(205) 624-3538
Facebook-f Twitter Instagram
Get a Free Estimate
Menu

Archives for August 2021

What Makes Granite Countertops Safe for Kids?

People associate granite countertops with wealth, elegance, and flair. Unfortunately, they are also often thought to be non-child-friendly, difficult to clean, and easily damaged. Some families believe that granite countertops and children do not mix. That, however, is not the case. Granite composite countertops are not dangerous to children and can, in fact, be an excellent addition to a family home. 

Here are some of the main reasons that kids shouldn’t deter you from getting a granite countertop for your home:

It Is Hygienic

Granite is a naturally porous substance with tiny absorbent pores. However, granite surfaces are sealed for safety. A chemical sealer is sprayed to granite countertops to cover these gaps and provide a non-porous, clean, and safe surface. In addition, the sealer improves the color and pattern of the granite. 

Children are more susceptible to some diseases than adults, so be sure your counters don’t harbor germs. Invest in granite and reseal it regularly to keep it non-porous. Granite countertops are safer for children of all ages when regularly maintained.

Surface Is Easy to Clean

Your granite’s non-porous sealant provides a flat, smooth surface on otherwise rough stone. The resultant surface will be effortless to clean. Because germs such as raw meat drippings and handwashing water will remain on the surface, all it takes is a light soap and water swipe, a short rinse, and a dry towel to thoroughly disinfect the top. 

There is another reason why easy-to-clean granite is ideal for your home: kids are dirty! Consider how much fun they’d have with a squeeze ketchup bottle or your coffee grinds. When your kids create a mess, it just takes a few simple steps to have your granite surfaces sparkling clean again. Other less expensive surfaces are more challenging to clean and sterilize. And certain materials, such as laminate, discolor exceptionally readily. However, if accidents are cleaned up immediately, granite is much less prone to discolor.

They Resist Structural Damage

Granite is an ultra-hard stone that forms when rocks are subjected to high heat and pressure for an extended length of time. To put it another way, once granite forms, it has already gone through the worst. If it can withstand the extremes of the Earth, it can surely withstand the extremes of your children. 

Unlike laminate, stone replacement, or butcher block worktops, granite is very resistant to structural damage. Blunt force, pressure, and items falling on the surface have a lower likelihood of causing damage than other surface materials. Unless deliberately struck or damaged, granite will not chip, crack, or shatter. While you should not put your worktops to the test, countertops professionals suggest granite for family homes since it is less likely to be damaged by your little ones.

They’re Outdoor Friendly

Do you want to create a kid-friendly living environment in your home? Outdoor kitchens and patios are ideal for family togetherness. Outdoor kitchen granite worktops are tough enough to withstand the weather, so they can easily withstand youngsters. When you choose absolute composite granite for your indoor kitchen, outdoor kitchen, bathrooms, and other elements such as wet bar counters, you will have a unified design.

Final Thoughts

Granite not only adds beauty to a home and can brighten up a whole kitchen or bathroom, but it is also an excellent option for a family with children. Because of its durability and benefits over other materials, your granite countertops will look beautiful even after your children have grown up.
If you are looking for someone who cuts granite near Alabaster, Cutstone Company is the best option! We offer a wide range of custom countertops for our residential and commercial clients. Contact us today!

The 5 Best Countertop Materials for Your Coffee Shop

All coffee shops have their distinct style and interior design. Some go for a classy, primarily black look, and others opt for a nordic design of brown and white. In the center of this design is the countertop, which is the main serving area for customers. This part is also where all your coffee shop functions center.

So it’s an understatement to say that the countertop must be stylish and presentable. To help you decide, here are the five most recommended countertop materials you can find:

1. Stone

You have two options with a stone countertop: natural stone and engineered stone. Natural stones are commonly marble, limestone, or granite, and engineered stone is typically quartz. 

Choosing natural stone means getting a big slab of either marble, limestone, or quartz cut deep from the Earth. On the other hand, engineered stone is made from grinding stone crystals with different resins and colors to replicate the look of natural stone slabs. 

Stone can fit any aesthetic interior design, and its glossy finish will make a striking design for your coffee shop. Moreover, it is heat-resistant and highly durable, so you don’t need to worry about cracking or breaking it.

2. Concrete

Concrete countertops are becoming the new trend for industrial spaces. What looked unattractive to designers and clients in the past is now one of the most sought-after countertops for kitchens and coffee shops. 

This material is unique and could add a smooth, industrial look to your coffee shop. It’s one of the new faces of luxury in interior design and makes a bold statement to anyone visiting your shop. In addition, you may customize its color and go for a clay terracotta, a variation of grays, or a light finish. 

3. Wood

Wood is a common choice not only for home interiors but also for coffee shop countertops. The natural look of wood brings warmth and earthiness to a space that other materials cannot. In addition, it is a sustainable option, especially when you choose reclaimed wood or recycled slabs. Moreover, they’re safer for food and won’t damage your knives as stone countertops would. 

Your wood countertop can have either a dark or a light finish to it. You can go for a dark oak plank, a blond maple, or walnut brown.

4. Steel

The smooth, cool gray look of a steel countertop is a slightly more affordable version of concrete. You can also choose a satin, matte, or textured finish. They’re food-safe, durable, and can hold up against heat, stains, and rust.

5. Plastic Laminate

If you don’t want to break the bank from spending too much on engineered stone or concrete, you can try plastic laminate. As the most affordable countertop material on the market, it is still durable, presentable, and way easier to install.  They’re also customizable, so you can make them look like wood or natural stone, whatever you prefer. 

Conclusion

If you want to customize your shop and redesign some aspects of its interior, you may add fixtures, hanging plants, or new tables. You can choose one material as the center of your interiors, such as your countertop, and realign your other designs to it. 

Cutstone Company creates residential and commercial custom countertops in Birmingham, AL. Our experts are trained to design stone surfaces that catch the attention of any guest without sacrificing budget and quality. 

We’ve worked with homeowners who want to add a touch of luxury to their homes and with commercial companies looking to impress clients the first time they walk into the place. If you’re looking for a custom marble, quartz, granite, or stone countertop, we can make it possible for you. Get in touch with us today!

Hacks and Facts About Your Marble Countertops

Marble is a lovely natural stone. Homeowners have long prized it for its timeless and elegant look, not to mention its connotations with luxury. Its distinct and rich texture are some of the reasons it has been utilized in monuments throughout the globe. Marble is now frequently seen in houses in various applications, including kitchen and bathroom worktops, kitchen backsplashes, and flooring. People choose it above other materials because they know it will add the most value to their house.

However, there may be facts and hacks surrounding this unique stone that you are unaware of. Continue reading to learn fascinating facts and helpful hacks on your marble countertops. 

1. Marbles Are Sourced from the Mountains

Marble forms over millions of years when limestone undergoes recrystallization, a process in which it shifts chemically and physically towards something stronger and thicker. It is a metamorphic gemstone abundant in the mountains of North America, such as Vermont and Colorado, and South America, Asia, and Europe, most notably in Italy.

2. No Two Slabs of Marbles Are Exactly Alike

No two blocks of marble are alike, much as no two snowflakes or fingerprints. Its veining, caused by mineral deposits, distinguishes it from piece to piece. Marble is the ideal material to choose if you want a one-of-a-kind appearance for your flooring or worktops.

3. Impurities Make Marble Unique

Marble slabs are found in colors other than white and gray, including white, black, greyish, yellow, green, pink, and gold. Rich hues and veining are, strangely, the consequence of impurities present during the recrystallization process, such as sand, silt, and clay. These flaws result in the lovely marbles that most people appreciate.

4. Marble Is Always on a High-Maintenance Care

Marble is not renowned for being low-maintenance. It is not heat resistant, it quickly scratches, and it may chip if a heavy stockpot is inadvertently smashed against it. If you have marble countertops in the kitchen, use cutting boards and exercise caution while cooking acidic foods such as tomatoes or lemons since they may react with the marble and render etch. Choose honed marble to avoid etching and scarring, which gives it a matte finish. You may also use sandpaper to gently and carefully remove blemishes and scratches.

5. You Need to Keep Wiping Water Away

Even though your marble kitchen and bathroom countertops have previously been sealed, they are still susceptible to certain chemicals. Because this natural stone is so porous, even water may create stains under certain conditions. The ideal approach is to clean everything that comes into touch with marble quickly. In this case, paper towels or a lint-free cloth are ideal. Once spills are absorbed, use a natural-stone granite cleaner to clean the surface. Use coasters in the kitchen and vanity trays in the bathroom instead of putting glasses or bottles straight on marble countertops. Use dining mats to preserve your marble breakfast counter.

6. A Little Scratch Can Go a Long Way

Marble can be costly, and there’s no need to outfit your kitchen with concrete marble countertops or tile your whole floor in it to add a luxe effect. What you need to keep in mind is that marble is prone to nicks and scratches. If you do not mind a little scratch, the material can go a long way. 

A marble’s charm is the patina that takes years to build. Therefore a marble’s look arises because of its imperfections. Marble is also known to absorb oils from the skin, taking on colorations from the hands of those who gather and cook in your kitchen. So in living with a marble piece, embrace stains, etching, and wear and tear. Think of them not as imperfections but as reminders of the life lived in your house.

Final Thoughts

In the home, marble is a versatile piece: flooring, wall cladding, kitchen backsplashes, and more. Marble is an excellent choice if you’re searching for a countertop material for your kitchen or bathroom. It’s gorgeous, one-of-a-kind, and long-lasting enough to work in any household. Furthermore, being a natural stone that has been used as a classical item for many years, it will undoubtedly stay popular as long as it can be. Marble is a beautiful accent to any house, big or small.
Find the best marble supplier and custom marble countertops in Birmingham, Alabama today! At Cutstone Company, we can dress your kitchen the way you imagined it to be. Contact us to learn more!

Why Quartz Kitchen Countertops Are an Amazing Choice

The kitchen is the heart of any home, which is why the planning, materials, and logistics that go into it tend to be a high priority. Whether it’s a renovation job or a new home is being built, countertops are a key aspect that shouldn’t be taken lightly. A growing trend over the years has been kitchen countertops made with quartz stone.

Quartz Kitchen Countertops

Aside from the sleek, high-end look that they give off, quartz kitchen countertops also have a reputation for their durability. Moreover, they’re low-maintenance, which is particularly helpful for busy family households. Despite certain misconceptions, there are several marbling patterns and colors to choose from. That means it can fit into any desired aesthetic from the so-called ‘cottagecore’ all the way to modern minimalism.

Read on to learn more about why quartz kitchen countertops are an amazing choice:

Color Everywhere

As stated above, there are several colors and marbling patterns that can be selected from for quartz kitchen countertops. Most people tend to pick marble quartz or white quartz for the elegance and modern feel it affords. However, it’s always down to the homeowner. No matter what is chosen, it will most certainly look spectacular.

Luxury Kitchen Look

Natural stone is a key choice for aesthetics across multiple factors because it can give off a rather high-end look while offering durability. Quartz affords homeowners the same, with more durability than most others and a beautiful versatility.

The general lifespan of quartz countertops can go anywhere from 15 years or even more. That said, it should be noted that it’s susceptible to common household cleaners with harsh chemicals. pH-balanced cleaners and polishes are most ideal.

Quartz Is Generally Scratch-Proof

While it’s a man-made stone, quartz still has incredibly strong properties. Visible scratches and nicks aren’t anything you have to worry about. When the MOHS hardness scale is used as the basis, quartz is rated a 7. That’s ahead of granite by a bit, but definitely leaps and bounds ahead of many typical countertop choices. Kitchen countertops made with quartz are a lifelong investment. 

Quartz Kitchen Countertops Are Ideal for Family Homes

As previously mentioned, busy family households will benefit greatly from having quartz kitchen countertops. They’re low-maintenance and can easily withstand spills such as pasta sauce or juice. Quartz is a non-porous stone, meaning there is no need for sealant like other choices for natural stone. It’s also not prone to absorbing substances or colors on its surface.

Dreaming of a snow-white kitchen? A quartz kitchen countertop that’s white will stay pristine despite most food or drink spills on there. All that has to be done is for the offending stain to be wiped away. Acidic foods or certain colors are the exception, though that’s something that occurs over time.

Conclusion

Quartz kitchen countertops have risen in popularity over the years. It’s due to a number of factors such as versatility, durability, and effortless ability to give off a high-end look. They’re an amazing choice because they’re ideal for family homes, generally scratch-proof, and they give kitchens a luxury look.

Looking for high-quality quartz countertops that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing? Check out Cutstone Company today! We do custom countertops for residential and commercial spaces in Birmingham, AL. 

Get a Free Countertop Estimate

Fill out this form below and we’ll get back to you shortly.
CALL US NOW

Request a Quote

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.