Countertops
Itxaso Mariyo
Stile puts our love of beautiful veins and modern sophistication on display in large format, lightweight, and ultra-thin polished porcelain panels (6 or 12mm-thick). But why stop at the countertops? Stile is a modern-day marvel suitable for virtually all your interior and exterior residential and commercial projects.
As the author of this blog, I've spent more than 30 years in the stone industry and 25 of those years as the owner of a stone fabrication business. We had a full-time service department that maintained all types of natural/engineered stones and related applications. I've since retired from the stone supply and fabrication business, but I'm still actively involved in consulting with industry professionals.
Today, we received an email from a customer who recently had a white quartz countertop installed in her kitchen. Having questions about quartz care and maintenance, she reached out to us with an email.
"We just installed new white quartz countertops. The company we used said it is man-made and, therefore doesn't need to be sealed. I just read that I should never "seal" quartz countertops. I was told that sealants can dull the shine over time. Now I'm confused and have a couple of questions.
In my opinion, yes, white quartz should always be protected against stains and against mineral deposits from bonding to the surface. However, it is meaningful to understand that common sealers for granite/quartz only protect against stains. The other problem is that engineered stones such as quartz countertops can't just use any penetrating sealer because of the possibility of an adverse reaction.
Quartz counters are made from a natural stone aggregate and unsaturated polyester resin. The resin can have an adverse reaction with a solvent-based sealer. This is one reason why I wouldn't recommend sealing quartz countertops with common penetrating sealers, "NOT" because they "won't" or "can't" stain.
As you have discovered, quartz counters do not shine like polished granite. It is not recommended to use a standard type of polish on quartz surfaces because many standard types of polish contain wax that can build up, flake off, and show wear over time.
If you need help using our products, we are glad to lend a hand. Have a question about cleaning granite, quartz or other natural stones? Call, email, post or tweet our stone Care Pro, Tom Munro. Contact Us
Not sure if you should buy stock or custom countertops? That depends on a few specifics. With custom countertops, you can choose from hundreds of sizes and options to create a customized kitchen. But if you need new countertops now, it may not be the best option. Some custom countertops may take weeks to come in. Stock countertops are available for same-day in-store pickup or delivery with seven days. Even though there are fewer options to choose from than with custom countertops, there are still a variety of ready-to-ship laminate sheets, butcher block countertops and more.
A thorough step-by-step tutorial with useful tips and advice on what not to do when installing DIY Ardex feather finish concrete overlay on a laminate countertop surface.
For the first step, rough up the laminate flat surface. Our existing formica countertops had a very glossy finish to them, so I roughed them up as best as I could with the my sander using the 50 grit pads.
The whole countertop was crazily uneven and super rough to the point of no return, and I sanded for 2 days to try to fix it. Nope. It was bad. And I felt terrible for not communicating the whole process better to Robert.
Big important tip: Wear safety glasses and a mask as that sanding dust is not so fun to get in your eyes and lungs. Use a vacuum to remove the dust from the countertop after each sanding session too.
So to fix the problem, I got the first humpy bumpy layer as smooth as I could manage and applied 3 MORE COATS in smaller amounts the right way over the course of the NEXT 3 DAYS, sanding each layer to help level the counters in between as I worked.
I started out after each concrete coat by sanding with the 50 grit and worked my way to the 120 grit and 220 grit to smooth things out. I went back over it by hand on a few places too that needed extra TLC.
Oh my goodness, what an ordeal! I probably would have given up! They turned out amazing, as your projects always do! Thanks for sharing the good, bad and ugly of the whole process. It helps to know others experience difficult moments in DIY, but the end is worth it!
Tired of your old, outdated countertops? Save time and money by upgrading your kitchen or bathroom with Stone Coat Countertops' easy-to-use epoxy system! Create stunning and durable countertops for 10 times less money than other countertop options. Stone Coat epoxy for countertops is food safe, heat resistant, scratch resistant, impact resistant, contains strong UV inhibitors, has zero VOCs, and stands up to years of use.
We will walk you through the steps for removing existing backsplash, applying epoxy to laminate countertops and backsplash, and sealing to get the best protection and shine. This is all done without removing existing laminate counters from their base.
Spray on countertops are a simple and inexpensive way to renew existing countertops. Perfect to replace worn out, existing surfaces while saving time and money on demolition. Stone Coat Epoxy teaches you step-by-step.
Learn how to save thousands of dollars on your next home renovation project. Our expert Mike will show you how to use our Stone Coat epoxy resin to transform and resurface old counters in only a couple of hours. With this tutorial, you'll be able to refinish countertops, tabletops, bar tops, desk tops, and more!
The original Stone Coat Countertop Epoxy has a long working time of 45+ minutes. This gives you the time needed to create stunning, natural looking, faux marble and stone countertops with epoxy. This is the product we use to create countertops, table tops, bar tops, desktops, and the glass-like finish is also perfect for woodworking projects.
Kerrock Countertops, Inc., is the leading kitchen and bathroom countertops builders in San Jose, CA, we are a local family owned and operated countertop surfaces company based in Campbell, CA. We specialize in making countertops, bathrooms, kitchens, outdoor living spaces - really any project with a need for a solid surface. Get in touch with us by giving us a call or via email.
"This is truly as good as it gets. This family owned business is run like a proverbial Swiss watch. George & Marko stopped by with samples, and everything was smooth sailing from there. Their work is meticulous, the cleanup incredible!"
***This post is sponsored by Concrete Countertop Solutions. I was given some concrete products to try out on my DIY concrete countertops in exchange for my post, but ALL opinions are my OWN. I would also like to note that I purchased some of the supplies in this post from them as well with my own money!
And I always appreciate it when you shop from my links! Concrete Countertop Solutions links do not provide any monetary compensation, I just wanted to make sure you can easily find any of the products I used on my concrete countertops!
All the lovely images on The Inspired Workshop are Copyright of the Inspired Workshop and although I love for you to share my content with others, if you want to use my photos you will need to obtain permission. Roundup posts are welcome to use 1 photo with a link back to my site!
Since 1997, K&D Countertops has helped tens of thousands of homeowners transform their homes with beautiful new countertops. We are the leading stone fabricator and provider of Cambria countertops in the St. Louis area. Our emphasis on quality and customer satisfaction has set the standard for the countertop industry.
Learn MoreGRANITETopline Countertops is the choice in granite countertops in Frederick, MD and surrounding areas. Our granite countertops are made from slabs of polished natural stone with many colors and patterns to choose from. We offer 7 free edge profiles (including the Ogee edge) and several others with an upcharge. Free under mount stainless steel sink with a minimum of 32 square feet.
Learn MoreQUARTZ
Quartz countertops are man-made stone countertops of superior strength and durability that have quickly become a very popular choice for countertops. They provide the natural beauty and elegance of natural stone along with a virtual indestructable quality. Topline Countertops offers a large selection of quartz countertops for your kitchen or bath remodel or new construction.
Learn MoreOur ProcessGet a QuoteInterest in a quote? Please email or fax us a sketch with measurements of your existing countertop or cabinet layout. Also indicate desired material for your countertop. We can give you a rough estimate and proceed from there.
We believe it is the duty of all business owners to give back to their communities, enhancing the lives of others through volunteerism and charitable giving while encouraging and supporting our employees to do the same.
We are a wholesale manufacturer specializing in prefabricated postform countertops, custom square edge countertops, and the fabrication and installation of solid surface countertops, serving customers throughout Maine and New Hampshire.
Quartz is one of the most common choices for countertops since it doesn't need to be sealed, and its seams blend well. Granite has been the standard for years and remains popular for its durability, high-end look, and added value to your home. Both are expensive, although quartz countertops are engineered stone, requiring more work and are priced higher.
Quartz can withstand hot pots, sharp knives, and red wine spills without additional sealing or care. It's also waterproof. Stainless steel never needs sealing or refinishing, is easy to clean with mild soap products, and won't be stained by foods or dyes.
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