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.

Why Are Granite Countertops So Popular?

You can’t open a home remodeling magazine or watch a home remodeling show these days without hearing about granite. Granite this! Granite that! But there are several good reasons granite countertops are so popular. We fabricate and install Twin Cities granite countertops, so we can list a few arguments for why granite is a great choice for kitchens, bathrooms and more!

One of the main reasons we love installing granite countertops is because they are so durable and long lasting. If properly cared for and maintained (which is easy to do!), they can last you for several decades, and they will remain looking as good as the day they were installed if you are vigilant about cleaning up spills and making sure they are sealed on a regular basis.

Granite countertops are also quite affordable these days. They can add beauty and elegance to your home but you won’t break the bank or your pocketbook when you buy them and have them installed. So you’ll get beautiful counters without having to pay high prices.

Another great perk to having granite countertops installed is that every slab of granite is unique. No two slabs will ever look exactly the same, thanks to the way granite forms. So even if you get the same color granite as a friend, it will not look exactly like your friend’s countertops. Your own unique style and taste will shine through!

Granite is also known as one of the strongest stones out there. It is bacteria, heat, stain, burn and scratch resistant, so these types of counters are great for families of all shapes and sizes. However, you should still put a pot holder under hot plates.

For more information on Twin Cities granite countertops, call Minneapolis Granite at 612-822-3135 or you can contact us for a FreeEstimate.

Granite Perfection: Finding the Best Slab for Your Countertops

Picking out the perfect stone for your granite countertops in your Victoria home can be a challenging task. But we here at Universal Stone have a few suggestions on how to find the best one to fit with your personal tastes.

First of all, take a long look at your cabinetry. Are you getting new cabinets or are you keeping your old ones? Either way, you want to make sure your granite countertops match your cabinets. A more modern look is to have dark granite countertops with light brown or white cabinetry. Or you could try the reverse: light granite countertops with dark cabinetry. Try to visualize what you want the room to look like when the renovations are completely finished. What color granite countertops do you have in your vision?

Then, come and visit Universal Stone’s showroom to see the options we have in stock for your granite countertops. You will want to remember that no two slabs of granite are exactly alike. So you will always have unique granite countertops no matter which ones you pick out! Plus, when you visit our showroom, you will have an opportunity to ask us any questions you might have!

No matter the size of your family or home, granite countertops make a fabulous addition. Not only are they gorgeous looking and timeless, but they are also stain, scratch, burn and heat resistant, making them a practical choice as well. They are an excellent choice for busy families that are always on the go or for less busy families that spend more time at home. But the best part about granite countertops is they will last for years to come if they are maintained and cleaned properly. 

So when you need granite countertops in Victoria, call Universal Stone at 952-746-4690 or Request a Free Quote.

Why Minneapolis Families Love Granite Countertops

Are you wondering what makes granite countertops so special and why Minneapolis families love them so much? The answer is simple. Granite is a very versatile stone. If you're looking for granite countertops in Minneapolis, you've come to the right place! We can help you choose the perfect slab for your home, fabricate a custom piece and install it for you. Whether you have plans to resurface the countertops throughout your home or want to use granite outside your home, we can help you get started today.

Timeless & Unique In-Home Upgrade

Granite is a beautiful, natural stone that is great for indoor use. It can complement your kitchen, bathroom, home office and more. It comes in a wide variety of colors that you may not find with some other countertop options. We'll be able to help you find a slab that will complement your home's current theme. Granite is a unique countertop option because no two slabs are alike. Each is formed beneath the earth's surface and has a different make-up. Upgrade to granite countertops and start enjoying all the benefits.

Durable & Practical Outdoor Applications

Granite countertops can be beautiful and elegant inside the home, but they are strong enough to hold up outside your home as well. Granite is one of the toughest stones on earth, so you don't have to worry about using it for outdoor seating, kitchens and more. Many people are starting to incorporate outdoor living areas as part of their homes. If you're looking to install an outdoor room, don't hesitate to use granite as a main feature. We're happy to work with you on your custom projects, so contact us today.

Are you looking to install granite countertops near Minneapolis? Contact us today by calling 952-746-4690 or Request a Free Estimate.

The Advantages of Granite Countertops

If you've ever been in a home with granite countertops or bathroom vanities, you know how much elegance they bring to an area. Easy to clean and available in a wide variety of colors and patterns, granite counters are chosen by most to accentuate their kitchen or bathroom. These are only a few of the advantage of granite countertops that we detailed in an article a while back.

We also noted in the article:

When granite is used as a countertop, shelf, or fireplace surround very little care is necessary to maintain the inherent beauty and finish

Unlike other types of natural stones, granite doesn't require all that much maintenance. You can be sure to enjoy your granite countertops for a long time as long as periodic cleaning and maintenance is done.

Read the entire article: "Granite and Marble - The Advantages of Using Natural Stone for Countertops and Flooring."

Pick A Color For Your Granite Countertop And Feel Its Effect

Choosing the color scheme for your new home or remodeling project can be a joyful experience, but it can also be a challenge. You’ll want to coordinate the color of your Minneapolis granite countertops with that of the cabinets, walls and floor. Depending on your personal preferences, you may choose a Monochromatic scheme and go with several different shades of a similar color, or you may decide on either an Analogous scheme with slightly different colors, or a Complementary color approach.

Any of these methods are okay. It’s a matter of personal taste, and you are the one who will be enjoying it for years to come. Cabinet and wall colors can be changed fairly easily, but the floors and especially your granite countertops, are what they are. Floors can be covered with carpets or rugs, but the color you choose for your granite is what you are going to be looking at for a long time. Choose it with great care.

Your choice of colors can have a strong affect on the mood of any room. You should give a lot of thought to whether you want a room to feel warm and wholesome (orange), elegant and sophisticated (black), or happy and optimistic (yellow). There are plenty of other moods that can be suggested by colors. And fortunately, granite is available in hundreds of colors.

If you would like some more insight into which colors project which moods, you can read the article, “The Right Color Choice For Granite Countertops Can Set The Mood of Your Home.”

Granite Countertops: Types of Finishes for Granite Counters

One of the most important facets of any installation of granite countertops is picking the right finish, colors and edges. We discussed this a while back in an article, noting:

If you are looking for a new way to increase your home's resale value or merely tired of the standard countertops in your home or bath, then granite countertops are just what you need. You will find the color choices to bold, beautiful and surprisingly affordable and the finishes to be vast and varied.

There are a wide variety of finishes available for countertops: high-gloss, honed and more. There's also:

• Abrasive is a flat non-reflective surface and is often used for outdoor installations 
• Acid etched granite countertops have been given a look of aging by the application of abrasives or acids
• Brushed finishes are somewhat coarse to the touch; the look is achieved by using a rotary -type wire brush on the granite's surface.
• Brush-hammered finishes have been achieved by a mechanical process and can vary as much as the granite itself.
• Flamed or thermal finished granite has been roughed by heat and exposes the grains of the stone. This is popular in granite flooring.
• Honed finishes have very little light reflection. It is especially nice for floors, stair treads, thresholds and in other areas that receive high amounts of traffic/use.
• Polished granite brings out the true beauty of the stone showing the movement to its fullest advantage. It is frequently used on walls, furniture, and floors.
• Sandblasted finishes have a matte-like textured and little or no gloss. Like the abrasive finish, this is a great choice for outdoor countertops.

 Want more information on granite countertops for your home? Visit www.UniversalStone-Inc.com.