Do I Have to Seal My Granite Counters Again?

You just bought some granite countertops for the kitchen in your St Paul home. All sorts of tales have been told about granite countertops and their need to be resealed every so often or annually or who knows how often. So you begin to wonder. You have family, friends and neighbors who have granite countertops in their homes, you have asked so many of them whether they have theirs resealed or not. Mom says no, a best friend says yes. What should you do?

The great bulk of manufacturers of granite slabs seal their granite prior to them being fashioned into what they ultimately will be used for. One type of granite may be more porous than another type of granite. A general thought amongst proprietors in the industry is that sealing will not have to occur on a regular schedule. 

Indicators emerge when resealing is called for, however. Watch for the after effect of when you place a glass upon your granite countertop and a water ring is left behind. Another widely spotted reason to have your granite counters resealed is water beading—if it ceases or no longer happens—it is likely that a resealing is needed. These are the two easiest to spot tests that you can conduct to indicate whether there is a need for resealing.

Maintain and clean your granite counters often. Manage spills or staining occurrences right away. If a spill occurs—even if it is just water—sop it up immediately. Potential staining type spills or other such messes will help prevent some headache, money and difficulty down the road. 

Other things that may concern you regarding your granite counters needn’t. Granite is heat resistant, place any super-hot pan or pot just off of the stove and no damage is done. 

It all boils down to the type of granite you purchase—some types will never once require a resealing. Some will. Nonetheless, all of the fabricated granite from Minneapolis Granite is sealed during that very process, at the very least. 

Always remember the simple water test. If it beads, no worries. If beading no longer occurs, your granite counters need to be resealed—this being a sign that the water is being absorbed into the counters themselves. 

If you are looking for granite for your St Paul home, call Minneapolis Granite at 612-822-3135 or contact us for a Free Estimate.

How to Prep Your Kitchen for Your Granite Countertop Installation

Chaos is the norm during a kitchen renovation. You are working with contractors, plumbers, electricians and granite kitchen countertop installers. If you are prepared well for the installation itself, it can be a pain-free process. The pros at Minneapolis Granite, St Paul granite counter fabricators and installers, know this only too well. Careful as can be with your kitchen and all of its wares, we aim to minimize the hassle you face while enduring the remodeling process, as well as getting the job done right, on-time and not beyond budget.  

Keep your day open when we come to install your granite countertops. Installing granite countertops typically takes anywhere from 3-6 hours depending on the scope of the job. You will want to be present just in case any of the team doing your overall remodel has any questions for you. Last second decisions and adjustments are needed from time to time and they will require your approval.
You will want to remove all damageable items from your kitchen before the installation process begins (pictures, wall hangings, throw rugs, dishes, &tc.). After all, some mishaps cannot be prevented. We want to be sure that none of your personal belongings are damaged while we are there and installing your new granite countertops.

Make sure your sink is there and ready to be installed, but keep in mind we are not plumbers, so any plumbing work that needs to be done should be completed by a licensed plumber. The same goes for any electrical work, and we cannot install any appliances either. Please give it at least 24 hours before you have a plumber hook up your sink in order to allow the silicone to dry.

It is of paramount importance that you advise any of the other workers taking part in your kitchen remodeling to not use your new granite countertops as work benches. Keep all paint, glue or any other harmful material as far away from them as is possible—even if protective covering has been placed over them—it is not worth the risk. Materials such as the aforementioned can harm your granite counters, causing irreversible damage. It is better to be safe than sorry and just not allow anyone to use them for anything besides preparing and serving food.

If you would like more information on granite for your St Paul home, call Minneapolis Granite at 612-822-3135, or you can contact us to get a Free Estimate.

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.

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.

How to Choose the Best Granite Edge Profile

When you are having new granite countertops installed in your home, you might think your decision-making is done after you chose your granite slab. But there is still at least one more decision to make: what kind of edge profile you want for your new counters. As an Apple Valley granite fabricator and installer, we offer 12 different edge profile options. Some work better than others, depending on what you are using your counters for or what look you are trying to achieve.

Straight Edge

This type of edge profile is the most basic, but it’s nice because it is so simple but elegant. This is a great option if you want most of the focus to be on your granite, your cabinetry or some other focal point.

Half Inch Bevel

This type of granite edge profile is more subtle and has more of an angle, but it is a good pick if you are going for a more modern look for your kitchen or bathroom. This is an especially good choice for bathrooms, especially if there is a smaller vanity. It adds an interesting element to the look and feel of the room.

¾ Inch Bevel

This is an excellent edge profile to help show off your granite, especially if the granite pattern appears to be “moving” with long and wavy lines.

Half Bullnose

If you want to add more “drama” to your room, this is the edge profile for you! It will show off the thickness and high quality of your granite countertops. Plus, it is good for kitchens because the edge makes it easier to wipe crumbs off of it and into your hand or a cleaning rag.

For more information on granite in Apple Valley, call Universal Stone at 952-746-4690 or contact us for a Free Quote.