How to Select the Ideal Natural Stone for Your Home

Different types of natural stones, having unique qualities, are readily available these days. Due to these extra options, we often make mistakes in choosing the correct type of stones for the purpose they are expected to serve. Every natural stone has its own advantages and disadvantages and therefore, cannot preferably be used for any and every purpose. 

Moreover, we tend to finalize a stone only by seeing a sample. For maximum satisfaction, it is advised that you should examine either the entire slab or a considerable number of tiles out of those to be used. To get the best value for your money, you must consult an experienced stone craftsman or any stone installation company and The Marble Man reigns supreme in this field. They are also the most sought after natural stone restorers in the QLD and NSW regions. 

When should I choose granite? 

Granite, as a building material, has proved its durability since ages. Due to its heat and stain resistant capabilities, granite can be used for both interior and exterior applications, preferably in flooring, paving, buildings, bridges, countertops and stair treads. Granite is easy to clean and harbours no bacteria. It possesses a natural appearance and a long-lasting value.  

Why should I choose marble? 

Marble mainly consists of calcite and is typically white in color. Marble, being resistant to erosion and fire, has been widely used in building monuments since time immemorial. Apart from this, marble gives a spectacular feel and can be used for beautiful interior decoration. Now-a-days marble is used for both residential and commercial purpose in flooring, roofing, wall-cladding as well as in sculptures. Even if a stain gets imprinted on any such flooring, you can get the marble floor restoration done by The Marble Man. 

Use of travertine 

The Marble Man also specializes in travertine which is generally used for flooring, furniture, fire place surrounds, wall cladding etc. However, it should be used once proper precaution is taken as it is not as durable as granite or marble. 

Coming to stone benchtops, its most common type is Caesar stone and Quantum Quartz. Caesar stone is not porous and hence requires less maintenance to retain its new and glossy look. It can stand brief exposure to heat but cannot tolerate strong chemicals or cleaning agents. However, Quantum quartz is resistant to heat, chemicals and acids and hence are easy to maintain. 

Before buying natural stone for our home or work place, it is essential that we determine its suitability and this requires professional expertise. The Marble Man, Australia’s leading natural stone restoration company, offers world class services in stone repair and stone maintenance. So, before beautifying your home and workplace, take their help and get the best value for your money. 

Some Common Myths and Realities about Granite Countertops You Must Know

If you are planning to purchase stone counter tops, it is good to know common myths and misconceptions about granite countertops. These myths are spread either by people who try to sell granite or who try to sell the competing products by disapproving granite. Myths also originated when people simplified the complex matters of granite and generalizations came up that are sometimes true but not all the time.

The following are most common myths about granite stone:

Granite is heat resistant, so it is perfect to place hot pot on granite counter tops

Granite is quite resistant to high temperatures but excessive heat can discolor or damage the granite sealers. Rapid heating can generate internal stress and causes cracks at the weak spot. A natural fissure or flaw may occur because of the excess heat of the pot. This can be eliminated by using a trivet with feet.

Granite counter tops needed to be sealed once or twice in a year

This is a generalized statement about granite counter tops. Many stones are sold commercially in the name of granite. Some stones are inherently resistant to stain without applying sealers. Actually on applying sealers theses stones can cause problems. Some stones sold as granite are very porous that their shortcomings cannot be set right by even using the best sealers.  So the answer is sealing frequency depends on the type of stone. Only a specialist stone restoration service provider like The Marble Man can decide on the sealing requirements.

Granite is second to diamond in hardness- Nothing but diamond can scratch granite

Granite is a scratch resistant material. But it is not scratch proof. Many substances are harder than granite. The hardness of the minerals is rated by Mohs scale. Soft minerals like talc are rated 1 and diamond is rated at 10 in Mohs scale. Most of the commercial granites are rated at 7 because of their high quartz content.  On misusing, the abrasive substances in some cleaning products can cause tiny scratches or dull spots on the granite surface. Natural stone should be cleaned with neutral pH solutions and non abrasive products. See The Marble Man’s guidance on stone cleaning products.

Absolute Black granite is the best counter top

Better quality stones are sold as Absolute Black Granite and they are outstanding performers. But be alert that some stones sold as Absolute Black granite are not genuine. Originally the Absolute Black granites were quarried in Sweden and South Africa. Some companies sell natural stones with low quality that may be dyed to black or they may have excessive flaws or they have not been polished to a glossy finish. A stone cannot be considered as Absolute Black granite just by its market name. To test black granites, pour some acetone on the stone and wipe the surface with a rag. If the rag shows grey or Black discoloration then the stone is treated with dye or wax and cannot be used for kitchen countertops.    

The Marble Man is a leading Australian stone polishing and sealing specialist Company who can provide you professional and effective stone care solutions. They are specialised in large and small marble and all natural stone restoration jobs. For more information, visit The Marble Man website or call their stone restoration team on 1300 627 626.   

Tips on How to Maintain Your Granite Countertop Correctly

Granite is an amazing stone for your home and it is formed from the magma of volcanoes. It ranges in forms and colours to become a prized possession for your home. When you are buying granite for your home, it is very important for you to care for it correctly. 

Let us look at some advantages and disadvantages of this natural stone:

Granite –Advantages

Granite has always been really amazing additions to a home. They are unique and often are considered to be great pieces of art. There are so many colors for you to choose from. In fact, the homeowner has so many options available. The stone can fit inside any design or décor scheme. Moreover, the granite stone is also very durable and has the ability to resist great heat. Granite is ideal for your kitchen as you can use it for rolling out cookies, kneading dough and other kitchen cooking tasks that need a cool countertop for getting the best results.

Granite –Disadvantages

As such there are very little disadvantages of granite but you should take care of it regularly. There is a common misconception that granite does not need maintenance. This is not true. In fact, it does. If you do not take care of stains immediately, they have the tendency to set in. They can be very hard to remove and you would have to remove them fast. Granite countertops are also vulnerable to cracking if you do not install them properly.

Basic Cleaning & Easy Maintenance Tips for Granite

When you have a granite countertop at home, there are basic cleaning tips that you should follow. Always remove dust with the help of a microfiber cloth. For daily spills, ensure you wipe the granite countertop fully with water. You should use a damp cloth if you are using a stone cleaner to wipe the countertop. Never use cleaning solutions that have harsh chemicals as they will cause damage to the surface. Ensure you look after your granite countertop with seasonal maintenance. Sealing is very important. Inspect the areas and ensure there are no seams or signs of cracking. Also check for scratches and stains. Contact professionals only for repairs. If you delay repairing, you may have to replace the whole granite countertop and this is really expensive.

Call The Marble Man for Regular Granite Countertop Maintenance at Affordable Prices

If you are looking for regular granite sealing and maintenance in Sydney | Canberra | Newcastle | Central Coast | Brisbane | Gold Coast | Sunshine Coast, call The Marble Man. The team of professionals here will check your granite countertop and provide you with affordable sealing, restoration and maintenance services. To contact them, please visit website or call them on 1300-627-626.