indianapolis granite fabricators Archives - Cutting Edge Countertops
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The Difference Between Polished and Honed Granite

When choosing granite countertops for your home there are a lot of choices to make. From the color of the granite to edges and finishes. These final details, such as the finish of the granite, can drastically change the appearance of the stone and overall look of your space. There are a lot of questions in regard to what the difference between polished and honed granite is and what to choose when adding granite to your home. Here is the information you need to know on polished vs honed granite to make the best choice for your home!

What is Polished Granite?

Polished granite has a highly reflective surface, this finish will display the vibrancy of the granite’s colors as well as the character of the stone. A polished finish is very smooth and enhances the full color of a stone. A polished surface creates a beautiful glossy shine from the natural reflection of the stone’s crystals.

Polished Granite Characteristics

Polished granite is coated. This acts as a protectant, making the granite less susceptible to stains. This makes polished granite a popular and classic choice for kitchen and bathroom countertops. Consequently, the highly reflective surface means more visible scratches. Since polished granite is very smooth, this makes it a dangerous option for flooring in high traffic areas because or bathrooms because it can be very slippery when wet

Polished Granite Recap

  • Feel: Smooth
  • Look: Glossy & Shiny
  • Durability: Scratch and etch easily, but more stain resistant.
  • Recommended Application: Kitchen and bathroom countertops, fireplace surrounds, and walls.
  • Maintenance: Regular wipe down with water and mild detergent, clean spills immediately.
Polished Finish
Polished Finish

What is Honed Granite?

When you choose a honed finish, the polishing process ends before buffing to create a matte or low-gloss sheen that lacks the highly reflective, mirror-like look of traditional granite. The softer honed finish is popular among homeowners wanting a casual or aged look.

Honed Granite Characteristics

Honed granite is more resistant to scratches because of its matte finish. Unlike with a polished surface, honed granite does get scratched, it is less noticeable because the scratch won’t be as easy to see when light reflects off it. On the other hand, honed granite is more susceptible to stains, so it important to clean spills in a timely manner. Since it is matte, when the surface gets wet, it is less slippery than polished making it a great choice for flooring.

Honed Granite Recap

  • Feel: Velvet/Satin
  • Looks: Matte
  • Durability: Scratch resistant, but easily stained.
  • Recommended Application: Countertops and high traffic areas, such as floors for the bathroom, foyer, or living room.
  • Maintenance: Regular wipe down with water and mild detergent, clean up spills immediately, re-sealing suggested over time.
Honed Finish
Honed Finish

Whether you chose honed or polished as the finish for your granite countertops, it will make a luxurious addition to your home. Be sure to contact our team or visit one of our showrooms located in Troy, Wixom, Perrysburg, Indianapolis and Noblesville if you have any additional questions. You can also begin browsing our selection in our Live Inventory.

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How to Preserve Granite Countertops During the Holidays

Let the festivities begin! Bring on the tasty treats and good times that come with the holiday season. This time of year people tend to spend a lot of time in the kitchen preparing dishes for the dinner party they are hosting or attending. With this also comes spills from red wine and crumbs from apple pie remaining on your beautiful granite countertops. Without proper care and attention, this wear and tear from a well-lived life can ruin your granite countertops. With that said, prevention is key! Here are a few easy tips on keeping your granite countertops in tip-top shape throughout the busy season.

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Quickly Clean Granite Countertops

When you happen to get a splash of apple cider or hot cocoa on your granite countertops, clean up the spill as soon as it happens. Start by wiping the countertop with warm soapy water and clean the surface thoroughly. If you do not have any specialty cleaner on hand don’t fear, mild soap and warm water will do just fine! We highly recommend against using cleaning products such as windex or bleach on granite. When using substances that are highly acidic it will dull the granite countertop and weaken the sealant. Also avoid using abrasive cleaner or pads on you countertop so you do not scratch the surface.

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Remove Stains From Granite Countertops

If your red and green food coloring went unattended for to long and created a stain, make a paste of baking soda and water. Scrub the stained granite countertop gently with the paste and a soft towel then rinse thoroughly. It may take several attempts to remove the stain from your granite countertops. If the stain still remains, put the baking soda and water paste on the spot and securely cover the stain. You can use plastic wrap to do this. Let the paste sit on top of the stain till it dries. Once the paste is dry, use a soft towel to wipe away and rinse it off with warm water.

For those extremely tough stains, contact the pros at Cutting Edge Countertops and one of our team members will assist you!

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Reseal Your Granite Countertops

Try the water test! The water test is a simple way to check the sealant on your granite countertops. Pour a small amount of water onto various sections of the counter and wait for a reaction. If the water absorbs, it is time to have your granite countertops resealed! You can tell if the water has been absorbed into the stone because the granite will darken. The water should sit for 30 minutes when performing the test, but you may notice the granite darkening more quickly if your seal has worn down.

Even with proper care, granite countertops will need to be resealed periodically. Wear and tear will weaken the sealant, leaving the granite dull and more susceptible to stains. Resealing granite countertops is a job for professionals and we do not recommend trying to do it yourself. Cutting Edge Countertops recommends having your granite countertops resealed every one to two years. Implementing these helpful tips will make the sealant last and keep your granite countertops beautiful!

With these easy tips, you can make it through the holidays without ruining your countertops. If you are searching for granite countertops in Indianapolis, Wixom, Noblesville, Perrysburg or Troy stop by one of our showrooms to browse our granite selection! Our team of highly skilled granite fabricators would love to help bring your dream kitchen to life!

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The Midwest Top 5 Trending Granite Colors

Are you thinking about renovating your kitchen or bathroom with granite countertops for 2020? You have come to the right place! Cutting Edge Countertops provides granite countertops to homeowners in Indianapolis, Wixom, Noblesville, Perrysburg and Troy. To ensure our customers stay up to date on the latest trends we have rounded up five material options that are hot on the market and would make the perfect kitchen or bathroom granite countertop for your project! These popular granite colors include Dallas White, Blue Pearl, Black Pearl, Bianco Antico and New Venetian Gold. Keep reading to find out more about these colors and which one would best suit your style!

Dallas White Granite

The white background of Dallas White Granite is accented by lavender and light gray tones. You will also see a mix of cream and brown throughout this granite. This element will catch the eye of all your guest when they enter the space where this granite will be homed. Dallas White granite is the perfect option if you are wanting to steer away from the dark side, but aren’t completely sold on bright white countertops. It is the perfect mix of neutrals and will fit right in with your current home decor!

DALLAS WHITE

Blue Pearl Granite

If you are looking for a dark granite that is unique, Blue Pearl granite will exceed your expectations. When you take a close look you will see that this granite contains the perfect harmony of blues, grays and black. The dark gray and navy blue tones differ from slab to slab so when you handpick your material to work with you will be getting a one of kind piece! So if you want to make a statement in your home Blue Pearl granite might just be the granite you have been searching for!

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Black Pearl Granite

Opting for dark countertops is a bold choice and looks great in any style kitchen. Black Pearl granite has a black background with hints of gray and speckles of green, brown, silver and gold. When these minerals are hit by the light, Black Pearl granite comes to life and creates an exotic feel to any kitchen or bathroom. Pair your black granite countertops with white or light wood cabinets and stainless-steel appliances for a stunning look!

Black Pearl Granite Colors

Bianco Antico Granite

Bianco Antico granite is a dreamy blend of gray, white and brown shades on top of a white and gray background. This granite gives off a luxurious appearance due to the quartz crystals scattered throughout the material. Bianco Antico pairs well with a variety of cabinetry colors including black, white, and gray. It is perfect for traditional and contemporary kitchen design styles with it’s light neutral palette it will bring the feeling of openness to any kitchen or bathroom it is installed in.

bianco antico

New Venetian Gold Granite

Whether polished or leathered New Venetian Gold is a beautiful natural stone. This granite has a sweet honey-colored background that is decorated in amber, white and black flecks. With the proper maintenance and care New Venetian Gold granite can withstand many years of  usage in the kitchen or bathroom due to its super strong and durable characteristics. Combine New Venetian Gold granite countertops with white or black cabinetry to make this material pop!

new venetian gold

With all of our natural stone products, we require that you view the material of interest so that our team can ensure you awill be satisfied with your purchase. Natural stone, such as granite, varies from slab to slab, so when you come into our showrooms located in Indianapolis, Wixom, Noblesville, Perrysburg and Troy you will have the opportunity to pick your slab to work with! Contact us to set up an appointment or visit our website to learn more!

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Indianapolis Granite: Natural Stone Is Taking Over!

Granite Indianapolis: Homeowners Are Choosing Natural Stone More Than Ever Before!

Indianapolis granite experts have important news to share with you about natural stone countertops! Kitchen remodels and renovations can be intimidating with fear of putting deep holes in your pockets, but updating your countertops can be an investment that will last through the years to come, especially with natural stone. It is understandable to want to have some background knowledge of what you are getting yourself into when making a commitment like this one so we recommend doing your research or contact a professional to find out what works best for you and your home. Homeowners are often told by professionals that installing and upgrading your countertops is one of the greatest improvements anybody can make to their home, which is true, but there are other factors we must take into consideration in order to find the perfect countertop for kitchen or bathroom. You can redesign and improve the decor of your home but if you have broken down, dull, or outdated countertops in your kitchen your space will not be reaching its true potential. Some kitchen countertop damages can be visible to the naked eye, which can distract guest from your beautiful home. Whether you have scratches, stains, chips, or cracks on your counters, an upgrade can drastically change the look of your home! So follow along with Cutting Edge Countertops for a break down of the reasons why you should invest in natural stone for your kitchen counters!

The Truth About Natural Stone

One of the most common things people want to know are the advantages and disadvantages that come along with purchasing natural stone countertops. Well, let’s start with this! Since the very beginning, natural stone has been the leading countertop choice all around the world. It gets a lot of praise for its outstanding performance, variety, and high-quality. If you are looking for a countertop material that can last for years to come with proper care, then natural stone is a wonderful choice for you. Natural stone branches out into the marbles, granites, and quartzites. So, you are never limited and will always have a large selection to choose from. You should also know that no matter which natural stone option you go for, they are durable and longlasting when properly taken care of. So to answer the question of if natural stone is a material to stay away from, the answer is no! Natural stone is not bad at all and is actually a top consumer choice.

How Durable Is Natural Stone?

Natural stone is one of the most durable choices out there! Indianapolis Granite experts always tell homeowners that natural stone is a sturdy material that looks amazing in the kitchen and we second this. The long term durability of natural stone makes it harder for people to turn away! Natural stone has a shelf life that is much longer than traditional laminate countertops which means you will not see rings or scratches. In fact, when you choose natural stone you won’t have to replace your countertops because, with the proper attention, they can last you a lifetime! If you are looking for countertops that will last you then this is a perfect choice for you!

Decor Value And Appeal

If you choose granite, marble, or quartzite countertops for your home, the resale value goes up instantly. Isn’t that something to talk about? You heard it right, folks! When you choose one of the following natural stones for your kitchen or bath, the property’s value will only go up. This means that if at any time for any reason, you wish to put your property out on the market, you can get more than what you initially invested. Not only will you be adding value, but you will also be enhancing your interior design with these beautiful countertops. The aesthetic speaks volumes! You don’t have to explain the great benefits and advantages that your countertops bring, their appearance alone says it all for you. Any person interested in improving the appeal and adding value to their home should consider natural stone countertops. Get the beauty you desire with natural stone all while increasing the value of your gorgeous home!

Prices

Whether you want marble or granite, Cutting Edge Countertops will have what you are searching for. The prices vary but will always be affordable because we want to bring you one step closer to having the dream kitchen you’ve always wanted! We are known for having the highest quality products, top customer support, and most competitive prices in the nation. We have countertops from the leading global brands and we offer them at amazing prices.

Contact A Granite Indianapolis Professional

We have many locations. One of our showrooms is located in Indianapolis and you can come in anytime during our business hours. We are more than happy to show you our wonderful countertop displays. Our specialists will guide you and sit with you to discuss the options that are available. So next time you are told that natural stone is not a great choice for the kitchen, run! Natural stone is a marvelous choice and a smart investment for any homeowner. Contact us today for more insight. You can also check out our blog for the latest trends! (317) 888-8550

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