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Quote Countertops

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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

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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

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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.

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, where we will focus on Travertine countertops.

Countertops 101: Granite Countertops

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This month, we are taking a look at popular countertop products. Today, we are exploring granite countertops. Composed of natural stone, granite is a timeless tradition in household designs. It adds an elegant look to any design while being a fan favorite.

Granite countertops have been used for years and are loved for its distinct, unmatched beauty and durability. If you are interested in learning about granite‘s benefits, we are going to focus on three features that you will love about granite. Let’s take a look!

Strength & Durability

It should be mentioned that granite countertops need proper care and maintenance. If you are uninterested in maintaining your counters, granite may not be right for you. Apart from its upkeep, granite countertops are considered strong, dense, and durable. When properly sealed, granite countertops provide good stain resistance and are easy to clean. Additionally, they are scratch- and heat-resistant, giving homeowners ease of mind.

Unmatched Beauty

Most homeowners choose granite because it is considered to be one of the most beautiful countertop options available, and we have to agree. This timeless countertop solution complements cabinetry and floors seamlessly while providing a stunning landscape for your food and dishes.

Care & Maintenance

As we previously mentioned, it is important to maintain and care for your granite countertops. Remember, they are an investment and should be treated as such. If you are new to owning granite countertops, here are a few maintenance tips and tricks to remember:

  • As soon as a spill occurs, be sure to wipe it up immediately, especially with oily or acidic foods.
  • Do not leave wet dishes on your countertops for extended periods of time. Be sure always to use coasters.
  • Take a damp, soft cloth and clean your countertops regularly.
  • Do not use dish soap because it can cause build-up.
  • Always use a cutting board.
  • Try to avoid ammonia, vinegar, and citrus on your countertops.
  • Only use stain-removers that are approved by your granite manufacturer.
  • Just to be careful, you should use a trivet under your extremely hot pots and pans.

Are you interested in viewing our granite 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, where we will focus on marble countertops.

Countertops 101: Quartz Countertops

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Composed of natural quartz crystals, quartz countertops are one of the most beautiful and durable countertop selections for your home. Amongst being a household favorite, quartz countertops are loved for their heat- and stain-resistant properties, making them one of the most durable countertops on the market. If you are interested in learning about this newer countertop option, today, we are going to take a closer look at quartz and all it has to offer.

Durable

Quartz countertops are heat-resistant, meaning they can withstand a certain amount of heat without seeing the effects. In addition to being heat-resistant, quartz countertops are also incredibly difficult to scratch. In fact, they rank higher on the Moh’s Hardness Scale at a 7, as opposed to Granite, which ranked 6 (a diamond is classified as a 10). This means that quartz can easily withstand daily wear and tear while remaining as beautiful as the day you bought them.

Luxurious

Quartz counters are easy to love and quite beautiful. They add a certain element of luxury to any space with their gorgeous reflective charm. That being said, it is important to be aware that quartz’s seams are visible. They are not extremely visible and are covered, but they are considered to be more visible than other countertop products.

Easy-to-Maintain

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. It is that easy!

Are you interested in viewing our quartz 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, where we will focus on granite countertops.

Five Elements to Consider When Choosing Countertops

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Remodeling your kitchen is one of the most intricate, yet rewarding, renovations you can do for your home’s value. While many decisions need to be made and considered along the way like cabinets, sinks, appliances, and countertops, you will find that all of these elements will play a significant role in the overall design. Not to mention, each one of these choices has a wide variety of stylish options you will need to consider.

At ICC Home, we understand that your countertops need to be a functional part of your layout. Since you will be preparing family dinners, hosting holiday traditions, and entertaining guests, your kitchen countertops need to be able to withstand your household’s daily activities, and we are here to help! When considering countertop options, it is important that you make sure you ask yourself these five essential questions:

Maintenance

When considering countertops, the first thing you should consider is the amount of maintenance and upkeep. Different countertop materials have different levels of required maintenance. While you may be in love with granite, you may not have the time or desire to keep up on the maintenance. If you are looking for an easy to maintain countertop solution, we recommend going with some beautiful yet simple like ceramic tile. If ceramic tile is not quite your speed, no need to fret; one of our expert sales staff would love to help guide you to the perfect material for your family’s lifestyle.

Type

There are many types of countertop options with different benefits. Granite, quartz, butcher block, ceramic tile, and more, all have added beneficial reasons that homeowners choose them. The first thing you should consider is the type that looks the most aesthetically pleasing with your home design. While this is important, functionality will also play a significant role. For example, what are the types of activities your kitchen countertops will see on a day to day basis? If your countertops will be used consistently and need to be cleaned regularly, you may want to opt for an easier to maintain countertop like quartz.

Heat Resistance

Some countertops are excellent heat resistors. For example, you can take a hot pot from the oven and set it directly onto a granite countertop. Unfortunately, you cannot do the same with wood or quartz countertops. That is why you will need to consider if heat resistance is an added benefit you are looking for in your countertops. Many people love this additional benefit, while others it does not matter.

Stain Resistance

Some more porous countertops will allow liquids to penetrate deep into the material and this can lead to unwanted stains. Make sure if you have a porous countertop that you keep up on maintenance and apply a stain barrier when needed. And if you are unsure whether or not the countertop you like is porous, one of our expert sales associates would love to help differentiate the products for you!

Budget

Unfortunately, a significant determining factor for most people is the budget. Creating your kitchen can be a costly investment, and we understand that. Make sure you weigh out the options of different countertops that fit your budget and determine whether or not you want to put more of your investment into other areas of the kitchen.

Luckily with financing options available, your dream kitchen may be closer than you think! Let us help tailor every design element to your needs and make this an enjoyable experience at ICC Home. With our new showroom, you can explore our many countertop options and talk to one of our expert sales representatives about all of your design needs. While in our new showroom, be sure to check out everything you need to complete your design.