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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 American Cabinet & Flooring, we are proud to be one of Denver’s leading suppliers of exquisite natural stone. Our passion for quality craftsmanship and dedication to customer satisfaction set us apart. Visit our showroom in Denver to discover your natural stone options, get expert guidance from our knowledgeable team, and find tailored solutions for your home project to bring the timeless beauty and elegance of natural stone into your home.

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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Get Grout Magically Clean – Stains and All

tile grout

If your grout is grossing you out, this deep-cleaning method will help it look new again!

by Meg Padgett, Houzz

Tile – whether it’s used as flooring, in the kitchen as a backsplash or for counters, or in the bathroom – has one great downfall: grout. Since grout is porous in nature, unsealed grout absorbs all kinds of stains, from mildew to coffee and everything in between. To say it’s a headache to keep grout clean is an understatement.

NOTE: Be wary of using too much lemon juice with marble, since it can etch or damage the stone if left on too long. Hydrogen peroxide can be a safe alternative.

We inherited marble tile counters when we purchased our home. It’s pretty clear that the grout was never properly sealed, so it soaks up stains like crazy. It makes our kitchen feel gross and grimy, even if it was just cleaned. While I’d love to replace the counters with a solid surface like quartz, it’s just not in out budget – plus, we just can’t justify getting rid of something that’s perfectly fine otherwise.

Luckily, I have a foolproof method that will lift most household stains from that pesky grout. 

What you’ll need:

  • Oxygenated bleach (like OxyClean)
  • Warm water
  • Coarse scrubbing brush (like an old toothbrush)
  • Towel
  • Lemon
  • Grout sealer

TIP: Cleaning colored grout should be done with special care. Bleaching agents (like chlorine bleach) can discolor and harm the colored grout. Fortunately, oxygenated bleach does not contain corrosive chemicals and is safe to use on all grout. 

1). Clean the surface thoroughly, removing any surface residue or debris. Let the grout dry fully.

2). Dissolve 2 tablespoons of oxygenated bleach in 2 cups of warm water. Wet the brush in the mixture and apply it to the grout. Let is soak in, then scrub the grout in a circular motion, which will loosen the stain more effectively than a front-and-back motion. If needed, dip the wet brush into the oxygenated bleach to make a paste. Wipe clean, then let dry.

TIP: To lift extra dark stains, squeeze lemon juice onto the stain, let it soak in, then scrub, wipe clean and let the grout dry. Use lemon juice sparingly, since it can damage some tile finishes.

3). Spray the tiles and grout with an ecofriendly cleaning spray and wipe them clean. Let the grout dry fully before making a final decision on whether your hard work paid off – damp grout looks darker than dry grout. 

4). Apply grout sealer after the grout has fully dried to avoid any future stains. Be sure to reapply it each year. 

Still having trouble getting that grout clean? For those impossible-to-remove stains, you might want to consider:

  • A commercial tile and grout cleaner
  • A coarser brush (avoid using metal bristles, though, as they can erode the grout)
  • Grout Renew

If after you’ve tried all three, the stain is still hanging strong, you may have to resort to removing the old grout and replacing it with new. 

TIP: An electric multitool, like the Dremel Mult-Max, helps to make quick and safe work of removing the old grout. 

Houzz: et Grout Magically Clean — Stains and All

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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