stephen

Bathroom sink countertops are the jack of all trades when it comes to holding your toiletries and other washroom needs. They are a great place to keep skincare items, soaps and shampoos, and heating and styling tools for your hair. A vanity countertop is a place where everything you need is available—and a part of your bathroom that gives the space its shine.

Bathroom countertops are known for brightening up a bathroom and turning a dull space into something that’s appealing to the eye. Replacing old and dingy bathroom countertops with something modern doesn’t just increase the visual appeal of the bathroom either. It can also increase the resale value of your home as a whole. It’s a great investment that will return just as much as you put into it, if not more.

In this article, we’ll go over our three favorite materials to use for bathroom countertops and the pros and cons of each.

Quartz

Quartz countertops are made of engineered stone, meaning that there are certain additives included (polymers and resins) that make them a bit less than natural. Just because they don’t qualify as natural stones doesn’t mean they’re of any less quality, though.

The additives create a nonporous surface for quartz countertops, meaning you never have to seal them.

Pros:

• It’s a very tough stone.
• It doesn’t require sealing.
• It’s resistant to moisture, stains, and bacteria.
• There are all sorts of patterns, colorations, and edge profiles to choose from.

Cons:

• It doesn’t fit in everyone’s budget.
• Honed and textured finishes will show fingerprints (but these marks can be easily wiped away).

Marble

Marble gives off an air of sophistication, which is a great look for the bathroom. Since marble has become more widely available, its price point has gone down, and it’s more affordable for the everyday person who wants a classy bathroom. There are tons of color variations for marble slabs, and each one is unique.

Pros:

• It’s long lasting.
• It doesn’t chip or dent easily.
• It can be polished for a high shine, or honed for a matte finish.
• It’s adaptable to all sorts of bathroom styles.

Cons:

• It’s somewhat vulnerable to stains, scratches, and etching.
• It needs to be periodically resealed, as it is a porous stone.

Granite

Granite is an extremely popular choice for bathroom countertops because it’s durable, versatile, and easy on the eyes. There is also plenty of variation when it comes to choosing a slab.

Pros:

• There are tons of patterns, ranging from subtle to bold.
• It’s very durable and scratch resistant.
• It requires minimal upkeep.
• It’s heat resistant.
• It’s long lasting.

Cons:

• It needs regular resealing.
• It may chip if a heavy object is dropped on it.
• It’s a very weighty material that professionals must install.

Your Bathroom Countertop

Your bathroom countertop is just as important as the one in your kitchen. To talk more about your project, get in touch with us at WS Granite Tops.

Even if they have good intentions, a good number of homeowners use cleaning products that could damage their bathroom countertops, and that includes products like bleach.

While bleach and other such harsh ingredients are good for cleaning other areas of your home, they should definitely be avoided around natural stone countertops. In this article, you’ll find explanations on which substances to avoid and how to properly clean your bathroom countertops.

Cleaning Products to Avoid

Here’s a list of cleaning products that might work well around the rest of your home but should be avoided at all costs when it comes to your stone bathroom countertop:

• bleach
• Windex containing ammonia
• Clorox
• Pledge
• Lysol
• Formula 409

Let’s get into why those products should be avoided.

Bleach

Bleach is one of the worst products for cleaning natural stone countertops. It can cause extreme staining, and it can also cause the sealant to wear off much faster than it would normally. Bleach might be a great disinfectant, but it will dull the finish of your stone countertop—in extreme cases, it can even change the color entirely!

Windex (and Other Glass Cleaners)

You might think that if Windex can polish windows and mirrors, it should be able to polish your countertops too. But that is not the case. Much like bleach, Windex can cause extreme discoloration on natural stone. Glass cleaners of all types can create a dull finish on your countertop, and they might even dry in an uneven, patchy manner that isn’t anything close to attractive. Even more, they can strip the sealant off your granite in the same way that bleach can.

Clorox

Clorox is loved by many because it has the ability to clean almost anything—but the key word here is “almost.” Clorox should not be used on natural stone countertops because it contains ingredients that cause damage, like bleach and citric acid. You should not use Clorox wipes either because they contain the same ingredients.

Pledge

Pledge is known for its lemon scent, and that’s actually the reason why natural stone countertops don’t agree with it. That lemon scent contains citric acid, and that substance can cause damage to your natural stone countertop’s sealant.

Formula 409

Formula 409 is a common bathroom cleaning agent, but we do not recommend using it on your stone countertop because it can cause damage and discoloration. Much like the other items on this list, it should be avoided.

Cleaning Your Stone

So, what can be used to clean natural stone countertops? The answer is surprisingly simple. You can either buy a specialty granite/marble/etc. cleaner, or you can use mild dish soap, warm water, and a soft cloth.

For more information on how to clean your countertops the right way, get in touch with us at WS Granite Tops.

At WS Granite Tops and around the nation, granite is one of the most highly sought-after countertop materials on the market. People are drawn to it because of its stunning aesthetics, low maintenance, and durability.

But even though people commonly hear about how durable granite is, they want to know just how it measures up on a scale of toughness, which is why we put together this article on the durability of granite.

Granite Maintenance

Granite’s low degree of required maintenance has a hand in its durability. Unlike other natural stones, you don’t have to walk on tiptoes around your granite countertop.

With this stone, there are no complicated cleaning routines or expensive chemicals to buy. Granite is perfectly happy being cleaned with simple, mild dish soap, a soft cloth, and warm water.

Durability

The reason granite can withstand so much is that it’s formed under extreme heat and pressure underneath the earth’s surface. With beginnings in a place like that, it’s no wonder that it doesn’t blink an eye at hot pots and pans. Our customers start to understand just what makes granite so durable after they learn that it’s actually magma that has melted, cooled, and hardened.

Granite is very unlikely to scratch; the only things that can scratch granite are diamonds and other granite.

How to Encourage Durability

While granite is a naturally durable stone, there are ways that you can make sure it remains as durable as possible:

Pick a high-quality slab.

A quality slab of granite feels smooth to the touch. The less pores and pits that your granite slab has, the more durable it will remain over time.

Choose a quality finish and sealer.

The better your first seal is, the longer you can wait to seal your granite again. Don’t be afraid to ask us about the sealers that we use on your countertop!

Wipe up spills fast.

Granite is not as susceptible to stains as other natural stones, but if dark liquids or acidic substances sit on its surface for a long time, stains could occur. Wipe up your messes as soon as they happen

Pick a good cleaner.

Soap and water will do the trick, but if you want to go for something fancier, choose a quality granite cleaner.

Seal regularly.

Without sealant, granite is more likely to absorb liquids and sustain damage. In order to maintain its durability, seal it regularly. Talk to us about the sealing routine that you should follow with your slab.

Granite and Its Durability

The answer is yes—granite countertops are very durable. And you can help them become even more durable by taking care of them the right way. To learn more about granite countertops or to schedule a consultation, get in touch with WS Granite Tops today.

Granite vs. quartz. The pros and cons of these two stones are what help people decide which to install in their homes—and it’s not an easy decision either. Both stones offer many benefits and look gorgeous in almost every style of kitchen or bathroom, so it’s no wonder homeowners have a hard time making up their minds.

At WS Granite Tops, we are experts in both granite and quartz, which means we’re familiar with their similarities and differences. If you want to learn more about the pros and cons of granite and quartz, you’ve come to the right place.

Quartz

Pros:

• Quartz has been likened to concrete in terms of hardness. It’s one of the hardest materials out there!
• Its patterns are predictable, uniform, and seamless.
• It’s a hygienic surface that’s unfriendly to bacteria and stains.
• It’s nonporous, so it never needs to be sealed.
• It comes with a low level of maintenance.
• It’s unlikely to crack.

Cons:

• The resins that seal its pores are sensitive to direct sunlight. Because of this, it should only be installed inside.
• It doesn’t have the same degree of heat resistance as natural stone countertops.
• There is no natural uniqueness to its patterns.

As we mentioned, quartz is a type of nonporous countertop that never needs to be sealed. Unlike granite and other porous stones, quartz is impervious to stains and bacteria even without a sealing routine.

But the resins have a downside as well. They are sensitive to direct sunlight, so if your quartz countertop is installed outside, it is prone to fading.

Granite

Pros:

• It’s recyclable.
• It lasts for many years.
• It’s scratch resistant and very hard.
• Its patterns and colorations are bold and unique.
• It’s extremely heat resistant.

Cons:

• The patterns are too busy for some people.
• Since it’s porous, it needs to be resealed regularly.
• Though it’s unlikely that it will chip, it’s possible.
• It’s a very heavy material.

Granite is a classic natural stone. It’s formed under high heat and pressure under the earth’s surface, which means it takes no issue with hot pots and pans. You can set them right on the surface of your granite without worrying about sustaining damage. This stone can last for generations—once you install it, if you take care of it properly, you probably won’t ever need to replace it.

Granite countertops also perform just as well outdoors as they do inside, as long as you remember to keep them sealed.

Granite vs. Quartz—The Big Question

When it comes down to choosing between these two popular stones, WS Granite Tops is happy to help you make a decision you’re happy with. Get in touch with us today, and we’ll give you all the information you need to choose the perfect countertop for your home, whether it’s granite or quartz.

If you’ve been on the hunt for countertops for a while, then you know that they have the ability to change the entire look and functionality of your kitchen. But while this can be exciting, it can also be intimidating to make such a big purchase.

Making sure that you have the right material for your budget and lifestyle is crucial to making a smart purchase, as countertop materials can quickly use a large chunk of your remodeling budget.

But there’s no reason to fear. At WS Granite Tops, we have an array of affordable countertops available that we’d love to show you.

Before you jump in headfirst and make a commitment to any one material, it’s important to do your research and consider your lifestyle. If you have a busy family and a hectic kitchen, you might not want to invest in a countertop material that sustains damage easily. And if you’re really looking to pinch pennies, you might want to lean toward something that can be installed in a DIY project, like ceramic tile.

Our Affordable Choices

Here are our most affordable countertops at WS Granite Tops:

Tile

Did you know that you can choose to create tile countertops out of almost any material? It’s cost-effective, and porcelain is our most popular (and most affordable) option. Porcelain tiles come in all sorts of designs, colorations, and patterns, and you can even find tiles that mimic the look of natural stone.

It’s also possible to get genuine natural stone tiles. While they are pricier than porcelain tiles, you can install them yourself in a DIY project and that will save you on professional installation costs.

Tile counters are easy to clean, heat resistant, stain resistant, and durable. If they get chipped or cracked, they are easily replaceable, so it’s always smart to have a few extra tiles on hand!

Granite

Granite is an extremely popular choice when it comes to countertop materials. Much like a few other options in this list, you may not think that it is a very affordable option, but you’d be wrong.

With the right planning and research, it’s possible to find granite slabs that fit within your budget. Even though the cost of this stone can climb high, there are always options on the affordable end to be considered.

Granite is known for its durability, unique patterns, and staying power. It’s a low-maintenance natural stone that lasts for generations.

Quartz

Quartz is one of the trendiest countertops on the market. It is made with a base of natural quartz combined with polymers and resins that seal its pores and create a nonporous surface that never needs to be sealed.

The patterns of quartz slabs are known for their consistency and uniformity. They do not have the natural uniqueness of natural stones, but to some that’s an added plus.

Much like granite, quartz slabs can be expensive—but it’s possible to find options that fit within your price range, as long as you don’t mind looking a bit harder.

Marble

Many people associate marble with class and luxury, automatically ruling it out if they are following a strict budget. But because of its increased accessibility, marble is more affordable than ever—much to the glee of our customers and those all over the nation.

Marble is available in all sorts of veining patterns and colorations. Much like granite, it needs to be sealed and resealed periodically, but it is very heat resistant and durable.

Quartzite

Not to be confused with engineered quartz, quartzite is an affordable natural stone countertop whose looks can be compared to marble. But the great thing about quartzite is that it involves much less maintenance than marble countertops do. It’s easy to care for and often used in place of marble, and if you search, you will find slabs that fit within your budget.

Finding Affordable Countertops

At WS Granite Tops, we respect our customers’ budgets. If you need help finding affordable countertops that work for you, get in touch with us today, and we’ll be glad to assist with your project.