Home Improvement Information

How To Choose The Perfect Granite Work Surface


My Grandmother used to say to me "Nothing cheap is good and nothing good is cheap". This ring true when dealing with the purchase especially on the internet of Granite Work Surfaces. In fact of all stone so read carefully.

Natural stone is graded as to it's suitability for a given task. It is also graded regarding the region of the world it originated from. This is a grade for general use but more for stone professionals to advise architects, surveyors etc which products to use for maximum efficiency in the building or home.

When buying on the internet you are usually shown samples of the very best, Granite, Marble, Limestone etc. You must be aware that this stone is probably not what you will receive. Firstly, the stone is batched. You need batched stone to get the consistent pattern throughout the surface. If you were to buy stone today and return for stone a month later to complete your project you will invariably get a mismatch that can look horrendous especially with the larger crystals such as blue pearl granite.

Always make sure you are receiving the same batch and have it itemised on your order. Also if the installer chips a corner or scratches the surface you will generally need a replacement piece. If the batch isn't available you may have a problem.

I have received numerous calls lately concerning the fading of black granite counter tops. Black granite should not fade. Black granite imported from Asia is sometimes doctored with dyes and oils to darken the surface. The fading is nothing more than the dyes and oils being removed. Unfortunately, the only fix is to re-polish the top. This can be costly.

Before purchasing a granite top perform the following test to find out if it has been doctored.

Get a clean white cloth and apply some acetone (nail varnish remover) to the surface of the granite. If any residue or black color is observed on the top, do not accept it, it has been dyed.

Take a piece of the "granite" you want to test and spill a few drops of lemon juice onto it. If you see that under the drops of lemon it develops very quickly dark spots, it means that it's a very absorbent stone and I would advise you against it. If it takes, say, a minute or so to be absorbed, then you're dealing with a level of absorbency that's easily controllable with the application of a good quality impregnating sealer.

Edward Green owns and operates the highly successful Marble Master Ltd Company. Marble Master specializes in Restoration and Refinishing of all types of natural stone and consultancy services to Architects, Restoration Companies and Interior Designers.

http://www.marblemasteruk.com


MORE RESOURCES:

The Associated Press

Home improvement retail sinks on data
Forbes, NY - Nov 19, 2008
AP , 11.19.08, 03:13 PM EST Shares of home improvement chains dipped Wednesday after the federal government said construction of new homes and apartments ...
How home improvement chains fared in 3rd quarter The Associated Press
Home Depot Posts 31% Fall in Net Income, Cuts View Wall Street Journal
Tough economy takes toll on Home Depot Atlanta Journal Constitution
Stockhouse - CNNMoney.com
all 529 news articles


Home Improvement Q&A
Connecticut Post, CT - 2 hours ago
By Alan J. Heavens Q: I have a composite deck, light gray in color, and, even though I clean it two times a year with a power washer, there still is this ...


Sector roundup: Solar, home improvement
Forbes, NY - Nov 19, 2008
CHICAGO (AP) - Shares of home improvement chains dipped Wednesday after the federal government said construction of new homes and apartments slowed at a ...


Ahead of the Bell: Home improvement retailers
Forbes, NY - Nov 19, 2008
The home improvement retailers are part of a sector that has "competitive dynamics, stable gross margins through the downturn, and clear cyclicality ...


Home improvement Q&A
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, GA - Nov 20, 2008
(Want Alan J. Heavens' advice on a home-improvement project or purchase? E-mail him at aheavens@phillynews.com or write to him at The Inquirer, Box 8263, ...


AG Van Hollen: Home improvement company and owner charged with ...
Wisbusiness.com, WI - Nov 19, 2008
The complaint alleges that in November, 2005 defendants entered into a $55250 home improvement contract with a Menasha couple promising, among other things, ...


Economic Downturn Sparks New Home Improvement Trend
MarketWatch - Nov 18, 2008
With the harsh reality of uncertain economic times, and the average consumer shouldering $10000 or more in credit card debt, a new trend in home improvement ...


Best Home Improvement Show Clips
PRLog.Org (press release), Romania - 7 hours ago
PRLog (Press Release) – Nov 21, 2008 – We selected the best Home Improvement Show clips showing Tim “the tool man” Tailor and his assistant Al. Home ...


Canada.com

Endeavour Docks at Space Station on Home-Improvement Mission
Bloomberg - Nov 16, 2008
16 (Bloomberg) -- NASA’s space shuttle Endeavour docked with the International Space Station today just after 5 pm New York time on a home-improvement ...
Video: Space Shuttle Endeavour Blasts Into Night Sky AssociatedPress
Endeavour to launch on 'home improvement' flight Spaceflight Now
Shuttle Endeavour docks with ISS on 'home-improvement' mission RIA Novosti
EastDay.com - Space Fellowship
all 5,713 news articles


Law to protect homeowners from shoddy contractors
Indiana Gazette, PA - 1 hour ago
The Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, sponsored by Sen. Robert “Tommy” Tomlinson, of Bucks County, will require most contractors to register with ...

Home-Improvement - Google News

home | site map
© 2006