Kitchen culture and granite worktops in Brighton

Kitchen design in the last 50 years or so has seen many innovations, including the (generally) welcomed arrival of high-tech appliances, smart synchronisation and contemporary fixtures. Kitchen culture has introduced a new and more relaxed life-style, with the food preparation area now becoming the hub of the home. With this is mind, when considering the requirements of a kitchen worktop in Brighton, Affordable Granite understand the importance of creating an area which is not only functional, but is also a place where friends and family look forward to spending time.

Influenced by the media, with programmes devoted to 'bake offs' and celebrity chef challenges, there has been an increased interest in home cooking, with foodies wanting to show off their own culinary skills. It makes sense that if you're going to take pride in food preparation (often with guests as an audience), you will also want to be proud of your kitchen.

'Granite' worktops in Brighton provide a solution to combining ambience with practicality and longevity, complementing the overall design scheme. 'Granite' is extremely compatible with both the more rustic appearance of wood or the modern sleek and shiny kitchen trends. In fact, within a contemporary design the addition of a natural 'outdoors' element blends well and adds to the charm.

'Granite' has an intricate beauty and is unique to the area where it was mined, the combination of minerals in its composition and how quickly the molten rock cooled beneath the Earth's surface. With a wide spectrum of colour the choice is vast. The highly experienced team at Affordable Granite in Brighton will help to narrow down the search, by discussing your life-style, aspirations and whether you want the natural stone worktops to be the focal point in the kitchen, or if you are looking for a more subtle environment. Not only will you want the choice to reflect your design scheme, it should also suit your daily kitchen needs.

Unbiased professional advice and recommendations are invaluable, but the ultimate decision is yours alone. On the journey from quarry to kitchen, you are in the driving seat.  For more information call Affordable Granite today on 01293 863992

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Choosing the right quartz worktop in Haywards Heath

Once you've decided to install a quartz worktop, how can you be confident that you have made the right choice? The experienced team at AffordableGranite in Haywards Heath can guide you through your options and explain the advantages of using ‘quartz’ over 'granite', according to your budget and life-style.

What is the difference between the two substances is probably the most frequently asked question we are asked.  Commercially, what is recognised as 'granite' is a combination of a variety of stones which have been mined from deep within the earth and is a hard and always natural rock.

'Granite' slabs which are dark or black in colour are mainly igneous rocks and have a lower porosity, resulting in minimum staining. With the darker shades should any stains penetrate the surface, they are less likely to be easily visible. The lighter tones of 'granite' are generally a fusion of sands, gravel and other minerals with a lower density and are therefore more susceptible to stains from spillages and more conspicuous. For this reason, customers are always advised to ensure the sealant is maintained.

So that brings us the benefitsof choosing quartz for your kitchen work surfaces and what you should consider. Quartz is an 'engineered' stone and even though it has the appearance of natural stone, unlike 'granite' it is man-made, has a higher tensile strength and with the resin base has the advantage of being completely non-porous. This means that any surface stains should be easily removed without seeping into the stone. When you are making your choice, consider perhaps that if you have children in the home, or a somewhat chaotic style of cooking, installing a quartz work top in the kitchen may well be beneficial.

There is also a wide selection of stunning colours in our quartzworktops range to complement any kitchen colour-scheme, all of the highest quality supported by an exceptional service.

For more information please call us on 01293 863992

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The benefits of granite kitchen worktops in Haywards Heath

If you have previously dismissed the option of choosing granite for your kitchen worktops in the belief that the cost will be outside of your budget, you may like to consider the highest quality and economically priced granite worktops available in Haywards Heath from Affordable Granite. Quality is never sacrificed for price and by purchasing in bulk through well-trusted and reliable wholesalers and holding warehouse stock here in the UK the cost-saving benefits can be passed directly on to customers. As an additional bonus, having access to our vast in-house stock of granite, delivery and installation can generally be completed within a few days.

 

Why choose granite?

Apart from the aesthetic benefits of bringing an eco-friendly element of nature into your home,  graniteworktops are also extremely functional with unsurpassed longevity, making them a justifiable investment. Hygiene in the kitchen is of paramount importance and the smooth pre-sealed surface is non-porous, resistant to dirt and bacteria and much easier to maintain cleanliness than alternative worktop materials such as laminates. A care kit is recommended for regular treatment and can be provided at a minimal cost, ensuring the beauty and luminosity will remain year after year.

Creating an ambience

When creating an ambient mood scheme in the kitchen, the extensive selection of hues, patterns and depths of colour available in granitekitchen work surfaces provide an opportunity to complement the overall décor. Each slab of granite is unique to the minerals and the specific area from which this igneous rock was mined. A visit to the Affordable Granite showroom will enable you to select the perfect match to enhance the mood of your kitchen, from one of the widest selections of granite in colour and texture to be found in the UK.

Quality assured

The natural and timeless beauty of granite calls for the highest quality of craftsmanship and customer care. As a long-established family business, specialist templaters, time-served experienced stonemasons and a conscientious installation team, all ensure customer satisfaction for our Haywards Heath customers throughout the whole experience.  

For more information about Granite Kitchen Worktops in Haywards Heath call Affordable Granite on 01293 863992

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Your Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Granite Kitchen Worktops

If you’ve invested in a quality granite kitchen worktop that’s adding beauty and convenience to your kitchen, it’s important to keep it clean and tidy to do it justice. We bring you some simple yet effective tips to maintain your granite kitchen worktops in pristine condition.

Everyday Cleaning

In order to keep your granite kitchen worktop bacteria free, you need to clean it regularly, not just after preparing food. Do you keep your shopping bags, children’s school bags or handbags on the worktop when you arrive home? If so your worktop might get contaminated with harmful bacteria even when you’re not cooking. Use a soft microfibre cloth and hot soapy water to wipe down the granite top every day. You can also choose a pH-balanced product that’s specially formulated for granite kitchen worktops to keep them clean and looking like new.

Preventing and Removing Stains

If your kitchen worktops are made of light coloured stone, you need to take extra care to avoid staining. Try to avoid spillage of any chemicals or corrosive substances and remember that metal objects can sometimes scratch the polished surfaces. The easiest way to avoid stains is to clean your tops immediately with a paper towel and water. The longer spills stay on the surface; the more chances there is of staining.

Avoiding Heat Damage & Scratches

Though granite is durable and highly scratch resistant, it is best to use a cutting board. If you constantly cut vegetables on the worktop without a board, it can damage both, your knives and your worktop. Granite is also heat-resistant, but you should consider using special trivets when you’re placing kitchenware straight from the oven or cooktop on the granite. This will prevent potential damage to your beautiful granite worktop.

Long-term Maintenance

Normally, all granite kitchen worktops are processed with a special sealant to maintain their look and avoid the absorption of dirt or liquids into the worktop. It is however recommended that you re-treat your granite every 1-2 years to maintain its natural shine and perfect look. For darker colours, a 2-year interval is sufficient but lighter colours might need a re-treatment every year.

Following regular cleaning and maintenance will keep your kitchen top looking pristine and perfect for a long time!

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Are you Making these 5 Mistakes When Choosing Granite Worktops?

Every piece of granite that you choose for your kitchen will add to its aesthetic appeal and also to the resale value of your home. If you’re in the market for a new granite worktop, you might get overwhelmed with the variety and the options available. In order to make sure you buy the ideal one for your home, avoid these 5 mistakes:

1. Choosing the Wrong Thickness

Before you buy, check the installation of different thicknesses and select one that matches your kitchen and your sink requirements. If you buy a granite worktop with varying thickness, it might cause a lot of installation issues.

2. Opting for The Wrong Colour

Darker granite colours will stain less than lighter colours. If you’re installing the granite in an area that won’t have too much interaction with foods or liquids, you can opt for a lighter colour with a complex pattern. If you anticipate a lot of spillages or want will be using it in an area that might have a high moisture level or increased risk of spillage going for a darker colour with a minimum pattern would be a safer bet.

3. Getting Too Many Seams

When buying granite worktops, look for a product with minimum seams. You can discuss this with your granite retailer before you finalise your purchase. Too many seams in your kitchen can reduce its aesthetic appeal.

4. A Mismatch in Your Kitchen

If your kitchen is already designed, choose a countertop that matches the cabinet styles. For example, flat edges or bevelled tops look great with modern cabinets. If your cabinets are traditionally styled, a bull nose edge might be a better option for you. If you have small children in the house, it’s best to opt for rounded bottom edges as kids are at risk for bumping their heads on the edges.

5. Choosing the Wrong Mounting for Your Sinks

If you opt for a top-mounted kitchen sink, these can attract a lot of bacteria around the edges and can be difficult to keep spotlessly clean. By way of contrast, when you opt for an under mounted sink i.e. the kitchen sink is either inside or below the granite worktop, it will elevate your kitchen’s look and also keep it clean and tidy.

Keeping these points in mind will help you choose a durable and functional worktop that will not just look beautiful, but also serve its purpose for years to come!

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Choosing Quartz Worktops- Things You Should Know

If you are looking for a hard-wearing and attractive material for kitchen worktops, quartz is probably one of the best options available. According to Affordable Granite, a specialist Quartz Company, the surface of quartz is durable and stylish and it can add glamour and style to your kitchen. Here are few things you should know about quartz worktops.

How is quartz made?

You might be surprised to see the description “man-made” on some quartz kitchen worktops, given how much like a natural stone they can look. In fact, all ‘quartz worktops’ are made of a processed stone: quartz, glass, metal, even mirror are blended with 7% resins and dyes to achieve what can be a natural effect. You can find a huge variety of colour in quartz due to this chemical processing, making it suitable for any kitchen décor. The surface of quartz stone is hard and non-porous in nature.

What are the customisation options in quartz kitchen tops?

Since quartz is a manmade stone which involves mixing of materials, it provides countless customisation options in terms of colour, texture and pattern. For example, you can mix small pieces of metals or flecks of glass in the final mix to get a translucent or glittering effect on your quartz kitchen worktop.

Is quartz environmentally friendly?

Many quartz worktops are made using recycled materials, and byproducts of other aspects of the stone industry. The materials and manufacturing process used in the making of quartz is also intrinsically low in carbon emissions. Transport is generally by container, always by sea freight, which is highly efficient compared to other transport modes. 

How can I maintain my quartz kitchen tops?

Quartz worktops need less maintenance than light-coloured natural stone (granite), and it would not be wrong to say they are very close to being maintenance free. Simple cleaning with a wet cloth followed by buffing with a dry cloth is normally enough. More stubborn or dried on dirt or staining can be attacked with normal kitchen detergent. For the most stubborn marks, we would recommend Cif or similar, and we have not had a stain on quartz yet that hasn’t responded to this treatment. You should avoid using hard or abrasive chemicals for cleaning as they can damage the surface of a quartz countertop.

Quartz is a human-engineered stone which contains resins; it is not heat-resistant above 180°C. Therefore, you should avoid placing hot pans or pots directly on the surface of quartz worktops. The resins used in manufacturing are not indestructible and you need to be careful when putting hot utensils on quartz worktops.

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Why granite worktops are right for your kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in your home, and it certainly deserves time and money spent on it. According to Affordable Granite, a specialist granite company, if you are planning to give your kitchen a facelift, granite worktops are one of the best options

Here are a few reasons for installing granite worktops in your new kitchen.

Elegant and attractive

According to Affordable Granite, there are few stones that are as elegant and attractive as granite. Each slab of granite is unique and the colour and the texture of the stone mainly depends on the region it comes from. You will find a large range of hues and a wide variety of colours and designs in granite. No matter what your kitchen theme is you will find a perfect match for your kitchen update project. Granite worktops are extremely pleasing to the eye and can raise the overall value of your home.

Easy to clean

The kitchen by definition can be one of the messiest places in your home, there are likely to be water spills, grease and food leftovers are also a common thing.  Affordable Granite recommends granite for kitchen worktops and countertops as they are so easy to clean. Many natural stones which are sold as industrial granite are non-porous in nature, which means that any microbes, bacteria and germs will not be able to find any hiding place in your granite kitchen worktop. You can always spray disinfectant on the worktop to kill germs and keep your family safe. If the kitchen worktop gets dirty, you can easily clean it with mild soap and a damp cloth and the kitchen will be sparkling clean again.

Long lasting

Granite is sturdy and is likely to outlast any material (synthetic or natural) used in kitchen worktops. What is sold as industrial granite covers a wide variety of rocks of varying properties. The darker stones for kitchen worktops tend to igneous rocks, formed due by the solidification of magma. Other rocks used ibn the industry may be metamorphic schists – sandstones that have been heated and compressed under the earth’s surface until all the particles fuse together into a hard and often brilliantly patterned rock.  Granite worktops are resistant to scratches and they do not get chipped, cracked, or damaged.

Perfect for kitchen conditions

Granite worktops are considered perfect for the kitchen as they are resistant to heat and the surface of the kitchen top should not get marked by hot pots, pans or utensils placed directly on the surface. Affordable Granite would still recommend the use of a trivet for pans straight out of a really hot oven, though.

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