Kitchen Remodel Survival Guide

If you are about to undergo a kitchen remodel, there is already a lot to think about. You probably have an idea of how long the work will take. So what do you do in the meantime while you’re waiting for your new granite counters in your Minneapolis home? How can you manage to still have some of the conveniences of having a kitchen when your kitchen is being remodeled? Here are a few suggestions.

• Make a temporary kitchen in another room. Set up a few small appliances, like your coffee pot, crock pot and toaster, and make sure you have mugs, sugar, coffee, paper plates, napkins, etc. nearby too. That way, you can still enjoy your morning cup of coffee, plus you can make some meals in your crock pot so you’re not living off of pizza and fast food while your kitchen is being renovated.
• Set some snacks aside too. You will probably want to be able to munch on some things while you’re on the go or watching your new granite be installed.
• Don’t forget your grill! If your new granite is being installed and the weather outside is nice, why not spend some time enjoying the great outdoors? Grill up some tasty meals and spend some quality time with your family.
• When you do order take-out or delivery, why not take the opportunity to try a new restaurant in your town? It could be one that just opened or a type of food you haven’t tried yet. Not having a kitchen for a short period of time doesn’t mean you can’t eat well and keep your stomach happy!

Do you want more information about granite in Minneapolis? Call Universal Stone at 952-746-4690 or you can contact us for a Free Quote.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Granite Countertops

You just had new granite countertops installed, and now you’re wondering how to keep them looking great. We install granite countertops in Burnsville, and we have a few suggestions for you on how to keep them looking as good as new.

Make Sure They’re Sealed

When Minneapolis Granite installs your new granite countertops, we will make sure they are properly sealed. Granite is very durable, but it is also porous, so it can absorb stains, oils and spills. And that can lead to permanent damage to your granite countertops. If you aren’t sure if your counters should be sealed, put a few drops of water on the surface. If the water beads, you’re good to go. If the water is absorbed into the countertops, then it’s time to look into resealing them.

Make Sure You Clean Them Every Day

Using a soft cloth (microfiber is the best), warm water and a mild dish soap, give your granite countertops a little bit of TLC every day. Just be sure you don’t use cleaners that are abrasive or acidic because you could damage your counters. Wipe them down thoroughly and make sure you wipe up all of the soap you use. That can dull the finish sometimes.

Make Sure You Disinfect Sometimes

Yes, granite countertops are bacteria-resistant, but that doesn’t mean they couldn’t use some disinfecting every once in a blue moon. Bacteria-resistant does not mean the same as “bacteria-proof.” There are special granite disinfectants you can buy or you can make some on your own. Just mix together equal parts water and 91% isopropyl alcohol and put it into a spray bottle. This mix won’t just disinfect your granite countertops. It will also help to restore your granite’s natural shine and luster.

For more information on granite countertops in Burnsville, call Minneapolis Granite at 612-822-3135 or contact us for a Free Estimate.

What to Look for When Selecting Granite Countertops

Selecting new granite countertops can be an exciting process, but it can also get a bit confusing and overwhelming if it is your first time having them installed. You have plenty of options for granite countertops in Eden Prairie, but when you hire Universal Stone, you will get plenty of help and guidance along the way. We can turn a sometimes-confusing process into a fun and interesting one.

Visit a Showroom

Always make sure you take the time to visit our showroom when you are selecting your new granite countertops. You want to be sure you see all of your options, and you will want to see something tangible. So going through the slab selection at our showroom gives you the chance to look at a wide variety of granite colors and patterns. This will help you make an informed decision during the selection process.

Bring Pictures or Samples

It’s a good idea to bring paint swatches or samples of your cabinetry along with you when you are selecting your granite countertops. That way, it’ll be easy for you to see if your new granite will match the cabinets you’ve already selected or the paint color you’ve already got your heart set on. It’ll help you avoid clashing colors or patterns and you can be sure your entire kitchen or bathroom will have a nice and cohesive look to it.

Ask Questions

Don’t ever be afraid to ask us questions about your granite countertops! That is why we are here, and we know a lot about the subject. We can teach you all about granite countertops and the fabrication and installation process. Remember: new granite countertops are a big investment, so it’s important you understand every aspect of the process.

Ready to learn more about granite countertops in Eden Prairie? Call Universal Stone at 952-746-4690 or Request a Free Quote.

How Does the Granite Installation Process Work?

When you are thinking about having new granite counters installed in your home, you might be wondering about the process and what it involves. We fabricate and install counters made of granite in St Paul, so we have helped plenty of people through the granite installation process. Here is a brief rundown of what happens.

When you contact us about granite, we will come to your home to go over what you want and need. We’ll take a closer look at where you want your new countertops, and then we can come up with a quote. That will give you an idea of what you can expect to spend on the granite and the fabrication and installation.

After that comes your Slab Selection Appointment. You will come out and select the perfect granite for your new countertops. We will be there to guide you and answer your questions, but ultimately, the choice is yours! It’s a good idea to bring some samples to make sure your new granite matches. So bring along a paint sample, a sample of your flooring or your cabinets or anything else you’d like to match your granite to.

Then we will come back to your home for your Template Appointment. This is when we take exact measurements so we know exactly how to cut your new granite. We like to do this after your cabinetry is already installed. Please make sure your appliances and sink are there too so we can measure accordingly. We will talk with you to go over your project again and to finalize the details.

We will then begin the fabrication process, and after that is done, we can come to your home to install your new counters. The installation usually takes four to six hours, depending on the size of the job. After we have ensured your new granite countertops are properly sealed, you should be good to go!

Ready to get started on having new granite in your St Paul home? Call Universal Stone at 952-746-4690 or you can Request a Quote.

Choosing the Best Granite Fabrication and Installation Company

When you want granite counters in your Edina home, there are several companies out there you could go to for granite and its fabrication and installation. So what are a few things to look for when you are making the decision about which company to hire? We here at Universal Stone have a few suggestions for you.

Word of Mouth Recommendations

Ask your friends, family, neighbors and colleagues if they’ve had granite counters recently installed and, if so, what company they used. Ask specific questions about the entire experience. Did the company keep them informed of what was going on and where they were in the process? Were the employees available to answer questions? What was the end result, and would they recommend the company to others?

Another great word of mouth resource is the Internet. There are many review sites out there, so positive and negative experiences are all just a mouse click away! You can read up about what other people thought of the company and their overall experience, not to mention what the company did (or didn’t do) to resolve any issues that came up along the way.

Portfolio, Samples and Bids

Ask the granite counters company for a portfolio or samples of their work. Take a good long look at them to see if they are producing quality work. Also, it’s a good way to figure out if their style of work matches what you are looking for in granite counters.

Make sure you get several estimates from a few different companies. Remember that the lowest bidder and estimate are not always the best ones to go with. You get what you pay for, after all!

For more information on granite counters in Edina, call Universal Stone at 952-746-4690, or you can contact us for a Free Quote.