Countertops: The Best Kitchen Countertops

　　Kitchen countertops are one of the most important and visual items a construction or remodeling project has. The countertop material needs to be combined with the functionality of the kitchen area and thus, we have selected the best kitchen countertops available. But remember some of them are not cheap and must be treated and handled carefully.

　　1. Best Kitchen Countertops: Natural Stone

Natural Stone Kitchen countertops

　　Natural stone kitchen countertops provide one of the most durable surfaces in a kitchen, although their price could be a huge factor against them. The most popular stone countertops are:

　　Granite

　　Marble

　　Soapstone and,

　　Slate

　　One of the main benefits of using stone countertops is that they could provide an extraordinary alternative in color and texture. Granite and marble, although relatively expensive when compared to other kitchen countertops alternatives, are two of the most popular natural stone countertops. Granite and marble kitchen countertops must be treated and sealed, typically will last between 10 to 15 years, to make them stain-resistant. It offers a hard durable surface ideal when the kitchen is used on daily basis and it’s the central focus of the remodeling or construction project. Soapstone and slate have a limited choice of colors and could be combined with sinks to match the countertop. From these two, Slate is softer and when it scratches, can be buffed out, while Soapstone countertops will need to be sealed to cover it porous surface. Natural stone countertops are durable and heat resistant; however, they could be chipped or cracked easily.

　　2. Best Kitchen Countertops: Quartz

Quartz Kitchen Countertops

　　Quartz countertops are one of the newest alternative materials being used in today’s kitchen. These countertop materials offer a non-porous, scratch-resistant surface that requires little to no maintenance. Quartz surfaces also prevent bacteria, mold and mildew from growing due to their built-in anti-microbial protection. One of the most important drawbacks is that they could cost as much as natural stone, and sometimes will not offer the visual impact as natural stone countertops could produce.

　　3. Best Kitchen Countertops: Laminate

Laminate Countertops

　　Laminate kitchen countertops or the so-called Formica could be the most used countertop material because it’s affordable price. Laminate countertops could last years and/or decades with just slightly or no decay. One of the most important advantages is that it offers thousands of colors and several other textures, but be aware that their thickness could vary. The thicker laminate is used for countertops while the thinner must be used for backsplashes and drawer laminates. Latest technology could offer laminate to mimic stone, metal, or wood countertops without the cost of natural materials. Plastic laminate kitchen countertops are not heat-resistant surfaces and could easily be burned or damaged. Once the surface is punctuated or scratched it cannot be repaired and only drop in sinks could be integrated into this countertops.

　　4. Best Kitchen Countertops: Concrete

Concrete Countertops

　　Concrete countertops resemble natural stone and offer a ready to install precast surface. While concrete kitchen countertop could offer a smooth flat surface, sometimes the curing time could delay your project several weeks.Concrete countertops are normally 1.5 inches thick and as long as 10 feet. Cracking could be one of the biggest issues that could affect concrete countertops and have limited somewhat their popularity. These types of countertops will last several years, could offer diversity of colors, and could also be sculpted. Concrete kitchen countertops provide heat and stain resistant surfaces and must be sealed on a regular basis.

　　5. Best Kitchen Countertops: Tile

Tile Countertops

　　Ceramic tile kitchen countertops were trending over the last decade. As of today, tile countertops are not that favored, but still offer excellent results when used for backsplash or islands. Not all tiles could be used as a countertop surface as wall tiles, thinner than floor or countertop formulated tiles, could crack easily. Normally, ceramic tiles are installed over a plywood surface or over existing plastic laminated countertops. Ceramic tile kitchen countertops could offer several arrays and tile combinations that could turn a kitchen into an eye appealing architectural accent of the property. These countertop alternative provide a heat, scratch and stain resistant, that when cracked, could be easily repaired.

The advantages and disadvantages of kitchen marble floor tiles

　　Benefits of Marble Kitchen Floors

　　Color: Marble tiles and slabs are available in a wide variety of colors. There are also multicolored marble materials that are available, which feature a variety of hues arranged in the surface of each piece. Since Marble is a natural flooring material, each piece is going to look slightly different from the other, which means that every tile will have its own unique personality.

　　When marble is quarried, it is extracted in large sheets called slabs. These slabs contain natural features which form a symphony of colors across the surface of the piece. When the slab is sliced down into more manageable sizes, each piece is a section of that original natural picture. While it is impossible to perfectly reassemble these pieces, an installation of a single material will feature pieces that tend to match one another.

　　Polish: Unlike many other stone flooring materials, marble is able to take an extremely high polish. This allows manufacturers to get the surface of marble extremely smooth and shiny. Polishing also tends to bring out the colors in the stone making them more noticeable and dramatic.

　　Light: One of the reasons that marble has so often been used in great works of sculpture is that it has a slightly translucent quality. This allows illumination in a room to penetrate the surface of some lighter colored marble materials. In the right light this material can seem to take on a very slight glowing quality. Even in darker marbles the play of light across the surface of the stone can be quite lovely.

　　Natural: Marble is an all natural material that is created by the earth. That means that it is eco friendly and bio degradable, and will not cause pollution at the end of its functional life.

　　Drawbacks of Marble Kitchen Floors

　　Cost: Marble is one of the more expensive kitchen flooring materials on the market and individual 12” X 12” tiles can cost upwards of $5-$10 per sq ft. When dealing with mosaics, larger tiles, slabs, and non standard sizes the price can be even higher then that.

　　Slippery: When polished, marble flooring has a very low coefficient of friction, meaning that it may present a slipping hazard. This is especially true in a kitchen where water and other liquids may occasionally spill on the ground. This can be offset to some extent through the use of floor mats.

　　Scratches: A polished marble tile is relatively easy to scratch; meaning that over time your kitchen floor may be marred by the moving of furniture and the clicking of heals. Repairing a scratched marble tile is a difficult job and usually requires the assistance of a professional.

　　Stains: Marble is a base material, in an acid base relationship. That means that whenever anything which is acidic interacts with it, a chemical reaction will occur, in the form of a rather noticeable stain. In the kitchen you will often have acidic liquids such as sauces and fruit juices splashing and spilling onto the floor, putting the marble in danger of permanently staining.

The Way to Choose Granite for Your Kitchen or Bathroom

　　In recent years, natural stone has become a popular tiling design choice for bathrooms and kitchens. Once limited to high-end houses, natural stone has become much more affordable for even ordinary houses.

　　In fact, it is easy to go to your local Home Depot or Lowe’s and find a big slab of granite and out front as an inducement to purchase granite countertops in your kitchen.

　　Granite Not Always Resilient

　　Most people, when they think of granite, believe that it is the ideal surface material. It is true that granite does a fairly good job of resisting staining, but still it is porous and does require frequent sealing. Granite is as dense as vitreous tile, so both have the same properties with respect to heat and water.

　　Surface Appearance of Granite

　　Because granite is a natural material, it does have a variegated surface appearance. It can be speckled or mottled, and even different granite tiles from the same box can differ substantially. Even though tile packers do try to maintain consistency, it is still smart for you to inspect each granite tile individually to ensure that consistency.

　　Granite Strength Ratings

　　One thing to note about purchasing granite for kitchen or bathroom is that natural stone does not receive strength ratings like manufactured ceramic tiles do. So granite does vary in strength. That is why you will typically find thicker granite tiles then you will find with ceramic tiles—usually 3/8 inch thick or even thicker.

　　Granite and Grout Choices

　　One other difference between granite and ceramic tile is that ceramic tile can employ a grout as a design tool. Wider or thinner grout with ceramic tiles can emphasize or deemphasize the appearance of the ceramic. But with granite typically you want to emphasize the beauty of the stone, so that is why grout lines are very thin—1/8 inch—and the color of the grout typically attempts to mimic the color of the granite.

　　Granite Installation

　　One nice thing about granite installation is that’s possible to install a granite countertop using 12 inch square tiles, rather than single slabs of granite. It does not look as good as the continuous slab, at least in this writer’s opinion, but you save tremendous sums of money on the professional installation.

　　Another positive about granite countertop installation is that you don’t have to use thinset mortar or grout. Simply lay the tile close together on clear silicone caulk. When finished, apply sealer across the entire surface (you may need to apply several coats to fill all cracks).

The Reasons of Granite Prices Vary So Drastically

　　Just like any other product sold, it’s all about supply and demand. Basically, the more rare a style of granite is, and the more “desirable” it’s deemed to be, the higher its price.

Granite kitchen show

　　Since granite is a natural stone product, there are great variances in the color, veining, and pattern of the stone. These variances can be found from one slab to another, and most definitely from shipment to shipment. Not only are there numerous varieties of granite, but each variety can also experience drastic differences in colors and patterns. No two stones are alike, and that’s one of the reasons that granite is such a popular natural stone for surfacing.

　　When choosing granite for your project, you’ll see just as many price points as you will available colors. Expensive granite prices can go over $100 per square-foot just for material alone. For example, a slab of granite that comes from a distant land, in a small quantity, will be priced far higher than a granite slab cut from a large quarry nearby, as will those that are more rare in color.

　　Granite styles like White Princess, Labradorite Blue Flowers, and Sensation are some of the more high-end options. Basically, anything very rare, or anything with a blue hue, will cost more than other more plentiful options, such as Verde Ubatuba, Tan Brown, and New Caledonia. Factors like veins, fractures, spots, clearness, and other physical attributes can also play a role with price.

　　Keep in mind that the level of personalization and fabrication complexity will also have an impact on price too. This includes thickness, edge treatments, backsplashes, sealing, finishing, and more. Installation costs also vary widely, as they depend on the type, experience, and quality of the installer and the complexity of the installation required, including transportation and handling. Your location also factors in. Are you in a city high-rise, suburban subdivision, or remote ranch?

　　In a nutshell, supply, demand, variety of color, and fabrication are the factors that set the price of your granite. Feeling a bit overwhelmed about all of the choices? Marble & Granite, Inc. can help explain all of the details that go into the pricing of a countertop.

Natural Stone is the Best Choice

　　From the ancient Egyptian pyramids to modern buildings, genuine natural stone has long been a durable choice for any such project. Projects utilizing natural stone exist in every American city and in every country in the world.In the United States, for example, many college campuses are made up of all natural stone buildings, generally selected because of its versatility, affordability, ease of shaping, proven durability and genuine beauty. Many government buildings (including the majority of state and federal buildings located throughout the country), religious facilities, museums, office buildings and many other types of projects are also constructed of natural stone. Why? Because these buildings, like those on college campuses, are expected to last through several generations. The natural stone industry can look back at these projects, some of which are more than100 years old, and be proud of their contribution to architecture and the quality of life.

natural stone

　　Residential architecture has also benefited from the use of natural stone over the years. More and more homeowners and contractors are turning to natural stone, not only for the exterior skin of their homes, but also for countertops, fireplaces (long a staple of the industry) and other interior treatments.

　　In recent years many "cast," "engineered" and "manufactured" products have been introduced to the market under a variety of trade names, most containing the word "stone." Through large numbers of producers and suppliers and equally large advertising budgets, the market share for these materials has been on the increase. Claims made for these products vary, but all have recurring themes. Chief among them: a particular "engineered" product is "just like" whatever natural stone it is trying to emulate.

　　These "just like" claims typically include not only the look of the product, but also the durability. Some companies even claim that their products are more durable because they are man-made, thus the manufacturing processes are more controlled. "More controlled than what," remains the question. Are they more controlled than, say, God's processes when He made the natural stone? That's generally left to the imagination of the reader. However, the presence of the word "stone" in many of the trade names and ads for these products can confuse architects and owners into thinking that they are, in fact, using natural stone.

　　Marketing materials for manufactured products often boast that the products are less expensive than natural stone. As evidence, producers point to buildings that used their materials and state that the owners saved 20 percent or more of the total cost of the building by using their product instead of the natural stone which, in some cases, was used on all of the surrounding buildings. However, with current technology this is not always the case. New computer-operated equipment introduced by various manufacturers has made the use of natural stone more economical than ever before. Further, the design of the building can also impact the cost factors. For example, if there are several different profiles on the project. natural stone is often not only competitive but less expensive, as the cast producers may be unable to efficiently recycle their molds to effectively reduce their costs. Other factors might include current market conditions at the time the project is bid.

　　With natural stones, no coloring agents will fade and no reinforcement rods will rust. Most natural stone products are virtually maintenance-free, requiring only periodic re-pointing of joints and, if necessary and desired, periodic cleaning. Further, natural stone for most projects comes to the job cut to fit and ready to set. Often, cast products are furnished in standard lengths and have to be cut on the job, adding labor expenses for the mason contractor/installer.
　　Finally, the proven long-term beauty and durability of natural stone is unmatched. As noted, the natural stone industry can boast of government, educational, religious and residential projects. A look at these showcases that natural stone blends into a pleasing match with buildings nearby and continues to maintain its natural beauty. While the cast industry can claim their products are durable, natural stone has history on its side.

　　Certain situations may call for a cast product instead of natural stone. However, architects, owners and others faced with choosing a product should not simply assume natural stone is unaffordable. Check with potential suppliers, contractors and/or trade associations representing both natural and man-made products. Remember that the initial cost of any product is but one factor. Consider whether you'd really rather have "cheaper" than "genuine." Keep in mind potential extra maintenance and installation costs and remember the proven durability of natural stone. Then make an educated decision based on research. In the end, the life of your project — and its use and enjoyment by present and future generations — may depend on it.

How to select good quality home decorative stone

　　The stone has a natural pattern and beautiful colors for interior designers to provide a broad creative element in the home decoration more and more people want to use some natural stone in the local. Compared to other building materials, stone from the selection pavement to the late maintenance, are exquisite, if not heeded, stone not show its beauty.

　　Quality stone depends on the surface. The pros and cons of natural stone depend on the quality and processing of the blocks. The quality of the stone surface, contain too much noise, uniform cloth color, did not suddenly concentrated suddenly pale, and there will be a lot of quality time stone after processing irreparable defects. So, the pattern of the surface of the stone color is an important indicator for evaluation of the pros and cons of stone quality. If the processing techniques and technology, however, the finished products will appear dents, spots, stains, missing edge off angle, cracks, color line, pit nest phenomenon, this stone, of course, cannot be considered "top grade".

　　According to the source specializing in sales of imported stone, high-quality natural stone, sheet cutting edge neatly without chipping, smooth surface, marble, high brightness, touch no rough.

　　In addition, home decoration stone, do not confused "incredibly hard", should choose those light-colored stone as a surface decoration materials, give people a warm feeling of quiet, but also to expand floor space around the house effect . Should try to choose from a variety of wear-resistant, acid and alkali of marble and granite stone. From the price point of view, the production of light-colored granite series is relatively cheap, suitable for general income families to purchase, replace the damaged part or ingredients. From the size of the board, the ground should try to choose the granite sheet, mainly on account of the strength of the ground and housing bearing two factors.

The analysis of artificial stone tilt cracking

　　Artificial stone will appear frequently in the course of the tilt cracking phenomenon is because the artificial stone unsaturated resin water prone to deformation, deformation resin content and quality is directly related to, alkaline substances will destroy the unsaturated resin adhesive in water to avoid the use of artificial stone, ordinary cement mortar should not be used in the construction of artificial stone adhesive, you should use a dedicated binder. The coefficient of thermal expansion of artificial stone, an order of magnitude larger than the natural stone, the construction set aside enough expansion joints and filled elastic sealant.

　　Artificial stone is a new type of energy, materials, utilization of waste products, shorter application time, in terms of processes and technologies are continuing to explore and improve the process and quality differences between different enterprises, the use of different brands and different formulations of adhesives will have different performance, different products and use of environmental conditions will correspond to different problems. Choice of artificial stone, must be combined with the actual situation of the project, a reasonable choice, strictly, only to avoid many of the problems.

The way of installing Granite Steps

　　1:Determine the vertical rise from the surface of the ground to the top of the slope. Use a hammer to drive a short stake into the top of the slope where your top step will be and a long stake at the bottom of the slope where the bottom step will be.

　　2:Fasten the string to the top stake at ground level. Pull it out to the tall stake, making sure it’s tight. Attach a line level to the string and make adjustments to the string as needed for the bubble to read level. Then measure the distance from the ground to the string to find the rise of the slope.

　　3:Divide the height by the thickness of the blocks (or the step rise) to find the number of steps. Calculate the tread using the recommended ratio for exterior stairs, which is 2 times the risers plus the tread equals 25 to 26 inches.

　　4:Remove grass and any other vegetation from the slope with a shovel. Dig out a pad at the bottom of the slope for the base stone, adding a minimum of 4 inches of gravel. Compact it with a power tamper.

　　5:Spread 1-2 inches of sand to make it level. Set the base stone level with – or slightly above – the grade. Tap it firmly into place with a rubber mallet.

　　6:Dig out 4-6 inches of existing oil behind the base stone for the first step. Fill with well-drained gravel and tamp it with the power tamper. Spread 1-2 inches of sand.

　　7:Place the first granite step over the edge of the base stone. Pitch the step slight so it’ll shed water. One-quarter inch per foot is recommended. Tap the granite into place with a rubber mallet. Make sure the step is stable and secure.

　　8:Repeat the process for the remaining steps allowing for the desired riser and tread depth and pitching for drainage. Tap the treads firmly into place.

　　9:Use a shovel and rake to grade the top of the slope so it’s even with the final tread. If needed, spread the dug-out material along the slope.

The suggestions of purchasing bathroom stone

　　Many interior design has been seen as a way of modern life the best display of creativity, and that it is not only the performance of a processing environment, understanding the basic accomplishment of life, but also have an important impact on people's mental life.

　　Dominated by this concept, many people are pursuing individual design of the bathroom space. Bathroom color effects, lighting, walls, floors, etc... The main theme of red roses, granite passionate, supplemented with the same color light-colored ground, in the bright light, not only the expansion of space vision, warmth and equipment increased.

bathroom stone

Bathroom for the size of the one "convenience", the use of high frequency, sometimes friends and family for coming into the bathroom dirty-not "health", both unsightly and loss of decent, to see guests frowning out, the owner The heart must feel good. Therefore, in the process of renovation, for the bathroom should be well-designed and built, bathroom competes for your full face. Here to provide you with a few bathroom design recommendations:

　　1, stone color of the walls could be elegant, bright and beautiful, soft, try not to use the dark.

　　2 bath, washbasin, toilet size, hue unity and concord.

　　3, floor tiles non-slip floor drain must not throw debris to prevent clogging.

　　4, lighting is essential for the best use of cool energy saving lamps, embedded in a pinch, both gorgeous and elegant.

　　5, cosmetics do not pile up at the edge of the bathtub, or dust on the shelf accept dirty, you want to make a make-up cabinet, installed above the mirror, increase indoor lighting.

　　6, able to do so in the proper position to do a few flower racks, put a few potted flowers or bonsai, fragrance overflowing, interesting pieces of art paintings can also be hung, fun to watch, highlight the cultural atmosphere.

The main points of Stone carving products maintenance

　　Stone carving as an art gallery in a bright pearl in China has a long history; ancient stone not only left us many historical relics, and more importantly, through the stone work left a lot of history and culture. Modern processing and mining equipment makes this art further promoted; stone art types and grades are unprecedented development. As a kind of stone products, along with a large number of development and application, some of the problems arising on the stone also showed a diverse and complex. Therefore, how to scientifically stone carving products for preventive treatment for pre-and post-cleaning and care, how these works of art long-term preservation and permanent shine, more and more people's attention.

　　Stone is a natural product, is a mineral body, which inevitably there will be some inherent defects. It exists in nature will be some disease, and then it is applied after the people's living environment will be more difficult to avoid the kinds of pollution and human damage.

　　If the stone by pollution and damage to deal with these is not timely or improper disposal methods, then make the application of stone effect greatly reduced, but also affected the atmosphere of the stone used to beautify the environment, but also some of the economic losses resulting consequential and economic disputes social problems. Therefore, a proper understanding of the stone, to understand the characteristics of a variety of stone, to master the correct stone protection, cleaning and care is that people maintain a permanent stone bright colors and fresh environment based on the premise and necessary.

Several common methods of garden landscaping stone walls

　　A scene as the main garden, stone walls are art reproduction of a natural, inevitable and it can display garden mood. In the garden through clever use of line, color, light, volume, texture and other techniques, which can build a wide variety of stone wall scene, following on their characteristics and introductions.

　　1 Line: line refers stone texture, design trends and wall joints. Degree lines, expression lightweight stretch; vertical lines expressing magnificent high straight; rectangle and rhombus lines, expression unchanged serious; oblique lines expressing bias and momentum vitality; circuitous lines expressing light and vivid.

　　2 Texture: Texture refers to information that gives texture and texture visual touch too. Granite, marble, sandstone, shale and other pure and honest fortitude rough stone directly adopt suitable outdoor garden and pond shore; lubricating precision machined texture, texture has caused, together for the occasion of sporting venues. Gravel feed lubrication vivid, intense colors have dark contrast, according to the inevitable pattern of masonry into the scene.

　　3 Massing: Massing refers to the visual somatosensory weight. Garden landscaping when a convex body masses, sometimes with big and small block vertical cantilevered out of the wall, the next round dry pool liner to reveal its artistic design and massing of the interface.

　　4 Color: The color can give the shades, cold, coordination and a sense of influence. Rainy day or night in order to show its results can often be a pattern of stone walls and glowing with the use of data to visual projection results.

　　5 lights: Depending on the sense of light and shade, strength, weight, ups and downs, swing Rhyme shadow and form a specific result. To some extent, "said shadow is a data movement data", should be put to good use.

　　6 Space structured: true and false, embossing, front and rear, depth, layered with separate compartments, may constitute a spatial sequence intense layering. Stonewall linked greenery planted flower bed cave pools or cantilever, can also be used as a virtual fence, garden wall for real, constitute genuine, express coherent, so that walls, fences composed scene, full of vitality.

　　7 Floriation: The intense decorative stripes, patterns, colors, embossed, etc. presented in the garden wall above the wall as a sculpture garden in the vertical part, to develop their specific function of art, both distance group scene, but also nearly tours fine chemicals, serve several purposes.

　　8 rhythm and tempo texture, volume, color, light and shadow, lines and other elements often present with repeated combinations, you can display the inevitable rhythm and beat. A group of beautiful rhythm, beat, bright garden walls in people's thinking can evoke emotional excitement. Wall fence exterior design, texture strength, lines clutch, bump size, conversion stack replacement frustrated, at regular distances repeated circling, replacing mix naturally constitute the rhythm and tempo garden wall, so that the original vulnerable people vertical linear induction monotonous vulgar break and change the interface has become the landscape architecture design department in case the main one split ring.

The way of cleaning and maintaining paving stone

　　For optimum performance paving generally requires regular maintenance, so to achieve the best results, Tobermore recommend that paving is cleaned two to three times a year.

　　Initial Cleaning

　　When an area has just been paved, allow it to settle for a few weeks. After this, you may wish to lightly hose down the paving stone to remove any excess sand or dirt. The area should then be treated with a weed killer suppressant, two or three times a year as required.

　　General Dirt

　　Regular sweeping to prevent the build up of detritus is recommended. Light coloured blocks, emphasise tyre marks and oil spills on the driveway. It must be accepted that these products will need more maintenance if the overall appearance is to be maintained.

　　A light power hose at medium pressure is generally all that is required to clean general dirt and grime. Any jointing sand which is removed must be replaced (jointing sand is available from Tobermore in 25kg bags). Do not use high pressure powerwashers as aggressive power-washing can damage the product surface. A trial area should be tested before large scale powerwashing takes place. Special cleaning agents are available from Tobermore and these should be used prior to washing to improve the cleaning process. The manufacturers instructions should always be followed when using these products.

　　Moss, Lichen and Algae

　　For general cleaning of dirt and algae, vigorous brushing with a stiff yard brush with plenty of hot detergent solution (washing up liquid or non-bio washing powder), thoroughly rinsed with clean water should suffice. Repeated treatment may be required for paved areas sited beneath trees or in permanent/near permanent shade.

　　Grey granite tile China granite Grey Granite paving Stone Kerbstone Grey Granite paving China granite tile China granite countertop Granite countertop suppliers Granite curbstone paving stone 1) Professional factory direct supply 2) Best quality with competitive price 3) own quarry of grey granite 4) Free sample and best service

　　Thick growths of moss or lichen must be removed first by scraping out the joints and then treating the area with a moss killer such as Anti-moss Paving Cleaner (Available from Tobermore). Anti-moss is designed to remove moss, lichens and algae. It is best applied in dry weather. After being applied it will take a few days to be fully effective. Once the moss and lichens have been killed, they can easily be brushed off. Anti-moss also leaves a residue in the sand joint which will help reduce the likelihood of re-growth.

　　Weeds

　　Large weeds should be removed by hand and then the area treated with a weed killer e.g. Weedol or Pathclear (available from Garden Centres). Smaller weeds can then be treated directly with the weed killer and these weeds should start to die within days. Manufacturers instructions should always be followed.

　　Block Paving Sealer

　　It is also possible to seal your paving with a resin material which combats staining and weed growth, while also enhancing colour and appearance. The acrylic sealer is sprayed onto the block paving and forms a ‘skin’ on top of the paving and the jointing sand giving an easily maintained finish. It is ideal for courtyards and other paved areas.

The hometown of the Carrara marble

 　　Carrara has 2000 years of history is considered to be "the world marble capital", as early affinity Michelangelo before, with regard to the large amount of high quality marble mine and unique design art is famous in Europe.

　　Carrara marble

　　Carrara is located in north-central Italy, near the Mediterranean Sea, enjoys the "Marble Capital of the World" in the world, mining marble mine more than 2000 years of history, is the world's main producers of high-quality marble, sculpture and architecture by master of all ages. Some of the world's famous buildings, such as Florence Cathedral, Leaning Tower of Pisa, St. Petersburg Museum, New York World Trade Center, almost all used Carrara marble. Carrara marble with its own unique culture known worldwide since 1980, the annual trade show CarraraMarmotec stone have become the industry benchmark. 2011 CarraraMarmotec stone trade show that "let the stone production chain all the characters talk to each other" and thus was born the inaugural Design Week Carrara marble. Design Week was initially committed to actively demonstrate marble can be processed into a highly malleable material, showing a variety of modern creative talent, but its actual influence beyond expectations, from stone circles to cover the architecture, design and modern art in various fields.

　　2012, the second session of the Carrara marble Design Week opened on May 23, in order to produce high-quality Carrara marble and the world-renowned classical small town, from designers and artists from around the world bring their good works, discuss architecture, design, fashion, art and other topics.

The professional home of stone team analyzes the trends of stone development for you

　　

　　First: A few years ago, the focus of the development of stone industry is the selection of the materials used, the key now is technology, some natural stone thinning process so opaque jade or striped marble, granite, quartz stone becomes translucent, so that translucent effect, bring new possibilities for use in interior design. The backlight lighting natural stone become the next darling.

　　Second: With the deepening of the concept of green, green, high-quality alternative to have begun to appear. This will push the stone industry into a new round of development stage. The concept of green building is becoming more and more popular, in addition to the artificial stone, the stone industry can be some waste materials recycling, made ​​of new materials, these can save resources, in addition to the development of new materials, can also be green elements of financial into the design concept. In the future, the stone industry will into the era of green creative.

　　Third: decoration industry will be an extension of the stone industry; stone has been more and more widely used in the kitchen and bath industry.

Slate is great! WHY!

　　Slate may not be as popular as its marble and granite cousins, but it has many qualities that make it a great choice for kitchen and bath surfaces. More than just a “nice personality,” slate has some genuine attention-grabbing attributes.

Just as strong as granite, slate is dependable, versatile, and low-maintenance. Though slate is easily split into thin pieces depending on its intended use (it is, after all, a metamorphic rock usually formed from shale), it is a very durable material. In fact, slate roofs have been known to last upwards of 50 years.
　　Unlike marble and granite, slate is non-porous, which means it won’t harbor bacteria. This also means that all of the liquids that are “taboo” to marble and granite, such as tomato sauce and oil, won’t stain slate surfaces. In fact, slate actually requires less maintenance than granite or marble. It cleans best with simply water and may be left to air dry since its waterproof.
　　Slate has its own distinctive, understated look. Simple, strong and elegant, slate is typically more uniform in color that marble or granite. Rather than vivid veins, it offers subtle color shifts that are equally lovely. Slate’s shades can vary with tones of black, charcoal, gray, pewter, brown, and even green, purple, blue or red. It may be oiled for a glossy or “wet” look, but mostly its honed for a subdued effect.

　　Keep in mind that slab sizes are usually on the small side (not typically found longer than 85-in. or taller than 50-in.) This is something to consider if you’ve got a large run you’re looking to cover. For a substantial countertop, you’d be dealing with a lot of seams. Slate slabs are also not always gauged, so you could be dealing with varied thicknesses. While slate may not be ideal for your island countertop, it is perfect for floor tiles. It retains heat well, making it warmer than marble tile. Plus, slate is known for its smooth, pleasant feeling underfoot. It’s also a beautiful choice for backsplashes.
　　If you are curious to know more about our products you are welcome to visit our website or visit our showrooms in person. We’ll help you consider the various options for making your space a true natural beauty.

　　Xiamen Deqinuo Import & Export Co.,Ltd, one of the leading manufacturers and exporters of stone products in China, offers the best and the most popular tiles, slabs, countertops, vanity tops, stairs, sinks, paving stones, mosaics, carvings, etc..
　　If you have any question, please contact: deqinuo@gmail.com.
　　Our website is :http://www.de-chino.com , Welcome to your inquiry.

Natural Stone Floors: Choosing the right material

　　Natural stone flooring can add organic warmth and tranquility to any space. From slate and marble to limestone and granite, natural stone tiles add unique personality wherever they’re used. But keep in mind that no two stone types- or tiles- are the same. So be sure to do your homework and know which material is right for your particular project.

　　Whether you’re using stone tile floors in the bathroom, kitchen, foyer, patio, or anywhere in the home, natural stone adds drama, but also practicality. More durable than many artificial products on the market, natural stone tiles have a long life span and may require very little maintenance. Typically, once installed, finished and sealed, upkeep is pretty easy. Wet mopping is usually the best way to clean natural stone tiles. Just keep in mind that many types of stone tiles will require regular sealing. (If you have questions about when to seal and what to use, Marble and Granite, Inc. is glad to recommend a treatment program and product.)

　　Each piece of stone is its own unique creation, which makes every natural stone floor genuinely one-of-a-kind. Since each type of stone has slightly different properties, it’s important to understand the characteristics of the stone you’re purchasing. As you shop, here are some things to consider:

　　• Remember that colors, textures, and markings can vary greatly. We recommend attempting to view as many pieces as you can before making your final purchase.

　　• Be sure to do your research and understand the material you’re purchasing. Make sure it will work well for your specific application, and be perfectly clear on maintenance requirements.

　　• Ask a lot of questions from your retailer. If you don’t feel you are getting the answers you want, feel free to call us at Marble and Granite, Inc. We will help you learn as much as you can about the material before you make a purchase.

　　• Look into a stone’s Absorption Rating. This term refers to a stone’s porosity. The more it absorbs, the more susceptible it will be to stains and damage. The four levels of absorption are, in order of highest to lowest: “Non-vitreous”- absorbs the most liquid; “Semi-vitreous”- absorbs less liquid; “Vitreous”- the level considered appropriate for low- to mid- traffic indoor and outdoor applications; “Impervious”- resistant to absorption, easiest to maintain and great for high-traffic areas.

　　• Some retailers use a grading system to rate the quality of the stone. Be sure to understand what is being rated and how its determined.

　　• If the natural stone floor will be in a wet environment such as the bathroom or high traffic area like the kitchen, be sure to look at the Coefficient of Friction. This measures how slippery the material is. Also note that the Americans With Disabilities Act requires flooring materials to have a minimum of a .6 dryness coefficient.

　　Natural stone is just that…natural. Since it’s not manufactured, it’s never perfectly uniform. But there is beauty in the originality. Embrace the imperfections and enjoy owning a one-of-a-kind flooring surface.

　　For more stone information, please visit the following website:

　　http://www.de-chino.com

If you have any question, please contact: deqinuo@gmail.com.

The mesa edge treatment engineering the most exquisite—Xiamen Deqinuo Import&Export Co.,Lcd

　　Countertop edges are a finishing touch that helps define the personality of your kitchen design ideas. Some edge styles will work best with a particular theme, practical issues and cost must be considered, but feel free to get creative and....

　　With a bunch of edge profiles to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect style for your kitchen countertops, kitchen island, outdoor kitchen, bar top or bathroom vanity.

　　Add extra drama by combining two different styles for something completely original!

　　Are you wondering about countertop edges for different materials? Well, most styles and profiles are possible for granite edges, marble, Silestone edges, quartz countertops, Corian and other countertop materials.

　　Get Some Edgy Ideas

　　Square edges, straight, pencil, eased (all similar) or bevel edges are a natural choice to complement minimalist or urban contemporary designs where clean lines are key.

　　These profiles also work well with Arts & Crafts / Craftsman / Mission styles, traditional American and transitional kitchen designs.

　　For the most part, the square profiles are the "free" edge styles. Every countertop must have an edge of course, and most countertop contractors include a straight or slightly rounded edge profile in the bid.

　　Rounded & Bullnose countertop edges are possibly the most versatile easily integrating with virtually any design. The profiles in this group range from a radius curve on just the top edge, to a waterfall-style "demi" or half-bullnose to a fully-rounded bullnose countertop edge.

　　Softer than the square edges, these still reflect a sleek and modern vibe, but can go retro, or blend nicely with the classic European and American styles.

　　Decorative edges like the Ogee, Dupont or French Cove look best in a larger, gourmet kitchen, Tuscan or Old-World motif, antique, Victorian, or a French country decorating theme where the design lives in the details.

　　Or reverse this idea and use one of these fancy countertop edges as the one elaborate element within a bath or kitchen design that otherwise features clean lines.

　　Another idea is to mix edge styles in different areas. For instance, cut a Square edge on the main countertop and a Dupot or Ogee edge on the kitchen island.

　　The more decorative edges are commonly used for granite and marble vanity tops in the bathroom as well.

　　Of course, decorative granite edges are typically an optional upgrade that will "upgrade" the countertop cost a little to a lot depending on your choices and size of the installation.

　　Size Does Matter

　　A 3cm slab provides a substantial profile that looks good with a variety of edge styles and is the preferred size to use.

　　A 2cm slab is cheaper and sometimes used, but the countertop can look too thin.

　　A thin edge can work well within a modern, minimalist design, however, laminating a 2cm slab edge is common.

　　An additional strip is glued ("laminated") underneath the slab edge to make the countertop look thicker and allow for something other than a square edge.
　　Laminated edges are also used on 3cm slabs to create elaborate or stepped edges that combine styles such as a Cove over Dupont edge or Dupont over Ogee as seen below. Combined styles can be stunning when done well.

　　The drawback of laminated edges is a potentially visible seam that runs horizontally around the edge.

　　In most cases this is not a problem and virtually unnoticeable, but for marble and granite countertop edges the lamination seam may be visible depending on the color and pattern of the stone.

　　Darker countertop colors with more consistent patterns will "hide" a seam better than lighter countertop colors with lots of "movement" in their pattern. This is typically less a problem with Corian, quartz or Silestone edges since the color/pattern is more consistent.

　　Unless your on a very tight budget, skip the 2cm and go with the 3cm slab. It's stronger and simply looks better.

　　Get An Edge

　　To start, narrow down your choices to those edge styles that you instinctively like keeping in mind your theme and budget. The typically free straight or square edge styles always look classic and classy... a solid choice.

　　A decorative edge may not cost you much more, though, and if you can blow the bank, then a combo edge may suit your style, but...

　　Remember it's important that all design elements resonate or create harmony. Even a seemingly small element like your countertop edges can make the space just "not feel right" if it doesn't match or blend well with the look and feel of everything else.

　　Next, get some finished edge samples from your contractor or granite fabrication company--preferably of the same material you're installing, but it isn't crucial. You just want to get a feel for what the actual edge will look like in 3-D. Good Luck!


　　For more stone information, please visit the following website:

    http://www.de-chino.com

　　If you have any question, please contact: deqinuo@gmail.com.

what are the advantages of granite counterops

  This granite paint has a beautiful finish and a pretty price tag but it lacks durability, longevity, and authenticity.


  If it looks like granite and feels like granite, just sit a hot pot on it and see what happens.

  Granite is the standard for many of America’s modern, elegant kitchens. The market has seen an increase in granite imitators that consistently fail to offer the durability and beauty of natural stone. Granite paint is an idea that caught our eye and while there are a few undeniable benefits, potential buyers should also be aware of the disadvantages.

  Deqinuo offers a product called Italian Granite Paint. The kit includes mineral paints, applicators and an instructional DVD on how to transform your laminate, mineral, or wood countertops into what (sort of) looks like granite countertops. The kit is about $50.

  One major drawback is that the granite-painted countertops do not perform like the real thing. It is easily scratched, burned, and stained. Sitting a hot pot on your counters will ruin them. You would need to sand and repaint them to get rid of the scorched spot. The paint also loses its luster significantly faster than granite.

  If you want the appearance, appeal, and durability of natural stone we recommend buying natural stone. Marble and Granite will gladly outfit your spaces with the natural stone products that you desire and the quality that you deserve. Call 0086-592-5678286 or visit our website at www.de-chino.com