Miraggio Stone
Arizona Custom Countertops
Granite - Marble - Natural Stone
Granite countertops Phoenix have recently become the material of choice for many homeowners remodeling their kitchens, mainly because granite is a very durable natural material used for home decor. Normal cookware, kitchen knives and cutlery can all be used on granite countertops without fear of scratching the surface. Man-made surfaces such as Formica, Corian, Wood usually are not as hard or durable as granite.
What is Granite?
The question has been around for decades, and it’s difficult to get a straight answer. Google can give some great resources.
Granite is, Scientifically speaking, a common type of intrusive, felsic, igneous rock which is granular and phaneritic in texture. Besides that definition, granite is available in a large variety of colors and textures. There are multiple textures available in granite, smoth and shiny to smooth and honed. One unique texture is a leather feel with a semi gloss finish. The following are a few examples of the most popular colors Cadence Design regularly fabricates countertops phoenix There are multiple price levels of granite countertops phoenix. Pricing is most dependent on the stones abundance, accessibility, and mineral composition than appearance. As beauty is in the eye of the beholder, an inexpensive stone may have equal or greater appeal than an expensive stone. Conversely, a more expensive stone may only be slightly more costly than one in a lower price group.
Regardless of how you define it, everyone can agree that Granite can give your home a very elegant look.
What is Marble?
Marble is a different story because it’s much more porous. We recommend using an impregnating sealer, but even then acids such as citrus juice, vinegar, and wine can etch the surface. But that isn’t necessarily bad news–many homeowners enjoy the character that marble countertops take on over time. To reduce the appearance of etching, Weber recommends getting a dull, honed finish rather than a polished finish when buying marble. She also points out that if worn marble countertops become unsightly, maintenance specialists can pull out stains with a poultice and rehone the surface to make it look new again.
Care and Maintenance
Not all granite counter tops require a seal according to the Marble Institute of America but may benefit from a quality sealer product. Most manufacturers place a resin treatment on granite at the factory. The sealant product should last ten to fifteen years and be of an oliophobic (resistant to water and oil based stains) type. Once properly sealed, the stone will be more resistant. Please refer to specific manufacturers instructions.
Clean the surface thoroughly- removes any stains-allow the stone to dry for several hours- pour the sealer on the surface.
Spread the sealer over the counter top with a paper towel, foam brush or rag- allow the sealer to penetrate 5-10 minutes- (if the sealer is completely absorbed in 5 minutes add more) –after 5-10 minutes blot any remaining sealer- buff the stone dry with a clean terry cloth and let dry for 12 hours before use- make sure your work area is well ventilated.