How To Remove Hard Water Stains From Granite Countertop

The Ultimate Neolith Countertops
Pros & Cons Review

You may not have heard yet, simply Neolith countertops are one of a new breed of countertop materials called "ultra-compact surfaces" making a splash for improved performance over other favorite surfaces.

Neolith is bonny, durable, and packed with features you'll love when remodeling or upgrading to new kitchen countertops. But is it indeed better than granite or quartz? Let's detect out...

Neolith is a product of a Castilian company called TheSize started in 2009 by professionals from the natural rock industry. TheSize began producing the Neolith ultra-compact surface in 2010.

On This Page...

1. What Are Neolith Countertops Made Of?
   
2. The Pros and Cons of Neolith Countertops
3. Neolith Countertops Colors, Edges & Finishes
4. Neolith Care and Cleaning
5. Neolith Countertops Cost
6. Neolith Countertop Installation
7. Neolith vs. Quartz Countertops
8. Neolith vs. Granite Countertops

What Are Neolith Countertops Made Of?

Like Dekton (a competing brand), Neolith countertops are made with 100% natural materials. Granite compounds, natural oxides, glass, and silica minerals are combined through a procedure of farthermost rut, pressing, and sintering into one of the about resilient surfaces available.

The raw materials are similar to those used to brand glass , porcelain , and quartz countertops just the specific combination and procedure are what gives Neolith its force, hardness, and durability.

Natural oxides are used to provide the Neolith countertop colors while glass and silica minerals provide chemical stability and resistance to impairment from chemicals and cleaners.

The high-pressure sintering process makes the slab very dense and non-porous, so no sealing needed and it is essentially stain-proof.

Neolith tin can withstand high or low temperatures from hot pans or freezing (when used outdoors) without scorching or cracking from thermal daze.

The Pros and Cons of Neolith Countertops

Merely as with all types of kitchen countertops , in that location are some things that you will honey about these countertops, and at that place are also some problems that y'all tin encounter.

Neolith Countertops: Advantages

• Very eco-friendly, resin-free, and made up of 52% recycled materials
• Fabricated from all natural products and a sustainable option for homeowners worried about the impact that they may have on the environs
• Not porous so it won't stain even if you don't wipe up coffee or vino spills right away
• Heat-resistant and tin can handle hot pots and pans set directly on the surface
• Able to withstand temperature fluctuations without cracking

• Can accept UV rays without fading the color so suitable for outdoor kitchen countertops

• Scratch-resistant (except for the "polished" finish)
• Reasonably affordable compared to other pop options
• Many different colors and designs to choose from
• Colors and patterns are total thickness (unlike porcelain)
• Easy-to-clean with water and mild detergents
• Fewer seams needed as Neolith is available in very large-format sheets

Neolith Countertops: Disadvantages

• Difficult to handle during installation and easy to accidentally crack the surface and damage the edges. Neolith is very tough once installed and supported, merely during installation, it is much more tricky to work with than granite, quartz or other countertop materials.
• Finding skilled countertop fabricators willing to work with Neolith slabs can be difficult. Many refuse.
• Slab colors may not match since a specific Neolith color shade can vary depending on the dye lot.
• Overhangs like bar tops are limited to only half dozen inches.
• Neolith can be scratched by ceramic knives but cipher else, although, the "polished" finish is more delicate and susceptible to abrasion.

Neolith Countertops Colors, Edges & Finishes

Yous tin can choose from about thirty Neolith colors in a range of whites, grays, blacks, and browns.

Many homeowners want countertops that look like marble, but without the maintenance of marble, so it'southward no surprise that the most pop Neolith colors are marble await-a-likes:

• Neolith Calacatta
• Neolith Calacatta Gold
• Neolith Estatuario
• Neolith Carrara

Note that even though Neolith is human-made, the color friction match tin can vary depending on the manufacturer's dye lot. This is important for y'all to consider when updating your kitchen as you will want to purchase all the Neolith that you need at one time to complete your remodel.

Neolith Finishes

Finishes come up in silk, natural honed, satin, river done, and polished. I drawback is that the "polished" terminate tends to be far less resistant to scratches. Knives and abrasives cleaners can scratch or dull a polished Neolith terminate. And ceramic knives can scratch all end types.

Neolith Edges

Edge styles are more limited than with other types of countertops, but y'all even so have bonny edge options  to choose from when installing new Neolith countertops.

• Minimalist edge is when the edges are eased and honed, which then look a little rounded and very smooth and won't take precipitous corners. This creates a contemporary fashion and showcases how thin the textile is.
• Mitered edge is made with a short apron to mimic the thicker edges of granite and marble.
• Waterfall border runs from the countertop surface down to the floor cascading down the cabinets creating a luxurious look that is very sophisticated.

Neolith Countertop Thickness

Thickness and slab size are options y'all can choose like colors and edges. Neolith comes in 4 thicknesses:

• 3mm (⅛") for interior wall cladding
• 6mm (¼") for interior floor or exterior walls
• 12mm (½") for countertops and exterior flooring
• 20mm (¾") for countertops and outside pavers

Slab sizes range from 2.v ft. x two.v ft (750mm x 750mm) up to 10 ft. x 5 ft. (3200mm 10 1500mm) and can be cutting to whatever size or shape needed.

The large-format slabs cut down on the number of seams needed and arrive piece of cake to encompass big kitchen islands or long countertop runs while maintaining a cohesive expect to the pattern.

Neolith Care and Cleaning

Like about people, you're busy and don't want to spend time worrying or fussing almost how to take intendance of your countertops.

Thankfully, cleaning Neolith countertops is uncomplicated and doesn't require whatever special cleaners.

Hot h2o volition work for most cleanups but avoid soaps or detergents that contain waxes (many practice) as these will leave a film on the surface.

Recommended cleaners:

Puracy cleaner is an excellent option for Neolith or utilise a quality quartz and granite cleaner for a streak-free shine.

You lot can get the Neolith cleaning guide here .

Information technology'south important to note a few things though…

• Deeper cleaning may be necessary immediately later installation to remove whatever cement or joint compound left behind past soaking with hot h2o.
• Any dry or encrusted food on the countertop tin can be removed by first soaking information technology with water and a mild detergent and and then wiping it with a damp cloth.
• Avoid abrasive scrubbers and cleaners on the "polished" cease. In truth, Neolith surfaces are very scratch-resistant and essentially scratch- proof except for the "polished" finish.
• Do non apply acidic cleaners on a newly installed Neolith countertop as the acids may damage the mucilage used in the joints.
• Do not use ceramic knives on the surface. Ceramic knives are the kryptonite of ultra-compact surfaces and will scratch all stop types of Neolith.

Neolith Countertops Cost

The total installed cost of Neolith is similar to mid to loftier-terminate granite countertops and/or quartz countertops.

• Expect to pay $60 - $105 per foursquare foot installed.

Some say Neolith is cheaper than quartz or granite, but on boilerplate this is not the case. Although, quartz is becoming more than expensive now that tariffs have been imposed on the importation of quartz slabs from China.

And granite prices have dropped over the concluding 10 years so many granite colors can be installed for less at effectually $45-$65 psf.

It is difficult to get an exact cost for Neolith without specifying what colour, slab size, and thickness y'all desire.

Costs for Neolith vary from $x to $30 per square foot (material but) a few years ago to $24 to $40 sq. ft. more recently , which means that prices are increasing slightly.

Too, the following installation variables can have a significant bear upon on the final price:

• Number of cutouts for sinks and a cooktop
• Border treatment
• End type
• Number of seams
• Complexity of the installation

You lot may be able to cut the cost of your new Neolith countertops by choosing a sparse 6mm slab (unremarkably for flooring or wall cladding) and installing it over the top of an existing countertop.

This is something you lot'd demand to hash out with an experienced Neolith installer as the thicker 12mm slabs are recommended for kitchen countertops.

Y'all'll save a prissy chunk of money on the overall project cost. However, thinner slabs are more than susceptible to damage (cracking and chipping).

Neolith Countertop Installation

As noted in the pros and cons to a higher place, Neolith and all ultra-meaty surfaces are especially vulnerable to damage prior to installation.

Once the countertops are installed, they are very stable and durable. Still, this countertop textile is thin which makes it challenging to transport, cutting, or motility effectually without cracking or splintering the slab or chipping the edges.

Some argue that considering Neolith is so thin and lightweight that it is much easier to cut and install which is undoubtedly rational, however, that is not how it plays out in reality.

It'southward so hard and sparse that it is a chip brittle when unsupported and that's why it presents some unique installation issues.

At present granite can crack during installation too, but Neolith and ultra-meaty surfaces have a much bigger problem with it.

Because of this, it is not a favorite with countertop fabricators. Many fabricators volition merely decline to install information technology or whatsoever other ultra-compact surface brand.

Also, Neolith is not widely available and then yous may accept to be more than persistent in your project planning when getting a Neolith countertop installed.

On the plus side, the sparse Neolith slab tin be installed right over the top of other types of countertops.  This can salve you a footling money not having to tear out your sometime countertops.

Neolith vs. Quartz Countertops

While quartz countertops are fabricated in a similar manner, the Neolith countertop has advantages over quartz . Neolith and all ultra-compact surfaces were designed to improve upon the weaknesses of quartz.

• Neolith countertops are cured to incredibly loftier temperatures (2191 degrees Fahrenheit) and cannot be burnt or scorched by hot pots and pans.
• Quartz is merely cured to 200 F, thus it tin be scorched by hot pans.
• Quartz is highly susceptible to UV damage causing the color to fade. Thus, quartz cannot be used every bit an outdoor countertop.
• Neolith colors do not fade and make neat outdoor countertops.
• Quartz countertops are non-porous and resistant to acids and staining but can be discolored permanently by several different types of household cleaners.
• Neolith is as well non-porous and stain-resistant merely is much more resistant to chemical damage and will not be discolored by cleaners.
• Quartz countertops take far more colour choices than Neolith.

Neolith vs. Granite Countertops

Granite countertops are like the "gold standard" that all other countertop materials are measured by.

Even though granite is not perfect or without its own problems, most human-fabricated countertops are trying to create a surface that performs equally good or better than granite or has some unique feature or look that granite doesn't.

When comparing Neolith countertops vs. granite, nosotros see that Neolith holds up well.

• Granite has splendid oestrus and scratch resistance.
• Neolith is also highly heat and scratch-resistant (except for the "polished" end which can be dulled by abrasives or scratched by knives).
• Granite will not be damaged by acidic foods, drinks, or chemicals, except past industrial-forcefulness acids or repeated exposure.
• Neolith is also resistant to chemical etching or damage.
• Granite is porous and tin can be stained. Sealing is needed on most (but not all) granite colors.
• Neolith is not-porous, doesn't stain and does not need sealing.
• Granite tin can scissure under extreme temperature changes or heavy impact.
• Neolith may also crevice with a heavy touch but is highly-resistant to cracking from temperature changes.
• Granite may develop minor pits and can be chipped.
• Neolith volition not pit, but it may chip specially on the edges.
• Granite has thousands of colors - Neolith but around xxx.

Decision

Some say Neolith countertops are revolutionary and they certainly do accept several advantages over other types of countertops.

However, information technology has some drawbacks every bit well and merely goes to prove you how hard it is to brand a perfect kitchen countertop textile. Alas, none are faultless.

Neolith is very durable, estrus-resistant, stain-resistant and scratch-resistant except when using ceramic knives on the surface or abrasives on the "polished" terminate. It does not crack hands, but dropping heavy objects on the surface could cause a cleft.

Neolith countertop colors are limited at this time, only modern and bonny with several finish types and border fashion options. The big-format slabs let for fewer seams and a more than cohesive pattern overall.

Information technology's easy to make clean without special cleaners but, you lot cannot use abrasive cleaners on the polished finish. All other finish types are okay for this.

A skilled fabricator with experience installing Neolith countertops is a must since this textile is more than frail when cut and installing than other surfaces.

All considered, the Neolith ultra-meaty surface definitely gives granite and quartz a run for their money and tin can be a solid option for your kitchen countertops once successfully installed.

All images courtesy Neolith.com and Neolith.co.za

Fantabulous Bath & Kitchen Ideas Source 2021

How To Remove Hard Water Stains From Granite Countertop,

Source: https://www.countertopspecialty.com/neolith-countertops-review.html

Posted by: jacobsonintelf.blogspot.com

Share this post