Visions For Kitchens and Bathrooms

File this under tooting our own horn, but our Pedra modular granite countertops have appeared on TV recently. The show is Movin’ Up, which is featured on TLC (the Learning Channel), and of course we’ve got on a clip our News Room. Watch it here.

The couple you see in the clip, figured out what they needed for their project by choosing colors of granite tile countertop kits that most interested them. They sent in their plans, which outlined the layout of their kitchen, and we built an order around what they needed. After that, they completed the installation themselves with little guidance.

Part of what made things easy was the Pedra planning guide, which builds out various pieces of the countertops according to floor space and kitchen cabinets. From there, the guide provides a direction as to how many end sets, intermediate sets, and corner pieces that are needed for a medium to large-seized kitchen installation.

There were actually two couples involved in this episode. One chose the Tan brown granite countertop. The other (featured in the clip) chose Desert Brown.

One of the things which makes this product one which I’m most proud of, besides the fact that it’s patented of course, is that the countertop tiles can be butt joined (no grout line) thus making it look like a solid surface when completed. The seam can be sealed by a thin coat of clear kitchen grade silicon applied on the butt joint sides of the tile. Also, each kit is smartly packed so it is easy to carry to job site without the same risks of breakage, which is a traditional problem with slabs.

So, that’s a little bit of product placement for our Pedra line. But, it’s not every day that we get on TV!

Have any of you seen the program? If so, what did you think of the results of the installation?

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I am often asked by customers if our granite is 1^st quality and free of fissures, pin holes, so I decided to share this information for the benefit of those who are buying granite.   

Fissure   

A fissure is a natural formation within a single intact mass of stone.  Fissure is not a defect, so no need to panic if you see one. The fissure was formed when two separate flows of hot magma merge into a single mass. The fissure was there when it was quarried, when the factory cut the block into a slab, and it will always be there deep in the stone. 

Pin holes

Pin hole is also natural to stone formed due to trapped air or foreign particles in the stone, during the cooling and solidification process.    

Resin Treatment

Resin is used to fill the fissures or pin holes before polishing the surface. Thanks to the vacuum, the resin filters deeper through the narrow fissures of the stone and the granite, thus ensuring a better renewal of the slabs. The vacuum resined slabs gain a better polish as every fissure, even the narrowest one, is filled with resin.

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Granite being hard and brittle, the edges can get chipped if not handled gently on work tops. Small chips on counter top edges can be restored to its original beauty in an inexpensive way. Many products are available in the market and Bonstone Natural Stone Repair Kit is one of them which I would recommend for natural and engineered stone. This small kit features our UV stable Last PatchTM Gel repair compound and three basic colors for tinting. This kit features easy repair and color matching for granite, marble and limestone surfaces. Remove unsightly chips and scratches on stone surfaces.
Kit includes:
2 oz Kit of Last Patch Gel
1 oz of each: Buff, White and Black Tint
.5 oz of Last Patch Accelerator
Mix Stick and Razor Blades

Please visit Natural Stone Restoration Alliance website for further details.

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A wide sellection of materials are available out in the market and choosing the type of countertop for your remodel or new home can be a major dilemma these days. The information below should guide to choose the most suitable product for your project.

Plastic Laminates

Until a few years ago, plastic laminate was probably what most people thought of first. In fact, plastic-laminate tops still account for large % of the market. This product is made of multiple layers of resin-soaked kraft paper, topped by a patterned sheet of melamine that is subjected to heat and pressure. A 1/16-inch laminate sheet is then made into a countertop in two ways, either post-formed or custom-fabricated.

Post forming is done at a fabrication plant to create tops with rounded backsplashes and nosing. These tops can be purchased off-the-shelf in limited colors, or special ordered. The result is the least expensive, easiest to clean and quickest way to install plastic laminate.

Custom fabricating results in a range of styles. Laminate sheets are glued to the particle board, then edged with laminate, wood or solid surface strips.

Pros: Laminates are low cost, have an extensive choice of colors and patterns and can be easily installed and maintained.

Cons: The product is not as durable as stone or solid surface, and most of the time, it can’t be used with undermount sinks. It will also scratch and can be tough to repair. If your family is careless, this may not be a good choice, as hot pans and sharp knives will damage the countertop.

Solid Surface

Today there are more than two dozen manufacturers of solid surface countertops. Most are 1/2-inch thick and made of acrylic, polyester and fillers. Edges are built up with two or three layers of material for a thicker appearance. A predictable product, solid surface installation should be handled by a professional who is certified to fabricate and install that specific product.

Pros: Solid surface is sometimes called a “near-perfect” product. It is non-porous, difficult to stain, has a long life and can be made in nearly any size and shape. It is seamless, and scratches and burns can be buffed or sanded out. Sinks can be undermounted and backsplashes can be integrated into the countertop, making them seamless.

Cons: Most problems with solid-surface tops come with improper installation. Damage can occur if a hot pot can makes the product melt. Some critics also say the product looks artificial. It can be rather expensive to purchase and have installed.

Granite or Stone

The most durable option of all countertops, stone is becoming more popular among homeowners and is no longer seen as an “exotic” option. Granite countertops are made from natural products and come in a wide range of colors, patterns and depths, yet each is absolutely unique. The cost, which a few years ago was prohibitive for most budgets, has come down due to increasing imports, new technologies and thinner blades that allow the product to be cut with less waste and cost.

Pros: Granite surfaces resist most stains, and are even tougher if sealed. A variety of edge styles including bevel, radius, half-radius, ogee and square are available. Sinks can be under mounted and the product can handle hot pans and hard to scratch.

Cons: Granite is hard and cold and if neglected, can be stained by hot grease. Seams can be evident on granite with strong patterns. 

Engineered Stone

Engineered stone combines the functional benefits of solid-surface material with the great look of natural stone. Engineered stone is mostly made of crushed natural stone that is bound together by acrylic or polyester resins. It’s a fairly new product in the U.S., but has been popular in Europe for more than a decade. Anyone looking for zero maintenance on a kitchen countertop should consider this product. Products made of marble and limestone are best suited for bathrooms.

Pros: Engineered stone is non-porous and nearly impossible to stain. It never needs sealing and resists scratches. They have a nice natural look, but can be tinted to create colors not found in nature.

Cons: Expensive, with a cost falling between solid-surface and natural-stone prices. The product can crack or change color if exposed to extreme temperatures. Some feel the surface is too slippery, cold and unforgiving.

Stainless Steel

A common material in restaurants, stainless steel countertops are less common in homes, largely because they’re expensive and hard to find. There are different grades and thicknesses of stainless steel. Make sure the steel is wrapped completely around the edges of the substrate to protect it.

Pros: Stainless tops are very sanitary, provide good heat-proof surfaces and are easy to clean.

Cons: A very expensive choice, this product shows fingerprints and water spots easily, especially when it is new. As it ages, it can show nicks, dents and scratches. The product usually can only be found in limited sizes.

Tile

Granite, porcelain and glazed tiles are most commonly used on countertops, as they are less porous and more durable. Install backer board over plywood to create a good surface to install tiles. Then use an epoxy grout that is more durable. If standard cement grout is used, make sure you seal it often and well.

Pros: Tile is reasonably priced and tile countertops can be installed by pros and amateurs alike. It comes in a variety of styles and colors.

Cons: Tile is hard and never totally even along the surface. Grout lines are vulnerable to staining. High-gloss and solid-color tiles show scratches.

Concrete

Concrete countertops seem to be growing in popularity. They are durable, heat resistant and can be formed into any shape with the ability to embed patterns or dye them. Concrete tops are not recommended for those who don’t want to do the maintenance, as they are surprisingly porous and need to be sealed and re-sealed.

Pros: Concrete countertops allow for uniqueness, flexibility and fun. It can be mixed with a variety of colors.

Cons: Concrete tops are expensive and easily stained, even with a lacquer finish. They chip easily and are hard, with an industrial look. They require diligent maintenance.

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I often get asked by DIY customers on how to cut granite.

Straight cuts - A hand held wet circular saw with continues diamond blade is recommended.  Water feed supply is a must to eliminates the harmful dust particles common in dry cutting applications. A felt lining is recommended on the tracks (base plate) to protect the work surface from scratches. The motor should be power full to work without stalling. A guide down is a must to get precision cuts or for working on the edges. Several brands of saws are available out in the market to suite the job and your budget.  Faucet holes - Use a handheld heavy duty drill with wet diamond core bit. Work through the granite steadily with even pressure. Always start cutting from the top surface and reduce the pressure as you approach the end of cutting to avoid chipping the stone.Profile cutting – vacuum brazed diamond hand profilers / hand router bits are available in the market to produce perfect edges. An internal water feed type is recommended for optimum cooling of the bit. Hand profile tools come with guide on the top of the bit that rides on the surface of the slab to control the depth of cut for consistent shaping. 

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This is a most common question asked by customers. Polishing is done by diamond pads and is available for hand held grinders or hand pads.  For small jobs on residential counter tops, diamond hand polishing pads are used to perform light on-site polishing/recovering of scratches and other hand polishing jobs. Diamond hand polishing pads come in different grit size and often sold as sets. Starting at 50 or 100 grit and gradually increasing to about 2000 to 3000grit. The grit size of the pad for a given job is selected based on the extent of repair required on the surface of the slab. 500 to 3000 grit size is a resin bonded pad, and used to achieve a high polish. Different brands of products available in the market and always follow manufacturers

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Here’s a great breakdown about granite found on the natural stone gallery site.

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I am often confronted with a question on the price of the granite and I thought it is good subject to write for the benefit of those decision makers.

Often times the argument is “the supplier down the road is a lot cheaper than you guys” and strangely enough, one customer told me that he was getting the same granite 20% cheaper.

While I understand, that every one looks for the best price, a fair comparison to quality is the key for getting the best value for your money.

In today’s competeive world, you get what you pay for. The cheaper it gets the more the compromise in quality. It is also possible the supplier is liquidating stock due to market situation. This is typically one of deal with no consistency in quality.

While some suppliers are honest in their approach to providing quality product they promise, some others may not be able to stand by their commitment for the simple reason, they cannot afford it at that price.

Granite is graded by 1^st, 2^nd and commercial quality and the price difference could be as much as 30% depending on the grading standard. Always check the quality grade and ask for a grading statement.

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I get this question from customers all the time and here is the information on the product you can get in the market.

Clear Gel Epoxy (Knife-Grade) The clearest knife-grade epoxy available This smooth, Vaseline-like epoxy is handy for joining countertops or laminating edges. The consistency of this knife-grade epoxy allows you to squeeze out thin bond lines, so that clamping doesn’t produce a mess of displaced adhesive. Easily tinted for true colors, Clear Gel delivers high bond strength, is polish able, and sets up fast. Applying heat shortens set time. Touchstone Clear Gel epoxy is a versatile product: it works great as a patching compound, too.

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Granite is porous and the porosity varies from stone to stone depending on the density of the stone. Porosity in the stone allows absorption of oil and grease from food spill on the counters. Since the stone is porous, it is possible to remove the stain by reversing the process. The process is simply reabsorbing the stain from granite to another material, and is called poultice. The stain removal process time depends on how deep the stain is in the stone.

A poultice can be prepared by using a base material like white chalk powder mixed with ammonia or acetone. Moisten the area with distilled water so it becomes easy for stain to come out. Make a thick paste out of the chalk with ammonia and apply a thick layer of ½” on and around the stained area. Cover the paste with clear plastic sheet and seal it with masking tape. Pierce few tiny holes in the plastic so it can breathe for moisture to escape. The drying out process is essential and that is what absorbs the stain out of the stone to the poultice. Always seal granite so it is protected from staining.

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