Tag Archives: Kitchen Countertops

Quartz Countertops: Do They Stain?

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Quartz Countertops: Do They Stain?

Quartz countertops are a popular choice in most modern-day homes and make a great addition to kitchens and bathrooms.

When selecting the type of countertops you want in your house, there are many things to consider. There’s a lot to think about between look, style, function, and durability! Well, there are undoubtedly many great countertop options available today, but one is especially significant because of its stain-resistant qualities: quartz counters.

Continue reading to learn more below.

Quartz Countertops Are Stain-Resistant, Not Stain-Proof

Natural stones, such as marble and granite, are susceptible to stains because they are porous. This means that liquids can penetrate the surfaces of these stones and get stuck forever, resulting in a permanent mark. 

For this reason, natural stones must be sealed regularly. Manufactured stones, like quartz, on the other hand, are made up of approximately 95% ground natural quartz and 5% polymer resins (give or take a few percentages), making them essentially non-porous. This engineered countertop does not require sealing and is more resistant to stains because of the resin. 

While the resins in quartz counters make it a great option, it does have some downsides. Some cleaners can cause reactions that may result in discoloration or white or bleached-looking spots. It is best to avoid alkaline cleaners, a solution with high pH, and other acid types. 

On top of being susceptible to reactionary stains, these countertops can also be stained by dried-on substances stuck on your counter’s surfaces. Little bits of wax, lipstick, ink and even crusted food can be difficult to remove and could leave permanent stains.

How to Avoid Quartz Countertop Discoloration and Stains

One of the best ways to avoid stains on your quartz counters is to avoid direct contact with liquid and food as much as possible. Your countertops will look much better and last longer when messes and spills are cleaned up right away and should never be used as cutting boards.

You might find that hard water stains appear in areas that are frequently wet, such as around your sink and faucet. Prevent these stains from occurring by quickly drying your countertops with a clean, dry towel. If you have darker-colored counters, you may find discolored spots when exposed to heat or direct sunlight. Never put your hot cookware directly on countertop surfaces. Instead, use potholders and trivets to prevent these issues from happening.

Interested in Quartz Countertops in Your Property? Contact Intermountain Stone & Marble!

Quartz countertops are a great addition to any home, especially homeowners looking for an attractive yet low-maintenance option.

If you want to add high-quality counters to your home, contact the professionals at Intermountain Stone & Marble. Our skilled team of experts will help you find the perfect slab for your home or business that suits your aesthetic, taste, and budget. Contact us today and let us help you make your quartz, marble, or granite countertop dreams come to life. We proudly serve Salt Lake City, Murray, Taylorsville, and neighboring cities.

5 Ways You Could Accidentally Be Damaging Your Stone Countertops

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5-Ways-You-Could-Accidentally-Be-Damaging-Your-Stone-Countertops

Did you know that you could be inadvertently causing damage to the stone countertops in your kitchen and other stone surfaces?

The countertops you put in your kitchen should last — and many types of stone are long-wearing, such as granite, marble, and quartz. Despite the durability found in these high-quality counters, damage can still occur with time if you do not take the proper precautions and are not careful. Get the highest return on your investment by avoiding these five common mistakes when using the stone counters in your home.

Continue reading to learn more.

5 Ways You May Be Inadvertently Hurting Your Stone Countertops

Are you making any of these countertop mistakes?

  1. TOO MUCH WEIGHT — It doesn’t matter how durable your counters are; they can still be susceptible to cracking under too much weight or pressure — especially in areas where they are not supported, such as overhangs. Instead of sitting on or climbing atop your countertops to reach something, use a chair or step stool. Fractures and cracks in your counters can be challenging to repair, not to mention expensive. 
  2. ACIDIC FOOD — Sealants are there to protect your stone counters from damage, but even the best products cannot always stand up to acidic food and liquids like vinegar, wine, and citrus juices. These can reduce shine, cause discoloration, stain, and even etch your beautiful stone countertops.
  3. USING COUNTERS AS CUTTING BOARDS — Sometimes, convenience wins, and you end up chopping directly on your countertops. Despite being made of durable materials, chopping on your counters can create minor scratches or nicks in the sealant, making the countertops more vulnerable to damage. Additionally, your knives can become duller more quickly. It’s best to use cutting boards whenever possible.
  4. HOT COOKWARE — Some stones are more heat resistant than others, such as granite, handling high heat. Unfortunately, sealants and other products used to make your counter stain-resistant are not as tolerable. In fact, hot pots and pans will weaken your stone countertops. Placing hot cookware directly on the countertop can cause discoloration and shorten the lifespan of your counters.
  5. LEAVING MESSES AND SPILLS — Again, sealants should protect your counters from liquids and other messes from soaking into the soak. However, spills left on the surface for long periods can leave behind buildup, etches, and stains. You shouldn’t run into any issues when spills remain on the surface for a shorter period, like when you’re cooking. But, to ensure your counters look pristine and extend their lifespan, make sure to clean and dry your counters regularly, especially after spills and messes occur.

Looking for Quality Stone Countertops? Contact Intermountain Stone and Marble

Taking care of your stone countertops helps extend their lifespan! If you want to incorporate stone counters in your property, contact the professionals at Intermountain Stone & Marble professionals. We offer affordable, high-quality, and durable granite, marble, quartz, and other fine stones in the Taylorsville, Murray, and Salt Lake City areas. Contact us today for a quote and to view our extensive selection of color and style options for your stone counters.

5 Tips for Mixing and Matching Kitchen Countertops

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5-Tips-for-Mixing-and-Matching-Kitchen-Countertops

If you’re tired of the same old kitchen countertops, you may want to consider mixing and matching counter materials as a new upgrade to the home.

Combining different styles, materials, and colors in kitchens is a style choice that has been around for years and does not seem to be going anywhere any time soon. It creates interest, warmth, visual drama, versatility and can help you stretch your budget a bit further. However, selecting complementary countertop materials can feel overwhelming. So, our professionals are here to share their tips for mixing and matching different types of countertop materials.

Continue scrolling to learn how.

5 Tips for Mixing and Matching Kitchen Countertops

  1. Balance Dark and Light — Create contrast with a light-colored option and a dark option. Doing this does not necessarily mean selecting black and white (though that can be a beautiful look and combination if that’s what you’re going for), but mixing darker and lighter neutrals. Always keep the color of your cabinets, backsplash, and floors in mind as you make your color selections and that they are cohesive; finding balance is critical.

  2. Use Coordinating Accent Colors — Decorating your kitchen may seem like something to consider after completing your kitchen. And, while that can be something to think about later, too, we like to think about it now. If there’s a specific color or two you want to use for decorating, such as your linens, cabinet hardware, plumbing and lighting fixtures, bar stools, and more, make sure your new kitchen countertops complement those colors. Otherwise, things could look off or out of place.
  3. Patterns Matter — As you’re shopping for two different countertop materials and designs, make sure the two do not clash — especially when it comes to their patterns. Selecting two styles with significant movement and veining can overwhelm and take away from your kitchen’s design. If one of your selections has a strong pattern, consider looking for a complimentary countertop with a more solid or minimal design.
  4. Mix and Match Materials — If you find two different types of materials that you’re in love with, that’s okay! Don’t be afraid to mix and match other materials. Many homeowners opt for two kinds of counters, like quartz and porcelain or soapstone and granite. Just remember that you’ll need to use two different cleaning products if you go with two different types of counters since each materials’ cleaning guidelines differ from one to the next.
  5. Let Your Island Be an Accent Piece — The perfect spot for a show-stopping piece is your kitchen island. You can let your personality and aesthetic shine here by choosing sweeping views and striking patterns or a bold color choice for your island, especially if the rest of your kitchen is toned down.

Mix and Match Your Kitchen Countertops With Intermountain Stone & Marble

If you’re ready to upgrade the look of your kitchen countertops, contact the professionals at Intermountain Stone & Marble in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Our team of experts can help you find the right balance and color coordination to mix different countertop materials in your Utah home effortlessly. We proudly offer the highest quality marble, granite, quartz, and porcelain counters at an affordable price. Contact Intermountain Stone & Marble to get a quote today and view our extensive color and style selection.

Which Countertops are Right for Your Kitchen?

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Which Countertops are Right for Your Kitchen

Whether you’re renovating your current kitchen or building a new home, finding the right countertops for your kitchen is a big decision.

With many fantastic options available on today’s market, choosing a countertop material can be somewhat intimidating. Before you decide, it’s important to look at each material’s advantages and disadvantages, the maintenance level of each, how it ages, and what your current lifestyle is, and what your personal style and preference is.
Today, we’re going to look at various countertop options and help you make an informed decision based on your specific needs and wants. You’ve probably done plenty of research and have read up on the pros and cons of different countertop materials — you may even have a shortlist of potentials. Let’s try to narrow down your list and find the right surfaces for your kitchen below.

What is Your Personal Preference and Style?

Before you make any set-in-stone decisions, take a look online or in your favorite home and cooking magazines for inspiration. Look at your patterns in the options to which you’re drawn. For example, if you find yourself dog-earring every page with light, natural-looking materials, maybe steer clear of butcher block, even though you like them. Your patterns will tell you a lot about yourself and which counters you’ll be happiest with.

What is Your Lifestyle and Current Situation?

Your current lifestyle and situation is a significant determining factor when deciding the best materials for your counters. Do you have kids? Do you have pets? How much traffic will your kitchen get? How full is your plate? The answers to each of these can help you narrow down which counters to go with. For example, if you aren’t incredibly busy or overwhelmed by your schedule, you can potentially dedicate time for a higher-maintenance counter material, like marble. If you love to cook, have children, or have lots of guests, you probably will want something that doesn’t take to stains very well, like quartz.

What is Your Budget?

There’s no question that the cost of a kitchen remodel can add up. It’s important to take your budget into consideration before you make any decisions. Make sure to find an affordable countertop supplier that will help you find quality products that won’t break the bank. Keep in mind that luxury countertops, like granite, marble, and quartz, are an investment, and when the time comes to sell your house, you should get a great return on your investment.

Contact Intermountain Stone & Marble

Because the kitchen is truly the heart of the home, it’s important to find the right countertops for you and your needs. Hopefully, you were able to answer some of the questions above to help you narrow down your options and ultimately find the right counters for your kitchen.

Whether you want a natural countertop or a man-made countertop, the experts at Intermountain Stone & Marble can help! We have been providing the residents of Salt Lake City, Utah, and the surrounding areas, such as Taylorsville and Murray, with affordable custom countertops since 1954. For fast, friendly, and professional work, contact our experts today!

Should My Kitchen Island Match the Rest of My Kitchen?

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Should My Kitchen Island Match the Rest of My Kitchen?

Kitchen island design can be very personal, and trends change all the time. You may wonder, “Should my island match the rest of my kitchen?”

What if you want to stand out from your neighbors? Your options for countertops, cabinetry, island design, and flooring are nearly unlimited, so it can be hard to make a decision.

We’ll break down your options for your island so that you understand all the possibilities for the most important room in your home. To match or not to match? Let us help you decide.

Kitchen Island Elements

First, you need to understand the range of elements over which you have control when it comes to your island.

  • Size: The size of your island will depend on the size of your kitchen; if it has a sink; if you’ll need stools; and other factors. You can upsize or downsize according to your needs.
  • Orientation: Your island can be oriented in a variety of ways. It can run parallel to your cabinets (galley style) or perpendicular. You might want your island to face a certain direction or fill a large space at a diagonal angle.
  • Shape: Most islands are rectangular, but don’t let that limit you. Square and even round islands might suit your needs.
  • Features: Many kitchen islands have a sink, but ranges, dishwashers, and even microwaves can be hosted within the island.
  • Countertop: You can experiment with color and material when it comes to countertops. Quartz and marble are popular, but there are also modern trends in wood and concrete.
  • Cabinetry: The underneath section of your island is usually a large piece of cabinetry. It might be a plain block, or you could have drawers and cabinets. You might also consider molding and other features in the wood.
  • Paint: You can paint your island any color under the sun. Go for a gloss or matte finish, or even just stain the wood.

Match or Contrast?

Do you need to match your island to the rest of your kitchen? NO. In fact, we recommend doing something that creates a focal point. Here are a few ideas for your island.

Contrasting Paint: Try using an accent color on your island that pops against your other cabinetry—but keeping the countertops the same to tie it all together.

Lighten Up: If you have a darker or more expressive (think a dramatic marble) countertop on your other counters, try a lighter countertop on your island for contrast.

Monochrome: You can try something new but subtle by staying within the same color family. If your countertops are gray, you can try using darker or lighter shades of the gray.

Try Something: Test the waters by using a peel-and-stick tile, wallpaper, or other temporary material on the bottom of your island to see what you like and what can bring life into your kitchen. 

A Countertop Solution

Your kitchen island is a functional, gathering place. It’s essential to choose the right surfaces and colors for this space so that you enjoy it and can use it well. Intermountain Stone & Marble has every option you could want—and more.

We service Salt Lake County. See how you can transform your kitchen with us.