We ran across this article the other day which is about caring for your granite counter tops:

There aren’t too many surfaces that are more durable and long-lasting than granite, which is one reason why so many people are choosing granite for their countertops. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that granite looks beautiful as well! And with proper maintenance, your granite countertops will continue to look beautiful for years.

Read the rest here:

http://www.myhomecleaningtips.com/dishes-kitchen/24/

When choosing a granite surface for kitchen counters, people often overlook an important detail. The sink. As with granite, you have several options when choosing a sink. For example, size, weight, faucet, material, fit are just a few. All of this can be rather confusing, so we thought we would break down the different types of sinks.

Undermount Kitchen Sinks

Most undermount sinks come with very clear written installation instructions and most require bead of clear silicone caulk to be placed around the flat lip of the undermount sink to provide a seal between the sink and countertop. Most professional installers can install an undermount kitchen sink in less than a half hour.

Farm Sinks

Also known as an Apron Front Sink, these sinks have a stylish panel in front and are available in both tile-in and undercounter models. Because of their unique installation, it is recommended that you have the sink on hand during cabinet construction.

Drop In Sinks

This is the most common form of sink. A drop-in sink is quite simply a sink that you drop (place carefully) in your counter after it has been installed. When using a drop-in sink, the sink must be on site at the time of install. The sink hole is generally cut on site.

Yes and No.

With the right tools, care, time, and effort, anything can be a do-it-yourself job. However, you must ask yourself, is the money I might save worth that time, effort, and care?

Granite is heaver, requires expensive tools, and can be broken with improper care. If that happens, you’ll really have a problem.

Additionally, you might find getting it right could prove difficult. By the time you’re done with the job, you may find it’s easier to just leave it to the pros.

 1. Quality.  When you are looking to renovate your house, do not make price your only issue. This is an investment. Make sure that the company you are dealing with has 1) a great reputation, 2) customers that you can speak with and 3) quotes that include cutting, custom installation and sealing.

2. Selection. Find a company who has a large selection. Many companies only carry selections from a certain part of the world. You want to buy granite and marble from a company with a wide selection of products from classical, exclusive or even promotional materials so that you can find the perfect fit for your home. Start your search online looking at samples. 

3. Service. It probably goes without saying but make sure that you purchase you natural stone from a company that provides excellent customer service.

4. Price. We don’t leave this at the bottom because it is the least important. Price is many times the main factor in a purchase. However, in the marble and granite world, quality, service and selection are as important as the price of the purchase. Remember that natural stone is an investment that will bring both financial value and personal appeal value to your home or office.  Click here to get a quote on your next project.

Granite and Marble are durable materials but sometimes stone repair is necessary.  Natural stone is as durable as any surface material there is, but occasionally, it will break.  While a few repairs and stain removals can be done by the avid DIY’s, others are best left to the professionals. The great thing about natural stone is that it can usually be repaired instead of replaced!

In this blog, we have talked mostly about the advantages and care of granite surfaces. It’s for good reason; granite is a flexible and durable material to install in your home or office. This post, however, will be centered on the other Material in our name: Marble.

Marble is a great material that gets used in all sort of ways (countertops, mantles, table tops and especially floors). Like granite, marble affords you the choice of many colors, sizes and shapes. There certainly many advantages to using this surface, but the one we hear the most is that it is truly unique. Granite affords a great blend of looks, durability, and easy maintenance. For those reasons, it has become quite common. Using marble will differentiate your room from others simply by being different from the norm.

We often get offers to use new products in our work and, for the most part, we have a set a products we know and trust and use on our own homes and businesses. Recently though, we have found a new set of sealing products come available that have demonstrated durability over a 15 year period. For this reason, we have taken notice and have proudly added DRYTREAT Sealing Products to our list of products and materials we have available.

For new installations, we’re offering something we have never offered before; a sealer with a 15-year warranty. Sealers do a number of things including: resist stains, protect against cracking, and prevent water damage.

Give us a call to see how this new product can benefit you.

Though granite is a very durable surface, there are some simple care instructions to be mindful of to help you get the most out of your stone:

• Do not place hot items on the stone’s surface. If not properly sealed, hot items such as cooking oil might penetrate or stain the surface.
• Clean up spills right away. Allowing them to set will increase the likelihood that they penetrate the surface and cause stains. If a spill does penetrate the surface, then you must use a cleaning agent (neutral cleaner, stone soap, mild liquid or warm water) to try and get it out.
• Do not clean the granite stone with cleaning products like ammonia, bleaching powder, abrasive dry cleaners and products which contains lemon, vinegar or other acids. These products cause damage to your stone.
• If you have a question, consult with a professional. They will help you get the most out of your surface for years to come.

1. It’s Durable

Next to diamonds, granite is the strongest stone in the world. So, it stands to reason that you might want to use granite in your home or office to provide long-lasting quality throughout it’s life. Once installed, granite lasts years with minimal care and upkeep.

2 . It’s Pretty

Granite’s natural grain and color is often cited as one of the reasons for using it. It’s available in many different colors and is found in many upscales residences, hotels, and palaces.

3. It’s Cost-Effective

While granite may cost a little more initially, it is amazingly affordable and more than makes up for the initial cost in terms of durability and ease-of-use and luxurious looks.

There has been a lot of press recently about bad contractors and, while there certainly are many bad contractors out there, you can take a few simple steps to identify and avoid them for your next project.

1. Verify that the contractor is licensed.
   Before agreeing to terms with a contractor, be sure to check with the Construction Contractors Board (CCB) to make sure that they are licensed. Further, be sure that the contractor is authorized to use the license number they give you. Many bad contractors will use a license number registered to someone else. Don’t fall for this trick; verify, verify, verify
2. Ask For References/Check For Complaints
   When deciding on a contractor, ask them to provide a list of references to check so that you can talk to people they have worked with previously. It seems simple, but if you can talk to some of their clients about their work, you can get a good idea of whether they will be a right fit or not. The same principle holds true when checking the CCB for their complaint history. Company’s who have proven track record of resolving disputes amicably will generally do so in the future should the need arise.
3. Get Multiple Bids
   Always look at multiple contractors to see who is the best fit. Getting multiple bids will help you determine the best price, quality, and timeline for your project.
4. Always Use A Written Contract
   A good contract will define your agreement, cost, timeline, materials, liability, and payment terms. Using a contract protects both parties and helps you be clear about who is responsible for what.

These are a few simple ways to protect yourself against bad contractors. Of course, you can always call us. If we can’t help you, we often know someone who can and can refer you in the right direction.