The devil is in the details: make the right materials choices on your next Greenwich home

Sometimes its the little things that matter most when you invest in residential real estate in Greenwich.

Let me give you an example with regards to choosing materials for your counter tops.

millbank-court-countertop

 

There are many choices when it comes to counter tops such as granite, marble, soapstone, wood, stainless steel, laminate, quartz and more. However, If you decide to use marble your decision is only half way complete.

In addition to what type of marble you will choose, you will also have to decide what the finish is going to be. Honed or shiny?

What is Honed? Honed is a matte finish that is applied to the stone. The dull finish is created by using a machine or an acid bath. This is a soft look versus the shiny polished version. The Honed finish is more prone to etching. What is an Etch? An Etch is a mark created in the stone. 

Marble is a very soft stone and is prone to etching. Acidic products cause this effect by actually eating away a minute portion of the stone’s surface. A drop of red wine, lemon juice, tomato sauce or even a wet margarita glass can cause this effect. The calcium carbonate in the stone allows this to happen as it reacts with the acid found in most of the foods we eat every day. An etch is not damaging, it’s character building and can only be slightly seen at certain angles. Etching occurs mainly when a honed finish treatment is applied to the counter top.

Etching is part of the reason some homeowners decide to go with honed counter tops as it has a classic look to it with character that tells a story about the enjoyment of the use of the kitchen’s past.

At Milbank Court in downtown Greenwich all the marble kitchen counter tops are designed with a honed finish which has been very well received by the buyers who have toured the complex. With 70% of the units sold, it’s clear the designer made the right design decision based on today's taste.

Carrera marble is one of the most economical choices within the marble family, priced around $60 per square foot. New counter tops are an easy and affordable upgrade to any kitchen or bath and Carrera marble is one of those timeless materials that will be in style when you decide to sell.

So as you look at an investment in Greenwich residential real estate, thinking about the little things can make a big difference in the quality of the time you spend there, and the price you earn when you sell.