Home Improvement and Remodeling are Booming!
Considering a home remodel? Or did you just complete one? You’re not alone! In fact, according to recently published data by Nielsen, 53% of US homeowners have made some form of home improvement or undertaken a remodel project in the past 12 months, and fully half of those projects involved spending $1000 or more! Over the past 20 years, the amount that US homeowners have spent on remodeling and home improvement has more than doubled, leading to a $325 billion-dollar home improvement industry nationwide. That’s a lot of people fixing up the ol’ homestead!
If you’re a homeowner yourself, you probably won’t be surprised to learn that kitchens topped the list of most popular rooms for remodel projects. According to a report by CNBC, the average amount spent on a kitchen remodel was 320% more than on the master bedroom, another popular spot for home improvements.
Why Kitchen Remodels are So Popular
What is it about the kitchen that makes it the first place many of us think of when it comes time to fix up, spruce up, or remodel our homes? The answer is simple: The kitchen is the heart of the house. You may sleep in the bedroom, binge your favorite TV shows in the living room, and store your clothes in the closets, but whatever you’re doing in the house, chances are it revolves around the kitchen in some way. Most of us can put up with an unfinished basement, a closet that’s too small, or landscaping that needs a little TLC, but if we don’t like the kitchen, it’s a deal breaker.
That’s why kitchen remodels top the list for people who are choosing to stay in their old homes rather than buying new, individuals looking to grow the value of their home so they can afford something different, and those who are buying existing homes and flipping them as an investment or rental property. Whatever your plans for your home, if it needs a little something extra, the first place you’re likely to start is the kitchen.
How Granite Countertops Figure into the Mix
The kitchen may be the most popular room in the house for remodels, but what’s the most popular home improvement in the kitchen? It’s no surprise that granite and other natural stone countertops top the list. If the kitchen is the heart of the house, then the countertop may be the heart of the kitchen. It’s where you prepare and serve food, set your glass of wine, maybe even read the newspaper or play games with the kids. Not only are granite countertops durable, functional, and able to match just about any design style, they’re also beautiful additions that are capable of completely transforming any kitchen in one fell swoop. Changing the paint colors or replacing the cabinets may have a huge impact, but few things can make your kitchen feel totally new faster than brand new granite countertops can.
On top of all that, granite and other natural stone countertops are long-lasting and virtually maintenance-free, making them a great investment whether you’re planning to stay in your home, turn it into a rental, or simply increase its value. Granite countertops stand up to all kinds of wear and tear, and cleaning granite countertops is a breeze when you have the right tools for the job. With so many check marks in the “advantages” column, it’s no wonder that home design professionals are asked about granite and other natural stone countertops more than any other kitchen addition—besides, of course, things like paint color choices.
After Your Granite Countertops are Installed
The ever-increasing popularity of granite countertops can’t be traced to just one cause. Granite countertops are gorgeous, natural, and one-of-a-kind. They bring durability, warmth, and a classic beauty to your kitchen. They’re also affordable and incredibly easy to clean and care for, as long as you have the correct tools and the right know-how. That’s why “granite care” and “cleaning granite countertops” are two of the most common online search topics related to granite countertops in the kitchen—with literally thousands of results for each subject. It isn’t that cleaning granite countertops is difficult; it’s that the natural stone surface of granite offers unique challenges—and unique benefits—that require a unique approach to achieve the best results.
You can find plenty of people sharing homebrew granite cleaning tips on Pinterest and other websites, and everyone from Bob Vila to the DIY Network has weighed in on the subject, but when you get right down to it, caring for your granite countertops is simple; it just requires the right tools for the job. Granite is one of the most durable materials out there, but because it is natural stone, it is also naturally porous and can stain or become damaged if it isn’t cared for properly, and unfortunately many home remedies may actually do more harm than good. So when your new granite countertops are installed, you may want to do them (and yourself) a favor by stocking up on some granite care and cleaning products that are specially formulated to clean, polish, and seal your granite countertops to keep them looking their best for years to come.
Save Your Granite Countertops!
Once you have the right tools in hand, caring for and cleaning granite countertops really is as easy as 1-2-3. Because granite is a natural substance, you need cleaning, polishing, and sealing products that are formulated to care for your countertop’s natural characteristics. That means products free of acids or abrasive cleansers.
With Rock Doctor’s full line of granite cleaning and granite care products, you can not only keep your new granite countertops looking as good as new, but can also protect them against stains, water rings, scuffs, and scratches–and all without a lot of work or hassle. Simply pick up Rock Doctor’s granite cleaning and granite care products at your local Lowe’s Home Improvement or participating Ace Hardware, Do it Best, Home Depot, or True Value store, and use as directed, and you’ll find that cleaning granite countertops and keeping them looking great is a snap.
