|
|
Frequently Asked
Questions
HOW DO I CLEAN MY COUNTERTOP?
Too many of us use the sponge from
the back of the sink, or the washcloth laying across the middle.
THESE ARE NOT GOOD OPTIONS FOR CLEANING YOUR TOPS. Would you use
either of these items to clean your front picture window….? ‘Nuff
said. We recommend using warm soapy, (no bleach), water with a clean
soft cloth or paper towel and dry your tops after. This will work
for ANY type of countertop you purchase.
There are a number of ways to approach a stain. We recommend you
give us a call before you try anything. We can share our knowledge
as it relates to your specific type of countertop and offer you
options that are less likely to make your problem worse. Remember,
most tops are very resistant to stains when attended to promptly. If
you spill something, don’t panic, grab a clean soft cloth and wipe
it up. 99 times out of 100, we won’t hear from you. |
CAN A CHIP IN MY COUNTERTOP BE REPAIRED?
Hopefully, you have located and saved the chip. Please don’t try
to super glue it into place, call us. If it is more of a gouge, call
your insurance company, then give us a call. There are ways to mask
them, but no repair will bring it back to its original look. |
CAN I PLACE SOMETHING HOT ON MY COUNTERTOP?
NO! We recommend using the surface of your stove for hot things.
Next question please. |
WILL MY COUNTERTOP HAVE SEAMS?
That depends on the overall size or style of top you are
considering.
Custom laminate tops are your best option for reducing or
eliminating the chance of a seam. Standard or postform laminate tops
will always have a mitered seam in each corner and also if the overall
length exceeds 144 inches. Refer to our "How
we do it" page for more specifics.
Solid surface countertops will very likely have seams, but one
of the benefits of this style top is that all seams are inconspicuous
to the point of being just this side of impossible to locate.
Granite or Quartz tops will have seams if your layout exceeds
the available sizes of each color and whether or not they can be
carried safely and easily enough once fabricated. |
WHICH TYPE OF COUNTERTOP IS MOST DURABLE?
Laminates have come a long way in their resistance to scuffs and
scratches. You are well served to consider the different finishes,
colors, and patterns to help optically hide “life’s little scratches”,
should/when they occur.
For instance, a high gloss black surface would be bad, very bad. We
tell everyone that not all laminate finishes and colors are intended
for a working surface.
Solid surface, although susceptible to scratches, is a renewable
surface. This means that if you care for your solid surface as it was
intended to be cared for, it will give you a lifetime of beautiful
service. Not too mention, it has been shown to increase in value with
your home over time.
A good thing to remember is that we can come out to your home, at your
request, and refinish solid surface tops, bringing them back to their
original look and finish.
Granite and Quartz are of course the most durable, but generally incur
the highest cost. “You have to give to get” is another one of our
favorite sayings at D&D. |
CAN GRANITE OR QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS STAIN?
Yes, both can stain, if you try hard
enough. Quartz surfaces are stain resistant, (although NOT
stain-proof…), and will not accept sealing products, due to the
density of the material.
Granite surfaces, on the other hand, are sealed for fabrication, AND
we strongly recommend having a LIFETIME sealer applied. One
experience with a customer’s stained granite top
proved the value of that decision! The manufacturer of the lifetime
sealer we offer warrants granite tops sealed with this product
against staining and will replace your tops if a stain cannot be
removed by tried and tested means. This does not give folks
permission to “spill” Sulfuric acid on their granite because they
changed their mind about the color they chose… A bit of common
sense, if you please! |
WHAT KIND OF SINK SHOULD I GET FOR MY NEW COUNTERTOP?
There are under-mount and drop-in options for all styles of
countertops. We think one of the most important things that is all too
often overlooked is how to care for whichever type of sink you
purchase. PLEASE refer to the care and maintenance section of any
owner’s manual to see if you are willing or able to take care of the
sink you are considering. Beyond that, it’s a matter of taste, budget,
and design.
(Return to the top of this page) |
|
