Natural stone is a beautiful, durable material that has a myriad of purposes inside and outside your home. It’s also expensive and heavy, which can be difficult for homeowners on a budget or whose homes can’t withstand the weight of natural stone. Manufactured stone was created as a solution to these problems — or at […]
One of the reasons natural stone countertops are such a great investment is because they last. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), stone countertops are rated as able to last a lifetime, over 100 years are more. That’s over twice as long as most other materials — talk about getting some bang […]
Natural stone countertops are a beautiful investment for your home, though they do require a little bit more maintenance than other surfaces. Although we’ve talked a little bit about caring for your stone before, it’s also important to know about the most common ways chips, scratches and stains occur in first place in order to […]
Although stones seem really solid and sturdy, you might be surprised to know that when put under a microscope, most stones have tons of microscopic pores. This is because of the way stones are formed—whether it’s the slow compacting of tiny grains of organic matter or recrystallizing under intense heat and pressure, tiny gaps are […]
For most natural stone kitchen countertops, seams — places where two individual stones are joined together — are often unavoidable. That sometimes seems strange to customers when they see the huge piece of stone their countertop will be made from. Can’t it just be cut in one piece? For smaller surfaces, like a bathroom vanity […]
When hunting for a natural stone countertop, you’ve likely come across both prefabricated and slab options. Both are, of course, made of natural stone — so what’s the difference, and how will it affect your decision-making process? Let’s investigating the pros and cons below. Prefabricated Stone Countertops Prefabricated stone countertops have been cut to certain […]
Granite, quartzite, and marble are some of the most common stones you can use in your home, but they’re by no means the only stones available. Travertine, sandstone, and soapstone also common options for tiles and countertop slabs, and each has their own pros and cons. Are these natural beauties something you should be considering […]
When you’re looking to add natural stone to the bathroom, think beyond the tile! A stone vanity top is a great way to really enhance the elegance and beauty of the room, making it feel more like a luxury spa or a powder room than, well, just a bathroom. Just like with kitchen countertops, however, […]
So, you know about polished stone — that high-gloss finish you can practically see your own reflection in. And we’ve talked about the honed finish, which is matte and silky-smooth. But, you may have heard mention of leathered stone while going through your favorite home design websites, or maybe you’ve even seen it when looking […]
Natural stone isn’t just for your kitchen countertops — it also makes for a stunning and really durable backsplash. The unsung hero of your kitchen, it’s these rows of tile lining the wall behind your countertop and stove that protects your walls from all sorts of stains, spills and mold-causing moisture that can wreak havoc […]