Thursday, December 29, 2016

Granite Stone - 4 Tips When Buying


Once only seen in upper-end homes, but now a feature most everyone is looking for, granite countertops are one hot commodity. We got the inside scoop on what to ask for and how to spot quality products and installation from Danny Hallum, vice president of sales for Stone Bridge Homes. Danny has worked in home building and specifically in the business of granite for many years. According to Danny, here is what every buyer needs to know about granite -- that most people don't:

1. Granite can be fabricated by hand or machine
Good craftsmen fabricate better by hand, while the large granite companies do everything by machine. Machine fabricating is quicker, but doesn't polish the edges as well as hand-polishers. To compensate, some companies wax the edges to make them look better, but wax wears off over time. Ask your granite company if they use wax and require them to state in your contract that they don't. Good companies using machines also have employees who manually polish after the machines are done. Ask your fabricator if they manually polish machine edges.

2. Ask about seams

Some granite companies fabricate each piece individually, while others put pieces together, then fabricate. The edging looks better when pieces are fabricated preassembled. Make sure your fabricator installs seams with a suction-automated seam machine. It holds the granite in place and levels the seam much better.

3. Find out if your granite company does its own installs

The large warehouse chains do not fabricate or install. Always use local suppliers who have their own install team. Installation is the key -- you always want local support. Out-of-town and third-party installers are consistently unavailable if you have problems with your install. Local people will support you much better.

4. Insist on 3-centimeter granite

Three-centimeter granite is 70 percent less likely to break than 2-centimeter products. Buy Brazilian or Italian granite only. Most granite is mined in Brazil or Italy, and you want to buy from people who either own the mines or buy directly from the mines. Ask your fabricator if they buy their granite direct or through distributors. Distributors guarantee their quality. They are a little more expensive but worth it, because you can send back anything you don't like.

Read more at sheknows.com

Natural Stone Countertops - Choose from Several Options

The appearance is exquisite, the feel is luxurious and the material is long lasting. Such is the description of natural stone countertop. Regardless of whether it comes in the style of a slab or created as specific tiles each part of the natural stone is unique unto itself.


​Regularly take time and care to choose the one that will work best for your needs. Many are virtually maintenance free and some call for a bit of tender loving care to look their finest such as regular staining or oiling. Natural stone countertops come in an assortment of surfaces with the most common being polished, high gloss, honed or matte. Listed below are some of the variables of living stone countertops.

Granite is the most resilient of the natural stone countertops. The only harder stone is the diamond. It will definitely not scratch, crack or chip and can easily withstand high temperatures. It is able to though crack dishes or glasses if set down too hard. Granite is obtainable in vibrant colors and a polish that won't wear off. Because granite is porous you need reseal it approximately once a year.

Soapstone, which is primarily made up of the mineral talc is preferred in both the contemporary or country style kitchens. The nature of soapstone means acids won't etch the stone and the blemishes can be simply sanded out. Homeowners tend to want the not so ideal soapstone and view it as character rather than of flaws. Mineral oil brings out its rich, dark color and helps make it shine.

The sleek and classy marble countertop is classic. Typically located in the baker's kitchen space, it is the serious bakers' choice for rolling dough. Marble is much more porous compared to granite so it requires sealant to be used much more often to prevent stains. Since it is not nearly as hard as some other stone countertops, it is best to be applied in smaller segments instead than entire countertop.

Gorgeous slate is available in tones of gray, green, purple and black. It's certainly not just for rooftops or floors anymore. Slate is definitely turning into a sought-after solution in the kitchen. Its beauty and toughness make it a durable and stylish choice. As with soapstone, regular treatment with mineral oil will bring out the beauty of this building material. Any scratches can usually be removed by rubbing with a moist sponge. Deeper scratches can be rubbed out by using steel wool.

Limestone consists mainly of calcite, a neutral-toned mineral. Limestone differs in hardness but is a more porous stone that stains easily. It demands routine resealing to prevent stains.

Quartz is an interesting stone countertop. Though often referred to as engineered stone, this material is composed of natural quartz mixed with epoxy resin binders. Quartz is an incredibly hard and durable surface. It is nonabsorbent that makes it far more user friendly and stain resistant. It is basically maintenance free with just a simple wipe off with warm water. Other pigments are mixed in the making of the quartz surfacing and because of this there certainly are stunning colors to choose from.
Lava stone is a more unique countertop material that is often sold under the French brand name Pyrolave. Lava stone is quarried in France then enameled and fired. It possesses a really high gloss finish and colors can be customized

Friday, October 28, 2016

Stone Fireplace Ideas


Fires flickering in natural-stone fireplaces create a place to kick back and enjoy the warmth. Browse these stone fireplace design ideas and photos for inspiration.

Organic elements always seem to complement each other. So, it's not surprising that natural stones construct an array of fireplace designs that suit a wide range of decorating and architectural styles. Whether granite, limestone, slate, travertine, marble, or fieldstone, natural stone is a versatile material that shifts in appearance depending on a number of factors, including cutting method, stone thickness, and how the stone is installed. Here's a look at how natural stones can be adapted and accented to fashion fireplaces that complement casual, classic, and continental interiors.

Country Character

Rough-hewn aptly describes the natural-stone fireplaces that rise on the walls of Adirondack lodges and primitive farmhouses. Flagstones, whether dry-stacked or laid flat within a sea of white mortar, fashion warm-shaded fireplaces rendered in earthen hues with irregular outlines. These fireplaces' unrefined qualities are best enhanced by unpretentious additions, such as bluestone-slab or craggy timber mantel shelves, bluestone-slab hearths, and painted or stained wood mantels with simple silhouettes.

Transitional Tastes

Ideally suited to transitional-style family and great rooms, these ceiling-to-floor structures straddle the boundary between formal and informal. Randomly placed natural stones sporting hand-chopped and sawn edges might be connected via mortar or appear to be dry-stacked. Vast facades, oftentimes uninterrupted by mantel shelf or mantel, easily accommodate flat-screen television sets, which solves homeowners' fireplace-versus-TV focal-point conundrums.

Traditional Preferences

Weighty white-painted woodwork shaped into statuesque mantels between built-in cabinets turn rustic stone fireplaces into sophisticated structures that feel perfectly at home in historic residences, formal living rooms, and elegantly appointed master bedrooms. Deep crown-molding caps, wainscot-panel details, and raised flagstone hearths combine for classically gracious configurations that boast plenty of period charm and age-old appeal.

Read full article on bhg.com

For more questions about tile and Stone Fireplace Ideas, you may also inquire to your nearest stone fabricator in San Diego CA. 

Monday, August 22, 2016

Tile and Stone Flooring Guide


When shopping for tiles and stone flooring, all we want is to choose what's best and the most appropriate ones for our homes. Tiles which comes in so many forms, can add an incredible and stunning look in any room. And when it comes to tile and stone floors, the options and types can be endless. You can choose from the wide array of tiles such as porcelain, ceramic, natural stone and many others. Not only that you can choose the type, but it also comes in different shapes such as ovals, squares, diamonds and rectangles.

Understanding each characteristics of the types of tiles and stone floors is essential when you are purchasing. This is to ensure whether your desired choice is suited or appropriate for your house or any specific location. There are some of the things you need to consider when purchasing your stone and tile floors. Aside from the type, color, toughness, texture and the materials made, several factors such as moisture resistance, long-wearing durability, and also ease of maintenance also needed to consider.
Tile Offers Form and Function
In the kitchen and bath, the potential for messes and moisture requires a flooring that is high in function, durability, and water-resistance. Tile and stone meet this challenge and bring with it handsome design choices from traditional to contemporary.

Living Room Likeability
Don't pigeonhole tile as just a kitchen and bath flooring. Tile makes a beautiful statement in living and dining spaces, too, thanks to its timeless and natural character.

The Tradition of Stone

Natural stone presents a striking, upscale look in any room. Consider it an investment in your home as it is one of the more expensive flooring choices. Natural stone is a fashionable compliment to traditional style with its classic, and sometimes old-world, look.

Read full article on bhg.com

For more questions about tile and stone flooring, you may also inquire to your nearest stone fabricator in San Diego CA.