Resources
Maintain your best edge
Follow these steps to maintain beautiful gleen and maximum shine and protect your investment for years to come. We highly recommend sealment once every six months.
Marble
Quartz
Quartz countertops are beautifully crafted from a combination of resin, pigments in a variety of colors, and crushed quartz crystals, creating a stunning replica of natural stone with unique flecks and swirls. These countertops boast a non-porous surface that is both durable and resistant to scratches and stains, making them a practical and attractive choice for any space. The uniform colors and patterns of engineered quartz allow for seamless integration, making it easy to match tiles and slabs during installation.
Marble
Quartzite
Quartzite is a hard, metamorphic rock that was once sandstone. Through heating and pressure, it has become a single entity with fused quartz sand grains and quartz silica cement. Quartzite is usually white to gray, but can also occur in various shades of pink and red due to iron oxide. Its hardness (around 7 on Mohs scale) makes it harder than most granites and ideal for use as countertops or decorative stones. It’s gaining popularity among designers and architectural firms for its hardness, resilience, and translucent properties in bars, high-end restaurants, and commercial buildings.
Marble
Marble
Marble is a classic, upscale material with rich colors, a mirror-like finish, and dramatic veining. Each marble slab is unique, so it’s recommended to view the entire slab before deciding on it for a countertop. However, it is important to note that marble is porous and softer than granite, making it prone to scratching, staining, and etching. Sealing it twice a year can help reduce absorption of fluids. Marble is a type of metamorphic limestone formed through pressure and heat. Most marble comes in a polished finish, but some colors are available in honed or other finishes.
Marble
Soapstone
Soapstone is a soft natural stone made mainly of talc and is known for being heat resistant and low maintenance. It’s suitable for use as countertops, sinks, and bars and has a range of dark hues for a rustic look. StoneTek is a qualified company that can supply, fabricate, and install soapstone countertops and help with selecting the right color, pattern, backsplash, sink, and edge profile. StoneTek can also finish the surface to highlight its unique qualities.
Marble
Granite
Granite is a hard stone, second only to diamonds, formed from molten rock found worldwide. It comes in hundreds of colors and has a unique one-of-a-kind look due to its mineral content, creating an almost endless array of granite colors. Granite is resistant to scratches, cuts, and scorching heat but should be sealed to avoid stains. It is commonly used for kitchen countertops, bathroom surfaces, flooring, and walls. Choose a company like StoneTek to supply, fabricate, and install your granite countertops and to help you select the right color, pattern, backsplash, sink style, edge profile and finish.
Natural Stone Care
For natural stone countertops, use only dish soap and rinse thoroughly with clean warm water. Dry completely with a clean cloth. For protection, use a penetrating sealer (water or oil based) specifically for your stone. Oil-based is preferred for deeper penetration. No need to remove old sealant. Make sure the sealer is water and oil repellant, not just resistant. For spills, oil-based stains require chemical dissolution. Organic stains can be cleaned with hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. Ink stains can be cleaned with bleach (for light-colored stones) or acetone (for darker stones). Paint stains can be removed with lacquer thinner or a commercial paint stripper, but never with acid or flame tools.
Quartz Stone Care
Quartz is made from pure natural quartz, a hard stone crystal mined from the earth. It is the hardest non-precious stone found on the earth’s surface. To clean polished Quartz, use mild household cleaners, like 409, Fantastik, Lysol, or Windex. For stubborn spills or stains, soak the area with a cleaner for up to 10 minutes. Honed Quartz requires more daily maintenance and Countertop Magic cleaner is recommended. Quartz surfaces are non-porous and maintenance-free. Simply wipe with warm water. Quartz surfaces are resistant to staining and bacterial growth, but a hot pad is recommended for cooking units. Quartz is safe for food preparation and has been certified by NSF International.
Everyday usage and messy spills can take a toll on your beautiful stone over time. Avoid trivets or mats under hot dishes or cookware. Minimize the possibility of stains by quickly cleaning up spills. Do not clean with vinegar, bleach, or other general purpose cleaners. And remember use coasters under your drinks!