How to Deal with the Maintenance Needs of Your Granite Countertops

With increasing number of people turning to use natural stone in their home and commercial building, granite has proved to be the most preferred natural stone for its beauty as well as durability. Synthetic solid surface materials are no match for the richness and depth offered by real granite. However, people using granite as kitchen countertops, showers or flooring material are very much concerned about its maintenance.

Dealing with Granite Countertops

The diamond-like hardness of granite makes it virtually impervious to abrasions, stains and heat. It is not easily inclined to scratch or burn. However, it is very usual for any stone countertop to develop wear and tear after prolonged use. Due to daily use in the kitchen, chips, stains, cracks, or loss of luster may be caused. One may wonder if money needs to be spent again to replace the stone, or is there any other viable solution. Professionals dealing with natural stone restoration in Sydney suggest that no matter how big the damage, it is always cheaper to repair and restore granite counter-tops, rather than replacing them.

It is advised to avoid applying cleaners having any kind of acid or abrasive substance or placing hot objects directly on the stone countertop as it might cause discoloration. It should also be kept in mind that sitting or standing on the countertop can sometimes crack or break it.

Removal of Cracks on Granite

People using granite in their homes often encounter cracks on the stone surface and are more concerned whether it will cause greater damage in future. It is very important to note that calling a stone installer for the purpose of removing crack will not be a good idea. An experienced granite repair specialist in Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast is preferred for mending cracks. A person who has made such repairs before knows the products and methods required and won't be experimenting with them. A crack is generally repaired by filling with an acrylic or using a colour-matched epoxy to stick the pieces back together, which obviously depends on the nature of crack. However, the crack will still remain visible unless it is re-polished. Though you can stick the pieces back together yourself, the re-polishing task has to be taken up by a stone restoration specialist in the QLD and NSW region.

You’ll find that caring for your natural stone regularly is easy. All you need are some warm water, soft cloth and a mild dish-washing liquid to maintain your granite countertop. The best thing you can do for your granite countertop is to follow certain preventive measures by which your countertops will last a lifetime while maintaining a brand-new appearance. The Marble Man, Australia’s most specialized stone repair/restoration company, offers expert services related to installation, maintenance and restoration of your natural stones in the QLD and NSW regions, and many more places. For more information regarding granite or marble floor restoration, call their experts now on 1300 627 626.

Ensure that You Use the Correct Type of Natural Stone for Various Applications in Your Home

Natural stones come in a variety of finishes such as polished, honed, antiquated, tumbled, leather, rugged etc. They possess different types of edges such as bevelled, bull-nosed etc., in addition to having varieties of natural and random patterns. They also don’t have any size restrictions compared to ceramic tiles as they come in huge slabs or in small mosaic pieces.

Marble, granite and other natural stone surfaces can improve your home decor and are used in interior as well as exterior applications. They make wonderful decorative surfaces for floors, kitchen countertops, vanity tops, bathrooms, patios, walkways, fireplaces, facades, wall cladding, and garden landscaping. Stones impart a rich and earthy feel to the home atmosphere.

Kitchen and bar countertops usually come in contact with acidic substances such as lemon, vinegar, alcohol, and tomato sauce. These countertops are also exposed to sharp equipments and tools such as knives, needles etc. and hot kitchenware like dishes, pots and pans. So it is common practice that granite, which is the hardest natural stone, is used in kitchen and bar countertops. However, if properly sealed and maintained, you can also have the luxury of marble for countertops in bars and kitchens. 

Limestone is extensively used as a building stone because it can be carved easily. The soft, muted tones and textures of limestone or travertine are obviously an ideal fit for the peace and relaxation you need in the family or living room. Limestone also suits all types of furniture and upholstery because it possesses varied shades of beige, tan, yellow and gold.

As said earlier, kitchen countertops usually face spilling of acidic substances, whereas bathroom countertops are often exposed to alkaline products, which do not harm marble surfaces. Marble comes in a wide spectrum of available colours and smooth, flowing patterns, and it’s the main reason why it is used in bathrooms and fireplaces. 

Sandstone has joint structures of minerals such as quartz, pyrite, or calcite and sand sized grains like quartz and feldspar. Its colour ranges from cream, grey, red, and brown to green and is generally used as flooring or paving materials.

Slate finds its place in patios and atriums as its earth tones and rustic look radiate a comfortable, natural look. It is also slip resistant, and much less likely to show dust and dirt than polished marble or other sleek natural stones. Because it’s not too expensive, slate is widely used in large, informal areas such as exterior landscaping and interior garden designs. 

For more details and reliable stone care info, contact The Marble Man who is Australia's No.1 Marble, Granite, Travertine, Stone Benchtop and Tile Repair & Restoration Specialist. Call for a free stone restoration quote: 1300 627 626.

Granite and Marble Countertops- a Comparative Study

We generally use both granite and marble for making kitchen countertops. However, if you are a home owner, you would often wonder which one is better for your home. When you are planning to install the right countertop for your home, comparing the features of marble and granite will help you make the right decision. Let us take a look at both of them and see how they are different from one another. 

Pros and Cons of Granite and Marble

Both granite and marble are natural rocks and of top quality to make them last for a very long time. When you opt for any one of these natural stones for your home, you are adding value to your home.  Both granite and marble come in different colours. Marble countertops give you the feeling of richness and elegance.  When you place marble on the floor or countertop, it can last you for a lifetime. The best features of these stones are that no granite or marble slabs look alike. With both of them, you can achieve a sense of uniqueness and originality once they are installed in your home.

Stains and Scratches- Marble versus Granite

When it comes to stains and scratches on both marble and granite, you will find that marble is more soft than granite and vulnerable to stains and scratches faster. In case, you drop a beverage on a marble countertop, ensure that you wipe it off instantly to prevent staining and etching.  The liquids that stain marble countertops are alcohol, citric acid and oils. Even water containing minerals can leave stains on marble countertops if they are high in concentration.  Marble countertops are also susceptible to scratches if you use a knife or any hard object. Marble countertops require a lot of maintenance. Besides the maintenance, marble countertops need deep cleaning and sealing.

Compared to marble, granite is the most resilient stone. It is hard to scratch granite with a knife. You can only scratch a granite countertop with a diamond that is the hardest stone in the world. Granite has the ability to handle abuse and extreme heat and still maintain its beauty and elegance. The stone is not susceptible to degrade with long term exposure to water unlike marble. This means you do not have to worry about etching and staining at all- you can keep both of these menaces away for a very long time once you seal granite and the stone becomes less porous.

Thus it can be generalised that if you are choosing a countertop with high traffic, you should opt for granite over marble. 

Maintain Granite and Marble Counter tops with The Marble Man

The Marble Man is one of Australia’s leading natural stone restoration companies that takes care of marble and granite countertops. The professionals are skilled and experienced in all kinds of sealing and restoration work for your costly countertops. To contact them, please visit their Website.

Granite versus Marble- A Comparative Study on Their Maintenance Requirements

Installing natural stones to beautify homes, proves to be of no use unless they are cared for and maintained using proper techniques. Everyone wants to own a house with marble floors, a kitchen with marble countertop or bathroom with marble walls. But, not everyone can provide the care and maintenance the stones deserve. Therefore, the choice of natural stone for your home or office must depend on how much use and abuse the stone will be subjected to, the durability of the stone, and how often will you be able to maintain it the way it requires to be maintained. 

In this article you shall find the pros and cons of installing granite and marble, the most popular natural stone choices for our homes, when compared to each other. If the origin of these stones is compared, we will find that marble is a type of stone composed of recrystallized material, most commonly limestone. Granite, on the other hand, is a hard stone which originates from ingenious rocks. Granite is more hard and durable compared to marble, hence more resistant to chips and scratches. Marble, being softer than granite, is more suitable for less-trafficked and formal areas.

Marble is known for the elegance it provides and is versatile enough to be used throughout the house in places such as fireplace surrounds, walls, flooring and bathrooms. Since it is particularly vulnerable to acidic foods and liquids, it is not a very good choice for kitchen countertops. Granite is an excellent choice for high traffic areas since it is more resistant to abrasions, staining and discoloration than most marbles. Its variety of colors and resistance to stain and heat makes it an ideal choice for kitchen countertops, bar tops, dining table, flooring including pathways and stairs, etc.

Both marble and granite are porous stones, though granite is less porous compared to marble. Hence, granite is far easier to maintain and requires sealing only after every two years. Marble, on the other hand, requires to be sealed twice every year. However, both the stones are easy to maintain. Marble floor restoration professionals advise that spills on both marble and granite surfaces should be cleaned immediately to prevent further damage. 

It is important to note that both marble and granite stones are cool under foot, so in areas where temperature remains low for relatively long period you may mix some other flooring type with marble or granite to provide warmth to a design. And the coolness of  marble and granite becomes a boon for summer months.

Though, granite installation might seem expensive initially, it will actually curtail your expenses in the long run. It is durable and can better withstand the huge traffic, particularly in the kitchen. It requires minimal maintenance and hence would be great and prudent investment if you are unable to keep up with the high traffic that your marble countertop or floor is subjected to. 

The Marble Man, Australia’s Number one natural stone restoration specialist, offers its esteemed clients expert advice on the choice of stones and proper stone maintenance and restoration procedures. Visit their Website or call them on 1300 627 626 for a free stone care evaluation. 

Protect Granite & Marble Countertops for Your Bathroom & Kitchen

The Utility of Granite or Marble Bathroom & Kitchen Countertop Finishes

The bathroom and kitchen of your home deserves to be a show stopper like the rest of your rooms. When you are making a new bathroom/kitchen or renovating an existing one, you can add glamour and sophistication to it with granite or marble finished countertops. Granite or marble countertops enhance the beauty, appeal and durability of your bathroom. Granite or marble stone finishes are beautiful and simple to maintain. When you scan the market for them, you will find there is a diverse range of attractive natural stone finishes waiting to be a part of your dream bathroom. Moreover, once installed, they increase the resale value of your home and invite accolades from everyone!

An Insight into Granite & Marble Natural Stones

Today, granite and marble are the first choice for bathroom and kitchen countertops. You will find many different types of materials in granite. Some look like small flecks while others appear to be long veins. Granite is available in natural colours and can be cleaned and polished in several ways. Marble, on the other hand, can be any stone, other than granite, that can be polished. Marble can also include limestone, onyx, serpentine and travertine. Serpentine is often referred to as “green marble”. This material is not actually “marble” in the true sense of the term but it looks the same.  It is chosen by many home owners primarily for its ability to be more stain and spill proof than the other marble available in the market.

Natural Stone Care and Maintenance…

It is very important for you to protect granite and marble from dirt, stains and spills. Both granite and marble are hard and durable making them a versatile countertop choice for your bathroom or kitchen. There are specific dos and don’ts when it comes to the cleaning and maintenance of both these natural stones. Both marble and granite should be kept away from acid, sand, dirt and other small particles that may integrate with them. Regular cleaning with the right cleaning agents is compulsory to keep them free from damage. For granite countertops, you should use a granite sealant for providing it additional protection from dirt and potential damage. You should never use cleaning agents that have caustic soda, ammonia and bleaching agents as this will remove the additional protected layer from the granite. For taking care of your granite and marble countertops, you should consult credible natural stone restoration specialists to do the job carefully for you.

Protect Granite and Marble Countertops with The Marble Man

The Marble Man is a trusted and professional natural stone cleaning, restoration and maintenance specialist company with skilled experts to take care of your precious granite or marble bathroom/kitchen countertops. You may contact these friendly experts on their website or call them on the toll-free number 1300 627 626 to enhance the durability and appeal of your kitchen/bathroom countertops both today and in the long run!

It’s Time to Bring Granite Home, and Stone Restoration Specialists Too

Granite, owing to its durability and versatility, is the most preferred natural stone for both residential and commercial purposes. Granite tiles have numerous applications ranging from exterior and interior wall cladding to kitchen flooring, shower surrounds, bathroom and kitchen countertops as well as stone benchtops. Installation of tiles is less expensive compared to that of slabs, and granite tiles are now being increasingly used in kitchens and bathrooms as there is minimal risk of granite tiles getting etched which ensures long-lasting surface. The Marble Man, Australia’s No.1 natural stone restoration specialist, offers tile restoration services and provides the best care and maintenance of your granite tiles.

Why Use Granite Tiles?

Granite has a number of advantages over other commonly used stones such as marble, limestone or travertine. If beauty is a concern, which surely is, then the most important advantage of granite is that it’s as beautiful as marble, and comes in different colors and offers a variety of patterns to choose from. Moreover, it is less susceptible to etches and stains unlike marble or other stones and thus ensures longevity. It requires simple maintenance procedure, though polished granite may require periodic re-polishing, just like any other polished stone, depending on the degree of use.

Granite Floor Tiles Maintenance

To restore the gloss and shine of the stone surface and protect it from damage caused due to heavy objects or extensive use, re-sealing should be done once in every year. Apart from sealing, certain other periodic activities should be done to restore the newness of the floor tiles.

• Inspect the edges and grout- Sometimes small chips in the granite can cause bigger cracks which finally lead to breakage. If you spot anything like this immediately call the experts to replace the tiles.
• Wipe up spills immediately- To prevent staining, clean any food, drink or spills immediately. Besides, mud or dirt should be swept away quickly so that small rock particles do not get embedded in the granite and cause scratches.
• Use appropriate cleaners- Clean the stone surface with approved granite cleaner instead of abrasive cleaners, bleach or other detergent which might damage the color of granite. To know the correct product for a particular stone, visit The Marble Man’s product page.
• Daily cleaning- Use a dry mop or duster to clean the tiles every day. This prevents dust, dirt and small particles from accumulating on the tile. Use warm water and soap cleaning of the tile. However, deep rinsing must be done so that no residue is left behind.

If your granite tile shows huge damage, discoloration or stain, it will not be prudent to handle that yourself. It is time for you to call the stone repair and tile restoration professionals, who would employ the best techniques of tile works without damaging the stone surface. Seek the best advice from the experts who will work to ensure maximum customer satisfaction. You will once again find that newness and vigor restored into your home once The Marble Man team attends to your stone restoration. Visit their website or call them now on 1300 627 626.