Classic Rock
marble & granite
Stone Character
Movement in stone is in reference to its character of grain pattern; where the veins swirl irregularly due to the massive forces at work while it was forming in the earth. These characteristics can be so drastic from one end to the other that it is hard to believe it is the same slab. And yet other slabs have very subtle movements that are most noticeable when you look at them from different angles changing the light reflection. Because granite is a natural product that is subject to variation, no two stones are exactly alike. This means selecting your slab is a very important and personal process that will deserve a lot of consideration, since the show room samples cannot be an exact duplicate of the stone that will be used on your project. The composite of minerals, the quarry it was mined from and finishing process play a large part in the appearance of stone. We have gone to great lengths to provide stone samples for viewing on a monitor screen that are as true in color and texture as can possibly be found, but cannot be absolutely correct due to variations in computer systems, monitors and software compressions. Granite, in its crystalline structure, will always have tiny pits, which are spaces between the various mineral crystals. Within the stone sometimes you will find natural fissures, which appear like cracks, however these natural characteristics are not structural defects and are a result of the immense heat and pressure that occur when it is formed. These distinctive features are part of the beauty of stone and have no negative affect on the function or durability of the material. Natural product should not be expected to look manmade, it takes away much of the character that makes it unique. Samples are just a small portion of what a full slab looks like, and can never be a good representation of what the entire slab will look like. This is why we require slab selection at the stone yards. These slabs will again look different in the light and color of your home; at minimum it will appear lighter or darker, so keep this in mind. There are hundreds of stone colors to choose from, and all are beautiful, but not all will be well suited for your home. Viewing our stone selection can give you an idea of what to expect.
Stone Comparisons
Facts determined in lab studies show that granite is the most durable stone available. Under abrasion tests it proves to be the most resistant to scratches. And all heat tests showed maximum resistance to damage from extreme temperatures found in kitchen use. Further tests revealed that man made stone will catch fire when in contact with a flame. Marble Institute of America and scientific theory posted that the youngest granite is 750 million years old, so that speaks to its durability. Some designers report that it is impossible for man made stone to match the beauty of natural stone, because the unique variation available within each stone offer extremely vivid colors and a very rich look that are impossible to duplicate. Once a high gloss polish is achieved, it will last as long as the stone, counting in eons. Stains in granite are limited to its ability to absorb oil which usually darken the stone but can be removed, eliminating the threat of permanent stains. Although pricing, for both natural and man made stone, are on the higher end of the countertop market, the durability of granite is the most "cost effective" choice. It will retain its beauty and hold its value longer than any other countertop, and this goes for normal wear and tear or the ruff and tumble household. So for maximum security against the threat of damage to a life long investment, granite has become todays top choice for home owners, designers, architects, contractors and cabinetmakers. Granite is unyielding to permanent stains, abrasions and extreme heat. In addition to its natural born qualities of color, pattern and shade you can be assured your countertop will be unique unto itself. The most common questions we hear during stone selection is the difference between marble and granite. Let me start by saying they are very different from each other. Granite which is formed deep in the earths mantle under extreme pressure and high temperatures, is a very dense and damage resistant stone made of quartz which gives it these qualities. Marble, travertine, limestone, soapstone, onyx and slate are lacking the quartz mineral that is most suitable for durable requirements, although they have been used in kitchens for centuries they are not recommended in kitchens intended for maximum durability, due to their lack of the quartz mineral. Stains are more difficult to remove than with granite, and their surface is more vulnerable to household acids including vinegar, mustard, catsup, citrus and a host of other food-related products, which cause a chemical reaction that may remove the polish. Additionally, they can scratch more easily than granite. Marble is, sometimes desired in the kitchen as a pastry slab. Its smooth, cool surface is ideal for rolling dough. Some green stones, are not true marbles, but made of a different substance called serpentine, and do not etch or react to acids the way limestone and marble do, because it is harder. These stones will warp if a water based adhesive is used, so an epoxy adhesive is required. Natural stone and solid surface materials (Corian) have only one thing in common, they are installed in the same location. Solid surface material has its uses, but will never allow the carefree durability of granite or the natural beauty of its individual characteristics. A quality of solid surface is its ability to be extremely consistent in color matching, every square inch is an exact match to one another, and there are also colors not available in natural stone. And seams are made using a liquefied solid surface material which combined with its remarkable color consistency makes them virtually invisible. While the seams on a granite countertop are more noticeable, not all counter tops require the use of seams and the size of slabs available today also helps avoid this. Engineered stone, aka quartz composites, are known by many names. They are primarily made up of more than 90% quartz and usually 6-7% resin material (the flammable part). With this type of stone there is no possibility for staining, making it not necessary for sealing.
Quarry
Natural stone is quarried from almost every country in the world, and sometimes it is shipped to another location to be manufactured into slabs. The amount of processes in handling the stone, to get from quarry to the distributors in our area, will determine the cost. For instances stones with a lot of movement usually require more work on the surface to make the quality good enough for a countertop. Very large blocks of stone are mined from the earth, and then sliced into pieces known as slabs. The slab surface is polished and shipped in bundles stacked together. This procedure has evolved over the centuries. The gang, block or wire saws cut the massive stone block into slabs. These slabs are then carried along a conveyor belt while large diamond pads polish the surface. There are two main grades of stone; one is manufactured for commercial use and the other for residential use. This is determined by quality of color, clarity, veining and other notable features, but the main difference is the quantity and size of pits and pores found in the surface of the stone. For residential use more manufacturing time is need to produce a higher quality product with less pits, and yes these stones will cost more. Always inspect your slabs with a reflection of light that will reveal the quality of the surface. Just remember if you buy cheap stone that was intended for commercial use you will pay for it when trying to keep the countertop clean. Another interesting fact is that a lot of stone is filled with a deep penetrating resin that gives it added strength, which helps during shipping and other handling procedures. Since the shipping of the stone is insured, most insurers require this resin filling to protect the stone. This can also affect the price of the stone; however the most significant affect on the price will always be supply and demand. Colors that are lacking in abundance or the rarity of the stone will drive the price up.
Stone Elements
Unique and sophisticated are the most appropriate words to describe the beauty of natural stone. The varieties of minerals that complete the stone vary in properties and color, making stone exceptionally beautiful. Flecks of quartzite, bronzite, garnet, and other materials sparkle and illuminate the material. Each stone is completely distinct, none will have the same pattern, veining, or defining marks as another, the results will be truly unique. Three different types of stone are formed to create the various stones used in projects today.
Sedimentary rock is located on the uppermost part of the crust. It is formed when an original rock has been destroyed due to weathering. The sediments are transported by water (rivers, streams, or ocean) or wind, and then buried. After the rock was buried, the tiny pieces of sediment bond to form limestone, sandstone, and travertine.
Metamorphic rock is formed when rock that is buried deep in the earth comes in contact with heat, pressure, and chemically active fluids. This process results in a more strongly bonded, dense stone. The heat creates veining that is present in many stones. Marble, quartzite, and slate are formed through this metamorphic process.
Igneous rocks are found deep in the earths crust; they are formed by the cooling and solidification of molten rocks. As the rock cools, crystals form and grow until the molten rock turns into stone. If the cooling occurs slowly, large crystals are formed. If the cooling occurs quickly, smaller crystals are formed. This process is responsible for producing granite, which is made up of orthoclase feldspar, quartz, plagioclase feldspar and ferromagnesium. The changes in color result from the minerals involved in the rock formation. These minerals also determine stone hardness. On a scale of 1-10 (diamonds being hardest), granite is a 6-7 and marble is between 3 and 5. The majority of stone comes from Italy, Spain, Turkey, United States, Mexico, China, Taiwan, India, Greece, Canada, France and Brazil.
Durability
Etching happens when some form of acid comes in contact with the polished surface of softer stone like marble or limestone. This chemical reaction actually eats the stone in a very short period of time removing surface of the stone and destroying the polish, the surface will then be rough or honed, depending on the strength of acid and time left on stone. These acids will have no affect on granite what so ever, and thats the glory of granite, some green marbles are also resistant to etching. A growing concern with the increased use of granite is whether or not bacteria can live in it. The use of granite continues to be approved for applications in the food and medical industries, as well as home use. And a matter of fact is the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has no records of granite harboring bacteria, and has no reports of people becoming ill from bacteria in granite. With regular cleaning, granite is far less likely to support bacteria than butcher block or even other countertop materials. For those of concern, the largest known host for bacteria is wood located around the sink area. We are often asked if granite can be stained, and the answer in general, is no. However since granite, is porous to some extent, but much less than other stones, it can be penetrated by oil thus causing a dark stain. Some colors may absorb some moisture more than others, causing a dark spot that will dissipate within a day, having no long term affect. One example is a puddle of water left on the counter for a period of time, may show a dark spot when the water is wiped away. So as with any rock when it is wet it is darker until it dries completely. Usually, no evidence remains once the liquid is removed and the stone dries. The use of high quality stone sealer can greatly reduce if not eliminate these concerns. Another common question is whether granite can crack under normal use; not if it is installed correctly. Cracks found in slabs are usually caused during shipping and handling of the material. But once properly installed it is virtually impossible to crack, because any type of normal use can not overstress the durability of this material. Be advised, although most countertops could handle it, standing on them does not constitute normal use. So now you are wondering can granite be scratched, well yes diamonds can easily scratch it. You have to understand granite is one of the hardest stones in the world, but under extreme misuse it can be damaged. It will resistant to scratching with normal use, and even some misuse, because it is the toughest stone available today. A knife can not scratch granite, as the quartz in the stone is harder than metal. It is usually scratched by another piece of quartz stone. So if youre thinking of cutting on the stone, we dont advise this, it will dull your knife. Marble and other softer stones on the other hand do not have the quartz mineral that is so beneficial to resisting scratches and are more likely to be damaged by sharp objects. Youre probably wondering if granite can burn with a pan or a flame. Torches used for fabrication, in excess of 1000 degrees can cause the stone to pop loose; this is the technique used to create a flamed surface. But it never really burns or even catches fire. So no you can't burn granite with any normal use. It is absolutely fine for you to set hot pans on granite, it acts as a hot pad, just be advised the stone can be hot to the touch, causing injury. It is such a comfort to know that your investment cannot be ruined by accidents like setting a hot pan on the counter or spills that cause stains and that granite resists scratches caused by normal kitchen use. Your only real threat is chipping, which will not happen under normal use, this usually occurs when a heavy object hits a square edge of the stone. If this happens, rest easy because we can repair it.
Course of Action
So now we have come to the part where you want to know what the plan of action would look like. Well it’s as simple as getting a project folder together of all your information you have gathered from the various sources in your quest for stone. Consider your families needs and the lifestyle changes over the next few years. Get input from your house hold. Obtain blue prints of the cabinet layouts or a rough sketch of your own drawing; be sure to note all measurements in inches. Now you can stop by the showroom. Or if you like we can schedule a free in home consultation where we will make the drawing of your cabinet layout for you. You will need to select a stone with consideration to cabinets, floors and decorating theme. Next, an edge detail will need to be selected, with consideration to the stone thickness. The only performance gain in thickness is, the added strength allows the stone to hang over further, and the only other benefit is how the edge appears. 2cm (3/4”) and 3cm (1-1/4”) are the stone thicknesses available, keep in mind for an additional cost stone can be doubled up to increase edge thickness. You will need to consider the option of top mount or under mount sink. At this point an estimate will be provided to you. When you have decided to start your project, a contract is signed, with a 50% deposit given and scheduling is determined. Then we order the stone and do a field measure that is done on site called templating. As far as removing existing tops, in most cases they can remain until we install; this can be very convenient for the home owner. We then place the templates on the stone to determine the best layout; and the process of fabrication begins. Now the much anticipated day of glory has arrived, it is time for installation. The balance owed is due upon the completion of the installation. For those interested, we have provided great details for each of the three main steps listed.
This first step is simple but very crucial to ensure the quality of the installation. Under no circumstance can the cabinets be moved after templates have been made. All sinks, faucets and appliances that interface with stone must be on site for accurate measuring. Just think of the templates as a large pattern of your project. All countertops to be templated must be free of items that will be in the way of templating whether it be appliances or cabinets that rest on the countertop. There are a few different methods used today for templating, they are wood, styrene plastic, corrugated plastic and the laser templator. The wood used is 1/8 inch strips glued together with a hot glue gun, it functions well accept for it expands when it gets wet and they are not the most durable. The styrene plastic is similar to venetian blinds, this material is quick bonding, easy to cut and is flexible allowing them to be rolled up for transport; the downside is the flexibility is sometime hard to work with and provides an inconsistent template. The corrugated plastic has the slowest bonding time, but is by far the most rigid and durable material to use. The easiest to use is the laser template placed on a tripod reading pins located at each corner allow for fast and accurate templating, these machines can cost several thousand dollars. At time of templating we will determine best location for seams, and how pieces will be carried into the project. We will give all edges a 1-1/2” overhang, and bar tops can have up to 24 inches with the right supports being used. Our next step is done at the shop, and it is a process of laying the template pieces on the granite to confirm seam location and to maximize use of stone. By placing templates in certain locations on the slabs that have a lot of movement and character, it will allow for maximum impact in the designing layout of how the stone will look once installed. This allows your favorite parts of the slab to be most visible. It is also important that the flowing direction of the stone pattern is consistent through out each room. We encourage you to be a part of this procedure.
The fabrication process uses three machines: saws, routers, and polishers. Bridge saws with large diamond plated blades, cooled by water, are used to cut the slabs into the templated shapes. Technology has produced a new style of cutting, it utilizes water in the form of a jet stream full of abrasive material which cut shapes and holes, commonly known as a water-jet. Routers with diamond plated bits create edge details on the cut pieces. Polishers use diamond embedded resin pads to grind down the rough edge to polish the stone. Resin pads range in grit from 50-1500 and up. With the advanced technology of CNC machines human error can be virtually eliminated. This machine can be used to cut and router the slab into the correct dimension, with appropriate holes and shapes of the edges. In some cases it is cut first then placed on the CNC for edge detailing with the computer controlling the entire process of the shaping and polishing. Edge machines can also be used to polish the edge, this machine is a quarter the cost of a CNC machine to purchase, and an excellent time saver.
At time of installation we will remove the existing countertops, if necessary. Install a sub top, if necessary. We prefer to use 5/8" decking, but 3/4" is necessary if european style cabinets are used, because they have very little space between the top of the cabinet and the top of the drawer. The sink will be mounted either before or after the stone is installed depending on the application. Cook tops will be checked to fit the cut out made. Faucet holes will be drilled, if not done in the shop, using a 1-3/8” core bit. Due to slab sizes, seams on a slab countertop are sometimes necessary and unavoidable. A good place to incorporate seams is the least visible areas, or utilizing direction of stone to trick the human eye as it adjusts to the change in direction, making the seam less detectable. The visibility of seams will depend on the color, grain, and movement in the patterns. Also for clarification, take a look at the kitchen displays we have throughout the showroom. Most contain seams and most of these are close to unnoticeable. We encourage you to be present at time of templating to discuss your preference regarding seam location. The visibility of seams can vary depending on the coloration of the stone. Granites with sweeping color movements will have more visible seams, no mater how tight they are. Our goal is to eliminate seams, maximize use of stone, and create a balanced look without purchasing unnecessary additional slabs. Seams can sometimes be felt with the finger tip, but should never disrupt anything sliding across it. Stone slabs are positioned in place then bonded together with epoxy. The positioning of the slabs will sometime require the flexing of the stone to achieve a flush seam that is flat to the touch, a seam machine sometimes aids in this process. Good seams are always tightest at the top. When using epoxy, coloring tint is mixed in to make it blend with the stone color. Some stones need several different color mixes to achieve the best looking seam possible.
Stone Care
Care must be taken in order to maintain the quality and beauty of natural stone. Our tips will help protect your investment. Specialty cleaners formulated for use on natural stone are highly recommended.
Natural stone is absorbent and has a mineral chemistry that can react in strange ways to conventional cleaners. Never use abrasive cleaners, vinegar, lemon juice, bleach, ammonia, general purpose cleaners, bathroom cleaners, tub and tile cleaners or other cleaners that contain acids to clean the surface. They may scratch, etch or fade the surface, and remove sealer. In the bath, or other wet areas, use a squeegee after each use to minimize soap scum and hard water deposit buildup. Stones can absorb liquids and oils causing discolorations. This can be diminished by using a penetrating sealer. Regardless of the type of surface to be maintained, all natural stone should be protected with sealer.
Cost
Granite slab prices have become very affordable with the increased production of tools for stone fabrication, with improvements to their quality. Technological advances in the process of mining and manufacturing slabs of a higher quality and size have also made it more affordable. What this means is labor costs have been cut in half, and stone prices have significantly reduced in the past 10 years, from where they were. One obvious benefit to the cost is return on investment. Kitchens can yield a 90% return on investment and bathrooms are also said to have a national average return of 80%. The first step is to decide on a rough budget for the project, determine where the funds are coming from; paying cash, getting a loan or using a credit card. Price will vary based on the stone, edge, sink, backsplash, project size and location.
