Information About Stone
Types of Stone:
Granite is the stone that we specialize in for the following reasons:
- Granite is the most stain resistant of all natural stones.
- You can take a hot pan from the oven and put it on your countertop without damaging the stone.
- It is very difficult to scratch.
- It is harder than any other natural stone used for countertops. The hardest mineral commonly found in granite is quartz.
- Granite, as well as other natural stones, contains no pollutants and does not promote bacteria growth. These characteristics, combined with its timeless beauty, make it the perfect choice for a kitchen countertop. It is also used for vanities, fireplace surrounds, flooring, etc.
Marble is used for vanities, decorative tops, table tops, flooring, fireplace surrounds, etc. It is a softer stone than granite, and we do not recommend using it for kitchen countertops. It will scratch and stain more easily than granite.
Soapstone is also used for counter tops. It is an extremely dense natural stone, but softer than granite and will scratch more easily. We recommend applying mineral oil to the soapstone after installation; this will darken the stone and help to hide the scratches. Most scratches can be removed by rubbing with 800 grit, or higher, sandpaper.
Engineered Stone can be used for most applications and we are able to fabricate many different products, from HanStone and Quarella Marble, to Caesarstone.
Finishes of Stone:
Polished Finish: used on countertops, walls, table tops, floor tile, etc. The face of the stone is glossy, reflects light and shows the color and markings of the stone.
Honed Finish: used mainly for floors, stair treads, etc. The face of the stone has a satin like finish and has very little reflection of light.
Flamed Finish: used often on granite floor tiles. The face of the stone has a rough textured surface.
Characteristics of Stone Slabs:
Stone slabs come in two widths, 3cm (1 1/4") and 2cm (3/4").
The average granite slab is about 50 square feet.
Granite slabs weight between 17-22 pounds per square foot. Although stone is heavy, the weight is distributed evenly over the cabinets and additional reinforcement is usually not needed.
