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.

Some Common Misconceptions about Marble Countertops

Since the days of ancient Romans, marble has been used as countertops. It is a design option that has no age, and continues to attract people of all types and ages due to its versatility, beauty, durability & functionality. However, there are certain misconceptions and myths about marble countertops that need to be addressed.          

Some of the popular myths about marble countertop are as follows:

Marble needs great maintenance: Every type of stone countertop requires some common sense maintenance on a routine basis. It goes well for the Marble countertop also. Like any other type of stone countertops, marble will also get damaged on abusing it. If you consider your marble countertop with due importance, professionally seal it after installation, then your maintenance will be very minimum- little more than a routine wiping after finishing all the work and reminding the people not to place the red hot pans directly on the countertop.

Marble is a very costly stone: Marble is not cheap. But the cost of marble varies greatly with the type of marble. Some marble types are rare and very expensive. Other types of marbles are abundant and less expensive. Marble countertops add real value to your home and if they are cared properly, they add value for decades thus serving even your great grandchildren as they did for you so grandly.

Marble looks great but it is not very tough: One myth about marble that circulates is ‘Marble is a look but do not touch type of material’. The marble stone functions excellent for cosmetic purposes like decorating or lining the walls of palaces and cathedrals but cannot put to work. This is the hardest to accept or understand of the marble myths as marble stone has been used for floors in heavy traffic areas for centuries. If it is capable of withstanding such traffic for so many years why cannot we use it as countertop as well? Yes it can be- even brilliantly.

Marble is easily prone to Staining and scratching: Contrary to this popular belief, marble is really a dense tough stone and cannot get stained easily. Sealing the marble countertops properly will reduce getting stains. If something get spilled and threatening to leave the marble surface, you can neutralize it adding a mixture of baking soda and water. Leave it overnight and then clean. Certain acidic substances like lime juice and vinegar may change the surface dull and etch the spilled areas, but if it is attended immediately it will not be an issue at all.

Marble counter tops are Unhygienic: Microscopic living beings are everywhere. Marble is not susceptible to undesirable bacteria than any other surface. If you are much concerned about this issue, you can make a point of cleaning your countertop with anti-bacterial soap during the normal cleaning.

Do not let misconceptions and rumours prevent you from considering marble as your favourite countertop.  Marble can imbue your bath and kitchen with prestigious look and ageless style, and it’s versatile enough to complete any home decorating motif. They get damaged and lose their beauty due to lack of maintenance and improper use. 

Contact The Marble Man for all your stone countertop issues and they’ll provide convenient and affordable marble restoration and other stone repair works. They service Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle and Central Coast. You can visit The Marble Man website or dial 1300 627 626 for a FREE quote on all your stone restoration needs.

Easy Tips for Looking After Marble Table Tops

The marble stone is generally used for tiles and floors in households. However, there are some people who use the stone for table tops or counter tops. This unique natural stone is a combination of silt, salt and iron. The presence of these 3 natural components together gives the marble stone a vein like pattern. This pattern enhances the beauty and appeal of the stone.

Tips To Look After Your Marble Table Tops/Counter Tops

Marble needs to be maintained on a regular basis to retain its sheen and shine. Given below are some expert tips to help you look after your marble table tops and make them last for a long time-

1. Remove stains and spills fast-When you accidentally stain or spill marble table tops, you should immediately remove them with a rag. Marble is a very soft stone and it can be damaged by harsh liquids like the juice of citrus fruits and soda. When you spill them on the marble base, ensure you use a good rag to extract the liquid and spotlessly wipe it off from the surface.

2. Baking Soda- For stubborn stains, you can use baking soda. You can put baking soda on the stain and allow it to rest there for three hours. After three hours, clean the table with a rag to remove the stain. Baking soda is a very gentle abrasive and ideal for removing stubborn stains from marble bases.

3.  Dry with soft cloth- Marble becomes dull when it is air-dried. You should always use a soft damp cloth to clean marble surfaces. When you do so, you should use circular hand movements.

4. Sparkle clean marble table tops with polishes- If you wish to sparkle clean marble table tops, it is very important for you to use a good quality marble polish. Marble polish adds a coating to the surface of marble and protects it when you clean the base. The wax in the polish makes the base shine and protects it from damage.

Therefore, if you wish to keep your marble table top looking as good a new, keep the above tips in mind. Marble table tops are elegant and they enhance the look of any room.

Bank on The Marble Man for marble stone restoration and sealing services

The Marble Man is a professional and cost effective marble and natural stone restoration company. They do marble repair and restoration in SYDNEY | CANBERRA | NEWCASTLE | CENTRAL COAST | BRISBANE | GOLD COAST | SUNSHINE COAST. It helps individuals look after and maintain the natural stone and marble table and countertops of their homes. The professionals are certified and experts in natural stone maintenance and if you need trusted professionals to come and seal , restore and maintain your marble top and bases at home, 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!