A complete guide to 5 most popular countertop materials

A countertop is not just something that adds aesthetic appeal to your household but is a staple on which some important activities take place.  But choosing a countertop material and design can be very difficult due to the availability of so many countertop options in the market. Not only should the countertop that you choose go with the theme of the kitchen or bathroom but should also be practical and durable. The following is a guide to the 5 most popular countertop materials which you too could choose.

• Granite-undoubtedly, granite countertops are the most popular choice, thanks to their durability, easy availability, easy maintenance and availability of several designs and patterns.  Granite looks very elegant and can add grace and richness to any space.  It is a strong surface which lasts for years and should be your first option to consider.  You can easily get it installed by hiring granite countertop contractor. 
• Wood-wood is a surprisingly durable countertop material which makes for a solid option.  It too is available in many options in terms of price and designs and goes with almost all themes and house styles.  The only consideration with wood is that it must be protected from heat.
• Cambria-Cambria which is also known as engineered stone is a quartz stone surface which has a beautiful cosmetic appeal and is one of the hardest materials. It is only available through exclusive Cambria countertop installation contractors or dealers and this is something that adds to its exclusivity and uniqueness.  One of the things that make Cambria even more special is the fact that it requires no maintenance and is 93% natural quartz stone.
• Stainless steel-this material is increasingly becoming popular and fits into a lot of looks.  It can take heat, is easy to maintain and adds a touch of sleekness to any living space.  Stainless steel is also very easy to get installed, is very easy available and can turn around the look of any house.
• Soapstone-this is a soft and very handsome looking material which is yet another popular countertop material. This material is resistant to heat, scratch resistant and looks absolutely gorgeous. Like any other material, it does have some negatives associated and some include that it doesn’t absorb stains readily and may weather over time and develop a darker patina.

Besides these 5 materials, there are many other options available too and some of them include glass, concrete and marble etc. It is very important to weigh all the pros and cons of any countertop material which you choose to install in your house. It is also important to keep your budget in mind when selecting a material.  If you are someone who is looking for Cambria countertop installation or a contractor who can help you get any of the above mentioned materials, then all you need to do is to log on to  http://www.merrifieldgraniteandmarble.com/.

Top things to keep in mind for a kitchen island design or construction

A kitchen is undoubtedly one of the most important parts of any house and is an area where you not only cook but also at, entertain your guests and spend a lot of time each day. This is why; a kitchen must be designed carefully, considering its utility, space, interiors, colors and materials used. One of the latest trends that is being followed while designing kitchens is having a kitchen island.   A kitchen island is basically a stand-alone platform provided in the middle of the kitchen for giving you more working space as well as convenience. There are many ways in which you can make your kitchen island look absolutely amazing and serve the purpose it is meant to serve. Read on to find out more about the same:

Countertop material

A kitchen island can either have the same countertop material as the rest of the kitchen or can have a separate material or design. Marble or granite kitchen countertops installation for the island is a good idea since these materials not only look rich and elegant but also are durable, tough, and convenient to work on and affordable.  Some other materials that people often choose are glass, stainless steel and wood etc.

Design

Another thing that you will need to consider is the design of the kitchen island.  You will need to select the shape, the size, the angles as well as the height of the island and do so in such a way that comfort and convenience come first rather than looks and attractiveness.  Some common shapes for kitchen islands are rectangular, square, oval, and L-shaped and round.  Some kitchen islands also double up as breakfast bars and hence the size must be selected in such a way that there is enough space for a workstation as well as an eating table.

What to include

Since a kitchen island serves a lot of purposes, it must include of the right things and equipments.  Besides having its own sink and storage shelves, the island can also have an oven, a cutting board, a gas counter, electric switch boards and supplies as well as attached bar stools.

Style and feel

There are many styles for kitchen islands and some of them include contemporary, classic, American folk and French country etc. The style of the island must depend upon the style of the rest of the kitchen as well as the overall theme or feel of the house. Do not mis-match as that can create a very dull effect.

So, now that you know how to design or style a kitchen island, you can contact a service provider for materials, services and other things needed to get the island made or constructed. Ask your kitchen or bathroom remodeler to do the work for you but only after contacting Merrifield Granite and Marble. This is the one stop address for all your kitchen and marble bathroom countertops needs and requirements.

Why you need to remodel both bathroom and kitchen during home improvement

Are you someone who is interested in home improvement to raise the value of your home or for personal satisfaction? Do you wish to see a change in your house and want to make it appear newer and fresh? Well, then there are many ways to go about it. While redecorating the bedroom or the living room are obvious choices for home improvement, the best ways to bring about a visible change and improvement is to remodel the bathroom and the kitchen.  Whether it is choosing marble bathroom countertops or attractive backsplashes, there are many low cost and easy ways to simultaneously remodel these spaces. If you are yet not convinced, the following reasons will convince you to remodel both bathroom and kitchen during home improvement:

Kitchen and bathrooms are most important spaces in the house

One of the first reasons why remodeling kitchen and bathrooms is the best way of home improvement is that these two spaces are the most important rooms or spaces in the house. While a bathroom lets you unwind after a long busy day or start a new day afresh, the kitchen is where you cook, eat and converse with family. Yes, the living & bedrooms are where you may spend maximum time but changing the appearance of kitchens and bathrooms will bring you more satisfaction.

Loads of options available

When it comes to kitchen and bathroom remodeling, you’ve plenty of options available. You can both go for total revamp and just change a few things like the countertop, the backsplash, the lighting or the accessories. Just replacing a marble backsplash with a Cambria quartz backsplash VA or elsewhere can immediately turn around the look of your kitchen and that too at such an affordable cost. Similarly, just changing the countertop material or sink of the bathroom will immediately make the space appear newer.

Easier to do

If you go for remodeling of your bedroom, living room or dining room, then you may have to devote a great deal of time, money and concentration. But when you get your bathroom and kitchen remodeled, you may just need to set apart a few days and get the work done without any major disturbance in your life. If you mind getting them revamped simultaneously, you can opt for one after other. Bathrooms are relatively smaller spaces which do not need to go through a lot to look new whereas kitchens too are simpler to remodel.

Direct impact on resale value

Buyers notice kitchen and bathrooms before they notice anything else. By revamping or remodeling this space, you can considerably increase the resale value your house. This is other reason why you must consider remodeling both these rooms during home improvement. The better the bathroom and kitchen is, the more convinced will be the buyer to purchase the house.

If you are looking for a service provider to supply you with amazing remodeling items, you can contact merrifieldgraniteandmarble.com.

Points To Consider Before Kitchen Remodelling

The thought of getting kitchen remodeling done must have crossed your mind on a number of occasions  but you must be putting it off thinking of how you would go about it and which contractor to choose.  Most people have no idea where to start or how to set a budget for the same.  But the good news here is that there are many kitchen remodeling contractors VA that can help your kitchen renovation dream come true and lead to a successful remodeling. But before you hire one of these contractors, you must consider a few points and these are given as follows:

• Set your budget-the first and most important step is to set a budget.  The budget must be set in your mind much before you hire a contractor as this can help you manage the process more effectively and efficiently.
• Gather ideas-another thing that is much needed before looking for a kitchen renovation company is to gather as many ideas as you would like to see incorporated in your kitchen. For example,if it is a backsplash with black granite countertop that you would like to get installed, just take a picture or make a note of it so as to convey it to the contractor.
• Know your wants and needs-identify what you really need as compared to what you desire. Pay more attention to the basic requirements rather than flashy ideas that may be impractical for your kitchen to have.  Make a list of all that is really needed to complete your kitchen in a way you would prefer.
• Request an estimate-if you have made a list of a few contractors for kitchen remodeling work, make sure you request an estimate from each one to see which one is willing to do the work at the minimum cost.
• Hire the contractor wisely-make the decision about the contractor wisely by choosing carefully from your narrowed list of probable kitchen renovation experts.  The contractor must be experienced, qualified and should bring several creative suggestions and ideas on board.
• Choosing design-one of the most important aspects of kitchen remodeling is its design and theme. Go for a theme which will make you feel like cooking and spending more time in the space and choose the tiles, countertops, backsplashes and their colors and patterns in a way which gels with your theme.
• See to it that space constraints are well utilized-kitchen remodeling must be done in a fashion that utilizes the space constraints effectively.  Make sure that all the space that you have is used wisely and no space goes to waste.

Once you consider all these points, you will surely be able to get a kitchen that you really wanted. With careful planning and proper budget setting, you will be able to convert your old kitchen space into a completely new looking one. If you are looking for a kitchen renovation service provider or a kitchen remodeling company, you can log on to merrifieldgraniteandmarble.com and avail top services at reasonable prices.