The question upon purchasing granite is always the same. Do I seal or not seal my counter top? While it depends on your home habits, we highly recommend sealing it!

How do I determine if my countertop needs sealing? 

This is an easy thing to determine! Simply dab some water or mineral on on the countertop and see if the surface becomes darker. If it does, that means the surface is absorbing the liquid. If the liquid is easy to wipe up and there doesn’t seem to be a color change, then maybe you don’t need to seal them quite yet! You can also perform the lemon juice and oil test, which will tell you how absorbent your stone is and more importantly what kind of stone it is. It’s important to figure this out because it will help you choose the best stone for the use you intend, or figure out the characteristics of the stone you have (like if you just moved into a new house)!

When should I reseal? 

If you’ve sealed your countertops recently, pay attention to see if liquids are repelled from the surface. Typically if you sealing was good quality, you won’t need to reseal them for a long time. Great sealants can last 15 years and over!

While you can seal countertops in your own, we recommend calling in the professionals for help! And at Williams Fabrication in Woodstock, GA, that’s what we’re here for! Take a look at some of the countertops we’ve worked on, and contact us for more info!

Stone counter tops are those that make your kitchen or bathroom look elegant, modern and stylish. In order to keep it looking that way, it’s important to take the proper cleaning steps!

• Clean up your spills! Imagine your stone counter top is like wooden furniture. When you spill something, clean it up immediately! Products like ketchup, vinegar, shampoo, alcohol, etc. have abrasive ingredients that could really stain your surface.
• Use cup holders! These will help prevent stains as well.
• Make sure your surface is sealed.  You should seal your stone surfaces once every year to keep them protected.
• Use clean materials. Use sponges, towels and cloths when cleaning your counter tops and be sure to replace the old materials with something new.
• Be careful with cleaning products. Don’t apply scouring powder, cream or any cleaning product that has abrasive ingredients. Anything acidic or that has lemon or vinegar can be dangerous. In addition, don’t use soap or cleansers, as they can leave marks and streaks.
• Remove dust. Use a soft towel to do this!

If you’re looking for great quality quartz and granite countertops, visit Williams Fabrication in Woodstock, GA! We serve the Metro Atlanta Area and have gorgeous surfaces that will transform any home. Visit our site to see a full portfolio and services list, or visit us on our Facebook for more home improvement tips!

Granite and quartz are both fantastic options for countertops! Practicality, functionality and safety are key components to consider before purchasing a countertop. Here are a few pros and cons of each, so you’ll have a better idea of what you’ll want!

Granite

Pros: 

• It’s natural! This material is 100% natural, which is why it’s so popular!
• It lasts! It’s durable and strong! But be careful, because it’s not completely immune to cracks or stains.
• It’s unique. Each granite slab is different. No one will have what you have, so your countertops will be unique!

Cons:

• It’s not color consistent. This is stated above as a pro if you’re looking for that exclusivity factor, however it could also be a con because this means the appearance isn’t uniform.
• They need to be sealed. You’ll need to do this every year, as the countertops porous material can harbor germs, bacteria, mold, etc.
• Seems aren’t hidden. It’s hard to hide the seems, especially if the stone has veins.

Quartz

Pros:

• It’s super strong! They’re strong and flexible, which makes it easy during the installation process.
• It’s durable! Quartz can with stand a lot, so it’ll be long lasting!
• It’s non porous. This means it doesn’t have to be sealed! You won’t have to worry about germs and bacteria. It’s easy to clean and maintain!
• Colors are uniform. What you see in the sample is what you’ll expect to see.

Cons:

• Discoloring is possible. When exposed to sunlight, it’s possible there might be some discoloring.
• Seams can be seen. To hide these, pick a slab that has a strong pattern. They stand out more on solid colors.

Have any more questions about granite and quartz? Give Williams Fabrication a call at (770) 845-0900! We serve the Metro Atlanta Area and are based in Woodstock, GA. You can also visit our site to see our products and services and pictures from our portfolio!

Although it can endure a lot, taking care of your granite counter top is key to long term durability! By keeping up with basic care, you’ll help eliminate potential problems that you didn’t even know existed.

Do’s:

• Clean up spills immediately! Acidic substances have the potential to stain your stone counter top, as well as cooking oils. Be sure to tidy up as soon as something is spilled!
• Use a sponge. A granite or marble cleaning spray is key to maintaining a great counter top, however hot water can do for the time being. Be sure to use a material like soft cloth or sponges to wipe it down. Do not use dish soap or regular soap, as it can actually cause buildup (yep, who would have thought)!
• Use pads. Be sure to use pads under your hot pots and pans. Because while it’s not likely, thermal heat can potentially crack your surface. Better safe than sorry!
• Use cutting boards. Very sharp knives or other tools may scratch the surface.

Don’ts:

• Use generic cleaning products. Bleach, glass cleaner or other household cleaners will degrade the granite sealer and could cause staining. Also be sure not to use vinegar, orange or lemon cleaner or ammonia.
• Use bathroom or tile cleaner. Soft creams or powders contain abrasives that can dull and scratch surfaces.
• Sit or stand on it. While granite is a hard surface, they don’t have a plywood backing, so it’s possible they can break!
• Use it as a toiletry stand. Hair products, nail products, perfumes, etc. are easily susceptible to spilling, so put these products elsewhere!

We hope these tips have been helpful for your stone counter top! If you’re looking to upgrade your counter top, consider Williams Fabrication for your next renovation! We’re located in Woodstock, GA and serve the Metro Atlanta Area. Take a look at our portfolio to see what we’ve done so far, or take a look at our products and services! 

The New Year is all about a fresh start. We all have different resolutions, but what if yours is to re-energize your home? We’ve got a few tips for creating that perfect look for your home to start your year off great!

1. De-clutter. The best way to feel less chaos in your home is to de-clutter. Each year we rack up so much stuff that gets jam packed into drawers and cabinets it becomes hard to find everything! Get a few boxes, pack it all up and give it to charity.
2. Deep clean. Check your house for mold, cracks, breaks, anything you think might be a hazard to you and your family.
3. Add a few new pieces! Getting a little tired with the decor? Add a few colorful pieces to spruce up your home. Consider getting a few flower vases, paintings or new furniture pieces for something different. Even if you decide not to purchase new items, simply rearranging things you already do have can create a fresh new take on things.
4. Keep it safe! There’s nothing more important than having a safe home. Check your locks, windows and appliances to make sure everything is secure and running smoothly. Consider installing a security system for extra safe measures!

Another great tip for a new home atmosphere is redoing your counter tops and other surfaces! Williams Fabrication is fantastic stone surfaces including granite and quartz. We have a variety of colors and have quick, quality installation! Want a sneak peak of our services? Visit our photo gallery! Other questions? Give us a call at (770) 845-0900.

We love the deep rich colors of fall and winter. From your counter tops to your walls, incorporating these color schemes will give you a festive and fresh new look!

Cream and Deep Gray/Green

These colors paired together provide a lush feeling without being too heavy. The gray will provide a calming feel while the cream will give it that pop of light it needs.

Soft Gray, Blue and Dark Brown 

A frosty blue and soft gray will set the stage for winter. The depth of the brown color will give you a classic yet fresh look!

Gold, Taupe and Soft Cream

Nothing will spark up your winter day like popping hints of gold! The juxtaposition of this color paired with soft neutrals like taupe and cream will create a homey, inviting feel.

Red, Deep Gray and Cream

This is a bold look but one anyone can pull off in their home. It provides the warmth of a blazing fire, the luxury of coziness and the rich feel of a classic look.

Williams Fabrication has the perfect stone counter tops to fit your winter color scheme! Our granite and quartz come in a variety of colors that will compliment any home. You can visit our site for a look at our recent work, services, products and more! You can also follow us on Facebook for all sorts of home tips and tricks.