GRANITE TOPS
Q: Are stones from certain countries preferred over others?
A: There is a general misconception that some countries produce better stones than others. Natural stones come from nature itself; it is the manufacturing process that brings out the beauty of the natural stones.
Q: What are the advantages of natural stones over man-made stones?
A: Unlike man-made stones that are repetitive and artificial looking, natural stones are produced as a result of millions of years of geological changes, resulting in a wide variety of colors and characteristics. Furthermore, natural stones keep their beauty for thousands of years.
Q: What special care do stones require?
A: Cleaning should be done with simple dishwashing soaps, rinse thoroughly with clean water and dried completely using a clean dry cloth. Do not use vinegar or anything that may contain ammonia (e.g. Windex), bleach (e.g. Clorox), or specialty bathroom, tile or grout or cleaners that may contain acids. These chemicals could have a bleaching or etching effect on some of the minerals in the stone.
Q: Is granite expensive?
A: The prices of natural stones are becoming comparable to other solid surface materials. Marble and granite especially have become increasingly more affordable.
Q: Are more expensive stones better?
A: The prices of natural stones depend on the capacity of its quarry and its production volume. The higher the production, the less expensive the price. Some of the world's most beautiful stones are inexpensive due to their abundance.
Q: Is it better to get a lighter color than a darker color?
A: The color and shade of which natural stone you choose is strictly a matter of taste.
Q: Will my stone stain? What types of stones are resistant to stain?
A: Stones are stain resistant when sealed with the proper sealer.
Q: Will my stone change colors or degrade in quality when sealed?
A: While some sealers contain color enhancers that may change the color to different degrees, there are other sealers that do not have enhancements. Once sealed, the stone will have a cleaner look.
GRANITE: (See our selection of granite countertops here)
Granite is an igneous rock that forms deep in the earth as it cools and, therefore, comes in a limited number of colors. The minerals in granite create a coarse-grained crystalline appearance.
Granite is extremely low maintenance, and each stone has its own mineral make up that creates beautiful colors and patterns. Today there are more choices for kitchen countertop materials than ever before, and granite is still the most popular countertop material and the one all the other countertop materials try to emulate.
Granite is durable, highly heat, scratch resistant, and unmatched in beauty and value. Because of the popularity of granite countertops, they are cost effective and yield a comparatively high return on your investment.
QUARTZ: (See our selection of quartz countertops here)
This elegant product, which is exceptionally hard and resistant to impact, is ideal for high traffic areas as well as spaces subject to domestic use. Its minimum water absorption, together with the fact that it is low-maintenance and easy to clean, makes it an ideal option for kitchens and bathrooms, as it is also highly resistant to abrasion, acids and oils.
HOW IT'S MADE:
Quartz countertops are made by mixing and compressing natural quartz derived from granite and epoxy resins to create a hard wearing and stain-impervious surface. Quartz countertops are molded and milled to standard sizes and thickness but can easily be manufactured to custom specifications. They come in a wide variety of colors and at a lower price point than 100 percent natural stone with less maintenance.
Onyx is a layered calcite stone, which is highly esteemed. It is a beautiful translucent stone with pastel colors and exquisite formations that comes from quartz.
One of the most common uses of the stone is in the form of onyx marble. Much like regular marble, onyx marble is strong and is attractive to look at. Hence it is popularly used as a counter topping and tiling material. Onyx marble is especially popular because it can be accentuated with attractive lighting to highlight their transparent qualities.
