PROFESSIONAL GRANITE, MARBLE & QUARTZ FABRICATORS & INSTALLERS
Natural stone has been used as a building material since ancient times. Granite, Marble and Quartz (which is part man made) are very popular materials that will showcase your home’s interior and exterior beauty.
Each piece of natural stone features its own natural beauty of color, structural character and texture, adding a sense of purity, elegance and distinctive look to any design. Natural stone can be used anywhere your imagination takes you – a board room, an office, a restaurant or simply the comforts of your own home.
Please review this handy buying guide of various materials prior to choosing your material.
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Buying Guide
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Granite
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Marble
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Slate
|
Soapstone
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| Scratch Resistant |
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
| Stain Resistant |
Yes*
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Bacteria Resistant |
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Heat Resistant |
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Burn Resistant |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| 100% Natural |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Buying Guide
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Caesar Stone®
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Ceramic Tile
|
Solid Surface
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Laminate
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| Scratch Resistant |
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
| Stain Resistant |
Yes*
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Bacteria Resistant |
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Heat Resistant |
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Burn Resistant |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| 100% Natural |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Granite
Quarried from mountains of Italy, Brazil, the U.S., India and dozens of other countries around the world, granite is one of the most popular natural stones on the market. It provides organic beauty, indisputable strength and ultra durability. Traditionally, it’s the ideal material chosen by architects and engineers when permanence, enduring color and texture, and complete freedom from deterioration and maintenance are vital.
Granite can be used indoors and outdoors. Both eye-catching and ageless, it’s available in a many colors, textures and finishes that complement any decor. Granite can hold up in the most demanding situations. When used outdoors, granite’s mineralogical composition can endure freeze and thaw cycles. The diamond-like hardness of granite makes it impervious to extreme heat, ultraviolet light, acids and abrasions. However, it is somewhat porous and requires a penetrating sealer to deter stains.
Granite is dense and coarse grained and one of the hardest materials on earth, ranking close to that of quartz. Granite is an igneous rock, which means it was once molten and formed as it slowly cooled deep within the earth’s surface. Minerals appear within the granite as small flecks or nodules throughout the stone, creating a “salt and pepper” affect. Some types have veining similar to that of marble.
Marble
Marble is found in the mountain regions of Canada, Italy, Germany, Spain, the U.S. and other countries. Marble, though indeed luxurious, is soft and porous and needs regular waxing/sealing. Marble should be cared for as you would fine wood finish. Using coasters on table tops and immediately cleaning up spills will preserve marble’s natural beauty. Marble stones consist of limestone that has undergone high heat and intense pressures. A transformation process takes place when the weight of overlaying material, pressure from crystal collisions and heat from the earth’s core generate temperatures in excess of 1800F. This altered its crystalline structure and introduced other minerals that produce the valuable colors and veining that are characteristics of marble. Marble is composed predominately of crystalline grains of calcite – dolomite or serpentine.
Soapstone
Soapstone is a natural stone quarried from the earth in blocks like granite and marble. It’s made from different materials, but is primarily composed of talc, which gives soapstone its silky smooth feel. It is low maintenance, and unrivaled for its family-friendly resiliency. Unlike granite and marble, soapstone is naturally non-porous and stain resistant. Being softer then both granite and marble, it has a tendency, under stress, to scratch or dent rather than chip. It is also typically easier to repair than granite or marble.
Soapstone oxidizes (turns dark) when exposed to water, grease and oils. Given this, it is recommended that soapstone countertops be treated with mineral oil to keep the oxidation uniform across the entire surface. Colors range from dark grey to bluish or greenish gray. Soapstone has a personality as no two pieces are exactly the same and each can produce unique variations in veining and color.
Quartz
Quartz is considered a man made product but it generally consists of 93% natural materials (crushed quartz) or more and the remainder is resin material. Quartz is extremely hard and is scratch, bacteria, heat, and fire resistant. It require no maintenance. It also comes in many colors. It tends to be lighter and
