2014

Q: We’re trying to decide on a color for our new countertop. Is there a “rule of thumb” or standard way to determine whether we should go light or dark?

In today’s building and construction industry, “green” has evolved from a mere buzzword into a solid reality. Architects, builders, and homeowners alike recognize the need to increase our environmental consciousness and do what we can to be kinder and gentler to the earth, plus conserve our natural resources. Natural stone is an inherently earth-friendly material, which recently became even more so when the Natural Stone Council unveiled more stringent sustainability standards for the industry.

What are some of the earth-friendly attributes offered by natural stone? Well, first of all it offers a long life cycle. Natural stone stands up to weathering better than just about any other building material, natural or manmade. The stone columns of the Parthenon, which have stood since 447 BC, are one example; the Egyptian pyramids are another. Natural stone is so durable, in fact, that in most cases it will last the lifetime of any particular building.

Love the resilience of soapstone, but have your heart set on classic white countertops? We’ve got a choice that may offer a pretty good compromise…White Soapstone.

Granite and marble may get all of the attention for having vivid veining and striking striations, but today’s quartz surfacing offers some pretty exciting choices too.

Every now and then, we receive a thank-you letter that reminds us why we love the business we’re in. It’s our goal to remain a step above other natural stone wholesalers. And nothing makes us more proud than when we accomplish this goal. It is with great pride that we share the following letter we recently received from two customers who are very pleased with the caliber of customer service they received at Marble and Granite, Inc.

Natural stone has a striking depth of character all its own, however some stones can look particularly striking when backlit. Adding a light source from behind can completely transform the look, adding a real “wow” factor to projects including backsplashes, wall features, room dividers, countertops, fireplace surrounds, vanity tops, tables, murals, decorative furniture, wall coverings and much more.

Slim profiled countertops have been all the rage in Europe for some time. But the trend is just beginning to take root in U.S. soil. It’s a clean-lined look that’s a great fit in modern, high-end kitchen and bath designs. And, these days, ultra-thin slabs are not just available in manmade materials. The availability of these ultra-slim slabs is increasing with granite getting in on the game.

So often, when we talk about natural stone and surfacing, we reference countertops. But we know that you have more on your design plate, so to speak, than bathrooms and kitchens. We pride ourselves on our ability to bring you the very latest products and style ideas. One of these products, in particular, is Neolith. And while Neolith does make an incredibly durable, functional, and attractive countertop material, what you may not know is that it’s useful for so much more.

Quartzite is a decorative stone that makes an exceptional countertop material. Noted for its resistance to abrasions, heat, and stains, quartzite is a pretty popular material. It’s marble-like in appearance but has many of the properties of granite. However, since most consumers hear more about granite and marble than they do about quartzite, we get a lot of questions about this particular material. Here are answers to some of the most prevalent questions we hear— a primer for anyone unfamiliar with the attributes of quartzite: