Should your flooring match your kitchen or countertops?

Throughout the past year, many people have begun reinvesting in their homes and renovating them as a way to breathe new life into their space. One of the main areas of the home that has seen an uptick in renovations is the kitchen.
Homeowners across the country have been working to change many different aspects of their kitchen, including countertops, flooring, cabinets, and more. While the renovation process itself can be fun and exciting, many homeowners find themselves stumped on the design process.

A common question that has been asked lately is whether countertops need to match the floor or backsplash. While aesthetics vary from kitchen to kitchen, here are a few things to keep in mind when renovating your space:

1. If you have ceramic, porcelain, or vinyl tile for your kitchen floor, you should look for granite with a slight contrast when selecting your countertop. Attempting to match the granite countertop to the floor can cause the space to feel busy and overwhelming. This means you should aim to pick a tone in the flooring material and find a tone in granite that highlights it
2. When shopping for new kitchen countertops, bring flooring and color samples with you to make the process smoother. This will help ensure that the countertop you select will create a beautiful contrast with your existing kitchen aesthetic.
3. Always aim to complement your wood cabinets. Typically, selecting a granite countertop that contrasts against your cabinet color works best. This means that for light wood cabinets, you should aim for a dark or black granite countertop, and for dark wood cabinets, you should look for a gold-toned or neutral-colored granite. When done correctly, your cabinets and granite countertops will complement each other nicely to make your kitchen feel bigger and more inviting.

How to Keep Your Granite Clean & Beautiful for Years to Come

Keep your granite looking beautiful with everyday cleaning to remove dirt, grime, dust, and food that may have settled on the countertops. You can do this by using a dry or wet microfiber cloth to dust off or clean the surface. When there are spills, we suggest you use some dishwashing soap to clean the surface and then dry it with a soft cloth.

Sealing Granite Countertops

Many people are cautious about getting granite countertops because they believe they are more upkeep than quartz. Granite countertops are known to be more porous than quartz countertops. Although this may be true, granite is unique and no one stone is the same as another. In order to see if you need to seal your granite – perform this simple water test.

1. Pour a bit of water on the counter.
2. Note the time that you placed the water on the counter and see how long it takes for the granite to darken

Depending on the time it takes to absorb will tell you how many times or if the sealant is needed.o

• Immediate absorption:  Apply a couple of layers of sealer annually and wipe spills quickly.
• 4-5 minutes: Multiple layers of sealer needed, but only redo every 3-5 years. Use this water test again before reapplying.
• 10 minutes: Apply a single layer of sealer; may be many years before re-application is needed
• 30 minutes (or doesn’t absorb): No need for a sealer

For more information on the best kitchen and bathroom countertops for your home or business contact NEKA, today to get a consultation and to schedule an appointment to visit our warehouse.

Whether you’re updating your kitchen to increase your home’s resell value or just decided it’s time for a style upgrade, choosing the right material for your new kitchen countertops can be a seriously daunting process. Before getting overwhelmed by everyone’s opinions, take a few minutes to consider what your priorities are. Do you want to up the resell value of your home? Are you looking to make sure your countertops are as durable as possible? Should you prioritize low cost of materials and installation? Do you want to ensure that you end up with something completely unique? Once you know what your priorities are and what you can compromise on, you’ll be able to choose a kitchen countertop material that perfectly suits your needs.

Overview of Marble, Granite, and Quartz Countertops

1. Marble Countertops

Marble countertops will give your kitchen an air of luxury, sophistication, and elegance. Marble is a gorgeous natural material that looks high-end and can elevate any kitchen. However, it can be a little more susceptible to scratches and stains than other materials, because it’s relatively soft. But if you clean and maintain your marble countertops properly, they should stay in great condition for many years. Marble comes in a variety of shades and can be purchased in slabs or tiles depending on your needs and tastes.

2. Granite Countertops

Granite is one of the most popular materials for kitchen countertops. Granite is a natural stone that comes in a ton of colors ranging from bold pink, red, yellow, and green to neutral white, grey, black, and tan. Each cut of granite is completely unique, so your granite countertops won’t look like anyone else’s. You may need to re-stain your granite annually to keep it stain resistant, but it’s such a hard material that not even the sharpest knives will be able to scratch or damage it. Granite countertops are also a must-have for a lot of home buyers, so if you’re looking to sell, granite may be the perfect option.

3. Quartz Countertops

Quartz is an engineered stone material that is a blend of different stone chips, pigments, and resins. Quartz is perfect for the areas of your kitchen that get a ton of use. Quartz countertops will survive spills, knife scratches, and hot pots and pans without sustaining any damage. Quartz countertops come in vibrant styles and colors that mimic the look of natural stone but typically have a more consistent pattern. With quartz countertops, you can be confident that your countertops will always look clean and flawless.

As long as you consider all your options and make an informed decision, you’re bound to love your new kitchen countertops. Your entire kitchen will look like a completely new place with beautiful new countertops.

Investing time and money in creating a beautiful, functional kitchen is one of the best things you can do to increase your home’s value. Home buyers often list a high-quality kitchen as one of their must-haves, and studies have shown that kitchen remodeling has one of the highest returns on investment of any home improvement project. When it comes time to choose your kitchen countertops, granite is a no-brainer. Granite countertops are durable, beautiful, and timeless.

However, if you’re not an expert, choosing the perfect granite countertops for your kitchen can be an overwhelming process. There are so many things to consider; where do you even start? These three tips will help you feel confident that you’re choosing granite countertops that you’ll love for years to come.

1. Consider Color Carefully

You might think that your options are limited to black and white, but granite actually comes in a wide variety of hues. Red granite countertops can bring warmth and energy to your kitchen, and you can find it in shades from light rose to deep burgundy. Green granite comes in beautiful earthy tones and can help create a calm, relaxed atmosphere. If you want to stick with something more classic, go with the traditional white or black granite countertops. Black countertops will make your kitchen look elegant and elevated and are great for kitchens that have a lot of natural light coming in. White granite is also a timeless choice, and it will create a modern, contemporary look in your kitchen, especially if you pair it with all white cabinets and chrome appliances. You could even use two colors of granite if you want to get creative – one for the island, and one for the countertops under your cabinets. This combination of colors can create a beautiful contrast and make both colors really pop.

2. Think about it in Context

When choosing your granite countertops, don’t forget to think about how they will fit into the overall design of your kitchen. Consider the color of your kitchen cabinets, walls, floors, and appliances. Then, pick granite that will either match those elements or stand out as a focal point. You should also think about the lighting in your kitchen. If you don’t have a lot of natural light, you may want to shy away from dark colors and go for something lighter and brighter instead.

3. Do Your Research

One of the most important things to think about when choosing granite countertops is the company you’re working with. Do your research and read reviews online before committing to a specific company or retailer. Neka has been in the granite countertop business for almost 30 years, and their goal is to make sure every single customer loves their new granite countertops. They carry a wide range of colors and styles, all of which you can check out for yourself in their showroom. Neka is a full-service company, so you can buy your granite, and have it installed – all from one company. Granite countertops are an investment, and Neka puts in the work to make sure you’re completely satisfied with the end result and love your new countertops for years to come.

Introducing Our Newest Product

Ultra-Thin Stone Panels is the newest innovation in the stone world!  This stone is only 1/3 the size of solid stone, but is 10x as durable. Because it’s so lightweight, it’s easier to handle and deliver–saving you time on installation.  Ultra-Thin Stone Panels is perfect for those wanting to incorporate the growing trend of seamless, full stone shower walls, backsplashes, countertops, fireplaces, and floors into their homes and businesses.  

Benefits of the Ultra-Thin Stone Panels include:

• Easier handling and faster installation
• Better adhesion
• Ideal for full wall backsplashes
• Easier to cut compared to 2 & 3 cm slabs
• No warping or cupping
• Greater heat resistance

When it comes to kitchen design and decoration, the countertop is often the focal point of the entire space. In addition to being the most noticeable aesthetic choice, your countertops are also the most used area in your kitchen, providing the space where most tasks will be completed.

With so many options available for your countertop, it can be difficult to decide what the best look for your kitchen is. We’ve collected some of the biggest trends in granite countertops for 2017 to help you get inspired for your kitchen remodel.

A Thinner Profile

Modern décor is all about low profile design, which has led to an increase in demand for thinner countertops. Countertop thickness has shifted from 3/4 inch – 1 ¼ inch thickness, to a slimmer, more contemporary ½ inch on average.

As sleek design becomes more popular in the kitchen, and throughout the home this shift towards thinner countertops is unsurprising. Low profile countertops can dramatically improve the perceived space of your kitchen, so if you’ve got a smaller kitchen, slim countertops could be an excellent choice.

Integrated Sink

To add to the slim, low-profile design of a thinner countertop, integrated sinks are all the rage. Putting the sink into the countertop removes any extra height that would normally come from the sink, giving you a single plane for a sleek minimal design.

In addition to being incredibly stylish, the integrated sink serves a utilitarian purpose as well.  Since there is no lip on the sink, you can wipe any little leftovers from preparation straight into the sink for easy clean up. It also eliminates any dirty water and gunk building up around your sink, a common issue with a normal sink.

Tiled Backsplash Replaces Matching Stone

In the past, most homeowners would opt for a backsplash that consisted of a 4 inch high piece of stone that matched the countertop, matched with paint or tile above. Recently the trend has been to leave out the piece of stone opting for decorative tiles all the way down to the countertop.

While countertops have been moving towards a lower profile look, the backsplash has become the new venue for bold colors or interesting patterns. Many homeowners these days are choosing to take their backsplash all the way up to the ceiling, rather than stopping at the wall cabinetry. This creates something akin to an accent wall, creating a powerful visual focal point.

Neutral Countertops Are In

Over the past few years, we’ve seen a rise in the popularity of more neutral colors for countertops. As backsplashes, appliances, and paint colors become many homeowners’ choice for a pop of color, brightly colored countertops have become less popular.

This is unsurprising given that sleeker, more minimal design has started to dominate kitchen décor. White, softer grey, and beige tones are much more popular than heavy black or bright blue countertops.

There is also a shift currently towards kitchens with natural lighting, with skylights and large glass doors becoming more and more popular in modern kitchens.  When paired with a lighter tone of granite or quartz, it expands your kitchen’s perceived space and creates an ultra-modern feel.

Quartz Stays On Top

Over the last several years, there has been a shift towards quartz countertops over traditional granite or marble countertops. For many years granite dominated the countertop market because it’s strong, durable, and aesthetically pleasing. Unfortunately, it is also porous, making it easy to stain. On top of staining, the porous nature of granite can harbor bacteria.

The downsides of granite can be avoided by sealing your countertop with a non-porous sealant, but this requires resealing annually, as the sealant wears off with time and use.

Quartz is completely non-porous and requires no extra effort like resealing. It is also incredibly resistant to staining and one of the most hygienic options for a kitchen or bathroom countertop. Quartz is also fabricated to be incredibly strong, making it one of the more durable options for homeowners.

It’s easy to see why quartz has become the stone of choice for many homeowners when it comes to choosing a new countertop. Since it’s available in a wide variety of different color and pattern options, there’s virtually no drawback to choosing quartz over granite.

Keep these kitchen trends in mind when looking for your new countertop, and always remember if you’re having trouble deciding what would look best in your kitchen, talk to any member of the staff here at NEKA Granite Marble Quartz. We’re happy to help you design your dream kitchen and find the perfect stone for you.

Granite countertops are elegant and beautiful, but they aren’t the only way to utilize the magnificent stones found at NEKA Granite Marble Quartz. There are a wide variety of ways that you can incorporate granite or marble into your home or business. Whether it’s in the form of a walkway, wall covering, or fireplace mantle, our stones can add a touch of class to any room.

Let’s take a look at a few uses for stone that go beyond your basic countertop:

Granite Slab Walls

One of the most popular ways to use granite is mounting it on a wall, or several walls, to create a glossy accent wall. With our huge selection of granite and other high-quality stones, you’re sure to find a perfect color or pattern to match any room, whether it’s the lobby of your office building, or a section of your kitchen.

Apply one of our various stone finishes to create the perfect aesthetic for your new accent wall. If the glossy polished look is too much shine, you can go for a matte look. You could even get a more specialty finish, leathered for instance, to create an interesting texture on your wall that will accentuate the stone even more.

To mount granite on the wall, we cut the slab into thin pieces that aren’t too heavy for the wall to support and affix them with specialized epoxy. Once everything is safely in place and the epoxy has dried and hardened, we do a quick polish to make sure everything is looking its very best.

Hearth and Chimney

A polished granite fireplace makes for an elegant touch in any living room. Polished black granite creates a clean and stylish aesthetic, and looks great with a roaring fire. Granite is also much easier to keep clean if you have a traditional wood fireplace. A smooth finish makes it significantly easier to wipe up soot and other mess that would be difficult to clean off of bricks or other rough surfaces.

Outdoor Walkway or Patio

In addition to creating beautiful stone additions to the interior of your home, our stone can also be used to create walkways to your door or through a garden, or even to pave a whole patio area. By using a flamed finish on the stone, we can create a rough texture to keep them from becoming slippery.

With a custom stone patio, you can choose a vibrant color or pattern of stone that will create a beautiful outdoor seating area unlike anything you’ve seen before. In addition to wowing your guests, a custom stone patio can also significantly raise the property value of your home.

Stone Benches

Custom benches are another great use for our stone products. A custom stone bench can serve as comfortable seating, as well as an elegant decoration for your garden, patio, or front porch. They can also be a classy addition to an office lobby, or be used to raise your curb appeal by placing them out in front of your business.

We can even use our specialized engraving and sandblasting processes to put custom text or images on your benches.

With our wide selection of beautiful stones, the possibilities truly are endless. If you have a project that you’re considering, but aren’t sure about how to make it work, give us a call and we can try to figure out the best way to make your dreams a reality. Feel free to look through our gallery for inspiration or come visit our showroom to find the perfect slab of granite, marble, or quartz for your home or business.

Granite countertops have become the new standard for any modern kitchen design or renovation, and with so many benefits it’s easy to see why more homeowners are choosing to update their kitchens with granite.

Countertops are an important factor to consider during any kitchen remodel or renovation. Since your countertops are going to be the majority of your functional space for cooking and preparation, you want to make sure you’re getting a surface that will remain useful for decades to come. In addition to utility, you also want to make sure that your new countertops are a beautiful focal point for your kitchen, since they will make up a large part of the visible space as well.

Granite countertops offer numerous benefits in the kitchen, here are some of our favorites:

Incredible Durability:

Granite is one of the toughest materials you can get when it comes to countertops, and when taken care of properly can last for a very long time. Granite’s durability doesn’t just ensure the longevity of your countertops, it also allows you to use them differently than you would a laminate, wood, or even metal countertop.

With granite countertops, you can place hot dishes, pots, pans, and utensils directly on the stone without risk of melting or damaging your counters. You’ll want to be careful to avoid sliding heavy pots and pans around on the surface to keep from scratching the finish, but you won’t need to worry about trivets or hot pads!

With proper care, your granite countertops should be resistant to scratches, dents, cracks, and nicks for years to come.

Easy Maintenance:

One of the best features of granite is the fact that it requires very little maintenance on your part. The main task involved with keeping your granite looking great is remembering to apply a fresh coat of sealant each year.

Applying sealant to your countertops retains their shine and makes them far more resistant to stains. Since granite is a porous material, if spills are left sitting on your counter, they can sink into the pores and become embedded in the counter. When this happens it’s nearly impossible to get that stain back out.

Sealing your countertops creates a barrier between the bare stone and the spill, giving you more time to clean up any messes before they become a permanent addition to your home.

Distinct Style:

The granite we use to create custom countertops is formed naturally in the earth’s crust, which means that no two slabs are alike! Each granite countertop we make is completely unique, even ones that are made with the same style of granite. The natural striations and distribution of colors in each slab make for a different individual look with each different piece of stone.

This is why it’s always important to make sure you look at the exact slab that will be used in your kitchen to make sure you like the unique pattern that you’ll be getting.

These are just a few of the many benefits of having granite countertops installed in your home. The addition of beautiful natural stone can turn any kitchen renovation into a classy upgrade that will increase the property value of your home.

When it comes to different styles, colors, finishes, and custom shapes and sizes, NEKA Granite Marble Quartz is the best choice in Northern VA. Come visit our showroom to see our wide selection of granite and talk with an associate about what kind of granite would look best in your home.

People have been using natural stone as a building material since the dawn of human history. Once used to erect massive temples, tombs, and monuments, it has become the material of choice for homeowners who want a unique touch of natural beauty in their home.

How is Granite Formed?

Natural granite comes in a stunning array of different colors and patterns, making it adaptable to any sort of style or design aesthetic. Granite is an igneous rock, which means it is formed when molten rock cools and solidifies. The colors we see in various granite slabs are a result of different minerals mixing in with the granite when it is still in its molten state.  As this mixture of minerals solidifies, different mineral densities and veins form the beautiful striations and patterns that are so highly sought after in today’s granite market. 

Where Does Granite Come From?

The granite slabs at NEKA Granite Marble Quartz have quite the journey before they reach our showroom. Granite, Marble, and other types of natural stone, are mined in huge quarries all over the world. The majority of natural stone is imported from Brazil, Italy, Spain, and China. Brazil is known for its granite quarries, while Italy produces a majority of marble and onyx.

The process of mining natural stone starts by cutting a large block of the desired material out of the quarry, making sure that it is solid throughout, without any cracks, fissures, or other imperfections. Even the slightest imperfections can cause problems down the road when the stone is cut into slabs and used for construction.

Detail of huge Thassos white marble quarry (mine) with grabber

Once the block has been removed, it is cut into slabs with gang saws. This cutting process can take up to 48 hours to complete. Once the slabs have been cut, they need to be covered with resin and cured in an oven. This resin coating fills any minor fissures or imperfections and seals the stone to make it ready for polishing or one of our other finish options.

After the slabs have been sealed and cured, they are shipped out to distributors like NEKA. When the slabs reach our warehouse, we inspect each one to make sure it is free of imperfections, we may do a quick polish and buff to make them really shine, and finally we photograph each slab to make it easy to show you all of the options when you come in to purchase a new countertop.

How Do We Turn Slabs into Finished Products?

Granite’s journey from quarry to countertop still has a few more steps after it reaches our warehouse as a slab. Obviously, each slab must be cut down to size for the project it is being used for, and in most cases refinished before sending it out for installation.

To cut our slabs down to size we use our specialized CNC (or Computer Numerical Control) routers and saws to make sure the slab is cut down to exact specifications. We utilize our CNC routers to add any special details to your countertop like a hole for a sink or other fixtures.

Once the slab is cut down to size, we use our automated multi-head edge processors to put your chosen edge on your new countertop with mechanical precision.

Finally, we apply your chosen finish to the stone to achieve the exact style you’re looking for. We have a wide variety of exclusive finishes that can help you personalize the look of your new countertop and fit it into your overall design scheme for your home.

After all that processing, your new granite countertop is ready for installation. Our highly trained crew of installation professionals make quick work of removing your old countertop and replacing it with your brand new granite countertop from NEKA Granite Marble Quartz.

Granite countertops are a remarkable feat of human ingenuity when you take the time to look at the whole process involved in their creation. It’s pretty incredible to think that your new countertop was once underground halfway around the world, and here at NEKA we are proud to bring you these high quality building materials from across the globe.

Click here to see more about our fabrication techniques and be sure to check out our gallery of fabrication photos to see the various types of equipment that go into manufacturing our quality stone products.