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When it comes to selecting a kitchen countertop surface often people are hesitant about a natural stone surface. While individuals may love the look of granite, they have also heard rumors about stone in comparison to other available surface types. Often, these are completely false and new manufacturing methods have allowed granite countertops to be every bit as versatile as a solid-surface or any other natural material, even more so in certain circumstances, and just as easy to maintain and keep looking great.

The natural look and availability of different colors to precisely match your desired pattern, giving you the kitchen of your dreams is a significant draw for granite countertops. These long-lasting and durable surfaces will immediately become the highlight of your kitchen space and a proud talking point for family and guests alike.

So don’t let the rumors fool you. Follow these simple care tips to ensure your granite countertops keep looking as good as the day you had them installed!

Regular Cleaning

The need for hours of wiping down a surface and administering harsh chemicals and cleaning agents is over. There is no special brush, cloth, or tools required. To help maintain a fresh look and keep your countertop surfaces clean, a simple wipe down with a wet paper towel will do the trick.

If the kitchen has been used then cleaning up the preparation or serving areas is often suitable for a clean countertop as well. For any spills, especially darker liquids or baked on debris from a pot or pan, then adding a few drops of dishwashing detergent to the water is all it takes to get your kitchen surface back in pristine condition.

Routine Cleaning

There are a number of cleaning agents specifically designed for granite countertops that can be used sparingly for a deeper cleaning than the everyday wipe down. These extra care sessions are not required daily and depending on the use a kitchen receives can be once a month applications.

Find a cleaning solution that works best for you which is free of any abrasive or corrosive materials. Some products, like bleach or glass cleaners, should never be used on granite to eliminate the possibility of damage and dullness.

Sealant Application

Most granite countertops don’t need a special sealant although it can help over time. Typically recommended once every six months to a year, applying the sealant will help to fill in any microscopic cracks and keep liquids from penetrating the granite surface. Like cleaners, there are a number of available sealant products on the market from which to choose.

If you’re ready to make a decision on your countertop surface or need some help in choosing the best and most practical surface for your kitchen, then let us help. Natural Stone Sales has been serving the greater-Denver area for 15 years with a wide variety of available surfaces for view in our showroom to help you get a better understanding of what a countertop, backsplash, or any of our materials will look like inside your home or office. Our highly trained staff has been providing quality service and helping customers, completing installations, and even providing maintenance tips for many, many years. Contact us today at 303-777-7485 or visit our showroom to take a look for yourself.

Determining what type of kitchen countertop to install in your home can be a daunting task. There are so many different choices available that often individuals will not consider their available options and instead allow a contractor, neighbor, or sales person to influence their decision without taking the proper steps to ensure that your selected surface is the one best suited for your home and lifestyle.

Think about it, your kitchen countertop will receive daily use. Not just for cooking, or eating purposes but decorative items, daily items, storage, drinks, and many other things will come into contact with them repeatedly. Ensuring your surface can stand up to the constant shuffle, hustle, and bustle inside your home will be extremely important.

Quartz, granite, solid surface, marble, the list goes on in terms of material and that’s not even considering the different available design options once you determine part one. There are color selections to be made, seams to be installed, and a host of other decisions which must be considered before completing the installation process.

For quartz - there are a number of factors which make this a ‘solid’ selection.
Durability

The strength of quartz countertops is undeniable. A natural stone, quartz countertops also go through a more rigorous manufacturing process which serves to increase the durability of this selection over other natural stone surfaces. 

Quartz countertops are so scratch resistant that foods can be cut directly on the surface although the use of a cutting board is still recommended. Think of it like a waterproof cell phone, no one is going to literally submerge their phone to test it but knowing should it happen that you are protected is just as important - quartz countertops provide a similar type of protection.
Colors

The manufacturing process allows for quartz to be available in a wide variety of different colors and shades. This option has made quartz the new countertop contender for those in the market for a new surface and wanting to create a specific color inside their kitchen or bar area.
Maintenance

One of the best things about quartz countertops is the ease of their maintenance. Unlike many of the other stone surfaces, quartz does not require a sealant application. While regular and routine maintenance is recommended, there is not special step that has to applied in order to keep your countertops serving effectively and continually providing quality use.

If you’re ready to move forward with your kitchen countertop decision or need help determining which is the best and most practical surface to choose, then let us help. Natural Stone Sales has been serving the Denver area for 15 years and we have a wide variety of different surfaces available to see in our showroom in order to help you get a better understanding of what a countertop, backsplash, or any of our materials will look like inside your home or office. Our professionally trained staff has been assisting customers with their decision making and providing quality service, installation, and maintenance tips for many, many years. Contact us today at 303-777-7485 or visit our showroom to take a look for yourself.


 

If you’re in love with the beauty of glass tile—and who isn’t?—you might be thinking about ways to incorporate it into your home. You probably already have a backsplash in your kitchen. Maybe you have even created a unique shower with Denver glass tile. Now you are wondering how else you can incorporate the beautiful look of glass into your home design.
Here are some ideas:

Create a Glass Tile Fireplace Hearth

A lot of people might not consider using glass for their hearth, but glass makes a gorgeous surrounding for your fireplace that is highly durable. Each individual glass tile might not be strong on its own, but when you put them together, they can withstand almost anything! 
The reflection of the fire in the glass tiles makes your fireplace look bigger and gives it a whimsical, cozy feel that other natural stones just can’t capture.
Glass tiles also do not stain, and they are easy to keep clean. 
You can choose blends of colors and shapes for your hearth that will create a dazzling effect, truly making your fireplace a focal point of the room. Check out this guide for creating your glass hearth: Glass Tile Fireplace.

Create a Glass Tile Accent Wall

Take your walls one step further than a simple backsplash and create an entire accent wall. You can extend an existing backsplash to go up the entire wall. Or you can even get creative and create a glass tile wall that doesn’t even need a backsplash. Your biggest problem will probably be deciding on color and style since there are so many options available.

Create a Glass Tile Backyard

No—we are not talking about the pool area. Glass can be used creatively in other ways in your backyard:

• Use glass tiles for a water feature or a fountain
• Use glass tiles for your outdoor kitchen
• Use glass tiles on benches or to create signs or other types of art
• Use glass tiles to create a wall mural that can be a focal point for your yard

You can tie the design and colors into what is already on the inside of your home—or you can go in a different direction altogether. You are only limited by your imagination and creativity.
Another idea is to use glass tile for your flooring, although this is not for everyone. This blog post can help you decide whether this is right for you: The Pros and Cons of Using Denver Glass Mosaic Flooring.

When you want to update the look of your home with Denver glass tile, the professionals at Natural Stone Sales have what you need. For more than 30 years our expert staff has been satisfying customers throughout the Denver area with our superior and customized natural stone services. We can offer advice on projects and help you find just the right style and colors to enhance the beauty of your home. Call us today at 303-777-7485 or visit our showroom at 900 W. Mississippi Ave. in Denver anytime from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

 

You’re finally ready to upgrade your Denver kitchen, and you have decided to start with granite countertops. You know that granite will increase the value of your home because they are in such demand by homebuyers. What else should you consider before upgrading to Denver granite countertops?

The Cabinets

Will you be keeping your existing cabinets? Will you be upgrading to different cabinets? You will want to make sure they cabinets will have a cohesive look with your new granite countertops. Dark cabinets tend to look better with lighter countertops, and vice-versa. 
When you are upgrading your countertops, if you have builder quality kitchen cabinets, they might look out of place. Now might be a good time to consider upgrading the cabinets as well.  

The Sink

The latest trend for sink is the drop-in, undermounted sink, and this will impact the countertops—both in terms of cost and who will be making the cut into the granite. You will need to factor this in to your budget.

The Backsplash

If your backsplash is already installed and you have no plans to change it, the countertop installers will have to work around that—and there will be a cost to undo and redo. Or if you are having the granite extend up the wall, you’ll need to consider how that will impact your budget.

The Seams and Finishes

If you are not purchasing a slab of granite, you’ll have to consider the seams when more than one piece is installed. The grain has to go the same way, or you will end up with something that looks cheap and unprofessional.
Along those same lines, you need to consider the edges of the granite countertops. There are a number of different ways they can be finished, so be sure to talk to the granite company and find out how they charge for this.

The Installation Dates

If you are doing some other work to your kitchen, you want to make sure the installation date for your countertops coordinates in terms of timing. You should also know that for the average countertop installation, it takes about five or six hours with about three or four workers being present for the duration. 
You also want to plan for being unable to use your sink for about 24 hours after the installation to ensure that the sealant dries adequately. Also, you cannot eat food from directly off the counter for at least 72 hours after the counters are sealed.

For additional tips on getting your project organized, read what the experts at HGTV have to say in this article: Planning Your Kitchen Remodel.

Contact Natural Stone Sales for help with installing Denver granite countertops. Our expert staff has been working one-on-one with customers in the Denver area for more than 30 years. We specialize in providing superior and personalized natural stone services using only the highest quality products on the market. Give us a call today at 303-777-7485 to find out how we can work together to create a beautiful custom look for your home!
 

Designers like to say that there is a certain elegance and uniqueness to marble because of its “movement.” And if you look at the veining that is part of marble, you can understand why they refer to it as such. Many people, however, shy away from using marble in their homes because marble is a porous surface that can be susceptible to staining—particularly when marble is used in the kitchen for countertops. But protecting the beauty of marble in your Denver home might just be easier than you think if you follow these tips.

Keep Your Marble Clean to Prevent Etching

Etching is different from staining in that any acidic that is dripped or splashed onto a marble surface will eat away at the surface if it is not wiped up right away. Sometimes etching isn’t noticeable unless the light hits it just right.

Use the Right Products to Clean Marble

If you use an acidic cleaning product, this can also cause etching. Don’t use cleaners that contain vinegar, lemon juice, or other cleaners that might contain acid. All you need is plain old soap and water to clean your marble surfaces. Be sure to use a nonabrasive cloth or sponge. Keep in mind, however, that no cleaner will get rid of etching that has already set on the marble surface.

Apply a Spray Sealant Once a Month

Using a spray sealant on your marble surfaces once a month can help reduce the possibility of both stains and etching. The sealant will prevent spills and drips from penetrating the surface. This does not mean, however, that you don’t need to wipe up stains immediately. If you leave a spill on your marble overnight, the sealant will not prevent there from being a stain the next morning.
This article from the DIY Playbook has even more tips on using a sealant for marble surfaces: How to Seal a Marble Dining Room Table.

Solutions to Common Problems

In spite of the best of intentions, stains and etchings on marble can happen. Here are some of the solutions to the most common problems:

• Organic stains, such as food and beverages—Use a mixture of 12 percent hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia with a damp cloth.
• Grease or oil stains—Use a liquid cleanser, ammonia, or detergent to clean gently.
• Paint stains—These should come off if you scrape very gently with a razor blade; be careful not to scratch the marble surface.
• Water spots—Try using steel wool (0000) to gently buff out stains.

You can also contact a stone professional, such as Natural Stone Sales, and we can offer you advice on your specific stain and how you can get rid of or minimize it.
If you are interested in using Denver marble to enhance the beauty of your home, Natural Stone Sales has what you need. For more than 30 years our expert staff has been satisfying customers throughout the Denver area with our superior and customized natural stone services. Call us today at 303-777-7485 or visit our showroom at 900 W. Mississippi Ave. in Denver anytime from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.