THE STONE GALLERY
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ABOUT THE MATERIAL
GRANITE
Granite is the most popular natural stone on the market.
It is very hard, crystalline, igneous or metamorphic rock primarily composed of feldspar, quartz, and less amounts of dark minerals. Mineral grains are visible to the naked eye. This material is frequently characterized as more resistant to damage (staining, etching, etc.), harder, and more uniform than marble, travertine, onyx, limestone, or slate.
Granite is formed from liquid magma cooled slowly to form a substance approaching the hardness and durability of diamond. It is available in a stunning array of colors and its durability and longevity make it ideal for kitchen countertops, and other heavily used surfaces. It also has a bacteria-resistance surface and is not affected by citric acid, coffee, tea, alcohol, or wine.
Granite comes in thousands of designs and colors that depend on the configuration of its minerals. Colors range from white to green and all other hues in between, such as reddish-orange blends of feldspar, the darker shades of mica, and the shimmers of quartz.
Today, granite is used for numerous projects that include countertops, window sills, columns, signage, furniture, floor covering, monuments, and roads. Because of its tough formation, granite boasts great strength, remarkable hardness, and very low water absorption.
While granite has become the mineral of choice for today's luxury homes and offices because of its enduring beauty, it is important to note that granite is not recommended to customers who prefer surfaces that are perfectly uniform in color and pattern and totally free from blemishes and variation. They occur naturally and are considered to be part of the beauty of the stone. Granite also needs to be sealed yearly in order to maintain its non-porous nature.
MARBLE
Marble is a classic and elegant choice that turn an ordinary space into an extraordinary one.
Marble is a metamorphic rock containing a high concentration of calcite or dolomite. The word is derived from Greek meaning to sparkle or gleam. There are many variations of marble based on the minerals which give it color and veining.
Marble varies in the grain size and the amount of veining, so stone quarried from different parts of the world have unique appearances. Fine-grained marble tends to be more consistent in color. Heavier grains product more grain variation.
There are several finish options for marble surfaces. The most popular are honed/matte, polished and leather.
Every marble countertop is one of a kind, with unsurpassed beauty. Marble offers a rich spectrum of colors and veining, with several premium finishes that can give you just the look and feel you want. It can fit well with most design styles from classic to modern. Marble offers outstanding durability when properly cared for and offers excellent resistance to heat.
Some things to be aware of with marble countertops is marble develops a light patina with time and it gives it an aged, antique look that some way like, and some may not.Marble is porous and will stain unless properly sealed and conscientiously cleaned. The stone must be resealed as often as once per year. While this stone is beautiful, it does scratch more easily than granite, especially in high gloss finishes.It can also be chipped or cracked by heavy items, and will etch is exposed to acidic materials such as tomato juice. They also tend to be on the more expensive side of countertops.
While not overly burdensome, marble countertops do require some care and maintenance. However, marble countertops produce an unmistakable eye-catching allure wherever they are installed.
QUARTZITE
Quartzite is tougher than Granite, naturally occurring, and beautiful.
Quartzite comes from sandstone which undergoes a natural process to become a metamorphic rock though high pressure beneath the earth's crust. Marble is another example of a metamorphic rock, though it is less durable because it is made from limestone. Quartzite and Marble tend to look very similar due to this, though Quartzite has the added bonus of being more durable and less expensive than Marble.
Quartzite is a reliable stone, that requires the low maintenance of Granite with a similar appearance to Marble. It is a stone that does not etch, and is more resistant to heat and scratch. A once a year sealing is recommended to keep Quartzite countertops non-porous.
QUARTZ
Quartz is a durable engineered slab available in a rainbow of colors.
Quartz countertops are made from a percentage of naturally occurring quartz engineered into a slab with resin and other materials. Because of this engineered quality, quartz is extremely durable. It never needs sealing unlike Granite, Marble, and Quartzite.
Quartz comes in a large variety of colors, patterns, and designs. It also is non-absorbent, so it resists staining and doesn't harbor harmful bacteria. It also does not etch. Quartz countertops are scratch-resistant, however they are so hard they may dull a knife used on them. Like all natural stone, sudden changes in temperature can damage them, so the use of pot holders and trivets are still needed.
Though quartz is not recommended for outdoor use, it can be used for outdoor kitchens with full overhead coverage from elements.
Because of the man-made nature of Quartz slabs, Unique Tile offers not only live inventory, but we also have several available quartz-only brands to choose from. You can check them out below!
OUR FAVORITE QUARTZ VENDORS
WE ALSO CARRY...
Hanstone
LG Viatera
MSI
Okite
Silestone
Wilsonart
