops are properly installed, they can last for a very long time. Moreover, they are quite affordable. This material is resistant to heat so you can put hot kitchen items on them without any problem.

They are also resistant to stains and have a unique appearance, which explains their high popularity among homeowners.

 

3 Essential Tips for Choosing the Best Granite Countertops

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The countertop is one of the most important elements in a kitchen, because its functionality largely depends on it. This is because it is precisely this accessory that provides us with comfort in the cooking area, and, in addition to the ease of operation and durability it provides, it is also an esthetic element, if chosen according to the color and design of the other elements in the room.

Popular Denver countertops for the kitchen include granite, marble, travertine and limestone, among other materials. Of these, granite countertops are the most durable and resistant.

Here are a few essential tips for choosing the best granite countertop:

  • Buy the countertop from a reputable manufacturer, which offers warranty and after-sales service. Once a year, you will have to use a special treatment for your countertop`s surface, so that it remains impeccable. Granite countertops are very resistant to scratches and stains, but if you still need maintenance services at some point, it’s good to have someone reliable to turn to.
  • Do not buy online. Granite can be found in various models and shades, and it is recommended to look at your options carefully, in the manufacturer’s store or showroom. The images on the internet are not conclusive, most of the time.
  • Choose a color that suits the design of the room. This should not be difficult, as granite countertops come in different colors.

 

 

Tips for Choosing the Right Slab for Your Granite Countertop

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Selecting a slab for a granite countertop might seem like an easy task. There are so many out there and each of them is completely unique, while the color choices and pattern combinations will make you feel like there’s a match for just about any kitchen design you can imagine.

If you find it hard to choose one because of the sheer diversity and availability of so many different kinds of slabs, then these tips from recommended Denver countertops suppliers should help you out:

  1. Choose a color in advance. It might not seem like a practical idea, but checking to see how different colors might look and choosing one in advance will help you save a lot of time and energy.
  2. Aim for practicality rather than aesthetics. The reality of the matter is that any kind of slab you buy, it will look cool simply because it’s granite. So it’s usually best to look at the price and quality of the slab, rather than only to pay attention to its appearance.
  3. Use your phone to overlap the picture of different slabs with a picture of your counter. Getting your photo editing app to do that will only take a few minutes, and it will save you a lot of time in deciding on the best slab.
  4. Avoid purchasing based on price. A lot of suppliers will increase their price for granite slabs hoping that people will want to “buy something of value.” However, granite is granite no matter who you buy it from, so as long as you’re happy with the aesthetics, you’re better off purchasing from trustworthy Denver countertops experts like those at Buy & Build, Inc. who can also help you install them properly.

3 Modern Designs to Consider for Your Kitchen Remodel

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There are many design solutions for a modern kitchen space. If you want your kitchen remodel project to go fast and smoothly, you should take into account some design tips.

  • Clean lines, clear edges and striking neutral tones give a kitchen its definitive modern look. To achieve this sharp and elegant look, choose cabinets with square corners, appliances with angular edges, and design accents, such as pending lighting fixtures and bar stools with straight lines.
  • An open and uncrowded aspect is the essence of a modern kitchen. Open shelves can be extended under the top cabinets to keep everyday dishes tidy and handy. The island may have a functional vegetable shredder that fits perfectly with the marble countertop. Light-reflecting glass backsplash is stylish, uniform and elegant, optically increasing the room.
  • Materials play an important role in determining the style of a modern kitchen. Elegant and with clean lines does not necessarily mean boring. A variety of materials, all in a contemporary and beautiful color palette, will provide a modern, attractive and interesting aspect. Dark mahogany cabinets and stainless steel appliances can be mixed with marble Denver countertops, a bright white-painted island and glass-plate backsplashes – all these will make for a gorgeous modern kitchen.

How to Keep Your Granite Countertops Looking Brand New

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Although granite is known as one of the strongest rocks, granite countertops still needs regular care in order to maintain their qualities for many years and look brand new.

  • Daily cleaning

Granite countertops can be easily cleaned with a cloth and warm water. You can also add a disinfectant cleaning solution, specially designed for kitchen surfaces.

  • Removal of grease stains

The most common problem with kitchen countertops is grease stains. To remove them safely and completely from granite countertops, you can use commercially available cleaning solutions.

  • Avoid exposing granite countertops to very high temperatures

Although granite is very resistant to high temperatures, you should still avoid placing hot pots directly on your countertop. Use trivets instead, to protect it.

  • Do not cut chop foods directly on your granite countertops

Use a special support when you want to cut something with sharp objects. Although granite is scratch resistant, we recommend that you protect it so that your kitchen countertop will look like new for many years to come.

  • Do not place heavy furniture on the edges of your countertop

Although granite is very durable, you need to keep in mind that a thinner countertop can break under the weight of solid wood furniture.

If you are looking for the best pricing on Denver countertops, look at Buy and Build showrooms.

 

 

What to do when Your Bathroom Remodel Turns into a Nightmare

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Remodeling the bathroom could be quite expensive in terms of money, time and stress. To avoid this, everything should come out perfectly, without having to go and redo the aspects that did not come out to your liking.

But what can you do if your bathroom remodel turns into a nightmare? Well, the most important thing is to identify the causes of the disaster, to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

There are many mistakes you can make that may lead to results that you will not like at all.

The vast majority of people dream of huge bathrooms, with voluminous furniture and decor in vintage, rustic, modern or minimalist style. The problem is that they lose sight of the essential factor: the functionality of this particular room. So, do not prioritize trends to the detriment of functionality.

Also, Denver countertops specialists tell us to make sure you choose quality materials, suitable for the particular conditions in the bathroom. The moisture level in this room is typically high and can destroy some materials.

You may also need to pay more attention to lighting, as this detail can really make a difference.

Last but not least, make sure you choose the right team of specialists, who are reliable, experienced, work according to the plan and stand behind their work in case something goes wrong and you will not be satisfied with the result.

 

What is the Difference Between a Full slab and Prefab Granite 

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The advantages of granite Denver countertops are numerous: they do not deteriorate on direct contact with a heat source, they are available in a very wide range of colors, they keep their appearance for a long time, they have an extremely long life, they are light maintenance, they do not contain chemicals and do not emit harmful gases or radiation, they do not require special care and can be recycled.

If you have decided to opt for a countertop made of this material, you will find that you have two options: granite slab and prefab granite. Which one is better? – To get a good answer, you will have to learn to make the difference between them.

Granite slabs are customizable, which means that they can be cut according to the needs of each client. This customization makes them more expensive then prefabricated pieces, but perfect for kitchens with non-standard needs and sizes, as well as for people who appreciate having the option to customize the edges or seals of their countertops.

On the other hand, prefab granite is still granite, but cut to standard sizes.

Other than this, there is very little difference between these two options. Granite slab and prefab granite look and feel similar. The natural veining and colors can be more consistent in the case of slabs, considering that they come as one continuous piece, but such details are barely noticeable.

Why Keeping Your Kitchen Counter Organized Is a Good Use of Time

It’s a good idea to save time when you’re cooking, so keeping everything organized might be something that most homeowners should do. However, when it comes to kitchen cabinets, most prefer to just leave everything as it is. After all, how long does it take to pull out a frying pan from under the counter or to find that large plastic container that you need to send your parents some fresh soup?

Surprisingly enough, disorganized kitchen cabinets can cause a lot of time consuming problems. Having everything just piled up and some of the smaller items in the back can lead to the need for pulling larger utensils and containers out just to find a small kettle or spoon that you haven’t used in a while.

Denver countertops and cabinet organization

In some cases, not having things organized can lead to misplacing certain items that you don’t use a lot, but that you can’t do without once they are needed. This would typically lead to a long search throughout all the cabinets, shelves and counters, to find the missing piece.

To avoid all that, Denver countertops and cabinet designers encourage you to make sure you organize all the items you store under your countertops as efficiently as possible. It will not only help you save time, but also assist with saving a lot of space that you can use to store more things that would unnecessarily clutter your kitchen.

The Pros and Cons of Granite vs Quartz Countertops

Selecting the right countertop design for your kitchen can be a daunting task that not many homeowners look forward to, because of the difficulty of the choices involved. Local Denver countertops experts will tell you that quartz and granite are two of the best choices you have at your disposal, both featuring beautiful, natural stone and crystal patterns that will likely look great in your kitchen.

Denver countertops - quartz

Nevertheless, while granite is popular due to its natural, seamless look, lower cost and impressive beauty, quartz countertops actually fall a little short in all of these departments.

Quartz is quite a bit more expensive than granite, and it can be difficult to find the right color and pattern to make it look natural, primarily because the seams will usually be very visible. It’s possible to make them less visible by choosing a darker hue and color palette, but that will limit your options when it comes to the quartz designs you might want to choose.

Because granite is mined as a single, large slab, each pattern is unique, and that gives it an impressive advantage over quartz. Also, despite the fact that quartz and granite countertops are more or less equally resilient, granite can be used outdoors more effectively, and its huge variety of colors and patterns will provide you with the option of selecting the perfect look for both indoor and outdoor kitchen settings.

What Is the Process for Granite Countertop Installation

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Installing your own granite countertop might seem like a complicated and time-consuming project, but in fact it is a simple and straightforward project that even inexperienced DIY enthusiasts can accomplish successfully. Here are the steps:

  • Buy your slab – granite slabs are sold by local Denver countertops retailers and as well as online. A great way to make your work easier is to find a company that provides cutting services as well, that way you can have a slab with the openings for the faucets, the sink or any other features executed professionally. To get the right results, make sure that your measurements are accurate (pay special attention to the openings);
  • Get the tools – beside the right type of safety equipment consisting of work gloves and glasses, you will need a caulk gun, a level, a drilling tool, some screws, silicone, waterproofing paint, a circular saw and measuring tape. If you decide to buy an unfinished slab, you will also need polishing stone, a polishing compound and a sealant;
  • The installation process – prepare the cabinets for receiving the granite slab and reinforce them with a piece of plywood. Waterproof the plywood with a suitable coating product, then wait until the coating dries. Dry-fit the slab to see if it matches the plywood – if it doesn’t make the necessary adjustments, cutting the slab with the circular saw and smoothing the edges with a wet grinding wheel. When you are sure that everything fits, fix the granite slab into place, then lift it with some help and apply beads of silicone to glue the slab to the plywood.