Countertops

Aug 06 2021

The Process of Countertop Installation

Custom-designed countertops can bring a beautiful new touch, whether in a kitchen or a bathroom. They can also add value to a home or a new kitchen remodel. While your new additions will undoubtedly be exciting though, you also have some planning ahead before you get to enjoy your new countertops. You’ll likely want to know more about the installation process so you can prepare.

Fortunately, GranitePro is among the foremost experts on custom countertop installation services in Maryland and is here to help with all your countertop needs. With over 16 years of experience, GranitePro has the expertise needed to bring your countertops to the next level. Reach out to one of our installers by calling 410.875.7579.

Countertop Consultation

The first thing you will want to do when buying new countertops is scheduling a consultation. One of GranitePro’s expert team members will perform a free in-home consultation, measuring the space for the countertops and creating an initial plan. GranitePro will also work with you to choose from our wide selection of top-of-the-line options, all sourced from top-rated quarries around the United States. Our materials options include:

From there, we will draw up a price estimate for your unique project.

Templating

To ensure your selected countertops are the exact right size, we will first create a template. One of our expert technicians will come to your home to precisely measure the space and create a digital template to plan out your future counters. With the digital template, you can also customize your plan to find the perfect design for your new counters. This will help to avoid the seams that are common with prefabricated countertops.

Fabrication

Once we have a template, it is time to plan and cut your new counters. If you have not settled on material yet, this is the last chance to make any changes. The plans and template are sent to our fabrication team, and soon enough, you’ll have your counters. The template will likely include custom changes or amenities added to your countertops, including:

Added electrical outlets
Cutouts for appliances
Change in shape
Plumbing

The fabrication team at GranitePro will add these custom touches at this stage in the process, making sure the countertops work perfectly for you.

Countertop Installation

Now, the big day is here. Your new custom bathroom or kitchen countertops have arrived, and it’s time for installation. Your custom-designed countertops will be fabricated to your exact specifications, allowing for a clean, seamless look, and will be installed by our expert countertop installation crews.

Our countertop installation crews are all employed by GranitePro and thoroughly qualified and vetted. Many companies subcontract for the final installation, but we want to ensure the counters you receive are made and installed with quality craftsmanship for a completely customized experience. We also know we can trust our installation crew to match your final countertops exactly as we planned throughout the process.

Moving Countertops

Sometimes circumstances prevent us from moving in the counters whole, which requires us to cut the counters down and end with a few minor seams. However, our digital template method and expert installation crew will minimize how noticeable it will be on the end product.

Learn More About Our Custom Countertop Installation Services in Maryland

Choose GranitePro for your custom bathroom and kitchen countertop needs, and you can rest easy knowing you will receive a completely customized product to perfectly fit your needs. Our countertop installation services are some of the most sought-after in Maryland, so you can know you are getting a custom and professional experience. From consultation to installation, we are here to bring you the best possible new additions to your home.

May 07 2021

Easiest Countertops to Maintain

When it comes to heavily trafficked areas in the home, the kitchen is always the first room that comes to mind. It’s where family and friends gather to share meals, stories, laughs, and be merry – and the more time that is spent worrying about cleaning and maintaining your kitchen countertops, the less time is spent enjoying your kitchen with the ones you love the most.

With more than 16 years of experience in the industry, Granite Pro has the knowledge and expertise to guide you in the right direction if you have questions regarding maintaining your kitchen countertops. Reach out at 410.875.7579 to speak to a professional today.

Countertop Maintenance

Custom bathroom and kitchen counters both require maintenance depending on the material that they are made with. Every countertop has different care requirements, but they are all relatively simple to maintain.

Laminate Countertops

Laminate countertops date back to the 1920s, but many of us remember them as dated orange countertops in our grandmother’s home. While this was the case 50-60 years ago, laminate countertops today come with beautiful designs made to imitate stone and other luxury counter materials.

They remain just as easy to maintain as always, meaning you won’t have to worry about refinishing or sealing ever again, and a good clean can be done with a towel and any multi-purpose surface cleaner.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz or engineered stone countertops are made with a mixture of crushed stone pieces and resin, resulting in a uniform quartz look. Despite the luxurious look, quartz countertops are some of the easiest to maintain and clean. The resin used to bind the pieces of stone together is a non-porous material that, when cured, results in the following: in

Stain-resistant countertops
Easy-to-clean counters

Recycled Glass Countertops

Recycled glass countertops are made in much the same way as quartz counters. The recycled glass is first crushed up, and the pieces are molded together by a polymer resin mixture. The result is a beautiful high-end-looking counter with a long-lasting finish.

Due to the non-porousness of recycled glass counters, they can be cleaned with soap and water or with a multi-surface cleaner.

Soapstone Countertops

Soapstone is a beautiful natural stone material that has been used for hundreds of years. It is a super dense stone which makes it a great choice as a countertop material. Its density prohibits bacterial growth and allows for easy restriction-free cleaning.

Another unique property of using soapstone countertops in your bathroom or kitchen is its tendency to patina over time. Some people prefer the unique character adding change, while others prefer to lightly sand and buff the counters to get them back to their original finish. Whatever you decide to do, the process is simple and minimal.

Granite Countertops

Granite countertops require a lot more maintenance than those materials that are listed above but remain unmatched in their beauty. Due to their porous nature, granite countertops need to be sealed every 1-5 years, depending on how often they are used.

One of the downfalls to granite is that if something is spilled on them and not wiped up immediately, it could potentially stain the surface. Certain cleaning materials also have a tendency to mess with the finish of granite counters. Hot water and a soft cloth are ideal for quick cleanups. For countertop installation in Maryland, GranitePro has you covered.

Granite Pro Offers Free In-Home Estimates

Here at Granite Pro, we offer professional custom countertops made with top-of-the-line luxury stone. We have been serving our clients for two generations and continue to deliver unrivaled service. Contact us today at 410.875.7579, or contact us online for a free in-home estimate.

Apr 02 2021

3 Tips for Tailoring Countertops to Your Kitchen

It’s not an exaggeration to think of the kitchen as one of the most important rooms in your home. If you’re looking to upgrade your home, redoing your countertops is an easy way to add some eye-catching appeal to the kitchen.

If you’re going to do a kitchen remodel, you want to make sure that your kitchen countertops match up with other aspects of your kitchen. Below are some tips to keep in mind when selecting new countertops for your kitchen.

1. Think About Your Color Palate

When you walk into a showroom, you can quickly become overwhelmed by the various color options. You can narrow down some of the confusion by picking out your palate of colors before you start shopping. Try picking three colors, two that will work for the main components and one to use for accents.

Sticking to a color palette helps you coordinate the look of your entire kitchen. It also prevents you from picking kitchen countertops that clash with everything else in the room. Make sure your color palette includes the color of your kitchen floor.

The color scheme for your cabinet should blend in well with the aesthetic of the rest of your home. If you’re planning on selling your home at some point, you don’t want potential buyers to find the vibe of your kitchen jarring in comparison to the rest of your house.

Countertops go a long way toward setting the mood for your kitchen décor.

2. Coordinate Your Cabinets With the Countertops

It would help if you kept things simple for your cabinets. That gives you more room to go with a bolder choice when it comes to your countertops. Stone countertops made of granite, marble, or sandstone come in various colors. Think about how variations your stone choice match up to the color of your cabinets. Make sure that the accent colors you choose work to bind your countertops and cabinets together.

It’s not just about the colors. You want to make sure different textures work together to achieve your desired aesthetic. The order in which you purchase kitchen component options matters. It’s a good idea to choose your countertops first, then make your cabinet selection based on that. If you already have your desired cabinet option in place, make sure that your countertops’ colors and texture work with what’s already in place.

3. Pay Attention to Lighting

Lighting is a critical aspect of kitchen redesign that many people forget about until it’s too late. Ask for samples of kitchen countertops that you like. Bring them home and look at how it looks under your kitchen lighting during the day and night.

If your cabinets are already in place, hold the sample countertop material up against them to make sure they complement each other. If you love the countertop sample but don’t like how it appears under your lighting, that may be something you want to upgrade as well.

Hire GranitePro For Your Countertop Needs

Redoing your kitchen is not an easy undertaking. While do-it-yourself shows can make things seem simple, many variables can make the difference between a beautiful kitchen outcome and an ongoing disaster.

GranitePro technicians can help you achieve the desired look for your kitchen. We have a wide selection of different countertop materials available for installation, including:

We can also create custom countertops that meet your needs. Just let us know what you want, and we can make it happen. Why struggle with kitchen upgrades when you can hire GranitePro to handle the problematic aspects of a kitchen upgrade.

Call us at 410.875.7579v, or contact us online if you’re ready to start creating the kitchen you’ve always wanted.

Feb 05 2021

5 Reasons to Get Marble Counters

Marble is formed when limestone is exposed to high temperatures and pressures. Mineral impurities like clay, iron, and sand give marble its signature veins. Marble countertops have been a status symbol for centuries.

They are elegant, and timeless, and unique. When properly installed and sealed, marble countertops last a lifetime. The marble experts at GranitePro know how to find on-trend styles that work for your home. Contact us to learn more.

How to Know Marble Counters Are Right for You?

When it comes to choosing countertops, marble remains the top choice for many Baltimore County homeowners. It’s no surprise that marble countertops and backsplashes are such popular choices—the marble adds a timeless, dramatic appeal to any space. There are a lot of stone countertops out there. You could go with granite, marble, quartz, or soapstone, for example. When it comes to marble counters, there are a few key things you can expect. Here are a few of the benefits of marble counters.

#1: Marble is Beautiful

Hands down, this is one of the best reasons to consider marble for your home. You can choose those with deep, dark colors or fine veins and lines through it. You can select white marble, one of the most popular options that can offset any other kitchen cabinet color.

#2: Sealed and Protected

Marble counters are also beneficial when they are properly sealed. This helps to safeguard the marble and keeps fluids from penetrating the stone. For those who use their kitchen a lot, this is important to prevent stains.

#3: Heat Resistant

Some types of stone countertops are likely to suffer damage when a hot pan is placed on them. Marble is less likely to have that type of damage. While it is important not to shock the stone with very hot pans, it is less likely to suffer damage from something warm placed on it than other types of stone.

#4: Add Value to a Home

Marble counters add value to a home. Many times, these are highly valuable additions. It does cost a bit more because it is harder to locate and rarer to find. Yet, a well-selected piece of marble is going to enhance your home’s worth in most cases.

#5: Smooth, Soft Stone

For those who are looking for a smooth surface, marble does well. It is naturally smooth already. However, when you use countertop services like our own, you’ll see that we can significantly improve the smoothness of the stone. This helps minimize the risk of problems with etching that some people have.

Finding the Right Countertop Services for You

With a wide range of products available on the market, there’s no doubt it takes some time to determine which stone countertops are right for you. That’s why it is most important to see the stone in person and to learn about the options available to you. Marble counters are a valuable investment – you need to make sure they are correctly installed. That’s where our team comes into place. With exceptional service and an experienced team for all aspects of countertop services, you can trust us to be there to help you. Our services include:

Choose to Invest in Your Home – Call GranitePro Today

Stone countertops, beautiful marble counters, and other stunning natural stones add value and character to a home. They can set the stage for an impressive space, one that you love spending time in. For that to happen, you need the right team to help you. At GranitePro, our countertop services can help you every step of the way. To learn more, call us at 410.875.7579 or set up a virtual consultation online today.

Jan 08 2021

Caring for Hard Marble, Quartz, & Granite Countertops

Hard marble, quartz, and granite countertops are beautiful additions to your kitchen. Caring for your countertops is not difficult or time-consuming, and it can help keep your countertops in great shape for years to come.

Read on to find out what to use (and what not to use) to keep your counters looking great! Read on to find out how to deal with stubborn stains and general maintenance. If you have countertop questions, call our Maryland countertop depot at 410.875.7579.

Taking Care of Hard Marble

Hard marble countertops are timeless, durable, and easy to care for. Making a few adjustments to your cleaning practices will help your counters stay looking new and bright.

Hard Marble: Daily Cleaning

Hard Marble countertops are easy to clean. For regular cleaning, use oil-free dish soap, a rag, and warm water. Wipe away excess soap bubbles with a paper towel.

Hard Marble: Weekly Cleaning

Once per week, you will want to use a specially formulated granite cleaner to wipe down your countertops. Granite cleaner can be purchased from any hardware or grocery store. Granite cleaners are pH-neutral, which will help you avoid discoloration over time.

Hard Marble Tips

Use soap and water for daily cleaning.
Use a cutting board during meal prep.
Avoid leaving spills to sit overnight.
Never use harsh cleaners or bleach.
Avoid leaving fruit or veggies on the counters.
Reseal your countertops every 3-5 years.
If you notice dark marks when exposed to water, it’s time to reseal.
MB Stone Care Stain Reaper Poultice Paste is an excellent choice for most hard marble stains.

Quartz Countertops: Daily Cleaning

To clean your quartz countertops, use dish soap, warm water, and a clean rag (never use brillo or abrasive sponges) to clean your quartz counters. Use a paper towel to wipe away soap residue.

Quartz Countertops: Weekly Cleaning

Use a granite cleaner to clean your quartz countertops every week. Do not use polish or dry powder cleaners). We recommend Stone Care International Granite, Quartz, and Stone Daily Cleaner spray for weekly cleaning.

Quartz Countertops: Maintenance Tips

Put hot appliances on a cutting board–they can damage quartz.
Clean up spills right away.
Only use products designated for natural stones.
Avoid putting hot, sharp, or abrasive items on your quartz countertops.
Do not slide heavy objects across your counters.
Never use harsh cleaners or bleach.
For a stubborn stain, use a small amount of Bar Keeper’s Friend “Soft Cleanser Liquid” and clean using a circular motion for 10-30 seconds.
Email a photo of the stain to info@graniteproremodeling.com and we’ll be happy to offer suggestions.

Granite Countertops: Daily Cleaning

For daily cleaning, use a clean rag, warm water, and oil-free dish soap to wipe down your counters. Do not use soaps with any kind of oil.

Granite Countertops: Weekly Cleaning

Just like with quartz and hard marble, a good way to keep your granite looking its best is to wipe it down with granite cleaner once a week. Do not use any kind of polish, bleach, ammonia, or abrasive material on your granite countertops.

Granite Care Tips

Avoid placing hot pots and pans on your granite.
Don’t walk on your countertops.
Do not use bleach, ammonia, abrasives, or harsh chemicals on your counters.
Use a cutting board when cutting food.
Avoid leaving fruit or veggies directly on the countertops.
We recommend MB Stone Care Stain Reaper Poultice Paste for stains.

GranitePro: Maryland’s Go-To Granite Emporium

If you have questions about how to care for your countertops or are interested in replacing them, the experts at GranitePro are available to help. Give us a call at 410.875.7579 to speak with a countertop expert near you!