A countertop layout is when a customer views their selected stone and sees where their countertop will be cut out of their specific slabs. When customers come into Italian Marble and Granite for their layout they have usually seen their selected slabs at least once before. But during the layout they are shown their selection again. Then they go into our conference room where they see a 3D layout of their kitchen on our television. At this point the customer can see how exactly we are going to cut and put together their countertops. The customer will see grain direction, sink location, as well as the joint locations. We also pride ourselves in giving our customers a voice during the layout process. If they do not like a particular section of the stone we try our best to cut around it or move it around to a less noticeable spot.
Why do a layout? It gives the customer a say in their countertop. We want our customers to see exactly what is being installed into their home or office. Stones that have a lot of movement such as marble and granite are especially important because customers want to see how the different slabs are going to come together. When working with Quartz the layout is not as important because the pattern is very consistent and there tends to be limited to no grain direction. Check out our video to see how it all works!
Granite is a beautiful natural product that is taken directly from the Earth. Each individual slab of granite or other natural stone will look slightly different. With this said there a some natural characteristics of granite countertops that cannot be avoided.
Pits- Some granites have pits and others do not, it depends directly on the mineral composition of the stone. In some cases you will be able to feel the pits on high polished granite countertops when rubbing your hand across the stone. The pits will not get worse, and have been in the granite since purchased. So what exactly is a pit? A pit is a gap between the mineral composition or crystals.
Fissures- Like pits fissures are natural to granite and other stones as well. A fissure looks like a crack in the granite, but it is not one. This happens as the granite forms due to the heat and pressure.
Pits and fissures do not compromise the integrity of the granite countertop, but merely adds to the natural beauty of the stone. Therefore when picking out your stone make sure you are aware of the different characteristics of it. If you do not like the way the fissures or pits look, then perhaps pick another granite that does not have them. Quartz countertops may also be a good option due to it being man made.
There are many different natural stone finishes to use on your countertops. They range from leathered (antiqued), honed, polished, and many more. These finishes do not necessarily jeopardize the integrity of the granite countertops. However, additional coats of sealer may need to be applied. When a stone is leathered it creates a textured finish, which varies depending on the quartz structure of the stone. Meaning that two different granites can have a leathered finish but one may have more texture than the other.
It is important to try and think of what “look” you are trying to achieve. Some customers prefer the leathered finish when they are trying to achieve a more rustic or old feel in their kitchen. Polished granite countertops and leathered granite countertops can bring two different looks. The picture above shows a leathered granite countertop out of African Tapestry. The granite countertop below is the same stone, but with a polished finish. Both granites bring something different to the kitchen. It is important to see that leathering the stone lightens it as well.
Choosing the right countertop edge profile can feel overwhelming, especially when different stones have different requirements. At Italian Marble & Granite, our team helps Buffalo NY homeowners navigate this decision every day. Here are the three factors we always consider: 1. The Type of Stone Stone characteristics should drive your edge selection. Quartz (engineered stone) can accommodate almost any edge profile — with one exception. A rockface finish, which has a rough, chiseled appearance, is not recommended for quartz as most manufacturers will void the warranty if it’s used. For natural stones like granite and marble, we look at how the stone behaves during fabrication. Some granites and marbles are more prone to chipping, which means sharp-pointed profiles like an ogee may not be the right choice. Stones with a “sugary” texture are also poor candidates for a rockface edge — the risk of breakage during fabrication is simply too high. 2. The Feel of the Room Edge profiles carry a design personality. A bevel edge reads as clean and contemporary. An ogee or ogee stepback has a formal, furniture-like quality that works well in traditional kitchens. The right edge reinforces the overall design intent of the space. 3. Budget At IM&G we have four standard edge profiles included in our pricing. Built-up edges, ogees, and bullnoses require additional labor and are priced accordingly. Your sales person will walk you through what’s standard and what carries an upcharge before you commit.
The edge profile is one of the last decisions in a countertop project — but it shouldn’t be an afterthought. Make sure your fabricator reviews the characteristics of your specific stone and helps match the edge to both the material and your room. That’s part of what we do at every consultation.
It’s that time of year again! Everyone is coming over and surrounding your beautiful marble, granite, or quartz countertops. Food and different beverages will be passed around, but how safe is your countertop.
If you have a marble, you are probably aware of the different factors that can hurt your counter. Different foods and beverages can stain or etch your stone. In regards to the granite, it is still a natural product. Staining is not as much of problem as it is for marble. However, it is not recommend to let spilled red wine sit there for awhile. If you have overhang on your island or peninsula make sure no one is standing or sitting on it. There is not as much support at the overhangs and the countertops can break.
So what can you do to help prevent damage to your countertops?
Check to see if your countertops need to be sealed. (QUARTZ DOES NOT NEED TO BE SEALED) It is a common misconception that granite needs to be sealed every couple months. We use high quality sealers that can last up to ten years, especially on granite. Take some water and put it on your counter. After a couple minutes if the water starts to bead then you do not need to reseal your granite or marble. If the water in being absorbed into the stone, then it needs to be sealed. If your counter needs to be sealed call your local granite fabricator. They have high quality sealers that are easy to apply.
Make sure you have your guests use coasters, especially on the marble. The last thing you want are marks from everyone’s red wine or food.
Do not allow anyone to sit or stand on the countertops.
If you are using quartz make sure you are not putting hot pans directly on the surface, you run the risk of melting or damaging your counter tops.
Sometime stains happen. If they do, call your fabricator as soon as possible. There are different products they can use to try and remove the stain.
We hope this helps during this busy time of year. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
