One of the biggest concerns for our customers is joint location in their countertops. Joints are more work for our installers which is why we do not like to put them in however they are necessary in some situations. Joints are necessary under the following circumstances:
1) Size of the slab: Granite slabs and especially quartz slabs are limited in size. Therefore joints are necessary because of the countertop being too large. This tends to be an issue when it comes to islands. Many people, understandable, do not want joints in their islands. Therefore it is important to get the size of the slab when designing the island if you think this will be a concern. Quartz slabs tend to be around 120″ long unless they are a “jumbo” slab. Granite can range from 110″-137″. Recently we completed a project where the island was 136″ long. This took a lot of coordination between the contractor and our organization. A special trailer was needed due it not fitting in a normal cube van. Also the island was designed for no joints, which means the designer knew the length of the slab when picking the cabinets.
2) Access: Access can be an huge contributor to joint location. Even if the slab is long enough it may not be feasible to carry it into the space. Many times stairs and hallways can be a contributor to this. If the countertop needs to be installed in a basement or upper level the access needs to be taken into account. We look to to see if it is possible and make sure our employees will be safe. Granite or quartz weighs roughs 20-25lbs a square foot, which can lead to a dangerous situation when access is limited. If the countertop needs to be installed in an apartment complex then the elevator has to be measured because it will limit the size of the countertops.
3) Stability of the countertop piece: Here at Italian Marble we do not like to put joints at the sink section of a countertop. This is due to the fact that the sink section is the most vulnerable, therefore there is a greater probability of the joint “popping” at the sink. This is due to the sink, with dishes and water, pulling at the seam. Therefore we do not put the joints at the sink and we put a steel rod in the reinforce the sink section. However if a customer has a large peninsula and an undermount sink but does not want a joint there is an increased chance of the stone breaking during installation. Therefore during the layout process we look at the access and sink location on a per customer basis to determine if the stone can accommodate no joint.
Over the years the way dishwashers are attached has changed. This is primarily due to the fact that many of the counters people are having installed are granite, quartz, or marble. When formica tops are installed the dishwashers can be attached directly to the formica tops, by being screwed in. With granite, quartz, and marble this cannot be done. Therefore many of the dishwasher companies are making their dishwashers side mountable. If you have a relatively new dishwasher it probably has to the ability to be attached to the side of your cabinet. If you dishwasher is older, or in the rare occasion not side-mountable then we can attached a metal strip under the surface and the clips can be attached to it. The easiest way to determine if your dishwasher has the ability to be side mounted is to look at the installation manual. It should give you two different options, and one will explain how to attach it to the cabinet rather than the counter. Below is an example of how a dishwasher can be attached to the side of a cabinet.
Here at Italian Marble & Granite in Buffalo we offer a wide variety of Quartz products. Many of the colors look alike, however some manufactures are beginning to come up with great marble alternatives. People want quartz for many reasons. Such as the consistency of the stone, durability, and ability to now look like marble.
Many quartz products have consistent colors. They are a solid color, have some speckles, or have sparkle going through out them. However, some are beginning to have some movement going through them.
The durability of quartz is also a huge leading factor in the decision to purchase it. Quartz products are not porous and do not need to be sealed, which is why many medical professionals are putting it in their offices. But also many homeowners are beginning to put it in their homes due to lack of maintenance. As a side note though the quartz products are not heat resistant which is why their warranty will be voided in used on fireplaces.
Lastly building off of the durability component of quartz, many quartz products are beginning to look similar to marbles. This is a huge selling factor for us. Many people love the look of the white marbles. Now many of the quartz companies are beginning to come up with stones that looks like Statuario marble and Calacatta marble. These natural marbles are beautiful but the maintenance can be overwhelming. They are porous, can etch, and need to be sealed frequently.
At Italian Marble and Granite we offer six different brands, Caesarstone, Hanstone, Zodiaq, Q-Stone, Daltile, and Silestone. Come in and check them out, we have something for every price point!
Hopefully in Buffalo the weather will begin to change and all the snow will start to become sunshine. With this in mind many people are beginning to plan their outdoor patios, outdoor kitchens, and other outdoor living spaces. When making selections for your outdoor patios their are many things to keep in mind when determine what surfaces to use:
1) The type of stone. Many people like quartz, but for the most part you cannot use it outside. Quartz cannot be used with heat, such as a firepit, and it cannot be exposed to the outdoor elements like rain and sunshine. This is due to the fact that there is dye used to produce the stone and the elements can change the color of the stone. Granite and soapstone are the most recommended for the outside, soapstone being the best material. The soapstone can handle heat the best, where as some granite are too brittle for outdoor use. This is especially important in Buffalo. Buffalo experiences all four season therefore the stone will be expanding and contracting with the weather.
2) Color of the stone should also be taken into account. Black stones can be very HOT during the summer. Think about getting your car in the summer with a leather black interior. Your black granite can be like that outside. Therefore if using black stone make sure it is not in the direct sunlight.
3) Consult your granite sales person/fabricator about the integrity of the stone outside. As mentioned earlier some stones perform better outside than others. Granite with a lot of crystal is not ideal for the outdoors because of the expansion and contraction as mentioned earlier. Let your sales person and fabricator be a part of the conversation when picking the perfect outdoor stone.
4) The temperature outside matters when installing the stone. Certain epoxy and glues only work in certain temperatures. Unfortunately that can mean delaying an install by a day if the the temperature decides to drop below 50 degrees.
5) Lastly, start planning early! If you are thinking you want to use this new outdoor living space for memorial day weekend, make sure you shopping now.
Recently Italian Marble and Granite had the privilege to work on the Buffalo Home and Garden Show with the Interior Design Association of Western New York. The Interior Design Association completed an entire 1000 square foot pre fabricated home that was staged on the second floor of the Buffalo Convention Center. The home was decorated beautifully by many of the designers and strategic partners of the Interior Design Association. The bedroom furnishings were supplied by Ethan Allen. The living room and dining room was completed by Kittinger Furniture. Italian Marble and Granite completed the kitchen with Creative Storage. The countertops were a white quartz from Q-Stone, a Quartz supplier. Creative Storage supplied white cabinets that were innovative and maximized the space and storage.
The Buffalo Home and Garden Show is a great way to get ideas for your home and see some of the latest trends. Make sure to check it out next year!
