Posts Tagged ‘marble countertops’

Quartz kitchen worktops, Silestone, Caesarstone, Technistone

Saturday, March 24th, 2012

Engineered stone worktops are man-made composites often made of 93% crushed quartz and between 3% and 7% binders and resins. Since these worktops are made from real quartz, they are very durable. Their ease of maintenance make them a favorite of families.

The disadvantages of engineered stone include the fact that it can be very expensive. Due to the fact that the material is man-made, as opposed to natural, the color is very uniform - missing out on the variations which occur in nature. Also, there may be visible seams.

Advantages of engineered stone far outweigh any disadvantages. Due to the materials used to create the product, such as quartz or even marble, these countertops are very durable and strong. Easy to install, virtually maintenance-free, it is easy to clean these worktops. Engineered Stone is usually 1/4 inches thick which makes it very easy to install over current worktops.

As these countertops are so durable, they are both scratch resistant and heat resistant. To be safe, however, avoid putting hot items directly on the countertop. These tops are stain-resistant, making them very family-friendly. Since they are non-porous, bacteria is unable to find a place to grow. Also, there is no need to reseal the product, thereby reducing maintenance involved.

Selecting colors can be difficult because there are so many to select from. You will find a wide variety of selections, many fashioned after currently available non-engineered products - such as Cambrian Black and Earth Brown.

Some of the colors available include: white, beige, peach, red, maroon, purple, sky blue, navy blue, green, yellow, orange, black, gray, and brown. New hues and colors are constantly being introduced. Some of the newer shades include Lavender, Mulberry, and Magenta. With so many selections, the design possibilities are endless.

Although engineered stone is usually associated with kitchen countertops, there are, in fact, many different uses for this great and durable material. For bathrooms, the product is perfect for vanities. The stain-resistance means that you do not need to worry about water seeping in and staining the product. The stone is also durable enough to be used as a flooring.

Although engineered stone has only been around for about 30 years, it has already become an incredibly popular product. In fact, many people refer to the brand instead of the product. If you are considering engineered stone worktops, the selection of colors as well as the versatility of the product make it perfect for any home.

Andy is a renowned natural stone specialist who has written numerous articles on various interior design ideas related to natural stone and quartz composite dimensional stone. His articles focus on marble worktops as well as quartz work surfaces and various uses for granite and marble.

For more information and advice about granite worktops and quality quartz work surfaces, please visit: granite supplier London Granite ltd specializes in solid black granite worktops and quality granite countertops within Greater London Area, United Kingdom.

Granite Kitchen Worktops Amazingly Beautiful

Saturday, March 24th, 2012

Granite Kitchen Worktops for a Beautiful Kitchen

If you are remodeling your kitchen, you want to be sure you have the highest quality, most beautiful materials to make your new kitchen exactly what you want it to be. Whether you’re looking for a sleek, modern look or a more traditional, country-style ambience, granite kitchen worktops can provide a sturdy, long lasting surface for all your culinary adventures.

What is Granite?

Granite is a strong, durable, natural substance commonly used for kitchen counter tops and other interior decorating functions. An igneous rock, it is formed when magma, the molted rock that forms in volcanoes, solidifies. Because it contains quartz, it often has areas that sparkle, almost like diamonds or glass. Other elements or types of rock found within granite determine its overall color. For example, granite that contains a large amount of potassium tends to be white in color. Granite with larger quantities of feldspar will be varying shades of pink. Many other colors can also be found in different types of granite.

Granite often carries veins of different colors, producing a natural pattern that adds to its appeal. The patterns found in a single deposit of granite can vary greatly, with some granite deposits being more uniform than others. For this reason, it is important to find someone who is experienced in working with granite to be sure the colors and patterns work well for your decorating needs, and that abrupt changes in color or pattern does not disrupt the overall look of the worktop.

Advantages of Granite Worktops

Granite kitchen worktops offer several advantages over other materials, including:

*Granite is very hard, and so will stand up well to kitchen use
*Granite surfaces are very smooth, providing a reliable surface for activities like rolling out dough or kneading bread
*Once properly treated, granite is non-porous and easy to clean
*Granite is heat resistant
*Granite comes in a wide variety of colors, providing variety to match your kitchen decor

Granite’s beauty, durability and overall quality make it an excellent choice for kitchen worktops

Care of Granite Worktops

As a general rule, granite worktop surfaces require very little maintenance. Most typical kitchen messes can be easily wiped off the smooth surface. Granite’s heat resistant nature means that it will not burn, melt or char if hot pans are placed directly on the countertop, although this is not a recommended practice.

General care guidelines include:

*Clean up messes right away to avoid possible staining
*Do not cut food directly on the counter
*Use only cleaning supplies designed for granite care, or supplies recommended by your countertop installer

Most granite worktops require a special sealing treatment, because granite is naturally somewhat porous. In some cases, this sealant might need to be reapplied on a regular basis such as every six months or annually. To find out the best way to care for your granite worktops, be sure to ask the company who installs your countertops for detailed care instructions.

With all these advantages, including easy care and maintenance, granite kitchen worktops provide an excellent addition to your kitchen makeover. For beauty, durability and uniqueness, few substances can beat natural granite

Granite Supplier

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

A Few Tips in Finding a Suitable Granite Supplier

 

Granite worktops are fast becoming the choice of many

people across the globe. People prefer granite worktops as they are more

durable, tough and very appealing. Further, they can work well with any kind of

interior décor and come in a range of colors and textures.  As a home maker, granite worktops offer great

value for your money and are indeed a very good investment on your home.

However, there is one thing that troubles a person when opting for a granite

worktop and that pertains to finding a reliable granite supplier. Well, in this

regard, here are a few tips that will help you in finding a good granite

supplier. Ask a few questions.

 

a)      How long since the company has been in this

business? You should understand that most of the companies wind up within the

first couple of years if they are not doing well. You can check up on the bona

fides of the companies you have short listed by going online and doing a web

check.

 

b)      Next, find out whether the company is VAT

registered. This will give you a fair idea of what their turnover is.

 

c)      Similarly, find out whether the company is

a member of any trade organization.

 

d)      Check up what kind of machinery is being

used by the companies you have short listed.

 

e)       Find

out who you are dealing with. Check up whether you can visit their factory and

see the quality of the stone they use. Genuine companies will not have a

problem with this.

 

f)       Check out for any testimonials from

previous customers, dealers, architects and home designers.

 

g)      Finally, check up how transparent the

quotes are.

 

By following the above tips, you will be able to very

quickly shortlist the most suitable granite supplier for your firm, factory or

residence.