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How Do You Maintain The Handsome Look Of A Caesarstone Countertop?

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Caesarstone is a stone countertop material that has become very popular over the recent past. It is usually thought of as an alternative to granite, and there are many people who prefer one or the other for various reasons. However, the difference between them is that caesarstone is a semi-synthetic material, while granite is a fully natural product that is only cut to fit certain specifications.

In addition to that, the fact that caesarstone is modified artificially means that it has a greater range of colours and designs on offer, while granite can only be gotten in a limited range of colours that are found in natural granite. Other than that, the performance of both caesarstone and granite are more or less the same in other aspects such as the longevity and the ease of caring for the stone.

It is for this reason that many people usually find it difficult to figure out which one to get for their bench tops. To help you make the decision, it might be wise to have some detailed information regarding how caesarstone needs to be taken care of. This will then give you an idea of what to expect, and will also help you figure out whether it’s the best bench top material for you or not. To keep caesarstone looking clean and shiny, you would need to do the following:

Removal of dried spills and stubborn stains

As is the case with many other stone products, it’s possible for caesarstone to be stained either by products that have a lot of colour in them, or when you leave a spill to settle in the stone. Cleaning such stains from caesarstone usually requires the use of warm water and a mild soap. It is usually a very simple process, and even the most stubborn of stains can often be removed in a matter of minutes.

If you are interested, you can also get some of the commercial cleaning agents that are available in the market. They are usually not that much more effective than using plain old soap and water, but some of them are slightly better. The fact that they are designed to be used specifically on caesarstone also makes them a safer option compared to many other types of rock.

When you are removing stains from caesarstone, it’s important to avoid using products that are very basic or acidic. These have the potential to damage the surface of the countertop, and may even result in the formation of more stains.

Prevent heat damage

A large number of people prefer using caesarstone for their kitchen countertops because it’s very hard and can resist exposure to high temperatures for a short time. However, you should realize that exposing the material to a lot of heat for a prolonged period of time could lead to damage to the surface of the stone. The commonest manifestation of this is the formation of hairline cracks on the surface. This can be prevented by simply making sure that you place protective pads near areas where this is likely to happen, such as the countertop adjacent to the cooker.

Proper installation procedures

The installation of the caesarstone countertops needs to be done correctly to avoid damage to the surface of the rock. One of the most important measures would be to place a PVC film on the surface onto which the stone will be placed. This acts to prevent movement of water from the lower parts of the structure on which the countertop will be placed. This in turn ensures that the stone does not become stained and cracked from below. When this happens, it usually ruins the look of the stone, and repairing it often means having to remove all the stone and install a new slab. This can be expensive and frustrating. To ensure that this and other installation measures are done correctly, you would need to work with a contractor who is very good at what they do.

Polishing and sealing

As with other types of stone countertops, you might need to polish and seal the caesarstone bench tops on a regular basis. How frequently this is done depends on the environment in which the bench top is used, but most people prefer to get it done every six months or so. The goal of using such products is to create a protective film on the surface of the caesarstone. This reduces the seepage of any moisture from the surface downwards, and also helps to maintain the lustre of the countertop.

If you are thinking of getting a caesarstone countertop for your kitchen, the above are just some of the things you will need to do to keep it looking as good as new. It might look like a lob, but most people usually have no trouble doing it. All in all, it is an excellent choice for kitchen countertops!

Why Is The Uptake Of Granite Benchtops In 2014 So High?

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Over the past few years, the popularity of granite benchtops has been steadily increasing. In the past, these types of bench tops were associated with affluence, and only the very rich could install them. As time has gone by, however, the relative cost of installing such benchtops has been decreasing, making them more available to other homeowners. However, the cost is not the only thing that has been driving the increased uptake of granite benchtops. There are many other factors that have led to this as well, and which should make you consider buying them if you are in the process of renovating or building a kitchen. When most people are asked why they prefer granite benchtops for their kitchens, some of the most commonly cited reasons include:

They are easy to take care of

Most people these days don’t have that much time to waste. If you are building a house or renovating it, it would be wise to also include some design cues that will make it easier for you to save time on cleaning and maintenance. Using granite benchtops goes a long way in doing this. These types of benchtops are usually very easy to clean since you only need to wipe them down to do so. In addition to that, some varieties of stone are resistant to staining, so this is not an issue that you will spend a lot of time and money on.  The ultimate result of this is that by getting these types of benchtops, you will end up having more peace of mind.

Most people love the aesthetic qualities

The other common reason why many people prefer granite benchtops is the fact that they are visually stunning. In fact, when most people see granite benchtops in a kitchen for the first time and then later find out how much it cost to install, most are usually surprised to find that they cost less than they imagined they would. These days, you can find granite benchtops in all sorts of colour and design, which in turn means that you can actually customize down to the tee.

Some companies have even introduced the use of other accessories such as inlays to further make the benchtops more beautiful. This effect is also responsible for the fact that houses that have this type of fixture in them tend to have a higher value than those which don’t. Most people would be willing to pay slightly more for the benefit of having high quality granite in their homes.

They are easy to install

Unless your kitchen has very complex geometry, the installation of granite countertops is usually not very difficult. Most firms can get it done within a day or two depending on how much room they have to cover, and it will not cost a lot of money as well. However, you should always remember that there is a need to use the correct technique despite the fact that it’s easy. Using the services of a firm that has a lot of experience in this field is usually indicated, since this is the only way to be sure that the countertop will not fail in future. Proper installation will also have an influence on the aesthetic outcome of the project; countertops that are installed properly tend to look more appealing than those that do not.

They have become easily available

The increasing demand for granite benchtops has increased the supply, and this also has spurred the use of the countertops these days. If you are interested in installing them in your kitchen, for instance, you won’t need to spend a lot of time doing things such as deciding where to get the stone. All you need to do is identify a store that sells the stone, visit to find out what varieties you are interested in and then make the order. You could even do this online if you wanted to, which further reduces how much effort you need to put into the process of finding the most ideal granite benchtops.

There is a lot more variety than there used to be in the past

The varieties of colour and texture for granite benchtops in the past were very limited, which meant that people who wanted a unique look in their home would have a hard time. This is not the case anymore. There are many natural and semi-synthetic granite products with all types of colours, designs and textures, which means that you can easily find one to suit your design needs. In fact, there are some manufacturers who can even modify the stone to suit your needs. You therefore do not need to compromise your uniqueness to benefit from using granite as a countertop material.

As you can see, there are many reasons why many people are turning to using granite as a benchtop material. Given the huge benefits this type of fitting has, you should also consider getting granite benchtops today!

Thinking Of Upgrading Kitchen Countertops Before Selling A House?

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Although many people would want it to be so, putting a house on sale is usually not a very easy process. Of course, there is a minority of people who might put the house on sale without making any modifications to it, and still find many willing buyers. For the vast majority of homeowners, however, it is often necessary to make a few changes to the house in order to make it more appealing to prospective buyers. One part of the house that is very critical in this respect is the kitchen. Since most people check the state of the counters and other fixtures in the kitchen when deciding to buy the house, it would be wise to make sure that they are in good order before actually having the house listed.

Is it worth it?

If you are thinking of upgrading the kitchen counters in a home you are thinking of selling, the first thing that you should think about is whether it is worth it or not. The goal of making such changes is to ensure that the house becomes more attractive to people who might want to buy it, and to also make sure that you will get more out of it by the time you sell it. Remember, having a kitchen that looks run down is usually a cue for the prospective buyers to negotiate more aggressively for lower prices. However, when the kitchen is more pristine, most are usually willing to pay without having to negotiate as much.

To determine whether the upgrade will be worth it or not, you need to take into account the benefit that you will get from the upgrade, and compare this with how much it will cost you. Most of the time, you will find that high quality bench tops such as the ones made out of reconstituted stone offer very good value for money, and are the best to use in such a scenario.

Think about the nature of the people you are selling the house to

When you are in the process of upgrading the kitchen counters, you also need to take into account the nature of the people who are likely to buy the house. This will go a long way in helping you decide the best design elements to use. For instance, in a house that is located in a very affluent neighbourhood, you would expect that most of the people looking to buy their home there would be focusing on very high quality.

For this reason, you would need to pay a lot of attention to detail regarding the type and design of the countertops you get, so that you can then prevent the work from being shoddily done. If you are not sure about this, you can always consult a real estate agent. They are usually very good at coming up with the profile of a potential house buyer, and you can use this information to try and figure out what would please them more.

The importance of using the aid from a qualified contractor

When you are interested in redoing the countertops in such a setting, it’s important to take note of the fact that this is a unique scenario. Unlike most other times when you are doing a home renovation, some of the things that you need to contend with when you want to do a kitchen renovation before selling a house include the fact that you will need to get it done on time, and that the visual outcome should be excellent. This can only be pulled off when you work with a contractor who has a lot of experience in such matters.

In addition to that, working with such a contractor will also guarantee that you end up spending the minimal amount of money on the project, which is a good thing since it increases the profit you will make from selling the house. Insisting on working with a high quality contractor will also turn out to be less of a headache for you. The fact that they have a lot of experience with such projects often means that they can be left to work with a degree of autonomy, so that you can then focus on other issues such as how to market the house more effectively.

In summary, if you are thinking of putting a house on sale and want to redo the kitchen countertops, it would be a good idea for you to consider all the above when making such a decision. The most important thing to remember is that this is a decision that should not be taken lightly, and should be done correctly once you make the decision to go ahead with it. If you work with a high quality contractor, you will always find that getting the best results from this will be very easy.

Opt For Reconstituted Stone Benchtops For Your Kitchen To Look More Modern And Elegant!

These days, a kitchen should be both practical and beautiful at the same time and luckily, you don’t have to invest a fortune in a kitchen remodeling project in order to achieve the desired results. For example, by simply changing the kitchen countertops with reconstituted stone benchtops, you can considerably improve the design of your kitchen and make it more modern and elegant. Here are a couple of features of those quality products.

Reconstituted stone benchtops is the perfect alternative to natural stone countertops

Everyone knows that natural stone countertops look exquisite, but they can be quite expensive and they also need constant maintenance and care in order for their beautiful aspect to be preserved. On the other hand, reconstituted stone benchtops are less expensive and they require little to no maintenance as well, making them the perfect alternative to natural stone countertops.

Reconstituted stone benchtops are more durable and they can last for longer

This is another great advantage of reconstituted stone benchtops and you should invest in these products, especially if you spend a lot of time in your kitchen, preparing delicious meals for your family. Reconstituted stone benchtops are made from quartz or granite granules mixed up with different types of resins or polyester bases. As a result, they become much stronger, tougher, harder and more resistant to external damaging factors.

Reconstituted stone benchtops come in a wide range of colors

You might be happy to know that reconstituted stone benchtops are available in many designs and colors on the market and you should take advantage of this in order to create a stunning, aesthetically pleasing kitchen décor. Make sure that you don’t rush your decision when buying reconstituted stone benchtops and you try to match their color and style with the design of your kitchen.

Reconstituted stone benchtops don’t need to be sealed

You probably already know that if you want to preserve the beauty and design of your natural stone kitchen countertops, you might need to seal them on a regular basis. For example, marble countertops require this process and it doesn’t come for free. On the other hand, reconstituted stone benchtops look very similar to natural stone and you don’t have to seal them at all!

Reconstituted stone benchtops can also be used on curved surfaces

These products are extremely flexible and the professionals can tailor them according to your needs and preferences. For example, if your kitchen work surfaces features curved edges, reconstituted stone benchtops are perfect in this case and they can be installed with minimal effort and in a short amount of time. The end result will look absolutely gorgeous and keep in mind that you won't get such an advantage from natural stone countertops.

As you can see, reconstituted stone benchtops are really worthy of your time, attention and money. They will also increase the value of your house and your guests will be pleasantly impressed when they will step into your kitchen. If you want to reap all the benefits of reconstituted stone benchtops then contact us today and find out more!

Benchtops: Caesarstone Versus Silestone

If you are thinking of renovating your kitchen in the near future and you don’t know what to start with then it would be a great idea to replace your current kitchen countertops with brand new and more modern ones. Caesarstone and Silestone are two popular brands of quartz countertops and they are both excellent in this case. However, in most cases, Caesarstone is more appreciated by customers from all over the world and below you will find out why you should choose it before Silestone.

  1. Caesarstone has more quartz content in its makeup. These countertops are not 100% made from quartz, but they contain a high percentage of this type of natural stone and they are ideal for your kitchen or bathroom. Caesarstone is the winner in this case, simply because it contains 93% quartz content, in comparison with Silestone which features only 90%. Although the difference doesn’t appear very big at first, think about the fact that in the long run, your Caesarstone countertops will be more durable and resistant to wear and tear.
  2. Caesarstone offers more options when it comes to finishes. Both these quartz countertops brands excel on various aspects. For example, Silestone will offer you more options when it comes to colors. On the other hand, Caesarstone is more appreciated by customers because it offers plenty of alternatives when it comes to finishes, edge profiling and edging type. Basically, if the edge profile is very important to you, it would be a better idea to choose Caesarstone countertops.
  3. Caesarstone can offer a lifetime warranty. Yes, this is entirely true, although this type of warranty comes under certain terms and conditions. For example, in order for you to benefit by this convenient warranty type, you should maintain your Caesarstone countertops according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer. On the other hand, Silestone offers warranties which cover a much smaller period of time such as 10 years or even 15 years in some remote cases. Still, if you think that you can follow simple instructions, go with Caesarstone countertops and you will not be sorry!
  4. Caesarstone is more resistant to heat and pressure. Although both these types of quartz countertops brands are very durable and they can easily withstand high amounts of pressure and hot temperatures, a lot of homeowners say that Caesarstone is slightly better and more resistant to various damaging factors, so remember this if long service time is one of your main priorities when it comes to kitchen countertops. In any case, you will still be able to put a hot pan or kettle on your Caesarstone or Silestone kitchen countertops without being afraid that you will damage them. Similarly, these kitchen countertops are resistant to knife cuts and scratches too!

Therefore, if

you want to invest in kitchen countertops of the best quality then make sure that you go for Caesarstone. Our company sells Caesarstone kitchen countertops at very attractive prices and you can also choose from a variety of models and designs. Give us a call today and we will help you make the best decision.

Kitchen Granite Benchtops

Do you want to get great deals on our exclusive Kitchen Benchtops and save money? Get your kitchen renovated done just the way you want with the installation of high quality stone benchtops by calling 03 970 233 13

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IB Granite supplies a wide range of Marble, Travertine, Limestone and Reconstituted stone products for kitchens benchtops and bathrooms tops in Melbourne.