How to Care for Quartz Countertops

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How to care for quartz countertops Orlando

How to Care for Quartz Countertops and Other Quartz Countertop Maintenance

Updated 11/3/2019

Quartz is a countertop surface stone that is non-porous, has high resistance to heat, stain, and scratches, and it is quite versatile. It is the most durable of all the stones for countertops, and it requires less maintenance than the other stones such as marble, onyx, and others due to its non-porous surface. The material’s durability and low maintenance is preferred over other stones by business and homeowners.

Quartz countertops are very easy to maintain. It is only required to utilize a damp cloth with soap and warm water regularly to keep it from staining from everyday use. We highly recommended that you clean any spills or food stains immediately. Do not use any abrasive wipe or cleaner; otherwise, it will scratch the surface and remove the gloss and shine. Although quartz countertops are resistant to heat, the use of trivets, heating pads, and such others is recommended to avoid a sudden direct change of temperature.

When cutting food, the use of a cutting board is a must to prevent scratches against the quartz’s surface. Do not use ammonia or bleach or any strong solvents it may dull the natural shine of the quartz. Using the flat side of a razor blade will help remove tough dried foods from the quartz surface as well as a “000” mild steel wool, it is a trade secret that works effectively. Sealants are not necessary when choosing quartz countertops.

Following these simple steps will keep your countertops looking like new for a long time to come enhancing the elegance of your business or home!

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How to care for marble countertopsHow to care for Marble Countertops: Looking for information on how to care for marble countertops? Due to their soft nature, marble requires the most care of any stone countertop material we carry.

How to Select Countertops That Match Cabinets and Floors

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When our customers come into our office looking for new custom countertops, many times they are about to begin a full kitchen remodel or have even begun the remodel. These customers want to make sure that their new countertops will match their floors and cabinetry. So often they bring in samples or pictures of the floor and cabinet materials that they have picked out, and we help them find a material that will match. After doing some research on blogs and home designer websites across the web, we have put together a 5 part guide for selecting countertops that match cabinets and floors.

Step 1: Decide on what style of kitchen you plan to build

Crema-marphil marble Kitchen, Farmhouse sink
Traditional Style Kitchen with Marble Countertops

When selecting a style for your kitchen, it is important to take into consideration the needs you will have, what your personal design tastes are, and how the kitchen will tie into the rest of your home. If you are unsure of the many different kinds of kitchen styles, HGTV has put together a quick picture guide of 9 different kitchen styles for you to choose. From here you will begin to select the materials, colors, patterns, and appliances that will match your desired style.

 

Step 2: Select a color scheme for your kitchen remodel

Ceasarstone Quartz Countertops Orlando
Notice how the tan-colored tiles tie in nicely with the creme colored countertops and are accented by the white cabinets for contrast.

Jann Seal, of Demand Media, writes that you should select 2-3 dominant colors for your kitchen and then an accent color that will provide a “pop” between the two. If you visit this gallery of 25 Colorful Kitchens provided by HGTV, you can see that the majority of the kitchens predominately follow the three-color rule. Such as this: gray cabinets and white/gray countertops with a red accent wall. If your floors contain many different colors, try to find one similar color in the countertop materials or cabinets that you select. The warm brown coloring found in wood flooring pairs well with quartz and granite materials containing shades of beige or brown such as our  Brown Fantasy material or Tan Brown Material.

 

Step 3: Select countertop and tile patterns textures and finishes that go well together

Orlando Granite Kitchen Countertop with Stepped Edge ProfileMatching the patterns, texture, and finish of your materials is just as important as the colors you select for your new kitchen countertops. Busy travertine tile floors might pair well with a calmer gray/white granite or quartz countertops such as our Colonial White Material. If you select a smooth, glossy tile, we would recommend a color/texture matching quartz or solid surface countertop material.

Step 4: Select your kitchen cabinets

Granite Kitchen Countertop, Kitchen Countertop Orlando,After taking into consideration the different textures and colors that have you have used between the countertops and floors, it will be time to start choosing the right style of cabinets to tie to look together. Mary Cockrill of Demand Media also suggests taking into consideration the lifestyle you have when selecting the cabinets in How to Match Kitchen Cabinets & Countertops. She also suggests in her article to choose the material for the cabinets based on the stone you select because natural stones such as granite will require resealing over the years, while engineered stones like quartz will not.

 

Step 5: Don’t be afraid to get visual

countertop installation processBeing visual is not a bad thing when making a sizable investment like a kitchen remodel. Grab sample materials wherever you go and bring them with you to select the right materials for your kitchen. If you are tech / design-savvy, there are software programs you can invest in to see how the kitchen will look after each configuration. TopTenReviews has put together a guide called Best Tools for Interior Design that will help with selecting which software will best suit your needs. When all else fails, bring your ideas to a contractor, and they will be able to help guide you in the right direction.

Source Material:

Kitchen Style Guide; HGTV

How to Coordinate Floor Tile Color & Countertops ; Jann Seal, Demand Media

25 Colorful Kitchens ; HGTV – Kayla Kitts and H. Camille Smith

How to Match Kitchen Cabinets & Countertops; Mary Cockrill, Demand Media

Best Tools for Interior Design ; HouseBeautiful.com

Article Last Updated 9/30/2019

 

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Most Popular Granite Countertop Configurations in Orlando, Florida.

Looking for the hottest granite countertop configurations in Orlando? Check out our post on some of our most requested countertop configurations we have installed over the past 15+ years.

 

 

Alternative to Concrete Countertops Bathroom Vanity

Concrete Countertop Alternatives

Concrete countertops are a big trend in 2015 however many homeowners are unaware that there are better alternatives to concrete such as a special blend of quartz engineered by Ceasarstone.

Granite Countertop Showcase 2002

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Article about ADP Featured in Central Florida Builder Magazine

We were cleaning out some old boxes this week and came across this old magazine that ADP was featured in back in 2002. It is incredible how so little has changed about our philosophies on how we treat our customers and builders. One big change we have made since 2002 is widening the variety of stones we sell to include more solid surface / corian countertops and quartz countertops.

 

A Different Perspective

By Nancy Click

A reputation is earned in any industry over time. A Different Perspective has spent the last 10 years helping builders, designers and homeowners carve their dreams in stone. It is the style in which these projects have been handled that has built a reputation as solid as the stone they cut.

The kitchen represents the largest expense in any home. This is the place where friends visit and families are fed. The countertops become the showpiece of the kitchen and the artistic expression of the owners. For these reasons, have it done right.
Specializing in countertop fabrication and installation, A Different Perspective (ADP) has developed a system to make this process easy for its clients. They have a knowledgeable team that has a real interest in helping plan, organize and make dream kitchens a reality.

ADP is built on this premise: take care of your employees and clients; everything else will take care of itself. More than half of new sales are referrals from previous customers. This is because the team at ADP strives to make their clients look their best and give them what they want.

Granite countertop specialists and owners of A Different Perspective, Chris Peck and Kevin Fulp have a philosophy that success is defined by honoring what you do.

“We are here to help our clients and enjoy the process,” says Peck. “Our customers have the opportunity to select material from all over the world. One day we are working with a stone from Brazil, the next day with one that’s cut out of India and another day a stone from Norway. This is the magic in what we do to make our beautiful countertops.

Central Florida Builder / Architect – February 2002

 

 

Front Page of Central Florida Builder Magazine in 2002.
Front Page of Central Florida Builder Magazine in 2002.

Other ADP Surfaces Custom Countertop Fabrication and Installation Projects

 Orlando Granite Kitchen Countertop with IslandADP Surfaces and RX Builders 2014 Project

 

Selecting Kitchen Countertops

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Selecting Kitchen Countertops: Orlando kitchen worktops need to be Functional, Tough and Beautiful enough to compliment the home.

Selecting Kitchen Countertops
Selecting Kitchen Countertops

In a working home, we expect a lot of our kitchens; our kitchens store the food that we eat, provide a working space for preparing meals and bring guests together for entertainment. We count on our kitchen countertops to hold up to wear and tear, withstand hot and cold items, and look amazing. When sitting down and selecting kitchen countertops, the goal is to find the best balance for your kitchen based off of your individual needs.

Kitchen Countertops that are Functional

  1. Quartz Countertop Material – Quartz provides the most functional countertop material as it is the most resistant to scratching and chipping. Quartz countertops are the most resistant to spills and stains due to its non-porous structure, and it does not need to be resealed every few years.
  2. Granite Countertop Material – Granite countertops have a very hardwearing durable surface that provides for a functional countertop surface. Granite countertops maintain their functionality  with proper care and maintenance. (Visit our post “How to Care for Granite Countertops“)
  3. Solid Surface Countertop Material – Solid surface material is highly durable but can be scratched.  Since solid surface materials are non-porous, they hold up very well to spills and stains compared to other materials. Solid surface material should not be cut on directly.
  4. Marble Countertop Material – Marble is a very dense, but soft material. The temperature of marble stays slightly cooler than the other materials listed, which makes it a great surface for food preparation with proper maintenance and care. (Visit our post on “How to Care for Marble Countertops“)

Kitchen Countertops that are Tough

  1. Granite Countertop Material- Granite countertops can withstand temperatures of up to 200°C (392°F), making them the best stone countertop material for placing hot pots and pans directly on.  Granite countertops can be cut directly on without scratching the surface.
  2. Solid Surface Countertop Material- Solid Surface countertops (specifically Corian brand)  can withstand 180°C (352°F) making them safe to place some hot pots and pans directly on. Solid surface material should not be cut on directly as the material will likely scratch.
  3. Quartz Countertop Material- Quartz materials can withstand temperatures of 160°C (320°F) making it okay to place some warm pots and pans directly on the surface without cracking. Quartz countertops are tough enough so that can be cut directly on without scratching the surface.
  4. Marble Countertop Material – We were not able to find an exact temperature at which marble will crack, but due to the soft composition of the material it is likely that hot materials.

Kitchen Countertops that are Beautiful

  1. Quartz Countertop Material – Quartz countertops come in a wide variety of colors, textures, and functionality. Since they are man-made, they can be replicated to match granite and marble stones, and even Concrete Countertops.
  2. Granite Countertop Material – Granite is a natural stone that comes in a wide variety of random colors and textures. Granite is supplied from around the world, granite materials from different regions can create different patterns, refraction and colors.
  3. Solid Surface Countertop Material – Solid surfaces material is a synthetic material made of acrylic that can be used to replicate quartz, granite, marble and more; however it usually does not have the same feel or finish as a natural or quartz countertop.
  4. Marble Countertop Material – Marble countertop material comes in very little selection of color, however the material is visually stunning and has a wide variety of natural patterns.

 

Orlando Granite Kitchen Countertop

For Other Articles on Kitchen Countertops:

Please visit our Category for Kitchen Countertop Ideas: http://www.adpsurfaces.com/kitchen-countertop-ideas/