Will Heating Ruin The Natural Stone

By Jonathan McClapQ & A4 comments
Will Heating Ruin Natural Stone?   I love using my computer on my natural stone island in my kitchen, especially when cooking. But, my laptop tends to heat up a lot. Should I be worried that the stone ...AnswerThe stone should not be ruined, per se; but do you have a lot of fissures within your stone where you like to work?  The heat COULD open up a fissure – it is a longshot but things happen sometimes.    But, ...

Maintaining Smooth Natural Stone Countertops

By Stanley R.Q & A3 comments
Maintaining Smooth Natural Stone Countertops   How do you get your natural stone countertops to be so smooth?   Is there any action needed to maintain the smoothness throughout the life of the ...AnswerThe smooth natural matte stones to which you refer are likely honed.  That being said, polish makes the stone smooth as well.  To maintain your stone, don’t use commercial household cleaners.  ...

Shopping For Natural Stone For Countertops

By NolaQ & A3 comments
Shopping For Natural Stone For Countertops   What should I be looking for when I am shopping for natural stone for countertops, tiles, etc.?AnswerLook for the fissures within the stone. Can you feel them? If you can, try to find another stone that looks similar but with less fissures. Look at the sides and back of the stone. Is there a DARK film ...

Ideal Thickness For Granite Kitchen Countertops

By FluxKitchen2 comments
Ideal Thickness For Granite Kitchen Countertops   What is the ideal thickness for granite countertops to make it look the best in my kitchen?AnswerIn my personal opinion, 3cm (1 ¼ inch) slabs are best for your kitchens because you put heavy pots and pans on your countertops and you likely will have an overhang for a breakfast area.  The ...

Mosaic Backsplashes Difficult to Clean

116.pngBy MarkQ & A2 comments
Mosaic Backsplashes Difficult to Clean   I heard that mosaic backsplashes are quite difficult to clean.   Is there any kind of sealant I can use to make sure that it does not get dirty in the ...AnswerFirstly, know that nothing is perfectly stain proof. Are we talking about natural stone backsplashes here?   Because they should definitely be sealed. If you grout them, use un-sanded grout and seal ...

Marble Tile Colours Toronto

By Kael'thasQ & A2 comments
Marble Tile Colours Toronto   When purchasing marble tiles for my home in Toronto, what should I be considering to make sure that I pick the correct one for me?   What marble tile colours should ...AnswerBring samples home with you and try them out in the area(s) you want to use the tiles to see if they go with their surroundings.   Also, consider how much traffic there is in the area, because that ...

Natural Stone Marble and Granite Cost Toronto

By SpringQ & A0 comments
Natural Stone Marble and Granite Cost Toronto   I was looking into getting some marble tiles in Toronto, for my floor and noticed that it is much more expensive than ceramic flooring.   Why ...AnswerThere are high & low prices for both granite and marble. Supply and demand dictates the price by raw square foot. So if it’s a rarity, the more it’s going to cost.   Also bear in ...

Creative Uses For Marble and Granite

By Ms.CampbellQ & A1 comments
Creative Uses For Marble and Granite    Hi!   What are some creative and interesting ways that I can use stones like marble and granite in/around my home in Toronto?AnswerI own a Carrara marble paper towel holder and a cheese cutting board. For fun, you could find some marble handles for your cupboard doors. Coffee tables, fireplace surrounds, backsplashes, carvings and ...

Long Lasting Marble Countertops

109.pngBy cjp1 comments
What is the lifespan of long lasting marble countertops? How frequently would I have to replace marble countertops?AnswerSome people never replace their marble countertops because they do stand the test of time-they are long lasting. Think of Michelangelo’s statue of David in Italy.  However you need to know that ...

Outdoor Backyard Countertop Renovation in Toronto

By Pamela Scott1 comments
I am currently renovating the backyard of my home in Toronto and would like to add a countertop to my deck to help with my summer barbecues. I was wondering what the best material for my outdoor countertop ...AnswerPersonally, granite would be my choice for an outdoor kitchen.  Granite has been exposed to the elements for ages, hasn’t it?  On the other hand, some of the most durable statues were sculpted ...

Marble and Granite surface finishes maintenance and aftercare

By Lily Daniels1 comments
I have noticed that there are various different types of surface finishes for both marble and granite. Is one surface finish easier to maintain than the other? What are some of the things I need to keep ...AnswerGreat question!    Keep in mind that marble is much more porous than is granite.  The different finishes are very subjective choices.    First, let’s look at the different ...

Mosaic tiles in the bathroom, are they high maintenance?

By Jonathan McClap0 comments
I have been wanting to update the look of my shower interior in our master bathroom. I am very much interested in the look of the mosaic tiles but worry about the upkeep they may need. Are mosaic tiles ...AnswerYou did not say which kind of mosaics you plan to use:  Marble, Travertine, or Glass / Ceramic.  If it is glass, you can clean it with just about anything but if it is natural stone only use ...

Marble tiles thick or thin?

By Stanley R.1 comments
I know there are many different types of marble tiles and they vary in style, thickness and dimensions. I was wanting to know how much impact on durability thin tiles have vs thick tiles. Does one style ...AnswerThinner tiles are generally used as wall tiles and thicker ones are primarily used for floors.   Floor tiles can be used on walls too, but wall tiles should never be put on a floor.  Thicker ...

Quartz vs Granite which is more environmentally friendly?

By NolaQ & A0 comments
I have been looking into redoing my Ottawa home in a way that would be more environmentally friendly. I want to start redoing the kitchen soon and would like to know which of the two, Quartz or Granite, ...AnswerThe truth is, neither material is that environmentally friendly, but quartz may be a just a little more eco-friendly than granite.  Both granite and quartz involve mining, which changes the landscape ...

Engineered stone Vs natural stone

By Flux2 comments
I have been wanting to change things up in my kitchen. My wife and I own a home in Toronto and can’t seem to agree upon which type of stone to choose. She says that natural stone will look far more ...AnswerNatural stone does have an elegant flair in kitchens and considerably adds value to your home. There are many granites that cost less than various engineered stones as well so keep that in mind.  ...
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