Countertops

How to Choose the Best Backsplash to Complement Your Counters

February 21, 2020 by iccfloors Leave a Comment

Backsplashes are very useful and decorative ways to cover and protect your walls. In the kitchen, they are used to prevent food from staining or splashing against your walls. And while being functional, backsplashes are made from various stylish tile options that can easily become the focal point in any kitchen. Therefore, when searching for the perfect backsplash, there are several avenues to explore. To help, here are just three simple ways to decide which backsplash is best for your kitchen:

Matchy, Matchy

First, determine what your room’s overall design theme is. Would a matching backsplash and countertop help complement the design? For instance, some homeowners love to pair marble backsplashes with marble countertops. You can also try to stick to the same color countertop to match the same color backsplash for a uniform look. This simple but effective way will help blend your design and create an effortless look.

All About the Accent

You can also use your backsplash as an accent opportunity. Are you looking to add some color or character to the room? If so, using mosaic tiles are a great decorative way to add some color to your kitchen design. In fact, mosaic tiles can help add repetitive patterns and artistic flair to the room. If you choose not to make your room feel monochromatic, consider using your backsplash as an accent opportunity. Find a color that you want to introduce into the room. You can continue to pay tribute to this color throughout other accents in the room; however, note that the backsplash will be the defining moment.

A Safe Bet

Your last option could be selecting a neutral color backsplash. If you love your cabinets and countertops, do not take from the statement that they make. However, if everything feels too powerful in a design, it can begin to feel chaotic and busy. A safe option is to simply get a neutral colored backsplash.

Finishing Touch

Another way to allow your countertops to complement your backsplash is by matching the finishes. For instance, does your countertop have a high sheen or matte finish? If so, allow your design to work with each other by complementing both finishes. This concept is an excellent way to add texture to your room’s design while complementing the overall design.

These are just some simple ways to help match your backsplash with your countertops. However, do not be overwhelmed in the decision. Explore different tile options and bring them home to see next to your countertops. You may be pleasantly surprised by an unsuspecting tile choice.

Best Countertops for Homeowners Who Love to Cook

December 6, 2019 by iccfloors Leave a Comment

While most homeowners realize that buying countertops is an investment, they can often base their decision on looks rather than their lifestyle. However, it is important to understand the characteristics of each countertop and choose a product that aligns with your needs. Where quartz may be superior in one aspect, granite may fall short in another area. Grasping the countertops as a whole and basing your decision off of your lifestyle is crucial.

That being said, we are talking about countertops. Countertops, typically, go in two areas of the home: the kitchen and bathroom. When determining the right countertop option for your kitchen, you will want to take into consideration how often you cook, what you cook, and if you are entertaining. These factors can help you make the right choice. But at ICC Home, we are all about making your decisions easy. That is why we have chosen two countertop choices for homeowners who love to cook. Enjoy!

Granite

Granite countertops are loved for their distinct, unmatched beauty and superior durability. Although they come with some needed maintenance, overall, you will find that granite countertops can help you channel your inner chef and prepare a delectable meal. For instance, they are not easily scratched, which can be helpful when cooking large meals with heavy pots and pans. Additionally, granite is heat-resistant, letting you set hot items out on your countertops. Lastly, when granite is sealed, it will create a less porous landscape for food particles and liquids to penetrate, helping you to remove messes easily.

When it comes to maintenance, granite countertops are quite easy to clean. You will want to take a damp, soft cloth and clean your countertops regularly. Additionally, you will want to avoid letting wet items sit on your countertops for extended periods of time. And although granite countertops can be scratch-resistant, it is always best to use a cutting board.

Quartz

Quartz is another well-loved countertop choice. Quartz is composed of natural quartz crystals, making one of the most beautiful and durable countertop selections for your home. Plus, its beauty is matched by its durability, making it a great choice for homeowners who love to cook. In fact, quartz countertops are scratch-, stain-, and heat-resistant, which provides the chef with ease will cooking. While it is heat-resistant, extremely high temperatures can burn the material, so be sure to use caution.

When it comes to maintenance, quartz countertops are one of the easiest countertop products to maintain. Unlike its counterparts, quartz does not need any sealers. In fact, you do not need to seal your countertops each year since they are non-porous. Instead, you will merely need clear dish soap and a damp, soft rag to clean it.

Are you between quartz and granite countertops? If so, one of our expert sales associates would love to help you make the final decision. Please do not hesitate to call or visit us with any questions.

Countertop Care & Maintenance

November 8, 2019 by iccfloors Leave a Comment

Countertops, whether inside of the kitchen or bathroom, are not only great for functional purposes, but they also add a beautiful design element. To help your kitchen countertops stay beautiful, it is important to keep up on a regular care and maintenance routine. That being said, countertops and their characteristics can differ, so it is important to understand your countertop’s needs. Today, we are going to take a look at ICC Home’s countertop selection, and let you know how to care for them properly. Let’s get started!

Ceramic Tile

Fortunately, ceramic tile is a low-maintenance countertop solution. On a daily basis, you will want to take a sponge or a soft washcloth and wipe down your countertops and backsplash. With a manufacturer-recommended cleaner, you will want to clean the tile and grout.

When deep cleaning, you will want to consult with your manufacturer to guarantee you are using approved products. After using an approved cleaner (i.e., one to remove soap scum, hard water deposits, and mildew stains), you will want to wipe down and rinse off any leftover product thoroughly.

Things to Remember:

You will want to clean spills right away, so your tile and its grout do not become stained.
Never use abrasive cleaners or steel wool since they can scratch the surface.
Always use a cutting board.
Do not sit or stand on your ceramic tile countertops.
You can use a soft brush when deep cleaning your countertops.

Laminate

With the way that it is made, the color and/or patterns you see on your laminate countertops are not consistent through the entire product, which means scratching can occur. Homeowners will want to avoid any scratches on their laminate counters because the scratches cannot be repaired. Additionally, laminate is a non-porous material; however, its seams are not non-porous. It is important to clean the seams to eliminate bacteria growth. To clean your laminate countertops, simply take soap and water with a clean sponge or washcloth. Afterward, be sure to completely dry the seams as well as your counters.

Things to Remember:

Never use abrasive cleaners on your laminate countertops.
Normal wear and tear are normal on laminate counters; however, heat will cause damage. Always use a trivet with hot pans.
Avoid acidic or vinegar cleaners.
Always use a cutting board.

Slab Stone

To clean your slab stone countertops, we recommend going with a manufacturer-approved cleaner, specifically made for their stone countertops. If you are unable to get the approved cleaner, you can use a neutral pH dish soap or pure, dye-free soap for daily cleaning. When cleaning, be sure to rinse the countertops thoroughly and buff them dry with a clean, soft cloth.

Things to Remember:

Each natural stone is a different level of porous; therefore, it may be wise to seal your countertops annually.
Sealing also helps slow down the staining process.
Too much cleaner or soap on your countertops can leave a film or even streaks.
Never use products that contain vinegar, abrasives, or any ammonia-based cleaners.
Do not use retail grout cleaners or bathroom cleaners on your stone countertops.
Avoid acidic foods on your countertops since they can change the color of your stone countertops. Avoid oil-based products since they can stain your countertops.

Solid Surface

Solid surface countertops are loved for their low-maintenance properties, as well as their ability to be resurfaced. For everyday cleaning, simply take soap and water or an ammonia-based cleaner. For deep cleaning, you can use a damp washcloth with a household detergent. To remove more stubborn stains, you can use fine sandpaper to resurface your countertops. Just be sure to reference your manufacturer’s guide for the correct sanding process.

Things to Remember:

Always use a cutting board.
Be sure to use a trivet for hot pots and pans.
Never use nail polish remover, oven cleaner, drain cleaners, lacquer thinner or paint removers on your countertops since they will stain or discolor the surface.

Quartz

Quartz is one of the most beautiful countertop solutions and is practically maintenance-free. Fortunately, there is no sealing, buffing, polishing, or reconditioning required with quartz. For daily cleaning, all you need is soap and water.

Things to Remember:

Quartz countertops are non-porous; therefore, they do not need to be sealed in order to prevent staining.
Quartz can tolerate moderate temperatures for a short amount of time; therefore, you will want to use a trivet when dealing with a hot pan or pot.
Always use a cutting board with quartz countertops.
Avoid strong chemicals, solvents, oven cleaners, and floor strippers on your quartz countertops.
Continuous long-term exposure to direct sunlight may result in slight discoloration of natural quartz surfaces.

As always, if you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to leave us a comment.

Quote Countertops

October 13, 2019 by iccfloors Leave a Comment

What Is Quote Countertops?

After our recent series on countertop products, we wanted to focus on an extraordinary software that has revolutionized the countertop industry. Quote countertops allows consumers to receive an accurate, instant quote straight from their computers, mobile phone, or an in-store location, eliminating the need for a sales representative. Plus, their product is comprehensive for even beginners to navigate the interface easily.

Efficiency and Accuracy

With a focus on speed and accuracy, Quote Countertops helps consumers to easily and efficiently navigate the online quoting tool. Plus, customers can rest assured that the quote will be accurate.

Simplicity and Ease of Use

Since determining your countertop square footage can often be challenging, Quote Countertops offers a square footage calculator to help simplify the process. In fact, this user-friendly software allows consumers to easily build and modify their design on a computer or mobile phone.

Special Features

While providing an accurate quote, Quote Countertops also features a kitchen visualizer, allowing you to choose from hundreds of designs and styles. Additionally, Quote Countertops supplies you with the ability to customize your countertop edge.

As a consumer, would you utilize this tool? We would love to hear all of your thoughts below in the comment section.

Countertops 101: Travertine Countertops

October 4, 2019 by iccfloors Leave a Comment

This month, we are taking a look at popular countertop products. Today, we are exploring travertine countertops. Travertine is not a new countertop solution. In fact, travertine has been used for centuries in Roman colosseums and theaters. It is actually a stone that looks similar to marble, making it a popular alternative. To dive deeper into travertine’s characteristics, we are going to discuss three factors that set travertine apart from other countertops. Let’s take a look!

Diversity, Versatility, and Originality

Each travertine stone varies, making each homeowner’s travertine countertop unique. It comes in a variety of colors, allowing homeowners to choose a beautiful piece that is special to their home. Additionally, travertine comes in four different finishes (polished, tumbled, chiseled edge, and honed) to meet the homeowner’s design preferences. Lastly, you will find travertine countertops in two forms, solid slabs and tiles, further adding to its versatility.

Indoor and Outdoor Application

Travertine countertops are durable and resilient. In fact, they can withstand intense weather, making them the perfect solution for outdoor applications. In addition to being durable, they are also stain-resistant, with proper sealing, which helps with diverse design applications.

Care & Maintenance

Travertine is a naturally porous material, which means it will need to be sealed on a regular basis. Additionally, here are some precautious measures to take with your travertine countertops:

Avoid acidic cleaners, foods, and drinks on your travertine countertops.
Do not use ammonia or bleach on travertine countertops.
Only use cleaners that say “safe for natural stone” on your travertine.
Use trivets for heat and coasters for liquids.
Blot spills immediately instead of rubbing them.
Clean out its “pores” often to remove debris.

We hope you found these tips helpful! Are you interested in viewing our marble selection? At ICC Home, we make the design process easy by offering room scenes for customers to see what products would actually look like in their space. We encourage you to visit our showroom for yourself at 7226 East 87th Street Suite D1, Indianapolis, IN 46256 or call us for more information.

**Image of ICC Home Kitchen Room Scene**

Thanks for reading, and be sure to come back next week for a brand new topic.

Countertops 101: Marble Countertops

September 27, 2019 by iccfloors Leave a Comment

This month, we are taking a look at popular countertop products. Today, we are exploring marble countertops which are often instantly loved for their attractive appearance. They have a veiny composition and derive from a metamorphic rock. This beautiful countertop solution instantly adds unmatched beauty, elegance, and value to any space.

With so many different countertop products on the market, homeowners can become easily overwhelmed by the selection. To help you better understand marble’s advantages and disadvantages, we are going to dive deeper into its three main characteristics. Let’s take a look!

Marble’s Finishes

Its veiny nature may, in fact, be one of the most beloved characteristics of marble countertops. While its veins may be the staple look of this countertop, shoppers should be aware that there are three different finishes available and each of them can drastically change the look.

The Three Marble Countertop Finishes

Polished: The polished finish is buffed until it sparkles. You will notice that the color and veins are more prominent with a polished finish as well as a little susceptible to scratching.
Matte: The matte finish is sanded down until it is smooth to the touch. With matte countertops, they do actually feel smooth like most matte products. Additionally, you will find that the matte finish helps to disguise scratches.
Leather: Leather finish is often used on dark marble, and it adds a certain texture that is helpful when hiding scratches and even fingerprints.

One of a Kind Beauty

Let’s be honest; marble countertops are easily one of the most beautiful countertop products on the market. Their veiny nature and natural composition make them a hot commodity. While they are elegant and beautiful, it is important to take care of them properly. Failing to do so will result in a less durable product.

Necessary Care & Maintenance

As we previously mentioned, the care and maintenance routine for marble countertops are essential. Since marble is porous, they will need to be sealed annually. This is an important factor to consider when budgeting for your countertops. Additionally, they will need to be cleaned frequently to maintain their beauty. Lastly, they can be etched by acidic foods and cleaners, so being aware of their sensitivity is critical. Here are some things to keep in mind with your marble countertops:

Always use coasters with marble countertops.
Wipe them down immediately, especially if there is food or liquids on them.
Never place a wet item on your marble countertops.
Always use a trivet when placing a hot pot, pan, or even a plate on your marble countertops.
Only use manufacturer-approved cleaners on your marble countertops.
Always use a cutting board instead of cutting directly on your marble counters.

Thanks for reading, and be sure to come back next week, where we will focus on Travertine countertops.