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Facts About Natural Stone

granite slab stone remnants

Used as the first building blocks known to humankind, natural stone continues to captivate and inspire us in the present day. Its enduring popularity stems from its remarkable strength, durability, and an exquisite array of colors, patterns, and finishes. Join us on a journey to discover fascinating facts about this ancient treasure that will ignite your curiosity and deepen your appreciation for the timeless allure of natural stone.

Granite Reigns Supreme In Cleanliness

A study conducted by the esteemed Hospitality Institute of Technology and Management found that granite surpasses even stainless steel as the most easily cleaned countertop surface. Not only does granite exude elegance, but it also offers competitive pricing compared to quartz surfaces, making it an affordable choice for your home.

The same study revealed that marble and granite possess equal cleanability to engineered stone, ensuring a hygienic and beautiful surface for your space.

Embracing Low Maintenance Elegance

Experience the effortless beauty of natural stone. With just warm water, mild dishwashing liquid, and a soft cloth, maintaining the radiance of your stone surfaces becomes a simple task. Say goodbye to high-maintenance alternatives and enjoy the convenience of low maintenance luxury. Depending on the type of natural stone, it may benefit from periodic sealing to enhance its stain resistance.

Busting the Radon Myth

Extensive research by Environmental Health and Engineering (EHE) concludes that granite countertops pose no health risks related to radon gas. Feel confident in the safety of your stone choice, as published studies worldwide support the absence of radon emissions from granite countertops.

Sustainable Beauty that Lasts

Make an eco-conscious statement with natural stone. Responsibly harvested and renewable, natural stone minimizes environmental impact while offering timeless beauty. Embrace sustainable elegance in your living space.

Durability that Stands the Test of Time

The enduring strength of natural stone. With proper care, these remarkable materials can withstand the trials of daily life, ensuring they last for generations. Your investment in natural stone becomes a testament to durability and longevity.

Health Benefits of Natural Stone

Natural stone is naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to bacteria, promoting a cleaner and more hygienic space. Embrace the purity and wellness offered by natural stone in your home.

Endless Design Possibilities

Let your imagination take flight with natural stone. Its diverse range of types, colors, and finishes unlocks endless design possibilities, enabling you to create a space that resonates with your personal style. From modern and sleek to rustic and earthy, natural stone brings your vision to life.

Investment Value

Elevate your home’s value with natural stone. A timeless and sought-after feature, natural stone enhances your property’s desirability and leaves a lasting impression on potential buyers. It’s not just an aesthetic choice but also a wise investment.

Kitchen Granite Countertop
Granite Kitchen Countertop

Immerse yourself in the timeless allure of natural stone – a treasure that has shaped civilizations throughout history and continues to captivate modern homeowners. Explore the enchanting facts that unveil the power, elegance, and sustainability of this remarkable material. From the unrivaled cleanliness of granite to the enduring beauty and health benefits of natural stone, embrace a world where strength, elegance, and environmental consciousness harmoniously converge. Experience the transformative possibilities of natural stone and let it leave an indelible mark on your living space for years to come.

LINK: How to Make Natural Stone Play a Starring Role in a Kitchen Design

At The Top Shop, Inc. is your premier choice for cabinets and countertops in Denver and across  Colorado’s Front Range.

We pride ourselves on being the ultimate destination for exceptional commercial and residential projects, multi family units, remodels, and new home construction. From plastic laminate casework and countertops to solid surface, engineered stone, and natural stone solutions, we offer a diverse product lineup designed to elevate your project.

We’re committed to working with you towards a successful project, completed on-time. Need a bid? Give us a call at 330-996-6026.

Types of Natural Stone For Your Home

types of natural stone

The most familiar natural stone types that are used in countertops and most home applications fall into three categories: Igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary.

  • Igneous stone, such as granite, is formed mainly with volcanic material. Liquid magma underneath the earth’s surface solidifies while mixing with mineral gases and liquids to create different formations and colors.
  • Metamorphic stones were made from a natural from of stone that was transformed by a mixture of heat, pressure, and minerals. These types of stone include quartzite, marble, serpentine, and slate.
  • Sedimentary stone comes from organic elements where small sedimentary pieces accumulated to form rock beds and were bonded through millions of years of heat and pressure. They include limestone, sandstone, soapstone, onyx, and travertine.

Read more to learn a little about these different types of stone and the kinds of applications they are used for.

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Natural Stone Countertop Cleaning & Care Guide

This natural stone countertop cleaning and care guide will give you some tips to keep your granite or other stone surfaces looking like new. The natural stone you have purchased is an investment that will give your home or office many years of beautiful service. Natural stone surfaces include granite, marble, limestone, travertine, slate, quartzite, sandstone, adoquin, onyx, and more. Simple care and maintenance will help preserve your stone’s beauty for generations to come!

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Granite Countertop Buyers Guide

Granite is one of the most elegant choice for a kitchen countertop. It is very easy to clean and will make you proud of your kitchen. Granite countertops add a touch of elegance to any space. This natural material is exceptionally durable, and fits any décor style. The challenge in selecting the right material is that there are so many styles, patterns, and colors that it can be difficult to choose. There are several factors to consider when selecting the right granite countertop. Here are a few reason you’ll want to consider granite for your next project.

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5 Favorite Granites for Gorgeous Kitchen Countertops

Article By: Charmean Neithart, Houzz
Selecting a countertop material for your kitchen remodel or new build is a big decision. I often encounter clients with a mental block when it comes to making a decision on the numerous considerations, like color and edge detail. Additionally, once the countertop hurdle is over, then there is cabinet selection.

I like granite and use it often for its durability and its earthy colors that add great texture to a kitchen. I have a few favorites that I have worked with over the years. These granite selections get my stamp of approval because of color, movement and their flexibility in complementing different cabinet styles. Take a look at these countertop selections and how they seamlessly blend with either painted or stain-grade cabinets to make winning combinations.

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CONSUMERS PLAY IT SAFE AND PRACTICAL WHEN CHOOSING KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS

Granite kitchen countertop

If you had to sum up current trends in kitchen countertops in a few phrases, you might use the following: durability, generational preferences, clean and simple and ice cream sundaes. When taken together, they reflect prevailing consumer attitudes about kitchen remodels (and perhaps home improvement projects in general). Sure, they’re renovating for themselves but hey, let’s not get too crazy.

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ConsumerReports.org Buying Guide: Countertops

Granite Countertop in Denver Kitchen

Getting Started

Replacing a kitchen or bathroom countertop can be a relatively inexpensive part of a total remodeling job, costing as little as $550 for 55 square feet (about 18 linear feet) of laminate counter. Then again, you can spend 10 times that on costlier materials. Whichever once you choose, buy enough the first time out. Delivery is expensive, color and veining vary from sample to sample, and materials bought separately may not match.

Traditionally, the more exotic countertop materials have been used in the kitchen. But more and more materials such as concrete, granite, limestone, marble – and yes, even stainless steel – are migrating to the bathroom. Though bathroom counters typically see less wear and tear than kitchen counters, you might want to limit materials that need TLC to powder rooms or lightly used guest bathrooms. 

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Monte Carlo Simulation Proves Safety of Granite Countertops

Dark Granite Kitchen Counter

Supreme Granite Kitchen Island – Project Manager: Randy Wilson. A comprehensive new scientific study sponsored by the Marble Institute of America definitively shows that granite countertops are an insignificant source of radon in the home and that 99.95% of countertops produce lower radon concentrations than are typically found outdoors in the U.S. The study also concluded that in normal applications there is no risk granite countertops will produce radon concentrations even close to levels the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says require remediation (4 picocuries/liter).

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The Benefits of Natural Stone

granite slab stone remnants

Natural stone has been the premium building material of choice since the beginning of time. Quarried from rock beds formed over millions of years, natural stone used in residential and commercial settings comes from all parts of the world, including Italy, Spain, the U.S., Brazil, Canada, China, France, Israel, Greece, India, Mexico, Germany, Taiwan, and Turkey. 

Marble and granite, two of the most popular stones among homeowners, are quarried in the form of huge blocks; some weighing up to 35 tons. These blocks are cut into slabs generally 3/4″ or 1 1/2″ thick and the faces polished to the specified finish. The slabs are then carefully crated and shipped to fabricators worldwide who process them into the final product. 

Whether you’re building a new home or remodeling; natural stone offers you unparalleled beauty, performance, and uniqueness as well as it adds true value to your home. 

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