The kitchen is easily one of the most important rooms in the house. The gathering of family and friends for the holidays, special occasions, or just daily conversation at the dinner table provides the memories that make a house a home. However, not all kitchens instantly provide the ambience for which homeowners seek.

Renovations and updates in the kitchen have the highest return on invest for a home’s resale value. Changes such as changing out countertops, installing new floors, or changing cabinets all fall under types of renovations. Some estimates state that a well done renovation would add up to 92.9% of the cost to the resale value of the home.

Very common changes that have a big impact are kitchen countertops. Choosing countertops often are based on function, durability, and appearance. The most popular types of counter tops are: laminate, stone, and ceramic tiles.

Laminate countertops are priced the lowest, and can come in a variety of colors and patterns. However, since laminate is often comprised of mainly bonded paper & particle board, it is prone to chips or scratches. Maintenance on laminate is relatively easy, however there are things owners should avoid. Avoid cutting directly on the countertop since the soft laminate could be easily cut, do not stand or sit on the countertop because weight could separate the piece from the wall, also be careful not to burn cigarette butts on the countertop as they are nearly impossible to erase, and be careful not to let water sit or stand for extended periods of time.

Stone countertops include the most popular countertop in recent years, granite. Not only does granite offer beautiful coloration that is attractive, it is also incredibly durable. Marble, and other types of countertops are included in this grouping, however granite tends to be the most popular. Maintenance for stone is also easy, be sure to avoid using abrasive cleaning pads since they could dull the polished finish. Cleaning the countertops can be achieved with a cleaner comprised of one part water to one part bleach. Also a licensed contractor can polish countertops to remove some stains, scratches and burns.

Another form of countertops is ceramic tile, which is priced somewhere in between stone and laminate. However, many complaints come from the fact that tile chips easily. Many homeowners also complain that cleaning the grout between the tile is very difficult.

If you wish to change the counter tops in your kitchen, look into professional companies. The licensed contractors can more easily handle any problems that arise, and some companies also offer limited warranties on their products. Also, researching companies and their practices could help make your decision.

For a picture gallery of ideas for your own home, you can visit http://www.northstargranitetops.com. Northstar Granite Tops specializes in working with all types of natural stone.

Sandstone countertops can wither with consistent use and also get damaged if not cleaned properly on time. Here are some excellent household cleaning tips to shine your sandstone countertops.

If you want to maintain the beauty of sandstone, its finish, texture and versatility, you should take special care.

Most people think that sandstone is a hard stone and doesn’t require any care. However, this is not true. This stone has its own weak part including its porous structure. This structure lets moisture absorption. Once this stone absorbs moisture, it can result into discoloration and chemical stains. These stains usually become an integral part of the stone. You need to protect the stone and take special care to clean it properly. Never ever use any type of cleanser or cleaning technique.

Some sort of negligence with these cleansers can result into some serious mistakes. Hence, you should always check the label on the product prior to using and testing. In case you find some sort of reaction, you should stop using the product immediately.

Once you have sealed your countertop, you can protect it via using some simple cleaning methods. Sealing is very important to protect the surface once it is installed. A seal lasts for many years. You need to be very cautious while working with sandstone countertops.

Wipe off any spills immediately. Never ever let them sit. Always use PH cleaners and mild untinted and unscented detergents for cleaning sandstone daily. You can also use mild liquid meant for dish washing for cleaning sandstone surfaces.

Never ever use acidic cleaners to clean sandstone countertops. These cleaners tend to etch and remove polished surface.

You should always rinse the stone and grout thoroughly. Don’t let any of the cleaner sit on the surface. Use a soft bristled toothbrush to remove debris if any prior to cleaning. If you find a stain too stubborn, don’t scratch. Just repeat the mild cleaning, rinsing and drying process.

Heavy duty cleaning may be necessary sometimes. Here you need to use PH balanced cleaners. You can purchase scouring beads and pastes specially made for heavy duty cleaning. You should not forget to use soft bristled toothbrush to remove stuck on debris. Let the cleaner to sit for some time. Rinsing the countertop thoroughly is very important here.

Research a lot before settling for a particular cleaner. Here are certain things you need to consider prior to purchasing a sandstone cleaner.

a) The sandstone cleaner should be neutral.

b) The cleaner you use should not contain acid or citrus. These contents may damage the polish and finish of the surface.

c) You should take special care when using a vacuum cleaner as the metal attachments. This may scratch the surface.

d) Never ever use scouring powders or creams because these products contain abrasives and result in surface scratch.

e) Avoid using coasters under glasses.

f) Never place hot pans or utensils directly on sandstone countertops. Always use trivet or mats under them.



Are you in the process of remodeling of your kitchen, bathroom or other area of your home? You may want to think about adding a variety of durable yet beautiful materials in order to increase the aesthetic and overall value of your home. One way to accomplish this is through the use of soapstone to create useful and fully functional soapstone countertops, stoves, fireplaces, tiles, and sinks.

Soapstone is quickly becoming a popular material alternative used by interior designers when installing countertops and sinks. A soapstone countertop is a popular item for homeowners searching for stylish and unique options for their kitchen. Strong, heat and stain resistant like granite, soapstone is also easy to install and priced to fit almost any renovation budget.

Soapstone countertops are easy to take clean and care for. The slabs used to construct the countertop are cut and fashioned to meet your specific kitchen dimensions. The best part about using soapstone as your kitchen renovation material is that it won’t harbor bacteria. This is because of its non-porous quality.

When undertaking a home improvement project, homeowners tend to choose soapstone countertops as their material of choice for kitchens and bathrooms. There are many reasons for this. First, soapstone is non porous, meaning liquids will simply sit on top of it rather than soak deep into the surface. Additionally, soapstone does not stain. The kitchen environment tends to go through a lot of abuse everyday during cooking and food preparation. This is a very important fact to keep in mind when choosing soapstone as your countertop material.

While soapstone has a limited color range, the stone itself is vibrant thanks to its many contrasts and where in the world it was quarried from. Untreated soapstone countertops tend to possess a solid light green or gray color. Once a coat of mineral oil is applied, the stone darkens to a shiny black.

Some varieties of soapstone have white veins, similar to those found in marble, running through it. This variety is typically softer and can be damaged much more easily. A soapstone countertop is best for homeowners adding a darker theme to their kitchen. It matches exceptionally great with stainless steel appliances once the mineral oil is applied.

The cost of soapstone countertops vary, especially since different companies sell different types of soapstone from all over the world. A higher quality soapstone slab can seem pricey, but considering it can last a lifetime, the price is well worth it.