10 Pros & Cons for Granite Freestanding Kitchen Islands
Granite is one of the most popular materials for kitchen countertops for many years now. Whether you decide to go with granite for the kitchen island, or as the only material for your countertops, the facts remain the same and that is that granite is so popular with good reasons. Some of those reasons are durability, moderate maintenance, very high resistance to heat…As with every material, there are cons as well, and it is best for you to vague the pros and cons according to your manner of use.
1. Durability
Granite is one of the toughest materials found in nature; it can handle weight easily without any break or crack.
2. Very resistant to high temperature
Putting away a still hot pan on your granite kitchen island is possible without any worries of damaging it.
3. Easy to maintain
Cleaning of granite is very easy; you should just use water and soap. However, you should seal it every 6-12 months, depending on the colour. Avoid cleaners that contain bleach or ammonia, as they will wear off the sealant.
4. Beauty
Granite is 100% natural material, which is exploited from the earth. It preserves the characteristics that are unique for every rock, which is reflected in the granulation that is typical for granite.
5. Very hard
Granite won’t chip or crack easily. You can cut directly on your countertop, but beware that that might cause the dulling of your knives. It is highly scratch resistant.
6. Each slab is unique
No two slabs are ever the same; you will always have one of a kind product, even if you have the same style as your neighbour.
7. Can be recycled
Because granite is very long-lasting and its beauty won’t fade over time, it has value even after 10 years of use. If you decide to remove your countertops, you can resell or recycle them.
Cons
1. Some liquids can leave a stain
Granite is not completely non-porous material, which means that some liquids, like coffee or wine, can leave a stain. Therefore, be sure to wipe out the spillages as soon as you can.
2. Limited colour palette
Because granite is 100% natural material, it means that the colours are limited to the ones found in nature. You shouldn’t expect to find unusual and bold colours in granite’s range. However, granite still has a wide variety of colours, from classic whites to forest greens and blues.
3. Very heavy
Because it is so dense, it is heavy. Some cabinets may require additional structural support before the installation.
With the whole service provided by us, from the template to installation, you are just a week away from getting your new granite countertops for the kitchen island.
Contact us today to schedule your visit, and we will give our best to help you find the right granite colour for your kitchen island!
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- Published in Granite
White Starlight Quartz Tiles – Pros & Con
White starlight quartz is one of the classic choices that are easy to combine with the rest of the interior. It brings elegance and beauty to your bathroom or kitchen and an extra quality to your home. But what about the overall performances of white starlight quartz tiles? Continue reading to find out the pros and cons of it.
Pros
1. Very low maintenance
This is one of the best qualities of quartz; it is very easy to clean and maintain. Just use mild detergent, with warm water and a mop for day to day cleaning. Additionally, quartz tiles do not need to be sealed, unlike many other tile materials.
2. Non-porous
The non-porous surface doesn’t allow absorbing of water, bacteria and germs. Your tiles will be highly hygienic. In addition to this, this characteristic prevents the spillages from staining.
3. Very hard material
Quartz is very strong material and your tiles will not break or crack easily. Only a very excessive force will cause your tiles to break or crack.
4. White starlight quartz is shiny and opulent
Quartz is a product that is made of 93% natural quartz and 7% resin and pigments. The resin brings shine to the tiles, which will not fade over time.
5. Very durable
With proper maintenance, your quartz tiles will last forever. Investing in white starlight quartz tiles is a good idea, as you will not need a replacement for a good amount of time and you will not have additional costs for the maintenance.
Cons
1. Can be slippery
Quartz has a very smooth surface, which means if you add water to it, the potential of a fall or accident increases. Be sure to always mop the spillages and water, to prevent such things from happening.
2. Sensitive to chemicals
Harsh cleaners such as highly acidic or alkaline cleaning agents can damage the surface of your tiles over time. You should avoid such cleaners at all costs, and use the soap and water instead. You can use glass cleaner for deeper cleaning from time to time.
3. Quartz is restricted to indoor use only
If you wanted to use quartz for paving of your terrace, for example, that is not advised. The resins in quartz tiles make it UV unstable, so it shouldn’t be used outdoors.
Quartz is an excellent choice for bathroom or kitchen tiles, and with this pros and cons, you can vague whether this material is the right choice for you. Coming in white starlight style, it will bring additional quality to your home, with an elegant and luxurious feel.
Contact us today and we will template, supply and fit white starlight quartz tiles in just 7 days!
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- Published in Quartz
Toughened Glass Splashbacks for Kitchens in London – Template & Installation
The glass is one of the best and safest options for splashbacks- it is very easy to clean; it is almost impossible to stain and comes in a variety of colours. With the whole service provided by us, from template to supply, you can have your toughened glass splashbacks installed in just 7 days.
Benefits of toughened glass splashbacks
1. Resistant to staining: glass is very sleek and flat; because of it, spillages are removed easily, with just soap and water. You can be sure that hardly anything can leave a stain on the glass.
2. Available in any colour you like: this is a huge advantage of glass; it can be painted to have almost any colour; no matter what colour it is it will stay clear and bright.
3. Heat resistance: even if you’re cooking for a few hours near the glass splashbacks, they won’t melt or change colour. Glass is melting on temperatures over 1700 Celsius, which is far more than any cooking process can produce.
4. Versatility: even in the most challenging corner, glass can be shaped in any form.
5. Very easy to clean: because of its smooth and sleek surface, glass is very easy to clean. From day to day cleaning, spray the glass cleaner and wipe it off with damped cloth.
6. Luxurious appeal: glass can contribute hugely to the look of your kitchen. It will look like you have spent a lot of money on it when you actually didn’t. In fact, glass splashbacks are affordable, but they give amazing effects, which makes them perfect to fit any budget.
Template and Installation
From the template to installation, the whole process of getting new toughened glass splashbacks can be completely provided by us. We don’t use subcontractors and every installation is handled by our experienced team.
You can always get a free quote with us, just prepare the measures. In that way, you can plan your expenses carefully and smartly. Give us any quote, and we will beat it by 10%.
We have experience working with tight and unlimited budgets, with proven results. We can also give you a free advice about the colour choice or maintaining tips. We are truly devoted to make our customers 100% satisfied with our services.
Contact us today for best-toughened glass splashbacks in London and surrounding areas.
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- Published in Glass Splashbacks
Composite Kitchen Worktops – Pros and Cons
Composite kitchen worktop is a worktop made of more than one material. There are two types of composite worktops; one is an engineered stone, also known as quartz and a solid surface stone, namely Corian. They are both man-made products, designed to have improved features. Here’s the overview of the pros and cons of both.
Engineered stone (quartz)
Pros:
1. Very low maintenance
Quartz requires the lowest level of maintenance, probably of all materials available on the market. It does not to be sealed and the cleaning is very easy. Just use soap, water and a soft cloth for day to day cleaning.
2. Non-porous
This feature makes quartz very resistant to stains. This is of value in the kitchen, where you will be preparing and consuming food frequently. This also makes quartz impermeable to bacteria, which can’t lodge on such surface.
3. Durability
Quartz is extremely hard and durable material. With proper maintenance, it will last you a significant amount of time. The higher the chances are that you will want a replacement, then you will need one.
4. Very wide colour palette
Quartz has one of the widest colour and pattern palettes available on the market. Anything you can imagine, you can find in quartz’s range- from bright oranges to classic whites. Quartz can even imitate the appeal of other stones, namely marble and granite.
Cons
1. Chemical Sensitivity
Harsh cleaners that contain bleach or ammonia can damage the surface of your worktop and wear off its shine. If your worktop accidentally comes in contact with such cleaners, neutralize its effect with water.
2. Not suitable for outdoor use
Quartz is made of 93% natural quartz and 7% resin and pigments. The resin makes quartz slabs UV unstable, which restricts quartz to indoor use only.
Solid Surface stone – Corian
Pros
1. Can be shaped in various ways
One of the main reasons why Corian is good is that it can be curved with invisible features. It also has seamless joints, which makes the overall effect of your kitchen even more perfect.
2. It also has a very wide colour range
Integrating Corian in an already set-up kitchen and home appliance is very easy because you can find in its range almost any colour you can think of.
3. Easy to clean
Corian also has a non-porous surface, which makes cleaning easier; this also means that Corian is highly resistant to staining and is highly hygienic.
Cons
1. Can be damaged by heat
Remember to always use mats and trivets in the kitchen and never place a hot pot directly on Corian worktop.
2. It is not resistant to scratches
Also be sure to always use a cutting board when preparing a meal, because Corian can be scratched. Avoid excess force that can cause a chip or crack of your worktop.
Composite kitchen worktops are a perfect choice for ones that love unusual colour choices and shapes. If you are just looking to replace your worktop and not the whole kitchen, composite stones are a perfect choice because you can easily find anything you imagine.
For more information about the composite kitchen worktops, please contact us here.
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- Published in Kitchen Worktops, Quartz
Kitchen Planning: How to Choose the Perfect Stone Worktops
Whether you are completely renovating your kitchen, or just looking for a new worktop, this part is very important, because it can totally change the whole appearance of your kitchen. Choosing the right material and colour for the new worktops is a tough process with so many of them available. Here’s a brief guide on how to choose the perfect stone worktops.
Inform about the materials
Quartz, marble and granite each have its own advantages and disadvantages. Granite is the best when it comes to holding up to high temperature and you can easily put away a hot pot on it, without the worry of damaging it. Quartz is a completely non-porous material, that is highly resistant to stains. Granite and marble, are, on the other hand, porous materials, but if you seal them, you shouldn’t have a problem with staining. Marble has the reputation as the most beautiful and unique stone. Granite and marble can be used also outdoors, while quartz can’t. All stones have a variety of options where can be used; from kitchen and bathroom worktops, to shower walls and backsplashes. Quartz has the widest colour range of the tree. If you are looking for an unusual option for your kitchen or bathroom, you should look in quartz’s range.
Vague the pros and cons
Think about the manner in which you are using your worktop. If you are not particularly careful with it and don’t like to use mats and trivets, you should consider granite. On the other hand, if you are especially cautious and you like aesthetic, consider marble. If you like the look of marble, but you don’t want to pay a bit more attention when you are using your worktops, then consider quartz. Quartz is a manufactured product, which can be altered to have the appearance of marble. All three materials are excellent choices for both kitchen and bathroom, it just depends which material suits your manner of use the best.
Plan your expenses ahead
Natural stones are a bit more expensive then quartz, which should be taken into consideration if you are having a limited budget. The prices are not the same for all the styles; some colours are very rare, which makes them more expensive. We can offer you a free quote, just prepare the measures of your kitchen or bathroom, and tell us which material and style you would like. We advise you to save 10% more of the quote we give you, as that is not the final price.
We work only with renowned brands, such as Silestone, Lunastone, Cimestone and more, who are the guarantee of the highest standards and quality. We have experience in template and fitting for both commercial and residential facilities, in London and the surrounding areas. In just 7 days, you will have your new stone worktops ready to use.
Need more information about stone worktops? Contact us and we will be happy to give you a free advice.
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- Published in Kitchen Worktops
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