Countertops articles

Granite: tile and countertops
Granite, an increadibly dense and hard-working material, comes in an amazing array of colors and textures. Granite tiles that are available in various sizes and thicknesses are used for indoor and outdoor applications for flooring, cladding walls, or pavers. Granite slabs are used for fabricating kitchen countertops, vanity tops, and other surfaces.
Click here for a full article

Natural stone Countertops Edge Profiles
Don’t overlook the edge profile that gives your natural stone countertop or bathroom vanity the finishing touch. We offer a choice of twelve edge profiles that will suit any taste and style. When choosing the edge profile consider the overall style of your kitchen or bathroom.
Click here for a full article

Where to Place the Seam In Your Countertop
Since an average granite slab is typically less than 10 feet long, most countertops will require at least one seam. The visibility of the seam is affected by the pattern and color of the stone. In general, seams are less visible on dark granites with a small, uniform grain and more visible on lighter color granites with veins and swirls of color.
Click here for a full article

Why Granite?
The exceptional strength of granite combined with the wide range of colors and surface patterns and its stunning beauty make it an ideal surface for kitchen counter tops. Granite surface can withstand hot pots and pans, it is resilient to scratching and chemicals and is extremely durable.
Click here for a full article

Basic Granite Countertop Price
To get a quote for your counter top, you will need a layout print (plan view) to know the exact square footage of countertop surface, the linear footage of edge that will be profiled, amount of polished or unpolished cutouts and any type of customizing such as large radiuses, Korbeled corners, or bump outs. If your kitchen cabinet supplier is also us, we may supply you with a layout and price at the same time.
Click here for a full article

Vanity tops Design: Stone Countertop, Sink, Backsplash
Together with the tub and shower, the vanity makes up yet another essential component of the master bath. Available in a variety of sizes, the vanity can help define the overall style of the room.
Click here for a full article

Which Stone is Best for a Countertop?
The table below will help you compare qualities of different types of stone, based on which you can make up your mind about which stone you might want to choose for your new countertop.
Click here for a full article

Choose Color For Your Countertop
Perhaps one of the most crucial decisions you will make in your kitchen with be the color of your countertop. As in all areas of design, color has the ability to transform the whole design of a space. A good idea would be to create a design board. Gather samples of your preferred tiles, paint colors, appliances and fixtures, flooring and a cabinet door sample.
Click here for a full article

Granite Countertop Care and Maintenance
With the proper care, your granite or marble countertop will stay new-looking for years. Stone is one of the easiest surfaces to maintain. And granite, being 7 on the Mohs hardness scale of 1 to 10, is virtually unscratchable. (A stainless steel knife blade is a 6 on the scale.)
Click here for a full article

Limestone as a Countertop Material
Limestone as a Countertop Material. Velvety soft and smooth with minimal surface variations, limestone conveys a feeling of calm and serenity. This stone is often perceived as modern or contemporary in mood, making it perfect for a minimalist setting.
Click here for a full article

Slate Countertop - Pros and Cons
Slate offers many advantages. It looks great and has plenty to offer over some of the other solid stone choices you may be considering. It is a classic, upscale material that brings drama and beauty into your home. Surprisingly, slate can be relatively inexpensive. A typical slate slab will be comparable in price to that of an inexpensive granite slab.
Click here for a full article

Marble Countertops - Beauty and Elegance
Since early civilization, marble has held the distinction and preference as the raw material for the world's greatest works of art and the bones of architectural masterpieces. Its name alone conjures up images of opulence, wealth, and extravagance. With its rich color tones, mirror-like finish, and dramatic veining, marble conveys the ultimate feelings of elegance and formality to any kitchen.
Click here for a full article

Travertine as a Countertop Material
Travertine Color Variations. Travertine's color palette normally resides within the confines o fearth tones, beginning with the palest hues of ivory and descending down through the reach, deep shades of gold, red, and brown.
Click here for a full article

Granite Countertop Facts
Granite is the oldest, strongest, and hardest stone available. Due to this combination of strength and beauty, granite has become one of the most highly regarded materials for countertops. Take into account its sturdiness, broad color range, and abundant options in size and finish, and you have the perfect stone for bestowing a rich elegance in any kitchen.
Click here for a full article

Marble Applications: Countertops, sinks, flooring, fireplaces
There is no doubt that marble's most popular places in the modern home are in the kitchen and bathroom. Marble has retained its place as the supreme material for countertops and vanities. A natural marble vanity or sink is really the one and only choice for the discriminating homeowner. While marble has the characteristic of being etched and stained by water and chemicals, modern sealants have reduced this risk significantly.
Click here for a full article

How to keep a marble countertop clean?
Marble isn't as tough as you may think; it's a comparatively soft stone that is easily scratched and marred. Chances are you paid a lot for it, so keep it clean and take good care of it.
Click here for a full article

Limestone Countertop Care and Cleaning
Limestone often proves to be a good choice. This sandy stone, readily available, often captures fossilized plant and animal life, giving it a certain primitive appeal. Unlike marble, limestone is most often honed to a matte finish. But the very fact that it is so absorbent makes proper cleaning and maintaining an imperative. On the other hand, limestone is very much like marble in that it comes in a wide variety of colors.
Click here for a full article

Limestone countertop Finish: Honed and Polished
Honed limestone counter care is not just a matter of wiping the surfaces with a damp cloth. Despite its hardness, natural stone can be very unforgiving when it comes to stains and accumulation of grime. Keeping the surface safe from spills, especially of acidic substances.
Click here for a full article

Slate countertop Care and Maintenance
Slate is very easy to maintain. Just clean it like you would any other counter surface, with dish-washing detergent or a grease cutting agent such as Fantastic. A light coat of mineral or tung oil can enhance luster, but some find it attracts dirt. Slate is not damaged by alkali cleaners, but strong solutions are not needed for cleaning. Rinse well and wipe dry.
Click here for a full article

Marble Countertop and matching Floors
The two most commonly employed kinds of marble for flooring are the white and black slabs and tiles. Both lend a unique character to the surroundings and can, under artistic guidance, be mixed for stunning effect. With your marble counter or vanity top it can create an unsurpassed harmony.
Click here for a full article

How to Clean Your Travertine Countertop
The primary thing is to wipe up spills on travertine as soon as they happen because it is fairly porous and will absorb liquids if they are left to sit for an extended period of time. Also, never use vinegar or citric acid-based cleaners as they can erode and stain the surface.
Click here for a full article

Where Can Travertine Be Used?
Travertine is one of the most popular materials used today in stone floors, exteriors, countertops, backsplashes, bathrooms, and walls. Quarried from stone that is best described as a cross between marble and limestone, travertine has been a popular building material for thousands of years because of both its durability and the ability of masons to shape it to fit just about any purpose. Ever heard of the Roman Coliseum? Travertine.
Click here for a full article

How to design your Kitchen Island.
Because the island is generally intended to a workhorse, it is a good idea to select a material that can fend for itself against constant abuse. Granite, slate, limestone will all provide a low maintenance surface.
Click here for a full article

Designing a Kitchen Island:bauty and functionality
Your kitchen needs to be big enough for an island, usually at least 13 feet wide. The size of the actual island will also depend on the overall available space. You need to make sure that there is enough room to walk between the island and cabinetry as well as open all doors (cabinets, dishwasher, compost bin, etc.). Also, if you are planning to have barstools or chairs at the island, make sure there is enough room with them there.
Click here for a full article

Kitchen Countertops. Choosing right material
Not everyone's vision will be the same, but natural stone usually enters the picture somewhere. When designed creatively, your kitchen can transform even the mundane task of cooking into a sensory adventure. Is your dream kitchen one that reflects the sleek, clean lines of Asian-inspired simplicity or the old-world charm of a French country estate? Maybe you are seeking something a little more traditional or whimsical...
Click here for a full article

Compare countertop stones
Natural stone is unmatched when it comes to beauty, individuality and strength. The different natural stone - granite, limestone, marble, slate and travertine - gives you many choices to pick from for whatever the application, whether a kitchen countertop, a fireplace surround or just a table top. Natural stone will enhance any design, rustic to contemporary, and add individuality, comfort and elegance to any room in your home.
Click here for a full article