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!!
They just won’t go away! White kitchens continue to be a very popular trend in the industry. There are tons of stones that go great with white kitchens. There are light colored granite stones, marble of course, plenty of quartzites, and many different quartz (man-made) stones that look stunning in white kitchens. Check out this great post from HGTV for some inspiration!
We recently hosted an event in which we brought in some new materials from one of our suppliers in Toronto. One of the main features of the event were the slabs of porcelain from Ciot.
Many people are unfamiliar with this man-made stone as a countertop surface, but porcelain is actually a great choice for vanities, shower walls, and even kitchen countertops.
The slabs come in a reduced thickness (6 mm) and are fully polished. Porcelain is heat resistant since the countertops are made while going through temperatures upwards of 1000 degrees Fahrenheit, according to countertopguides.com. These countertops also resist scratches, chipping, cracks, and every day wear and tear.
In conclusion, if you love the look of marble but are wary of the downsides marble possesses (being a softer stone) then porcelain would be a great alternative for your project.
