Quartz countertops have become the top choice for people looking for a durable and beautiful option. Gone are the days of laminated surfaces and tiles—new homes are almost always built with sturdier materials such as quartz.

If you’re planning on remodeling your kitchen, bathroom, or any other countertop area in your home, you may want to keep an eye on these quartz countertop trends for inspiration. 

Marble-Look Quartz Countertops

Marble has long been a popular but costly option for countertops. Quartz countertops are edging in as a more affordable marble look-a-like. The best quartz countertops of this variety have realistic veining and are available in the same natural tones you can find in real marble.

Popular options include Silestone Calacatta Gold, Caesarstone Calacatta Nuvo, Statuario Maximus, Q Quartz Carrara Grigio, and Cambria Ella. When properly installed, many homeowners—and their guests—can’t even tell they aren’t marble.

Book-Matched Quartz

What else does quartz have over marble? It makes the hot new book-matched style easier to achieve. Book-matched counters incorporate stone with nearly identical veining, creating stunning symmetry. It’s most popular in countertop-backsplash couplings, as well as wall features.

Because many of the best quartz countertops are actually man-made, it’s possible to create an endless supply of identical pieces, which makes executing the book-matched counter-trend a breeze.

Solid Color Quartz Counters

Sleek industrial kitchens are still standing in stark contrast against the country-farm trend, and both can benefit from solid-color quartz countertops. Again, as many quartz countertops are manufactured rather than naturally occurring stone, they offer the benefit of a broader range of colors—you can get quartz countertops in virtually every color!

Here at Designer Marble & Granite, we recommend choosing a neutral color. That way, if you decide to change up your kitchen décor to keep up with the latest trends, your countertops won’t limit your options.

Sparkling Quartz

The other advantage of man-made quartz countertops? Elements not typically found in natural quartz can be added during the manufacturing process, and the biggest trend in 2021 is set to be a wee bit of sparkle.

Metal, recycled glass, crystals, bits of mirror, and Mother of Pearl, among other options, can be added to quartz to provide flecks of color or subtle spots that sparkle. If you’re looking for the best quartz countertops to pair with the growing big-window trend, sparkling quartz is the way to go—when all that natural light hits them, it’s magic. 

Custom-Shaped Quartz Countertops

Yet another advantage of quartz is that there’s no limit to the shapes our designers can create. Some countertop materials are limited by slab-sizes. With quartz countertops, boring L-shaped counters with bulky nooks are falling to the wayside, making room for creative islands, moon-shaped breakfast bars, natural edges, and truly convenient layouts.

Custom-cut quartz countertops will definitely become more common as 2021 rolls on. What will you dream up?

Looking for the Best Quartz Countertops? We Have You Covered

When it comes to countertop contractors in Sarasota, FL, and the Tampa Bay area in general, you won’t find better service or quality anywhere else. Call Designer Marble & Granite today at (941) 365-4209 for a free estimate.

Granite countertops are a durable and sophisticated option, but they have a porous composition and do require some degree of care to maintain their shine and resist damage.

If you have any granite surfaces in your kitchen or bathroom, you’ve come to the right place. With more than 30 years of experience, our countertop specialists have put together a comprehensive granite care guide. Here’s everything you need to know to about how to care for granite countertops.

Seal Your Granite Counters Once a Year

To keep your granite countertops in tip-top shape, it is best to have them sealed at least once a year. Our team can apply a granite sealer to prevent staining and chipping. However, if you use your kitchen a lot or have used bleach-based cleaners in the past, you may need to apply the sealer more frequently. How can you tell if your granite countertops need new sealant?

Just drop water on the surface. If the granite darkens and any of the water is absorbed, it is time to apply a new sealer. If the water beads, your surface is still good.

Avoid Acids and Harsh Cleaners

Granite can be sensitive to acidic liquids and harsh cleaners as, like many natural stones, acid can corrode the outer layer. That also means that acidic liquids, including many fruit juices, are more likely to stain the surface.

Be sure to clean up any spills as soon as possible and use a chopping board or a rubber mat to prevent direct contact when cutting acidic foods with juices, such as tomato. When cleaning up spills, blot rather than wipe the surface. Only clean your granite countertops with warm, soapy water, or a 50/50 mix of alcohol and water (if you need to disinfect the surface). Don’t use bleach (including Clorox wipes), Windex, or vinegar.

Use Soft Cleaning Materials

Another factor that can affect the longevity and appearance of your granite counters is the type of cleaning tool you use. Do not scratch the surface with bristled tools, steel wool, or rough sponges. Opt for a soft cloth such as microfiber or the soft side of the sponge to quickly wipe up dirt or spills.

For oil-based stains, you can make a paste of baking soda and water. Cover the stain with the paste, and tape down a layer of plastic wrap, and let it sit overnight. Wipe it clean in the morning with warm water. For water-based stains, swap the water out for hydrogen peroxide.

Need Granite Counter Maintenance or Replacement Services? Call Us Today

These simple tips on how to care for granite countertops will help keep your countertops looking their best, but if you find yourself in need of new counters or your current counters are due for a seal, we’re here to help.

At Designer Marble & Granite, we simplify granite countertop maintenance and offer quality service and results. Reach out to us today at (941)365-4209 for a free estimate. Based in Sarasota, we serve the entire Tampa Bay area.

Are you about to remodel your kitchen or bathroom and wondering whether granite countertops are the right choice? We all know that granite countertops have a reputation for increasing the value of your home, which is only one reason why they’re so popular. But you might have also heard that granite countertops might be more vulnerable to damage than other types of surfaces.

So, are granite counters the right choice for you? Our team at Designer Marble & Granite understands what an important decision this is as you plan your remodeling or new construction project. We are your go-to countertop experts in the Sarasota area, so let’s take a look at the pros and cons of granite countertops.

When Did Granite Countertops Become Popular?

Few surfaces equal the richness and elegance of a granite countertop. Granite has been a display of affluence and durability as far back as Ancient Egypt, where sacred burial chambers to pyramids were granite. Granite countertops became popular among the elite in the late 1800s when only the very wealthy could afford them. 

Granite countertops started to become a popular feature in middle-class homes in the 1990s when builders recognized that a stunning granite countertop could increase the value of a home. The growing demand for granite increased supply and made it more affordable for most homeowners. Today, we offer granite countertops for most budgets.

What’s So Great About Granite?

The distinctive beauty of granite is due to its natural origin, since miners extract slabs of granite directly from the earth. Each stone has its own color pattern based on the concentration of minerals in the slab. No two slabs look alike, so your countertop will be one of a kind.

Granite is one of the hardest materials on earth, which makes it one of the strongest natural materials. As a countertop, granite can withstand a lot of punishment. It is largely resistant to scratches and chipping, and when installed properly by experts and treated with care, it will last a lifetime.

Does Granite Crack?

Under normal use, granite is very unlikely to crack. You can even cut and chop directly on your granite countertop without causing any damage–although it’s always best to use a cutting board because juices from food can erode the seal of the countertop. It even stands up to heat and cold.

Granite is most likely to crack during installation, which is why it’s so important to have only experts install your granite countertop with utmost care. Some granite countertops might have flaws that make them vulnerable to stress fractures. In other instances, extreme heat placed directly on the granite might cause a crack.

What Are Other Common Types of Damage?

Common sources of damage to granite countertops include:

• Stains: Granite is largely stain-resistant, but if not sealed properly, liquids can stain the surface if not cleaned quickly.
• Chipping: A hard impact from a heavy object might cause your granite countertop to chip.
• Heat damage: Putting very hot items on a granite countertop can mark or crack the seal.

Avoid Damage by Working with the Experts

You can avoid many common forms of damage to granite countertops by working with our experts at Designer Marble & Granite, the Sarasota area’s best countertop source. We’ll help you keep your stone damage-free for the lifetime of your granite countertop.

Please call us at 941-365-4209 to get a free estimate on a granite countertop today.

Even stronger than granite, quartz countertops are durable and chip, stain, and bacteria-resistant.

Not all quartz countertops are created equal. Some manufacturers and brands stand out from the rest, stemming from years of expertise and quality materials.

If you’re looking for the best quartz countertop brand, you’re in luck. Here at Designer Marble & Granite, we know countertops, and we’ve put together a list of the most popular quartz countertop brands in Florida.

Caesarstone

Does the name Caesarstone sound familiar? It should! Caesarstone has ranked among the best quartz countertop brands for over 40 years and offers more than 40 shades to suit any interior style. This brand prides itself on the composition of its quartz countertops.

Producing countertops with 90% quartz material and just 10% binders and pigments, the brand is known for its durable and nonporous countertops that can withstand the test of time. They are particularly popular for their marble-look quartz.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a natural material made from natural and pure quartz (93% crushed natural stone and 7% resin). It’s manufactured from Breton Technology which is extremely advanced machinery. Pompeii complies with high standards of manufacturing which makes it eco-friendly and is certified by Green Guard as being free of volatile compounds. 

Pompeii quartz is easy to care for and extremely dense which reduces the chances of chipping and cracking. It’s also highly resistant to heat and stain/mold resistant! 

Cambria

Cambria Quartz is a luxury brand boasting over 100 colors and styles and a lifetime warranty. Their countertops are made entirely in the US, and as a privately-owned company, they keep their customer’s best interests in mind rather than stockholder opinions.

The brand is known for unique, sophisticated, and bold designs. Family-owned, Cambria Quartz prioritizes high-quality engineering for all their quartz supplies. They are also committed to sustainable sourcing practices, ensuring you can enjoy exquisite interior surfaces without damaging the environment.

MSI Q Quartz

Founded way back in 1975, MS International (MSI) is among the oldest and best quartz countertops—and it shows! Their countertops are touted as being “nearly indestructible” and come with a lifetime warranty.

Best of all, they’re one of the more affordable quartz countertop brands on the market, offering a  budget-friendly option without sacrificing quality.

The Best Quartz Countertop Brands, the Best Installation and Designs

Having a difficult time choosing the best quartz countertop brand for your home? At Designer Marble & Granite, we can help you create customized countertops—whether you need them for a residential or commercial project in the Sarasota area and surrounding Suncoast. Give us a call at (941) 365-4209 for a free estimate today.