What do I need to consider
when buying marble or granite?
Because it is a natural stone, marble-and more recently granite-has
been blessed with a remarkable natural beauty that has captivated humans
throughout the ages. Inherent in such natural products is a certain lack
of predictability that sophisticated architects and designers celebrate.
Consumers who are less acquainted with the material expect the marble
ordered to be identical to the picture or sample they were shown.
Although sample stones are intended to be representative of the quarry's
product, the material quarried at one time may differ slightly in color
an veining from the sample. Moreover, even a single marble or granite
slab will possess a certain amount of color variation from one end to
the other. Interior designers and architects have come to view this
tendency of natural stone as an advantage. Slight irregularities can be
pleasing, introducing an element of the natural into human-designed
spaces, whether residential or commercial.
Should I use marble or granite for my kitchen
countertops?
Although typical application of marble is for the bathroom vanity tops,
Jacuzzi tops and fireplaces, it is possible to use it in the
kitchen. However, due to the fact that it is easy to scratch and is
affected by acidic substances, such as vinegars, ketchups etc, we
don’t usually recommend it. Moreover the high-gloss of the marble
countertop can be partially lost as many chemicals etch its surface.
Granite in turn is considered the second hardest stone, its polish is
not subject to etching by household acids, or scratching by knives and
pots and pans under normal use. It is also not affected by typical
kitchen heat such as hot pans
Is it necessary to seal stone?
Since mineral surfaces are quite porous they absorb liquids, which may
result in discoloring and staining. Although there are many commercial
grade products available on the market which may bring the stone to its
to its original luster, taking simple precautions and regular
maintenance can save a lot of trouble and cost. All marble an granite
tops are sealed immediately after they are installed. The impregnating
substance penetrates the stone clogging most of its pores making its
quite impervious to alcohol, juices, soft drinks, cosmetics, cleaners,
coffee, food and even oil. With course of time, depending on how heavily
the tops are used, the sealer gets washed out. The clear indication of
this happening would be the fact that the liquids are easily absorbed
into the stone leaving temporary (if promptly wiped off) stains.
Do I have to buy the whole sheet/slab?
Slabs are always sold intact. Buying random slabs is similar to buying
fabric. Like a seamstress or tailor, your fabricator buys the raw
material and sells you a completed installation. In the price is
included the cost of transporting the material, making field
measurements and templates, cutting, polishing, bringing the pieces to
your job site and fitting them into place. How much material he needs is
determined by the layout and the amount of waste. The fabricator will
lay out your job in a way that will minimize the amount of waste
material while maximizing the natural beauty of veining and pattern.
What is the best way to clean marble and other
stones?
The old rule of thumb is never to use anything you wouldn’t use on
your hands. Never use powdered cleansers or abrasive pads to clean your
stone. Even "soft scrub" type cleaners contain pumice, which
is powdered volcanic stone, and might damage your stone countertops or
floors. Never use any product which is acidic; this includes substances
like ammonia or many common liquid cleaners such as Windex. You should
always use sealers and cleaning products designed specifically for
natural stone.
How do I deal with sink and stove cutouts?
With our water jet technology we have the ability to cut any sink or
surface unit cutout with computer aided design files. Undermount sinks
(sinks that are mounted under that countertop so as not to show any rim)
are fully cut out, then the inside of the hole is polished. The
countertop is then flipped over and fitted with special grommets for
your plumber to fasten the sink. Self rimming cutouts are cut 6"
into each corner leaving some of the straight section to be cut in
the field to facilitate safe shipping.
