I strongly recommend that you seal all of your natural stone to offer maximum stain protection. Select a high-quality penetrating/impregnating sealer. These sealers provide a natural, no-sheen look and are perfect for interior and exterior use.

Sealing Flooring Grout

Sealing your grout with a penetrating/impregnating grout sealer helps prevent moisture absorption that could cause stains. Sealing your grout will also make your regular cleanings easier. Grout sealer will require to be reapplied, so check the manufacturer’s specific directions.

Sanded grout is used on tile with a grout joint width equal to or greater than 1/8 of an inch. Unsanded grout is used on tile with a grout joint width less than 1/8 of an inch and is highly effective when used with polished natural stone products due to the narrow grout joints customarily preferred.

Yes, 98% of the time, but to ascertain, there are no surprises refer to manufacturer installation specifications for required openings and cut-out sizes.

It’s all a matter of taste. Simple designs are just as appealingly as the more elaborately detailed kitchens. Maintenance of the kitchen, functional use by family members, and budget are key considerations when planning the design.

Stainless steel is 100% non-porous and does not transmit bacteria. If located inside a dishwasher, it’s a better sound insulator than plastic.

There are differences in the formulation of the materials and their compositions. Some solid surfaces are 100% man-made, and some are blended with natural quartz and stones. Prices vary but are consistent and typically include installation. Once you select the countertop material that complements the design and style of your kitchen, also remember to ask about maintenance and warranty of the product.

Granite is the hardest material used in both commercial and residential applications, but I recommend always using a cutting board.

Although marble has a gorgeous look, I would only recommend marble on a kitchen countertop if it was used in a small quantity for rolling out the dough for baking. Marble is a very soft stone and stains easily. Better applications for marble would be walls, flooring, fireplace surrounds, or in bathrooms on shower/tub and vanities.

Choose the best color to paint your kitchen.

The most important type of paint to use is a good quality paint. If you foresee a need to scrub the walls, an eggshell paint should be used. A semi-gloss paint can be used but shows more imperfections in the walls than eggshell paint that will usually be sufficient for kitchen needs.

A non porous countertop like quartz is going to be most resistant to germs and bacteria.

An 18 gauge stainless steel sink is going to be the most durable. Cast iron sinks that seem very sturdy can chip.

Yes, but keep in mind that the drain is much smaller so it may not accommodate the kitchen’s waste water of a typical sink.

Yes. Granite can be permanently stained by cooking oils and grease, can be etched by the acids in such common household products as hairspray and other toiletries.

No. Granite countertops should be sealed, and hot pots will burn the protective sealer on the countertops. Though the quartz surface can briefly tolerate moderate temperatures for a brief time, it too can be damaged by high heat and prolonged exposure to heat. Use a hot pad or trivet when placing a hot pan on either surface.

Electric smoothtop cooktops are more energy efficient than gas

Yes. Certain manufacturers offer a stainless looking finish that does not show fingerprints. This finish is made of vinyl coated metal.

Kitchens that are all “beige” or all neutral can lack depth and character. Most buyers appreciate a well designed, color balanced kitchen with many different shades and textures. However, choosing strong colors like blue or red can be less desirable to some buyers.

Fingerprints and the oil in your hands can damage the protective finish on cabinets leaving a discolored sheen in the areas with heavy use.

Backsplashes are not just for decorative purposes. They also protect the walls from grease that can stain drywall and painted finishes.

No. Laminate is a strong material, but it can be cut with a knife. Knife cuts can go through the color layer, exposing the brown underlayment. These types of cuts cannot be repaired. Use cutting boards when cutting.

Do you have enough space? Are you happy with the traffic flow? Is your kitchen efficient? Are there children in the home? Are you happy with the current location and design of your kitchen?

Design that breaks the traditional mold and is accessible, flexible and adaptable to more people rather than an idealized, able bodied, non-elderly adult.

Before spending your hard earned money, consider that a professional knows all of the technical aspects that the average consumer doesn’t know.