New to Owning Granite Countertops? Learn How to Take Care of Them

A bathroom remodel can be as simple as upgrading the existing countertops to a natural stone that is both durable and alluring. New countertops will give your current bathroom a more modern and luxurious appeal. Many types of natural stone are available for countertop and flooring use; choose a durable, hard stone that is water and stain resistant for your bathroom. An ideal natural material for your bathroom countertop upgrade is quartzite. Learn more about this beautiful stone to learn why this material is ideal for your bathroom area. Quartzite Is Extremely Durable Quartzite is even more durable than quartz is, making the natural stone ideal for your bathroom that gets heavy use. While quartzite is susceptible to scratches and can chip because the stone is not flexible, the strength of this material makes it very heat resistant - a desirable quality in a countertop surface that will be exposed to the heat of blow dryers, curling irons, and hair straighteners. Quartzite Is Low-Maintenance Granite, marble, and other types of natural stone are more porous and less durable than quartzite is, resulting in more maintenance needs than quartzite. Quartzite will need to be sealed to protect the surface against stains and chips or dents, but other than regular sealing by your countertop specialist, the material requires very little care. To clean quartzite countertops as part of your regular bathroom care, simply use a damp rag or sponge (do not use abrasive products, such as steel wool, which can scratch your countertops) with a mild dish soap to gently remove makeup stains, toothpaste spots, and other debris from your quartzite surfaces. Use a dry rag to periodically remove dust particles and hair from your bathroom surfaces. Quartzite Is Cost-Effective The cost to install quartzite countertops is similar to that of quartz: quartzite countertops cost around $60 per square foot but can be more expensive if a custom design is needed. By comparison, marble costs around $75 or more per square foot to install, while granite has a price of around $45 or more to install. Compare the costs, as well as the pros and cons, of quartzite materials to other natural stone products to make the best decision for your bathroom remodeling needs. Quartzite Is Attractive If you desire a beautiful yet subtle natural stone for your bathroom that is universally appealing, quartzite is a solution for your bathroom. Quartzite naturally comes in a light gray to a bluish tone with soft veins throughout the material. The results are softer in effect than traditional quartz but no less beautiful. White quartzite, in particular, resembles marble but is much more durable. Quartzite, being a natural stone, will vary in hue darkness and vein depth from one stone slab to the next. Your professional natural stone countertop installer will help you choose beautiful quartzite pieces that will give your bathroom countertops a luxurious upgrade. To keep your new quartzite countertops in pristine condition, have the natural stone sealed every year by your countertop specialist . You will know your countertops need new sealant by doing a simple water test: simply place a bead of water on your countertop's surface, and watch the water either keep its shape or get absorbed into the material. Any absorption of the water on your natural stone surface is a sign that sealing should be done. With proper care and cleaning, your new quartzite countertops will remain beautiful in your bathroom for many years. Your countertop specialist will show you different varieties of quartzite to meet your bathroom's design best. Our specialists at Custom Marble And Onyx will install your natural stone countertops professionally and beautifully; call us today.

Palaces and statues made from marble over 1,000 years ago still stand today. The beautiful and durable stone has been consistently sought out to decorate the most elegant homes all over the world. It is a material that anyone can incorporate into their home in some manner, and fireplaces provide an excellent opportunity. Versatile in Design Each piece of marble, like granite, is unique. The color options are endless, and the veining and other patterns in the stone are different in every section of the material. Homeowners can install large slabs of marble or create whatever pattern they wish with the variety of marble tiles available. The options make it simple for anyone to create a one-of-a-kind design for their home. The elegant look of polished marble is perfect for formal homes. The addition of the natural stone adds a timeless and classic look to any room where it is installed. However, this is not a product that is only for high-end homes. Marble can easily blend with casual and even rustic interiors. Nearly any design style can be accentuated with marble. Use the product anywhere around the fireplace. It makes an eye-catching surround, a stunning mantlepiece, and even looks beautiful on the hearth or over the chimney. Aside from the actual firebox, marble is suitable for every part of a fireplace. Durable Material Choice Marble is heat and fire resistant and is safe for wood or gas fireplaces, so it is a sensible finish option. The stone is durable enough to withstand the abuse of fireplace tools and stacked firewood. Stains are avoided when the marble is properly sealed. Ease of Cleaning Any homeowner that has grown tired of scrubbing soot stains from bricks or who has been forced to repaint their wood mantel each year to keep it clean will appreciate the ease of caring for marble. Dust the material weekly and wash away any soot or debris with a damp rag as needed. Mild dish detergent or marble cleaner is useful for scrubbing away stubborn stains. It is possible to reclaim the material by having the marble polished again if it loses its sheen. Restoration of this type may be needed if the stone is not properly cleaned, if an acidic cleanser is used or if a chimney fire leaves behind heavy soot stains. Simple Safety Precautions Marble is porous, so sealants are used to prevent stains. Apply the sealer to the marble, including the grout if a tile is used, after installation. Re-seal every few months as needed. There are simple tests to do at home to determine if it is time to apply a sealant. Put a small amount of water on the material and allow it to sit for about 15 minutes. Wipe up the water and look at the surface to see if the area where the water sat is darker than its surroundings. If so, it means the marble absorbed the water, and it is time apply the sealant. Perform the test with mineral oil if an oil-based sealant was originally used. Sealing the marble is a straightforward and simple process, so there is no need to contact a professional. All that is needed is to clean and dry the marble and add a layer of acid-resistant impregnator. There are numerous brands available at hardware and home improvement stores. Follow the directions on the bottle to ensure it is applied properly. Marble is just one of our specialties at Custom Marble and Onyx . Any homeowner that wants to boost the value and appeal of their home with natural stone should contact us for more information. It is possible to create a unique look for any home with so many options available. Visit our website or call today for more information. ​

When you are thinking about remodeling your kitchen, there are many decisions that you will need to make in the process. One of the most important of these decisions is to choose the right countertop material for your kitchen. The countertops can set the tone for your whole design scheme and can also make a major difference in the functionality of your kitchen. Get to know some of the best countertop material options available to you so you can be sure you get the right countertops for your newly remodeled kitchen. Granite Countertops Granite is one of the most popular and most beautiful countertop options available for any home. This stone product comes in a variety of finishes and colors which can help you to give your kitchen that unique style you are going for. Granite is considered to be a high-end product meaning it will elevate your kitchen in appearance and can take you from a drab-looking kitchen to a stunning one. This is also a very strong and durable material. It scores a seven on what is known as the Moh's scale of hardness. This means that it is a very difficult material to scratch. One drawback with granite is that it does need to be sealed and resealed on a regular basis (every one to two years). This is because granite is porous, meaning it is more absorbent than some other stones. If you did not reseal your granite regularly, you would run the risk of severe and permanent staining. Marble Countertops Another popular option for your kitchen countertops is marble. Many people love marble for its chic and luxurious appearance and style. Marble is a beautiful stone option for your kitchen countertops, but it does have a few drawbacks of its own. Marble is a much softer stone than granite or some of the other countertop options available to you. Because of this, it is susceptible to chipping and scratching. If you do a great deal of chopping and knife work in your kitchen, you will have to be very careful to avoid hitting your marble countertops. Marble is often prone to staining and even with sealant, will likely become discolored over time, developing what is known as a patina. They are also particularly susceptible to stains from acidic kitchen items such as berries, coffee, and red wine. However, if you are careful with your countertops and wipe up spills right away, the beautiful style of marble countertops cannot be denied. The price is often right as well with most varieties of marble being far less expensive than granite, quartz, and other options. Soapstone Countertops Soapstone is one of the lesser known options for kitchen countertops, but that does not make them any less desirable or effective. This is a natural stone option which requires little sealing or finishing in comparison to other countertop options. Unlike marble or granite, soapstone is a little more rustic in nature and can even complement an industrial look and vibe in your kitchen. If you are looking for countertops that are very homey and natural-looking, then soapstone is the option for you. One of the best parts about soapstone is that it is not prone to scratching or staining. It also is naturally anti-bacterial and is very low-maintenance in general. You do not have to worry about sealants or about using special cleaners on your soapstone countertops because all you need to do is use soap and water to clean them. Knowing all of this about these three amazing countertop options , you can choose the best possible option for your newly-remodeled kitchen.

Marble could be considered one of the most desirable home interior materials. However, traditional marble can have its downfalls for some homeowners, which is why cultured marble was developed. Cultured marble is made up of a mix of natural stone and polyester resin, which makes it slightly more resilient to moisture and an ideal material to use for your surrounding walls in the shower. If you have a cultured marble shower in your home, then you have a valuable feature, but you should know that taking care of your cultured marble is just as important as properly maintaining traditional marble. Here is a look at a few tips to help you keep your cultured marble shower looking like new for the long term. 1. Wipe Down the Cultured Marble After Showers Cultured marble is resilient to moisture, but it can be stained just like regular marble . Leaving excess moisture on the shower walls can leave behind things like trace minerals, dirt, and soap scum that can cause stains to develop over time. Instead of leaving your cultured marble shower to air dry after you step out, it is best to wipe away any excess moisture. You can do this quickly with a small squeegee or even a dry towel, just make sure you dry off all areas of the marble. 2. Remove Stains from the Cultured Marble Quickly Even if you wipe down your shower after every use, there is always a chance of causing a stain. Whether it is from products you used in the shower, such as shampoo or soap, or some other type of stain, hydrogen peroxide can usually get the stain out. There are a few basic steps of stain removal to keep in mind: Soak a cloth or paper towel in hydrogen peroxide Lay or situate the cloth over the stained area of the marble Allow the stained area to remain covered overnight with the peroxide-soaked cloth Rinse the next day with cold water to wash away any residue If the stain still exists after following these steps, you can also try using a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to create a gentle scrub to slough away the stain. The faster you remove the stain, the less likely it will settle deeply into the surface layers of the cultured marble. 3. Follow General Maintenance Guidelines for Your Cultured Marble The glossy finish of cultured marble can become dull and unimpressive if you use the wrong cleaning solutions. It is good to occasionally polish the surface of the marble with a quality marble polishing solution. But the occasional polish and cleaning materials aren't the only things you need to worry about. Here are some other tips to keep in mind: Check any caulking around the cultured marble periodically Use only soft-bristled scrubbers or sponges for cleaning the cultured marble Take care not to drop heavy objects directly on cultured marble shower floors Even though cultured marble is a little heartier than all natural stone, it does need to be properly cared for on a regular basis so it does not lose its luster with age. When your cultured marble shower is installed, you will be given care instructions that are provided by the manufacturer that should be followed to prolong the new look of the material. With your cultured marble shower being such a valuable and attractive attribute of your home, you undoubtedly want it to last for as long as possible after it is installed. Maintaining that beautiful finish is all about the proper care. Contact us at Custom Marble And Onyx for more information about cultured marble care.