Category: Company News

Substances that can damage honed and polished marble

If you are considering having marble worktops installed in your home, then you probably already know that they aren’t cheap. The whole point of choosing marble countertops is to improve the appearance of your home, its value and to avoid having to replace them every few years. The best way to make sure that your honed or polished marble stands the test of time is by following the right cleaning and care guidelines. Keep in mind that the following substances are most damaging of all and, in the event of a spill, they should be cleaned up immediately. Alcoholic beverages can really damage your marble surfaces. Alcohol in itself is a strong substance and read wine can be particularly damaging. Different types of alcohol contain different properties. While white wine might be on the acidic side, whisky is more of a risk due to its colour. Other drinks like fruit

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Substances that can Damage Honed and Polished Marble

If you are considering having marble worktops installed in your home, then you probably already know that they aren’t cheap. The whole point of choosing marble countertops is to improve the appearance of your home, its value and to avoid having to replace them every few years. The best way to make sure that your honed or polished marble stands the test of time is by following the right cleaning and care guidelines. Keep in mind that the following substances are most damaging of all and, in the event of a spill, they should be cleaned up immediately. Alcoholic beverages can really damage your marble surfaces. Alcohol in itself is a strong substance and read wine can be particularly damaging. Different types of alcohol contain different properties. While white wine might be on the acidic side, whisky is more of a risk due to its colour. Other drinks like fruit

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What is honed natural stone?

When you install natural stone worktops, your supplier might ask you if you would like a honed finish. It is important to understand the pros and cons of all finish types so that you can choose the most suitable option for your home. Honed natural stone is not shiny or glossy like polished stone. It also has more of a velvety or satin-like feel to it. Honed finishes are highly scratch resistant since it lacks that glossy finish. When it does get scratched, the light does not reflect off of it and emphasize the scratch. The main disadvantage is that honed natural stone is that it tends to be more porous than polished stone. This means that you need to take extra care and clean up spills as soon as they happen. Once a spill sets in, it can leave a stain that won’t come out no matter what you

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What is polished natural stone?

When you install natural stone worktops in your home, you will likely come across the option of having the stone polished. It is important to understand exactly what to expect when ordering polished stone. Polished natural stone has a lovely smooth finish and a glossy appearance. When the stone is polished, it adds extra protection that helps protect your worktops against stains. On the down side, the reflective nature of the smoothed surface does mean that it is more susceptible to scratches. Another advantage of polishing your stone surfaces is that they will only need to be sealed and resealed on occasion. Honed or unpolished natural stone is more porous and will need to be sealed on a far more frequent basis. That said, it is important to always wipe up spills immediately since certain substances can dull or etch the surface. Water and a stone safe cleaning solution should

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How to seal limestone countertops

Limestone countertops are the picture of elegance and there are few things more luxurious than the addition of natural stone to your home. Investing in limestone worktops will not only increase the value of your home but it will also more than pay for itself by lasting more than a lifetime. In order to make sure that your limestone stands the test of time, it is important to follow the care and maintenance instructions carefully. This includes periodic sealing in order to prevent stains from taking hold. Before you seal your limestone worktops, it is essential that the surface is completely clean and dry. You need to decide between using a limestone sealer or sealing your worktops with a mineral oil. If you choose to use a mineral oil, it needs to be safe since your kitchen is used for food preparation. Regardless of the type of sealer you use,

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How to seal your granite worktops

Sealing your granite worktops can help protect it against a variety types of stains. There is no sealer that can make your worktops completely immune to stains but it will significantly slow down and inhibit the penetration of substances so that you have a chance to clean up before stains leave their mark. Before sealing any granite worktop, you should test the absorbency with some water. Wet a part of the surface with a few drops of water and check again after 10 to 15 minutes. If the water is penetrating the granite, it’s time to seal. There is no point in sealing a worktop that does not need it! Sealer needs to penetrate the granite so, if your surface is already stain resistant, the sealer will do nothing more than remain on the surface and make your worktops look cloudy. Select a sealer and make sure that it is

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How to install quartz worktops

When preparing to mount your quartz worktops yourself, it is important to be properly prepared. Proper preparation and having all the right tools on hand will make your job that much easier and allow you to work faster. Your cabinets need to be made of a reinforced and sturdy material. Strong materials are needed in order to properly support the weight of the quartz. Your quartz supplier should be able to make some excellent recommendations if you’re unsure. Get at least one other person to help you with the installation. These slabs are heavy and you will need all the muscle you can get! Have such tools as your drill, screws, masking tape, spirit-level, clear silicone and installation kit all handy. You will also need to have your natural stone care kit on hand for use immediately after installation. Remove any cabinet doors and fixtures like taps before you begin.

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Make your bathroom look like a million bucks

Remodelling your bathroom need not be a stressful undertaking. It can be fun and less expensive than you think. By adding natural stone, you will increase the value of your home while making your bathroom that much more elegant. Read more at Huffington Post

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Suitable granite colours and types for your bathroom worktops

When selecting the perfect granite worktops for your bathroom, homeowners should consider more than just the price. Colour and quality will also play a large role in the decision-making process and not all granite slabs are made equal! It is important to note that there is no general grading system when it comes to granite and each retailer will group their products according to their own in house grading system. This means that a low grade stone at one retailer might be classified as one of higher quality at another retailer. This is why it is so important to shop around and compare quality as well as price. Lower grade granite will contain more soft materials mixed into the stone and there will be less colour variation. Mid-grade granite usually has more colour options as well as more detail in each slab. High end or exotic granite offers home owners

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What’s the difference between marble and granite?

Both marble and granite are popular choices in kitchen and bathroom countertops. They are both beautiful, elegant and durable which is why they can both fetch a fair price. However, if you are trying to decide between the two, you will need to consider what makes these stones different from one another rather than focusing on their similarities. Marble is not as dense as granite and mostly composed of calcite. This means that these worktops will be quite sensitive to acidic substances like lemon, vinegar, ketchup and wine. Should any substance spill on your marble countertops, it is important that you clean them up immediately and thoroughly. Prolonged exposure to such substances will increase the chances of being left with a stained or dulled surface. With the right care and maintenance, however, you can most certainly enjoy marble surfaces for a lifetime at least. As for granite, it is far

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