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

Stephen Alberts

7 Essential Tips for Maximizing the Functionality of Your Kitchen and Bathroom Countertops

Kitchen and bathroom countertops are an important part of your home, and you don’t want to have to replace them unnecessarily.

Whether you’ve opted for the timeless elegance of natural stone like granite or marble or the modern durability of quartz, maximizing their functionality and maintaining their beauty is crucial.

But what’s the best way to ensure that your kitchen and bathroom countertops stay functional? Here are seven essential tips to ensure you get the most out of your natural stone and quartz countertops.

1. Develop A Daily Cleaning Routine

granite maintenance

Establish a daily cleaning routine to keep your countertops in top condition. Utilize a soft cloth or sponge with mild dish soap and warm water to promptly wipe away spills and crumbs.

Harsh chemical cleaners or abrasive tools should be avoided, as they could potentially damage the surface over time. This is especially important for softer stone countertops, like marble.

2. Regular Sealing

Natural stone countertops, such as granite and marble, are inherently porous and can absorb liquids, leading to stains and bacterial growth.

It’s imperative to seal your countertops regularly as recommended by the manufacturer to safeguard against stains and maintain their luster.

Unlike natural stone, quartz countertops are engineered to be non-porous, eliminating the need for sealing and offering a hassle-free maintenance solution.

3. Protection from Heat Damage

Shield your bathroom and kitchen countertops from heat damage by utilizing trivets or hot pads beneath hot pots, pans, and other cooking utensils, as well as hot hair tools in the bathroom.

Sudden fluctuations in temperature can cause natural stone to crack or discolor, underscoring the importance of exercising caution when placing hot items on the surface.

How to Find Affordable Countertops

4. Always Use Cutting Boards

Despite their durability, natural stone countertops are not impervious to scratches. To prevent scratches and preserve the integrity of your countertops, always use cutting boards when preparing food.

While quartz countertops are more resistant to scratching, it’s still prudent to employ protective measures to avoid potential damage. Of course, this doesn’t really apply to bathroom countertops– it’s definitely a kitchen countertop tip!

5. Avoid Acidic and Abrasive Substances

Acidic substances such as vinegar and citrus juices can etch the surface of natural stone countertops, while abrasive cleaners can scratch and dull their finish.

Opt for pH-neutral cleaners and refrain from using abrasive sponges or scrub brushes to safeguard the beauty of your countertops.

Keep acidic or highly pigmented liquids off of the countertops, too- coffee, red wine, and other dark beverages can lead to discoloration and stains if you don’t wipe up spills immediately.

6. Exercise Caution with Chemicals

Be mindful of the chemicals in close proximity to your countertops. Refrain from placing bottles of bleach, ammonia, or other harsh chemicals directly on the surface, as spills can result in discoloration or damage.

Promptly clean up any spills and thoroughly rinse the area with water to mitigate potential harm.

expert waterfall countertop installation


7. Prevent Water Damage

In both the bathroom and the kitchen, it’s essential to keep your countertops dry to prevent water damage and mold growth.

Employ coasters under toiletry items to catch drips and refrain from leaving wet towels or bath mats on the countertop for extended periods. Promptly wipe up any spills to maintain the integrity of the surface.

By following these seven essential tips, you can maximize the functionality and longevity of your kitchen and bathroom countertops, whether they’re made of natural stone or quartz.

If you’re considering upgrading your countertops or need assistance with maintenance and care, contact Cutstone today for a free estimate.

Our team of experts can help you choose the perfect countertop material for your space and provide guidance to ensure years of enjoyment.

 

5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Caring for Granite Countertops

Your granite countertop isn’t just a piece of furniture; it’s an investment that will last a lifetime if you take care of it.

Naturally durable, granite is hard to damage– but it can be done if you’re not careful. To maintain their beauty and integrity, you need to pay a little attention to detail.

At Cutstone Company, we have years of experience with protecting natural stone. We’re central Alabama’s only fabricator fully accredited by the Natural Stone Institute.

Here are five of the most common mistakes made when caring for granite countertops, and what you should do instead.

1. Using Harsh Cleaners

Granite is a natural stone that can be sensitive to acidic or abrasive cleaners. Using harsh chemicals such as bleach, ammonia, vinegar, or citrus-based cleaners can etch or dull the surface of the granite.

Instead, opt for a mild pH-neutral cleaner specifically designed for granite. Talk to your fabricator about what they recommend.

2. Not Sealing Regularly

quartz with granite

Granite countertops should be sealed regularly to protect them from stains and spills. Many people forget to reseal their countertops or underestimate how frequently it needs to be done.

Depending on the type of granite and its usage, the sealing interval changes. This is an aspect of granite care that requires consultation with your fabricator. They can inform you about your granite’s sealing schedule and help you with the resealing process.

Failure to seal can result in the stone absorbing liquids, leading to stains and potential damage.

3. Using Abrasive Tools or Cleaners:

Granite is a tough stone. It’s rated from 6-8 on the Mohs scale, which measures mineral hardness. (For comparison, diamonds are a 10 and marble is a 4 on this scale.)

But it can be damaged if you aren’t careful. While the stone itself is unlikely to suffer much from being scrubbed with steel wool or harsh brushes, the sealant can be damaged. And if the sealant wears off and isn’t replaced, it can lead to damage and staining as the porous stone is exposed to spills and liquids.

Always make sure that you use soft cloths like microfiber or chamois and gentle sponges for cleaning your granite countertops, and avoid aggressive scrubbing.

4. Neglecting Spills

Allowing spills to sit on granite countertops for an extended period can lead to staining, especially if the spilled substance is acidic or highly pigmented, like wine or coffee.

This is especially important if you have light-colored granite with minimal veining. Promptly clean up spills to prevent them from seeping into any weak areas in the seal and causing discoloration.

5. Heat Exposure

Another mistake people make is putting hot pots and pans directly on the granite countertop. Now, this will not damage the underlying granite.

As an igneous rock, granite is essentially heatproof, so you don’t have to worry about it scorching or cracking. But heat can weaken the seal over time, and that’s where the mistake is made. If you put hot pots or pans on the countertop and weaken the seal over time, you’ll have an area of seal that’s prematurely weak.

This makes that part of the countertop more likely to stain and accelerates the sealing schedule. And oversealing can make the countertop appear cloudy– so put down a trivet or hot pad to protect the seal.

By avoiding these common mistakes and adopting proper care practices, you can ensure that your granite countertops remain beautiful and functional for years to come.

At Cutstone Company, we specialize in beautiful countertops that look amazing in your home. Contact us today for a free estimate on your next countertop project.

Quartz Fusion: Blending Quartz with Other Materials for Unique Designs

It’s no wonder why quartz is such a popular material in kitchens and elsewhere; quartz is an incredible building material made up from one of the hardest stones.

Quartz counters can be incredibly gorgeous and, with their synthetic makeup, are also a highly practical choice, offering a highly nonporous surface that resists both scratching and staining well.

But one of the most notable benefits of quartz is that it’s a highly versatile building material, one that can mesh well into a wide range of spaces with unique styles. Blending quartz with other materials can result in stunning, unique designs.

A Versatile Component

quartz with granite

There are several reasons why quartz is an excellent candidate for blending materials. It’s practical, durable, gorgeous, and versatile.

Since quartz is made synthetically, it can be manufactured in a wide range of colors, patterns, and styles, making it highly versatile in terms of appearance.

Whether you’re looking for a striking dark-colored counter to add a touch of contrast or something that will mesh seamlessly, quartz can do it all.

Quartz countertops can be highly patterned, highly uniform, and everything in between. Ultimately, it’s all about your unique needs and style.

Pairing Materials: Examples

quartz with marble

So, what kinds of materials might you combine with quartz to create stunning, memorable, and unique designs? Quite a few! Let’s explore some possibilities:

  • Wood: Wood accents, particularly utilized for cabinet doors, cutting boards, and even furniture, can create a wonderful rustic sense of warmth. Combined with lighter-colored, easy-to-clean quartz, this can create a truly comfortable, inviting, and warm space.
  • Stainless steel: Stainless steel is beloved for its practicality and durability—and it’s also gorgeous. Offering a sleek, streamlined look, stainless is perfect for creating a practical, modern, and utilitarian look. Combined with durable and practical quartz, this can create a chic, streamlined look.
  • Natural stone: While quartz is often used as an alternative to natural stone, it also blends amazingly with natural stone. Whether you’re combining stone and quartz counters, quartz counters with natural stone backsplash, or even natural stone flooring, this can create a gorgeous cohesive look that pulls together the natural beauty of stone with the synthetic beauty of quartz.

Design Considerations: What to Think About

While quartz is an amazing option for blending styles, there are a few important factors to consider when embarking on your journey:

  • Color scheme: Whether you’re creating a new color scheme or blending new quartz into an existing one, consider how they’ll mesh. Matching isn’t always the only option; consider how colors can complement one another and create a pleasing sense of contrast.
  • Other materials: If you have a few different materials present already, consider how quartz will integrate with them aesthetically. This may inform your choice of color or pattern.
  • Style: Think about what kind of style you want to demonstrate; if you’re going for a minimalist style, combining sleek stainless with synthetic quartz, consider using uniform textures and patterns to lean into the synthetic look. However, if you’re trying to create a sense of rustic warmth, you may find that natural-style veining is the way to go.

Ready to Revitalize Your Interiors?

If you’re looking for gorgeous, high-quality quartz countertops, we’re here to help. Don’t compromise on style or practicality.

At Cutstone Co., we offer a wide range of quartz countertop styles to suit your needs. With professional installation, unmatched customer service, and a commitment to creating stunning designs, Cutstone Co. is your go-to for custom countertops in central Alabama. Reach out today for a free estimate.

Marble Countertops for Small Spaces: Maximizing Style in Compact Kitchens

Compact kitchens are excellent at saving space; whether it’s an integral component of a tiny home or a cozy central hub, compact kitchens offer functionality in a small package.

While it’s important to remain mindful of space in smaller kitchens, creating a compact space that is stylish, aesthetically pleasing, and inviting is absolutely possible.

One of the best ways to maximize style in a compact kitchen is through elegant, luxurious marble countertops. Let’s explore some of the elements that go into making marble a great option for upping the style, even in compact spaces: its versatility, luxury appearance, practicality, and suitability in smaller kitchens.

Versatile Style

One of the great things about marble is that it offers a timeless appearance—one that fits in well with styles from nearly any decade.

Marble is both varied and versatile. It fits well with nearly any color scheme. When revamping the appearance of a smaller kitchen, marble’s versatility comes in handy, enabling a range of gorgeous combinations.

Elevating Aesthetics

Finding ways to transform a smaller kitchen into a luxurious space can seem like a daunting challenge, but with the right materials and styles, even compact spaces can offer a sense of splendor and elegance.

Marble countertops are an excellent option for combining a taste of luxury with the practicality of usable surfaces. Marble’s natural stone appearance is known for its inherent beauty and offers lighter colors that can either break through dark color schemes for a pleasant contrast or fit in nicely with similar shades for a seamless appearance.

Practicality and Function

Marble Countertops in Commercial Spaces

Marble isn’t just timeless, elegant, and beautiful. It’s also a highly practical material, well suited for kitchen tasks in small spaces. Marble is known for its tolerance to heat and sun exposure and, unlike some other materials, is resistant to sunlight bleaching or thermal shock.

It’s important to note that, while marble is highly tolerant of heat, like any material, it can be damaged by excessive heat, so it still may be warranted to use trivets or potholders when placing hot objects on marble.

Compact Style for Compact Kitchens

Marble countertops come in a wide range of configurations, making them well-suited for a compact environment where you’ll need to pay careful attention to space and organization.

What’s more, with space at a premium, marble’s light coloring can help you create a stronger sense of expansiveness.

It can be challenging to find the right material that fits in with your existing kitchen while offering an untenable sense of elegance, but marble is often a great choice.

The Bottom Line

Marble countertops are a great option for compact kitchens. Marble offers a lot of great qualities; it’s a beautiful, versatile material that can likely fit in with your existing kitchen without the need for a total overhaul.

Additionally, marble is elegant, practical, and cool to the touch—great for cooking and preparation. With a range of configurations and styles available, marble is ultimately well-suited for many smaller kitchens.

Remember, if you’re looking for expert installation, high-quality materials, and an unparalleled commitment to customer service and quality, Cutstone Company is your go-to for countertop installation services in Central Alabama.

Bold Backsplashes: Creative Ideas to Complement Your Kitchen Countertops

If you’re looking for ways to revitalize your kitchen space, you may have to consider adding or revamping your existing backsplashes. But where do you even start? There are so many options out there, all with their unique benefits and potential drawbacks.

That’s why we’ll be exploring some creative and practical bold backsplash ideas. From simple and practical to all-out stunning, we’ll explore some inspiring styles that will work amazingly in your kitchen.

Stainless Steel: Sleek and Timeless

Stainless steel is a great material to use in kitchens and bathrooms. High-quality stainless steel plays well with moisture because it’s extremely resistant to corrosion, and it’s also highly durable, easy to clean, and sturdy. It also offers an attractive metallic sheen that’s just as comfortable in a luxurious dining room as it is in an industrial kitchen.

A stainless steel backsplash is a great complement to nearly any kind of countertop as well—from natural stone to human-made quartz countertops. It meshes well with nearly any style, from minimalist contemporary styles to timeless rustic looks.

Tile Backsplash: A Timeless Classic

countertops near me in central alabama

Tile backsplashes are a classic for a reason—they are highly versatile, running the gamut from tightly flush and modern sleek tiles to more rustic styles with thicker grout lines. It also comes in a wide range of styles, colors, and material types. Porcelain tiles are prized for their ease of cleaning, for example, while natural stone tiles like granite or marble offer a luxurious and unique aesthetic.

Each material brings its unique benefits; for example, glass tiles can offer luminance and reflectivity, while stainless steel tiles can evoke practicality and an industrial flair. What’s more, tile can be extremely easy to clean and maintain, especially when it’s made from easily cleanable materials such as porcelain or stainless steel. Finally, another potential benefit of tile backsplash is that if one tile is damaged, it may be replaceable.

Natural Stone Backsplashes, Stunning Beauty

Natural stone can be an amazing option for kitchen backsplashes. It can stand out and catch the eye, appearing quite distinct from other traditional backsplash styles. What’s more, the field of natural stone types is so varied that you’ll have a wealth of options to choose from. Not only are there several types of natural stone—such as granite, marble, and even slate—but many natural stones come in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and styles, further expanding your options.

For stone backsplashes, you can either match them to your existing countertops for a seamless appearance, or you can choose distinct materials or colors to add some depth of contrast and excitement to the space. Either option can be an amazing way to enhance the visual appearance of your space.

Mirrored Backsplashes, Gorgeous Reflections

Finally, mirrored backsplashes can really catch the eye. Using mirrored or highly reflective materials for backsplashes can be advantageous for a few reasons: not only are mirrored materials often very smooth, hard, stain resistant, and easy to clean, but these types of backsplashes can also help you spread light better within the kitchen, reflecting light onto your countertop or stovetop for easier, more illuminated cooking and cleaning.

What Will You Design?

These are just a few of the amazing styles that you can think about as you prepare for your kitchen revitalization journey. A backsplash is more than just an adornment; backsplashes can enhance the usability of kitchen space, protecting your wall from spills and splashes and offering you an easily cleaned surface that also brings its own visual flair to the space. These inspiring styles are a great starting point if you’ve been wondering what kinds of styles you might consider in your kitchen.

Don’t forget: if you’re ready to take the next steps, we’re here to help. With a commitment to high-quality materials, expert installation, and exemplary customer service, Cutstone Company is your go-to. To learn more or get started, reach out for a free estimate today.

Get a Free Countertop Estimate

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

Please upload a sketch or pictures of your project.
Drop files here or
Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, heic, Max. file size: 2 GB, Max. files: 3.
    This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

    CALL US NOW

    Request a Quote

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