Marble is one of the natural stone products, which is widely used for home renovation jobs. Most of the people use marble as floors and countertops in various rooms of their houses, mostly in the bathrooms and kitchen. But marble products are not meant for kitchens and floors only. There are many other uses of them which make it a worthy product to be utilized for home restoration.
In fact the use of marble has been from time immemorial. It was utilized by Romans and Greeks for decoration, statues and column support. Even today people follow this dictum in construction. Nowadays, marble is quarried in many countries of the world. This has increased the diversity of patterns and colors in marble products. The price of marble has been made competitive so that people can afford it easily.
With time, the marble products have also gone through several modifications. Earlier, if a person wanted to purchase marble mantel then he needed to have it made as per his requirements. This made the product costly. Nowadays, mantels of standard size are manufactured in industries. The durability of fireplace mantels makes it more expensive than mantels of wood or any other cheap materials. Therefore, one may not find it available on all mantel selling shops. If a person wants to buy a mantel then he can place an order any mantel selling shop. One can also find it on home remodeling centers which sell high end products. These products can be fitted up easily in ones home and in fact it is this feature which makes it a popular choice. A capable handyman will not find it difficult to install.
Mable has an esthetic appeal. But one does not have to give tender care to marble to maintain the aesthetic richness. A person needs only needs to install it professionally. Marble like many other natural stones is porous and requires sealing. Penetrating sealers are best for the job. These sealers would prevent grime and dirt to enter microscopic cavities in the stone.
Marble enhances class and elegance and thus it is considered to be an object of timeless beauty. The use of marble product is not restricted to flooring and countertops. People have found marble excellent for fireplace mantel and in fact optimum utilization of mantels made of marble has the power to turn the simplest fireplaces to an attractive one. The marble fireplace mantels’ add elegance to any given room. Apart from serving as the center of attraction for any room this feature adds to the ambience of the house.
Marble has been a popular home remodeling product for decades. One of the reasons for this is the durability of marble. It can last for years if laid professionally. Any stain can be easily removed from marble. Thus, the shine of marble is never lost. The unique features like shine and durability make marble a popular choice for many.
A person who has higher budget can opt for custom crafted mantels for fireplace made of marbles. Most of the marble products used these days are hollow. It reduces the problem of heavy weight. Thus, one can install it easily. A person who wants to add some elegance to his house should not restrict himself on marble floors and countertops. He should also use marble fireplace mantle to enhance the décor element of his house.
Showing posts with label granite counter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label granite counter. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
How To Cut And Polish Granite?
Granite being one of the hardest stones available, the only thing that can cut it is either a saw made up of granite itself or a diamond-edged cutter. That is why granite is extremely difficult to form and shape. This is one of the major factors that make granite counters expensive. The granite is cut into granite slabs, with dimensions of around 54 square feet and thickness of about 2 to 3 inches. Granite slabs need extra care at this stage as they are more prone to breaking.
The basic machines that are used for cutting and polishing granite are saws, polishers and routers. Saw could be a block saw or a gang saw. It is used to cut blocks of stones into slabs. Diamond wire saw has become increasingly popular these days for cutting granite. Diamond wire saw machine has a saw with a commercial diamond fixed on it. Diamond being hard makes the job much quicker. In order to give the slab a proper size, a bridge saw is used. The next step is to make the surface of the granite smooth and mirror-like. For this purpose, polishers are used. A polisher has a rotating pad to which an abrasive material is attached. The smoothness of the surface depends on the abrasive material used. The next step is to create designs on the slab surface. For this purpose, routers are used. A router has a wide variety of edges that are used to create different designs. It has a rotating blade with diamonds fixed on it to create designs.
The basic things needed to cut granite are diamond wet saw, water jet saw, granite router, safety mask, old clothes, and granite slab. First, the area that granite will cover must be measured. Mark the areas that need to be cut out from the granite slab. Then, with a diamond wet saw cut large sections of granite top. In order to cut shapes such as sink opening, use water jet saw. To give shape to the edges of the granite top as desired, use a router. One thing that must be remembered is that since granite tops are fragile, cutting sink openings could be challenging.
The basic things needed to polish granite are commercial granite polish, sealant, and soft cloth, isopropyl rubbing alcohol, dishwashing soap, spray bottle, baking soda, and protective gloves. From a hardware store, purchase a commercial non-abrasive granite polish sealant. Apply polish to the granite area and clean soft cloth. For added protection, use sealant on the granite. Take a cup and mix isopropyl rubbing alcohol, water and a few drops of liquid dishwasher soap. Transfer this mixed solution to a spray bottle and spray it over the granite counter top. Slightly rub the granite counter to bring back the shine. You can also polish the granite counter by mixing baking soda with three cups of warm water in a cup. Spray this solution to the counter top. With a soft sponge, remove stains and deposits.
The basic machines that are used for cutting and polishing granite are saws, polishers and routers. Saw could be a block saw or a gang saw. It is used to cut blocks of stones into slabs. Diamond wire saw has become increasingly popular these days for cutting granite. Diamond wire saw machine has a saw with a commercial diamond fixed on it. Diamond being hard makes the job much quicker. In order to give the slab a proper size, a bridge saw is used. The next step is to make the surface of the granite smooth and mirror-like. For this purpose, polishers are used. A polisher has a rotating pad to which an abrasive material is attached. The smoothness of the surface depends on the abrasive material used. The next step is to create designs on the slab surface. For this purpose, routers are used. A router has a wide variety of edges that are used to create different designs. It has a rotating blade with diamonds fixed on it to create designs.
The basic things needed to cut granite are diamond wet saw, water jet saw, granite router, safety mask, old clothes, and granite slab. First, the area that granite will cover must be measured. Mark the areas that need to be cut out from the granite slab. Then, with a diamond wet saw cut large sections of granite top. In order to cut shapes such as sink opening, use water jet saw. To give shape to the edges of the granite top as desired, use a router. One thing that must be remembered is that since granite tops are fragile, cutting sink openings could be challenging.
The basic things needed to polish granite are commercial granite polish, sealant, and soft cloth, isopropyl rubbing alcohol, dishwashing soap, spray bottle, baking soda, and protective gloves. From a hardware store, purchase a commercial non-abrasive granite polish sealant. Apply polish to the granite area and clean soft cloth. For added protection, use sealant on the granite. Take a cup and mix isopropyl rubbing alcohol, water and a few drops of liquid dishwasher soap. Transfer this mixed solution to a spray bottle and spray it over the granite counter top. Slightly rub the granite counter to bring back the shine. You can also polish the granite counter by mixing baking soda with three cups of warm water in a cup. Spray this solution to the counter top. With a soft sponge, remove stains and deposits.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Granite and Marble: A Beautiful Addition to Any Home
There are many materials, natural and synthetic, used in home design these days. They vary in price and quality, and many of them would make a fine addition to any home. But you’ll probably agree that there are few materials that bring up the quality and elegance of a room like granite and marble. The applications vary, and you can use the stone for much more than just tile or countertops. If you want luxury in your home without the high maintenance, these two stones are a perfect fit.
Granite Counter and Vanity Tops
You can make a bold statement with granite counter and vanity tops. The richness, depth, and shine of granite in a kitchen or bathroom is incomparable. Even in a tiny guest bathroom or a galley kitchen, granite is a prime investment. It's solid with a high resistance to wear from everyday use. It's also a popular choice among homeowners and will improve the value of your home and be a bonus should you ever choose to sell. And should you stay in your home for years, it’s one upgrade you won’t need to change any time soon.
Granite and Marble Fireplaces
A small yet bold addition to a living room, bedroom, or another room in the house is a granite or marble fireplace mantle. Crowning your fireplace in one of these stones will make it look like the main rooms of mansions during the Gilded Age. The curvaceous veining of marble adds a graceful touch to what can be a harsh and sometimes unattractive aspect of a room. Granite with its sparkle and shine will take your fireplace from average to amazing. Either stone can turn a plain fireplace into a dazzling focal point.
Granite and Marble Sinks and Basins
Granite and marble may not automatically come to mind when you think of sinks. These, along with other stones, are becoming popular additions to bathrooms. Granite sinks come in a variety of styles and look just as luxurious as a granite countertop. You can find regular sink styles as well as pedestal sinks. The more modern basin-style sinks are also available in various shapes, including popular angular styles. Marble always has a softer, more feminine quality to it than granite. This is no less obvious in marble sinks. Cut from one piece of marble, these basins have a seamless look that brings out the spa of any bathroom. A sink may be a smaller investment than a countertop or fireplace mantle, but it can hold the same value and be just as elegant.
Granite and marble have few rivals in the world of stone. They have both been used in design, sometimes of entire structures, throughout the ages. The time-tested strength, resilience, and beauty of granite and marble leaves no doubt that adding even a small amount of either stone to your home will add value to it and bring you satisfaction every day. If you haven’t already, think about the ways granite or marble may fit in your home. It’s sure to add elegance and luxury wherever you place it.
Granite Counter and Vanity Tops
You can make a bold statement with granite counter and vanity tops. The richness, depth, and shine of granite in a kitchen or bathroom is incomparable. Even in a tiny guest bathroom or a galley kitchen, granite is a prime investment. It's solid with a high resistance to wear from everyday use. It's also a popular choice among homeowners and will improve the value of your home and be a bonus should you ever choose to sell. And should you stay in your home for years, it’s one upgrade you won’t need to change any time soon.
Granite and Marble Fireplaces
A small yet bold addition to a living room, bedroom, or another room in the house is a granite or marble fireplace mantle. Crowning your fireplace in one of these stones will make it look like the main rooms of mansions during the Gilded Age. The curvaceous veining of marble adds a graceful touch to what can be a harsh and sometimes unattractive aspect of a room. Granite with its sparkle and shine will take your fireplace from average to amazing. Either stone can turn a plain fireplace into a dazzling focal point.
Granite and Marble Sinks and Basins
Granite and marble may not automatically come to mind when you think of sinks. These, along with other stones, are becoming popular additions to bathrooms. Granite sinks come in a variety of styles and look just as luxurious as a granite countertop. You can find regular sink styles as well as pedestal sinks. The more modern basin-style sinks are also available in various shapes, including popular angular styles. Marble always has a softer, more feminine quality to it than granite. This is no less obvious in marble sinks. Cut from one piece of marble, these basins have a seamless look that brings out the spa of any bathroom. A sink may be a smaller investment than a countertop or fireplace mantle, but it can hold the same value and be just as elegant.
Granite and marble have few rivals in the world of stone. They have both been used in design, sometimes of entire structures, throughout the ages. The time-tested strength, resilience, and beauty of granite and marble leaves no doubt that adding even a small amount of either stone to your home will add value to it and bring you satisfaction every day. If you haven’t already, think about the ways granite or marble may fit in your home. It’s sure to add elegance and luxury wherever you place it.
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