Quartz and quartzite may sound the same, but they are two very distinct building materials. Both are often used for countertops, but how are they different?

Origin is a major differentiating factor. Quartzite is a kind of sandstone that is created when sand is subjected to high temperatures and pressure in nature. On the other hand, quartz is a synthetic material created in a lab. Both materials, regardless of their origin, may be used to create stunning countertops.

The degree of upkeep each material needs is also a distinguishing feature. Quartz requires little maintenance. Quartz countertops Chicago are low-maintenance and can often be cleaned with only a wet cloth, however, you should avoid using abrasive cleaners on them. Quartzite countertops deviate from the norm in a few key ways. In order to preserve the beauty of your quartzite countertops, you must seal them before installation. However, after quartzite countertops have been sealed, cleanup is a breeze.

The stone has a distinct look that sets it apart from plastic. While the presence of other minerals usually gives quartzite a white or pink hue, the stone may be found in a wide range of hues. It is the presence of minerals and the application of varying pressures during formation that gives quartzite stone its distinctive, sometimes colorful, streaks. Quartz, being synthetic, may take on a greater range of hues than natural quartz due to the addition of pigments during the manufacturing process.

If you’re looking for a new material for your kitchen countertops Chicago, consider either quartz or quartzite. We carry both quartz and quartzite so If you’re looking to have new countertops placed. New Stone Design is here to assist so contact us today and get our help on your project!

A good way to increase the value of your home is to install a modern outdoor kitchen. There are several construction options to choose from. You can go with a barbecue island, a multi-functional kitchen space or just a simple concept. As you plan for your outdoor kitchen project it is important that your solution is durable, modern and is completely serviceable for cooking. Using granite countertops Chicago provides you the versatility you’re looking for.

Why are Granite Countertops Popular?

Granite countertops Chicago have unique aspects that make them perfect for outdoor use. They are durable, they come in many different color options, and they offer many useful options to match any project. Granite is the top material for countertops as compared to others.

Some reasons savvy homeowners resort to granite countertops are:

• They are great at tolerating heat and less likely to burn cooking resources
• There are many styles and design options
• Hard to scratch
• Durable even through tough weather conditions
• Long-lasting
• Simple to clean and maintain
• Environmentally friendly material
• Visually pleasant and positively affects the value of your home

How to Maintain the Beauty of Granite Countertops?

Even though using quality granite is less prone to damage than using cheap granite countertops, it is important to use a conservative approach by not exposing it to extreme foreign conditions. Keeping your outdoor kitchen countertops covered with an umbrella or awning provides optimal shade. Doing this helps to block your granite materials from experiencing overheating in the summer.

Certain brands of granite countertops are penetrable and absorptive to liquid spills. Applying sealer gives you peace of mind regarding this matter by helping it to not trap moisture.

As you clean your countertops remember to use a detergent that is non-absorbent and will help to cleanse the granite of debris and spills. Proactively cleaning your countertops the right way helps to keep them attractive and long-lasting.

Heat resistant!
Popular for fireplace surround/hearth as it will not yellow due to the heat. Great for cooking as it remains cool naturally, however it isn’t totally heat resistant, it is always recommended to place trivets before placing hot pots and pans directly on the surface of any countertop. 

Unique & luxurious look, timeless: Elegant vein patterns that will never go out of style. Unique selections of sold white, solid black, and a range variety of colors in rose, yellow, gray, green, white, and black hues. With regular upkeep, maintenance & sealing marble countertops will last a lifetime. 

Disadvantages
High maintenance & porous: Marble is more porous than granite as marble absorbs liquids more easily. Any type of spills should be cleaned immediately. Sealing the marble on a yearly basis will help resist stains & scratches.

Cost: Marble countertops are usually more expensive than any other countertop option. Granite & quartz fall within a more budget-friendly option. However, the luxurious feel of marble countertops can add value to your home!

How to Care for Granite Countertops
Granite countertops are still very popular today since the early 2000s. It is a beautiful natural stone that resists staining and bacteria while radiating a lustrous shine. Compared to most common countertops, granite is tougher. Since it is a natural stone, it stands up well to everyday wear and tear, resisting scratches.
However, it needs a specific cleaning routine to keep its sealant intact. Here is a guide on cleaning granite kitchen countertops to maintain gorgeous natural stone counters even after years of use. Taking care of an unsealed or worn-off sealant comes first. Usually, installations of granite countertops integrate a layer of sealant, sealing the pores of the granite. To keep your countertops clean, reseal cheap granite countertops in Chicago every two to four years. You can tell if your counter needs resealing when drops of water don’t break up, or it is hard to wipe off spills.

How to Clean Granite Countertops
Skip using abrasive scrubbing tools, acidic cleaners, or any harsh chemicals. Instead, use mild dish soap, warm water, and a soft microfiber cloth. Never use vinegar to clean granite as it can dull the natural stone and wear off its sealant. Also, forget about using abrasive scrubbers as they could scratch the stone’s surface.
Granite is not similar to the porousness of marble, so make sure to wipe spills right away. This is an excellent way to prevent stains and damage to your countertops.

Dry the countertop:
Use a clean microfiber cloth to dry the countertop after using it to avoid water spots.

Consider using a special granite countertop cleaner:
Opt for granite countertop cleaning products when buying a cleaner at grocery stores.

Bathroom countertops have a lot to offer, such as functionality and aesthetics. When you are doing a bathroom remodeling project, it is best to consider your goals to choose the right bathroom countertop material in Chicago. With the right product, you will have stunning results that will last for years. Use the following guide to help you make your decision.

Style

When it comes to countertop materials, there are many that you can use to match your bathroom’s style. One of the most popular is marble countertops in Chicago because it offers a luxurious aesthetic to any bathroom. If you want strictly functional countertops, quartz or granite is the best choice while still offering design versatility.

Non-traditional bathroom countertops may benefit from bamboo or concrete. Consider each style that fits in with the flooring, wall color, and fixtures until you find the right fit.

Durability

If you think that you’ll be using your bathroom countertop as a daily prep space, you want a durable option. Granite countertops in Chicago are the best choice because it is scratch and heat-resistant.

Quartz countertops are your second choice, and each can be sealed to keep bacteria as well as moisture out. If you spill makeup or other materials, it will prevent anything from standing and wipe everything easily.

Cost

Bathroom remodeling can be costly, and you would want to stick to your budget when shopping for materials. Marble countertops are the most expensive, but they offer top quality luxury. Granite and quartz countertops are most cost-effective and can look like marble.

Materials like limestone, soapstone, and slate are about the same price. If you want to stick to your budget, this is the best way to go for your bathroom countertops in Chicago. Get the countertop you need at an affordable price. Contact us today.

Where to buy quartz countertops in the Chicago area?

Choosing the right quartz countertops can be overwhelming. To get the best countertops you need to factor in durability, cost of the quartz, and installation. That’s why choosing the right place and company for your new quartz countertops is the starting point of your search. There are several ways to find the perfect company that manufactures great quartz countertops in the Chicago area.

If you know anyone with new kitchen countertops or bathroom countertops in the Chicago area, ask them for a recommendation. Facebook also has a very useful feature to solicit recommendations on your personal feed. If you’re currently working with a contractor, you can get their opinion about quartz countertops in the Chicago area. You can use Yelp as another good resource to find an active community of people that offer reviews on local businesses. Of course, an internet search will help you find more countertop companies near you.

If you combine these ideas, you should end up with plenty of quality companies that handle bathroom and kitchen countertops in the Chicago area. But for the highest quality quartz countertops, choose New Stone Design. Call us today at (773) 818 7328 for more information or visit at 906 Lunt Ave, Schaumburg, IL 60193.

The kitchen countertop is the workspace of any kitchen. As such, it’s going to get dirty more quickly than just about any other part of your kitchen and you have to know how to keep it clean without damaging its surface. This can prove to be more tricky than you might imagine, since all countertops are different. For starters, there’s the butcher block countertop. These are highly useful counters, but they’re not easy to clean. Oiling is necessary to maintain its sheen, and you’ll have to get into sanding in order to remove stains. For daily cleaning, a vinegar, salt, and lemon combination is a great tool.

Keeping Stone Countertops Looking New

Marble is a popular countertop for its beauty and it’s relatively easy to clean as well. Put warm water and gentle dish soap in a spray bottle and you’re ready to go. Avoid acidic cleaners like vinegar or lemon, however, since this will etch its surface. For granite, you will be fine using gentle dish soap, microfiber and isopropyl alcohol. There are a ton of special cleaners advertised for granite, but the consensus is that this simple homemade concoction is just fine. Quartz is more durable than the other common stones, meaning it can be easily cleaned with soap and water.

Steel, Laminate, and Tile Countertops

Synthetic countertops like laminate are very easy to care for. Nowadays, they can be made to look like just about any style too, which makes them increasingly popular. Be sure to wipe spills immediately to avoid staining and get into cleaning it daily with a non-abrasive cleaner. Stainless steel can be a bit maintenance-heavy, but all you really need is cleaning cloths and basic soap and water. Just don’t drive yourself crazy cleaning up every fingerprint! For tile countertops, make sure you spend extra time with scouring pads and bleach to keep the grout looking its best.

Quartz – one of the best countertops materials

Quartz countertops are elegant, gorgeous and long-lasting but the one thing you can not say about them is that they are cheap because they are not.  The factors that affect the cost of quartz countertops are the grade of the material, the complexity of the job, who does the work and where you get the countertops. That is why the price range of countertops is really wide.

When it comes to the quartz itself, it is quarried from mines and then cleaned before being distributed for a variety of uses. Considering stone and laminate materials for countertops, engineered quartz combines the best of both worlds to produce a stylish look with a lasting finish. That is why quartz countertops are the great option, of course if you have the right amount of money because as I mentioned it is not affordable material.

What is the cost of the quartz countertop ?

Now, we know that the cost of the quartz countertops is different depending on many things. On average, the cost for quartz countertops without installation fees included is about $75 per square foot. Of course the price varies between $50 to $100 per square foot depending on the quality of the quartz. When it comes to the installation of your quartz countertop the cost, on average, ranges from $150 to $280 per square foot. Of course there are some steps like : leveling, fabrication or seam jointing that factor into the cost of the installation.

So, if you want to know how much your quartz countertop will cost, all you need to find out is the space that your countertop will occupy and what is the price of the installation per square foot. For example, a countertop that measures 25 square feet can cost a homeowner between $1,200 and $2,700 after buying the quartz and paying installation fees. So, now, all you have to do is decide if the quartz countertop is perfect option for you.

When it comes to hiring a granite & marble countertop installer, you can reduce costs by not using a sink which is under-mounted. The manufacturer will cut granite countertops you purchase to fit the sink you have. Under-mounted sinks will need more cutting, which in turn increases the price. So buy the sink before you purchasing the countertops.

Tips from a Professional Granite & Marble Countertop Installer

Buy thick, many countertops are only ¾ inches which means they are more fragile and will need a laminate edge and support, which means they are more affordable, however, will eventually disappoint in the long run. So buy 1-inch countertops, you may pay more, however, you get a more superior quality.

Check for any hairline cracks or natural pits. They may add to the natural beauty of your stone, however, it does mean they are more likely to get damaged, more so when your countertop is only ¾ inches. So ask the fabricator to explain how any imperfections will end up affecting the stone, and if they can create any harm.

When possible get a custom design edge that will match your cabinet detail. However, not every fabricator will allow you customize the edges, but those that will make your countertop more appealing and fit better with your home.

Choose seamless granite countertops, these are slightly more expensive than ones with seams, however, they do look better. Seams will get worse over time, and even though your countertop will look fantastic when first installed, in about 5 years they will need replacing again.

Also, it is better to purchase granite countertops from local services, providers, as you can contact them at any time, visit their showroom and granite options as well as save on transport costs. Ask as many questions as you need to make sure you are getting the best granite to suit your needs.

For all your granite & marble countertop installation needs, call New Stone Design in Schaumburg, IL today on (847) 230-4943

What Makes Quartz the Perfect Material for Your Bathroom Countertop?

Just like marble and granite, quartz is a natural stone used for a number of applications. To some extent, these materials are very much alike. They are non-porous, durable, and tough alternatives for both floors and countertops. But what makes quartz an ideal option for your bathroom countertop anyway?

Quartz is a very desirable stone among many the homeowners because of its numerous qualities. It has an attractive appearance, and its smooth and shiny surface will make you fall in love with it straight away. Extremely durable and strong, this material will make even a small bathroom look awesome. Also called engineered stone, quartz is built to last. Choosing such an option means you will have tops to boast about for decades to come.

The versatility of this stone is what makes it a preferable option. It comes in an amazing variety of colors and patterns. But no matter what your choice, once installed correctly, you will have a rich and luxurious space for your absolute relaxation. Quartz has outstanding durability. Even if you drop something heavy onto it, it won’t break, crack, or scratch. However, it is not very heat resistant. So be careful not to put any hot straightening irons or curling tongs directly onto it.

Most people know, quartz countertops don’t come cheap. But this is a kind of investment will definitely pay off in the long run. You will have something beautiful to show to your children and grandchildren. With simple maintenance and frequent cleaning, your quartz bathroom countertop will be absolutely clean and stain-free. This is also the perfect option for people with allergies as it doesn’t retain dust, dirt, and bacteria. A simple clean with a damp cloth is enough.

Do you want to hire a scrupulous countertop contractor for your next installation in Schaumburg, IL? You can relax as New Stone Design will take care of it, and you won’t have to pay an arm and a leg for our services. For more information, you can call us at (847) 230-4943.