The Countertop Factory is proud to offer LEED-certified green recycled countertop materials as a part of our exceptional service.  We use three different suppliers of green materials – Icestone, Eco and Vetrazzo.  Icestone offers recycled glass countertops and recycled cement countertops that are environmentally sustainable.  Vetrazzo provides surfaces made up of 100% recycled glass.  Eco by Consentino also offers a variety of recycled surfaces.  Using these materials will help sustain the environment for generations to come.

Of course, there are many other options for those not concerned with using green materials.  We specialize in granite countertops, quartz countertops, marble countertops, soap stone countertops, solid surface countertops and bamboo surface countertops.  Whichever type you are looking for, the best countertops come from The Countertop Factory.

There are some tips you can utilize to pick the best color granite counter tops for you. First to The Countertop factory showroom in located in Raleigh North Carolina and check out their available products to get an idea of what colors you are interested in. While there you should try to obtain several granite color samples that you can take home this will give you an idea of how the  color matches with your cabinets and flooring.

While matching is important so it picking a color that will be timeless. A more neurtal pallet will appeal to a wider variety of people and won’t go out of style. A neutral color will help if you ever decide to sell your home as well. Lastly you want to take into account your kitchen’s lighting. If your kitchen is well lit a darker color will work well but if your kitchen is darker a lighter granite color can help brighten the room.

No matter what the final color selection should be in tune with your own personal taste. The helpful contractors at The Countertop Factory will be with you throughout the entirety of the project. If you have been considering updating your old countertops call or stop by the Countertop Factory showroom to learn about their services and view their wide range of granite countertop products.

Marble is comprised of sediment from natural materials solidifying over an extensive period of time where as granite is a stone formed deep within the earths crust at very high temperatures. The different ways in which these stones are formed tell us a lot about their properties. Granite being formed deep in the earth under high duress is highly resistant to heat, staining, and other wear.

It is advised by most contractors of marble and granite countertops to utilize granites strength and natural heat and stain resiliency for kitchen countertops. Marble being composed of natural sediments is mostly calcium based making marble vulnerable to acid damage from food or drink, heat damage, and scratches. Both stones are very beautiful and can be used in multiple areas of your home.  While granite is great for kitchen countertops you may want to use marbles elegance in other rooms for instance using marble for a bathroom vanity or a marble mantle piece over your fireplace. No matter what area of the home you are looking to enhance by installing beautiful stone countertops the professionals at The Countertop Factory will be there to help guide you through every step of the process.

Keeping your granite and marble countertops looking great, you will need to ensure that you keep them properly cleaned. Learn how today.

Have you recently purchased a brand new granite or marble countertop for your kitchen or bathroom? Well, then you will definitely need to learn how to properly maintain them. Keeping them cleaned is the best way to keep them looking like new. These stones are very popular because of their luxurious elegance and easy maintenance, so you shouldn’t find this hard to do.

The first thing you should ensure is that all spills on your marble or granite countertop are cleaned up immediately. Not doing so will allow the liquid to set into the surface, causing an unwanted stain. The liquid will also dry onto the surface leaving an ugly blotch on its surface. The same goes for foods and drinks, which are known to contain acids and other elements that can ruin your beautiful countertop. If you spill any alcohol or acidic beverages on your counter, clean it up right away.

You should use products that are specifically made for cleaning marble and granite countertops as well. This will keep your countertop looking polished. Speaking of polish, you should do this regularly to remove smoke, dirt, dust and grime that may build up over time. Make sure to use a polish product that is high quality. You can research online the best marble and granite countertop polishers and cleaners. Just make sure to avoid using ammonia-based cleaners, solutions that have a high pH level like glass cleaners, or soapy detergents and abrasive powders. Even if you have a sealed granite countertop, it doesn’t meant that it is stain proof. Solutions that are a polisher and cleaner in one are usually great for renewing the glamorous look of your countertop.

Avoid placing hot items on your granite and marble countertops. Although most are heat resistant, you don’t want to take any chances. Use trivets underneath pots and pans.

If you notice any cracks, erosions or deep stains, you can contact an NC professional to remove them. You can call The Countertop Factory in North Carolina to assist with your marble and granite repair and cleaning.

Figuring out the best type of kitchen countertop to install in your home all comes down to your individual preferences. However, granite kitchen countertops are by far the most popular of them all. It offers an elegantly beautiful style that boosts the look of any kitchen its placed in, so it’s no wonder why so many people purchase it. It is on the higher end of the economic scale, but many will tell you that it is very worth it. But over the years, its popularity has brought on competition that has lowered the prices of granite kitchen countertops.

Even the most modest of kitchens scream exquisite when it has a granite countertop. What makes them so sought after are a couple of things. For one, granite countertops come in various colors – pick from about 3,000 different shades. This means that remodeling your kitchen can easily be done, especially if you’re looking to match with unique colors. The look of granite countertops is strong and permanent, unlike with some countertops that look cheap. When sealers are properly placed on the granite countertops, the maintenance becomes super easy.

You won’t have to worry about heat because granite is quite resistant to it. So if you have to set down a hot tray or pot on the countertop, it won’t melt away or burn easily like with most other kitchen counters. Granite is very durable, and is known to be the 2^nd toughest stone after diamonds. If anyone is looking to rent or sell a home, installing granite kitchen countertops could help to spruce it up and bring in more prospects. It can also bring up the price on the rent or sales price.

The Countertop Factory tips

Some of the cons to take note of about granite countertops are:

• Knives tend to go dull when used on the countertop
• It may crack if it is NOT properly installed or is stressed
• Stains may absorb into the surface if it wasn’t sealed correctly
• Tends to be quite expensive

Other than these factors, granite countertops continue to be the best value and the most popular kitchen counter.

Some of the highest quality materials that you can choose for your kitchen countertops include, but aren’t limited to:

• Granite countertops
• Quartz countertops
• Marble countertops
• Soap stone countertops
• Solid surface countertops
• Bamboo surface countertops
• And more