|
|
What's the difference
between marble and granite?
Although both stones are quarried from the earth
granite and marble (which includes its relatives
- travertine, limestone & onyx) are quite
different from one another. Marbles start
out as sediment and other materials and are
forged at the bottom of bodies of water after
millions of years of solidification.
Granite on the other hand, is formed deep within
the earth's crust at extremely high
temperature. This hard, durable stone is
composed of crystallized minerals.
What do I need to
consider when buying marble or granite?
Because it is a natural stone, marble-and more
recently granite-has been blessed with a
remarkable natural beauty that has captivated
humans throughout the ages. Inherent in such
natural products is a certain lack of
predictability that sophisticated architects and
designers celebrate. Consumers who are less
acquainted with the material expect the marble
ordered to be identical to the picture or sample
they were shown. Although sample stones are
intended to be representative of the quarry's
product, the material quarried at one time may
differ slightly in color an veining from the
sample. Moreover, even a single marble or
granite slab will possess a certain amount of
color variation from one end to the other.
Interior designers and architects have come to
view this tendency of natural stone as an
advantage. Slight irregularities can be
pleasing, introducing an element of the natural
into human-designed spaces, whether residential
or commercial.
Should I use marble or
granite for my kitchen countertops?
Considered the second hardest stone, granite is
the best selection for kitchen
countertops. It is not affected by extreme
heat or cold. Under normal use, granite's
polish is also resistant to etching caused by
household acids and scratching by knives,
silverware, pots and pans.. It is possible
to use marble in the kitchen. However, due to the fact that it is
easy to scratch and is affected by acidic
substances, such as vinegars, ketchups etc., we
don’t usually recommend it.
Is it necessary to seal
stone?
Stone surfaces are porous and have a tendency to
absorb liquids. Staining and discoloring
can occur as a result of this absorbtion. All marble an granite tops are sealed
immediately after they are installed. The
applied sealer penetrates the stone,
clogging most of its pores and making it
impervious to alcohol, juices, soft drinks,
cosmetics, cleaners, coffee, food and oil.
Over the course of time, the sealer eventually
gets washed out. Taking simple
precautions, such as promplty wiping off
liquids, and regular maintenance with commercial
grade products will aid stone in maintaining its
original luster and save a lot of future trouble
and cost.
What is the best way to
clean marble and other stones?
Never use
powdered cleansers or abrasive pads to clean
your stone. Even "soft scrub" type
cleaners contain pumice, which is powdered
volcanic stone, and might damage your stone
countertops or floors. Never use any product
which is acidic; this includes substances like
ammonia or many common liquid cleaners such as
Windex. You should always use sealers and
cleaning products designed specifically for
natural stone.
Do I have to buy the whole
sheet/slab?
Stones are sold as complete slabs. Your fabricator buys the
raw material and sells you the completed
installation. The price charged by the
fabricator includes the cost
of transporting the material, making field
measurements and templates, cutting, polishing,
bringing the pieces to your job site and fitting
them into place. How much material the
fabricator needs is
determined by the layout and the amount of
waste. The fabricator will lay out your job in a
way that will minimize the amount of waste
material while maximizing the natural beauty of
veining and pattern.
|
