MARBLE COUNTERTOPS FOR KITCHEN?

Nowadays, countertop consumers have set their minds that marble isn’t a good choice for their kitchen.  Is it really?

Marble is porous – allowing oils and stains to seep into the stone – and softer than granite or quartzite, allowing scratches and chips. It also is soft enough to allow etching, which simply means that water and acids can leave marks that are barely visible on the surface (usually only seen if looking at the surface from a particular angle). There are obviously other countertop options, as well, such as granite, quartzite, quartz, etc but for today’s purpose, we are going justify the character of marble for kitchen.

A marble countertop in a kitchen where cooking happens won’t always look pristine, no matter how well you maintain it. Part of the beauty of natural stone, is it acquires a patina over the years that lends character, and many people consider that an asset.

But there are still some things you can do to protect and preserve it.

1. Start with a good sealant

Marble is one of the more porous stones, so you have to protect the surface by keeping it well sealed, When you buy the
countertop, there’s no sealant on it. You could ask the installer to apply the sealant, but you can easily do it yourself once the countertop is in place or as a routine maintenance. 

Sealant is needed for whatever finish you have on your countertop. The most common marble finishes are either polished, for a
high-gloss surface, or honed, which produces a softer matte surface. These days, ninety percent of marble kitchen countertops are honed, That doesn’t show scratches as much as a polished surface, but it does leave the stone more susceptible to stains.

2. Clean daily—with care

To ensure that the sealant remains effective, you should wipe down your countertop daily using a nonabrasive cloth or sponge and only a mild soap (such as dish detergent) and water. Clear up spilled food right away,before it can seep in and cause a stain or discoloration (that can happen overnight, even with sealant in place). And obviously, keep some good-sized cutting boards on hand for food prep so that staining substances won’t come in contact with the countertop. Coasters help, too—red wine and coffee-cup rings are common culprits. Try not to strip the sealant away and leaving the stone  wide open to stains with abrasive cleansers.

3. Periodical Sealing

Some suggest once a year, or more often if needed. How to tell if reapplication is required? If water beads on the
countertop, the sealant is still working; if it soaks right in, it’s time for a refresher. Consult with the marble fabricator about the recommended sealant for your marble to ensure that it’s nontoxic, food-safe, and the best sealer for
your particular stone.

 

pqs/lv

Slabs Or Tiles in a shower?

 
What’s the bath shower trend nowadays? I find that more minimalism or modern contemporary are getting popular especially among the millenials or young homeowners. Showers are clean lined, that is- reducing grout lines. We’re seeing bigger slabs in the shower, fewer grout lines, and nearly invisible shower drains.

Rather than tiny tiles with heavily grouted shower walls, larger marble granite quartzite slabs are what kitchen and bath designers are implementing into today’s new baths and shower remodels. We’ve been seeing natural stone slabs used on shower walls more often, but the look is trickling down to the shower floor, too. One factor driving the trend is the availability of barely-visible shower drains from kitchen and bath manufacturers. The look is clean, not to mention easier to clean.

Slab Feature Wall

If you’re opting for a slab shower base, keep in mind that wet natural stone can get quite slippery. We recommend choosing a HONED FINISH or having your fabricator place some very small grooves in the slab for traction. Also, depending on the layout and threshold, you might want to consider installing two drains to help remove the water faster.

Paramount Quality Stone would love to help you select a slab just right for your bathroom project. Give us a call at 310-534-8884. You can also visit  our showroom where our experienced stone experts are ready to answer any question you might have about natural stone surfacing, and more.

What is the right countertop for you?

 

Kitchen countertop
courtesy of mark-sikes-karen-kane-kitchen
from google

Remodelling your kitchen can be full of excitement and decision making. Choosing the cabinets, countertops, backsplash, and tile for your kitchen can be overwhelming.  Paramount Quality Stone is here to provide advice on how to select the right countertop for your home, based on three different things.

Things to consider before choosing your kitchen countertop:

  • Colors : Think about the statement you want to achieve in your kitchen. You want the countertops to compliment the color on the walls, your decorative items, and the backsplash. For a cohesive look, we recommend you choose your countertop and backsplash at the same time.
  • Durability & Ease of Maintenance : Keep your lifestyle in mind, will you be cooking and entertaining often? Certain types of slabs can easily be scratched or stained. Marble is more likely to stain than most types of stone. Be sure to consider the required maintenance before committing to a countertop material.
  • Style:  Think about the statement you want to achieve in your kitchen. Some materials are more suitable for contemporary kitchens, whole others are more suitable for traditional-style kitchens.

When you decide to select your countertop material, Paramount Quality Stone carries marble, onyx, quartzite,  granite, travertine, limestone, mosaic and engineered quartz.  If you have any questions about our countertops, give us a call at 310-534-8884.

#countertopselection #designinspiration #islandcountertops #naturalstones #remodelling #interiordesign

Quartzite Countertops Maintenance

Why Quartzite?

Quartzite has been trending as a countertop material in the past few years—and for good reason. With a look that is often similar to marble and a durability comparable to granite, this natural stone seems to have it all.

I would name Quartzite as a “designer’s choice”, because of its natural, glamorous beauty. Most designers ( at least ones I know) look for something different and integrates or uses it both for its aesthetics and function. Besides its exquisiteness, Quartzite’s strongest selling points is its hardness and durability. Quartzite is nearly twice as hard as glass and harder than the blade of a knife. It is also resistant to common kitchen acids and will not etch when exposed to things like lemon juice or vinegar.

Teal colored quartzite carribean sea wave
Paramount Quality Stone – Caribbean Sea Wave Quartzite

Maintenance

Caring for quartzite is similar to caring for granite. We would recommend wiping up counters regularly with a gentle cleanser, water, and a soft cloth or paper towel.

As with any surface, simple preventative measures should be taken to protect quartzite countertops. Wipe up spills and moisture as quickly as possible, and use coasters, trivets, and cooling racks. Utilize cutting boards, though perhaps not for the reason you’d expect: “Quartzite is extremely high on the Mohs hardness scale. When it’s that high, it could dull your knives.”

Does Quartzite require Sealing?

Taj mahal quartzite kitchen countertops bath vanity countertops
Taj Mahal Quartzite -Photo courtesy of Design-by-JC-Remodeling-Taj-Mahal-Leathered-Quartzite

Is sealing required for quartzite? It depends on the stone’s porosity.

Quartzites are made of metamorphosed sandstone. Depending on the amount of metamorphosis, each quartzite can be more or less porous. Porous varieties of quartzite, may benefit from the application of a good sealer. Many modern sealers can protect stone from 1-10 years, and some have stain removal warranties. Your fabricator or stone supplier can provide specific guidance on choosing the appropriate product for your stone.

Generally speaking, the best indication that a countertop needs sealing is to watch the area around the kitchen sink. If you notice the stone darkening around the sink from water, it may mean that a sealer is needed—or that the current sealer is becoming less effective. Make sure the stone is cleaned and allowed to dry completely before applying the sealer.

 

When you decide to select Quartzite for your kitchen or bathroom countertops, reach out to us.  Paramount Quality Stone has a huge inventory of natural stones,  with countless selection of exceptional quality quartzite stones.

– lv

Pet Friendly Natural Stone Flooring

Are you wondering if your floor material at home is pet-friendly or perhaps looking for one?  First let us learn about “natural stone”.

Natural Stone refers to a number of products quarried from the earth. They are product of the earth which comes with all the benefits!

Among other building floor materials, none is more elegant and luxurious than natural stone. Natural stone’s  individual beauty and character makes it unique.  Natural Stone is hygienic; meaning it creates surface that donot hold dust, hair or skin, making it suitable for many applications where hygiene is required or preferred. Thus, natural stone flooring is certainly suitable for homes with pets.  Well, there you go!

Being a “natural material” , it makes it one of the most durable materials on the planet. This durability and resilience gives pet owners some key benefits. A granite, marble, slate or travertine floor will not scratch easily, meaning your pets can run around to their heart’s content without damaging the floor beneath them.

We recommend all customers to seal their natural stone flooring, which helps protect the material from any nasty surprises.

Consider heated underfloor as stone flooring can be a chilly surface. Treat your pets to a comfortable furry rug or  bed for nap time – to make them feel warm.

The Most Common Question we get from Customers who shop for Countertops

In the business of stones , countertop shoppers asks same questions everytime ; “What is the difference between Quartz and Quartzite?”

Let’s define the (2) two materials:

Quartzite is a hard, non-foliated metamorphic rock which was originally pure quartz sandstone. Quartzite is beautiful and exotic.

alexandrita quartzite
Paramount Quality Stone’s Alexandrita Quartzite

Quartz countertops are actually a form of engineered stone, man-made from ground-up particles of stone bound together with space-age plastic resins.

#colorquartz #quartzcountertops #kitchencountertops #man-made #engineeredcountertops
ColorQuartz Calacatta Supreme

Characteristics of both materials:

Quartzite is generally found in white to gray. Pink and red hues are a result of iron oxide in the stone. Yellow, blue, green and orange quartzite results from the presence of other minerals. Regardless of the color, the quartzite will have streaking caused by varying degrees of pressure in its formation and the random presence of iron oxide or other minerals.

Quartz, because pigment can be added, is available in a much wider range of colors for you to consider. The way the countertop material is formulated gives it the appearance of natural stone such as granite or marble.

The bottom line is you want the natural beauty, quartzite is your choice. If you’d like a more diverse selection of solid colors and patterns to consider, you’ll find it in quartz.

Durability:

Quartzite is harder than granite, so it is quite durable. It withstands heat very well.

Quartz is hard too, but not quite as hard as quartzite. The resin used in manufacturing quartz countertops is a plastic, so it is prone to melting in heat above 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Maintenance:

Quartzite requires quite a bit more TLC. It must be sealed before use and re-sealed one or two times per year. Without a proper seal, stains can penetrate into the stone. This is a weakness shared by all natural stone including granite and marble. When properly sealed, quartzite cleanup is easy.

Quartz requires very little maintenance. It wipes clean with a damp cloth. Abrasive cleaners should not be used on quartz, and they really aren’t needed. Ease of maintenance is the main advantage quartz countertops have over quartzite.  In any event, as with all countertops, it is advisable to use cleaners designed for your type of surface.

In conclusion, Quartzite and Quartz  are two gorgeous options for your home projects.  Both are very durable and deserve consideration as you plan your home construction or remodeling

Get Creative with Stonetop table DIY Project!

DIY image

With the amount of time we have now at home, we often think of how to spenf it productively.  One way is to indulge in Do-It-Yourself projects!  How about making yourself a table? It can be a coffee table, console table or side table.  The photo above shows a coffee table where you can use a remnant stone and hairpin legs which you can purchase online.  The stone makes it elegant and would not look like it is DIY. 🙂 Add in the hairpin legs in Gold leaf finish or brass and you achieve the mid-century style!

So when you have decided to do this project, get your tabletop stone from us.  Paramount Quality Stone offers exotic natural stones, remnant or the whole slab, we have them!  The good thing with buying the whole slab is you will have matching coffee table and console table or Dining table and console table.

#furniture #DIY #homeowners

 

Is your Kitchen ready for the Holidays?

Thanksgiving and your Kitchen.

Thanksgiving Day is approaching and family gatherings are bound to happen despite of the pandemic in the background.  With that said, extra precautionary measures are necessary particularly disinfecting surfaces.

But before that step, check your kitchen for too old stuff, even broken or cracked countertops.  Old stuff creates molds and is not healthy.  Broken or cracked countertops  absorbs germs and bacteria which means uninvited creatures can settle in! Yikes!

So, is it time to unclutter? Yes! with every year, you get more stuff then accumulates more every year without realizing you had old items at the back of each pantry shelf. Is it time to replace cracked countertops? Absolutely! Beside eliminating housing for insects,upgrading your kitchen gives you better ROI (Return Of Investment) and definitely better home environment.

Need I say more? We at Paramount Quality Stone can help!  Visit our showroom and slabyard to select your new countertop.