Stone Restoration or Replacement – Which is Best?

Natural stone surfaces can make your home look its very best. While most types of stone are extremely durable, they are not immune to wear and tear. No matter how well you take care of them, time will eventually take a toll. This makes some wonder whether they should restore or replace their stone surfaces. Here are some points to consider. What Repairs Can Be Made Some of the most common types of damage that can occur include cracks, chips, etching and stains. Only if the damage is extensive, the stone surface might need to be replaced. However, in most cases, repairs are the faster and cheaper option. Cost Differences The cost of repairing or restoring your natural stone surfaces can prove to be significantly cheaper than a replacement. Remember, it is always best to have a professional perform any repairs or restorations. Attempting the repairs yourself can make the

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The Effect of Soft Water on Natural Stone

When we think about water causing possible damage to our worktops, we usually think of hard water and hard water spots. However, soft water can also damage some types of stone and, if you want to keep those worktops looking great, it’s important to understand their vulnerabilities. What Causes Water Damage? Hard water can cause a build up on the surface of the stone. These are mineral deposits in the water that, once the surface dries, they are left behind and harden on the stone worktop. If you have soft water, it can have the opposite effect. In other words, soft water can actually pull the minerals from the stone and it can cause the stone to slowly and steadily degrade over time. What Types of Stone are Affected? Different stone surfaces have different strengths and weaknesses. This is why it’s so important to make an informed decision. The most

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Natural Stone and Vein Matching

If you install natural stone worktops, one of the main concerns is whether or not the slabs you use will match. This does not only apply to the colour of each slab, but also the veining patterns. Here are a few ways in which this common problem can be solved, depending on how the stone is installed. Horizontal slabs As far as stone worktops are concerned, you will most likely require at least a couple of separate slabs to cover the entire area. This means that you need them to be installed next to one another in such a way that the veining pattern continues. Not only does this affect the way in which the stone is cut and prepared for the worktop installation, but also the way they are installed. These slabs can be installed in such a way that the veining pattern is continuous from one slab to

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Why Order All of your Worktops at Once

When shopping around for the perfect natural stone worktops for your kitchen, bathroom or other part of your home, it’s important that you place a complete order. Sometimes we see people try to renovate a room on a budget by doing a little here and a little there. This does not work out for a number of reasons. Veining differences When you order a particular type of stone and it is installed, you may not be able to find that precise veining pattern again. Natural stone is just that – natural. While the stone is extracted, cut and polished, it is a natural process responsible for creating the unique patterns. For the sake of consistency, it is important that you order all of your slabs at one time. Colour differences Like veining, colour differences can occur from batch to batch. They can also occur within a single batch but the

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Why Use Special Natural Stone Cleaners?

When you invest in natural stone worktops, it’s understandable for you to want these surfaces to look great for many years. Stone is durable and made to last. You have a number of choices, including marble, granite, quartz, limestone and more. No matter the type of stone you choose, these worktops will require a moderate to significant financial investment. Which is all the more reason to take every possible measure to protect them. The Risks of Harsh Cleaners Just like any other surface in your home, your kitchen and bathroom worktops will need to be cleaned on a regular basis. While stone is strong, it is not immune to the effects of harsh chemicals and cleaning supplies. Chemicals like bleach can result in etching and other types of permanent damage. If you use abrasive substances or sponges, this can scratch the stone and allow the chemicals to penetrate the surface

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Can Granite Be Fitted Over Existing Worktops?

For those who already have worktops in place and they are not keen on the idea of stripping everything to fit new worktops, it might sound great when you first hear about simply adding a layer of granite. However, it is important to know exactly what you are getting yourself into when you choose this type of surface and what to expect. Convenience In terms of convenience, yes, adding a layer of granite to your existing worktops is the winner. This is because you have far less preparation work to do before your new work surface can be applied. Of course, convenience is not the only matter to consider. Price The initial cost of these worktops will usually be fairly to significantly less than solid granite surfaces. This is because they are not made from actual granite but a mixture of materials and a resin to hold it all together.

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Stone Worktop Trends and Possible Complications

Every year we see new home design trends come and go. Yet there are also those that stick around for years. Some trends are great and easy to accommodate. There are also those that can make things a bit trickier. Here are some examples of popular trends and how some of them can cause an issue. List of trends: Complications: Never underestimate the importance of a professional installation when it comes to natural stone worktops. A professional installation is the best choice since it is faster, easier and you will enjoy a more precise result.

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Quartz Worktops with Added Sparkle

Over time, we see many trends come and go. This is true for all things in life, including stone worktops. One of the current trends that seems to be picking up pace is the addition of some shimmer and shine. Yes, sparkly surfaces have been popular for some time already but there are some slight changes to this trend. Popular choices in the past The initial trend involved quartz worktops with larger mirror pieces that were added to reflect light and create that sparkly effect. These pieces are clearly visible and they help add texture to the surface. It’s also great for those who are not all that keep on solid colours that require frequent cleaning. The new trend Today, there is a slight variation on the initial trend. Namely, the size of the mirror pieces that are added to the quartz. These pieces have become significantly smaller. So small,

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Getting your Kitchen Ready for Templating

One of the most important stages when preparing for your new natural stone worktops is templating. This is done by a professional and it is essential that it is done with absolute precision. Just one tiny mistake can throw all of the measurements off completely. While it is up to the expert to do the templating, it is up to the customer to ensure that their kitchen is ready for templating. Here are some things to keep in mind. Fixed units Make sure that your base units are all fixed in their final positions. If they are moved at all after the templating is done, it will completely ruin the end result. Level units All of your units need to be perfectly level. A template cannot be made if any of them are even the slightest bit higher or lower than the rest. The margin of error is usually around

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Cutouts for your Stone Worktops

When ordering stone worktops for your kitchen or even for your bathroom, you will need to consider the installation and the need for cutouts. There are a few questions you should ask yourself and you may also want to consult with a professional before finalising your order. How many do you need? The number of cutouts, their size and shape will all depend on such things as the type of sink you have and the taps that you wish to install. If you have not yet purchased your new sink, you should buy it before planning any cutouts. If it has been ordered, you need to provide all product details to your stone supplier. Types of cutouts The most commonly requested cutouts are those used for taps. This is because, in some cases, basins can be set on top of the worktop. There will still need to be a small

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