General Information

03 Nov
Informational

What are the different countertop finishes?

Kitchens and bathrooms are more than just utility rooms. When designed right, they enhance the overall elegance of the whole house and act as a showpiece. Apart from well-crafted and cautiously chosen cabinets and other apparatus, floors and countertops immediately capture a visitor’s attention. There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to countertops and floors. Marbles, granite, and quartz are some of the most commonly used minerals used as countertops. Apart from the variety of colors and pattern choices, you also have to keep a keen eye on the type of finishes they come with. Each of the minerals has different characteristics that can influence its finish. I understand it can be a bit overwhelming, but here at Tez Marble, we work to help you choose the best countertop finish for your home. 

Different countertop finishes

When choosing a natural countertop, new homeowners start with a vision that comprises the color, tone, pattern, and finish. This vision will most probably include a shiny glossy countertop finish, but there are other available finishes. 

  • Polished Finish

A natural stone with a polished finish is the most common and standard finish that you can find on most homes. It has a high gloss and a very reflective surface which results in it being significantly less porous. This makes it ideal for kitchen and bathroom countertops as it tends to have a slick and hygienic surface. This finish has an elegant look, but you need to be extra careful with it to preserve its shine. This means you need to use good countertop cleaners with a soft cloth wipe to clean it. However, cleaning a polished finished countertop is relatively hassle-free when the right cleaners are used. As the shiny surface has sealed pores, it can resist stains and repel moisture. 

  • Honed Finish

Often known as matte finish, a honed finish has a muffled yet smooth look. It has little reflective properties but gives out a radiant effect that makes the whole room look enigmatic. This type of finish is available on most natural stone countertops but can be seen extensively on limestones. Honing a natural stone countertop increases its durability but makes it more porous and therefore making it susceptible to stains. Anything acidic might even ruin the surface and leave dark spots. You will need to reseal it often, and a daily wipe-down is absolutely necessary to remove fingerprints and dust. You will need to thoroughly wipe the countertop with a damp cloth and then finish with a dry wipe. If you want a honed finish countertop, it is recommended to go for marble as its soft veining wouldn’t be diminished. 

  • Sand Blasted Finish

Commonly used exterior surfaces, sand-blasted finishes give an eroded and timeworn look. This makes it ideal for use with rough stones floor and to match new pieces with old ones. Also, the other reason why it is preferred for outdoor surfaces is that its rough exterior is very susceptible to stains.

  • Leathered Finish

A leathered finish is a combination of honed and polished finishes. A natural stone countertop or slab with leathered finish begins with a honed finish brushed with diamond-tipped brushes to retain a dent-like texture. This is a relatively new style of finish that has been slowly taking over the market. It comes with a soft gloss that is less than what you see on a polished finish and has a textured look. While you can see a leathered finish on any colored stone, it is more commonly used on stones with a darker tone. You do not need to worry too much about maintaining a leathered finished countertop. Due to its textured nature, you will rarely notice any stains and fingerprints. 

  • Caressed Finish

This finish further improves a leathered finish stone by polishing the elevated surfaces. This makes the natural stone countertops with a leathered finish more stain-resistant.

Which one is the right for you?

The major factor that needs to be considered with choosing a finish is the look and how it will influence the overall aesthetic of the room. However, you should not overlook the maintenance required by the available finishes. If you want a balance between durability, elegance, and utility, a polished finish is the way to go. If you love to cook, the non-porous and sleek nature of the polished finish will make it easier for you to maintain the beauty of your countertop. A honed finish might look better in some cases, but it is more suspectable to stain. Leathered finish acts as middle ground if you want the shine of polished finish and the rustic look of honed finish. As you can see, each of the finishes has its pros and cons. You can browse Tez Marble’s catalog of countertops with various finishes to help make up your mind. 

Amazon
17 Oct
Informational

What is Quartzite?

Quartzite is a hard natural stone formed when a quartz-rich sandstone is altered by the pressure, heat, and chemical activity of metamorphism. The metamorphism recrystallizes the sand grains and the silica cement resulting in a network of interconnecting quartz grains of incredible strength. It is 7 on the Mohs hardness scale which means that it’s harder than glass and harder than a knife blade.

The color ranges from white or a light shade of pink or gray. Other impurities can cause it to be yellow, orange, brown, green, or blue.

Properties of quartzite

Hardness

The most admired quality of Quartzite is its hardness and durability. Not only does this make for a hard stone, but it also makes it easy to tell quartzite from the imposters. Quartz is 7 on the Mohs hardness scale. That means it’s harder than glass and harder than a knife blade. These things are easy to test with a sample of stone.

If a rock that is labeled as quartzite is soft, then it was mislabeled. The unfortunate term “soft quartzite” has emerged to explain why a rock labeled quartzite is actually not hard and durable like real quartzite. There is no such thing as soft quartzite though. There is only one kind of quartzite and it’s hard. A rock labeled as soft quartzite is most likely marble.

Resistance to acids

Quartzite will not etch from acids like lemon juice or vinegar. If a rock labeled as quartzite becomes etched from acid, then it’s been mislabeled. Marble and dolomitic marble, on the other hand, will etch from these acids. Dolomitic marble etches slightly more slowly than regular marble. But quartzite will not etch at all from standard kitchen acids.

Porosity

Quartzite has a range of porosities. Some, like the Taj Mahal or Sea Pearl, have been highly metamorphosed, and the minerals are bonded together tightly. White Macaubas and Calacatta Macaubas have been exposed to less intense pressure, so they are more porous and will benefit from sealing.

13 Sep
Informational

What is The Differences Between Natural and Manufactured Stone?

Many homeowners when revamping their house do not know the difference between a natural stone and manufactured stone. This can create a hassle as the quality of both the stones differ and using any of them can bring about different changes in your home decor. At its core, it is up to you what kind of stone you would like to use in your kitchen. Nature provides us with different qualities of stones, such as Quartzite, Limestone, Granite, Marble, Sandstone, Travertine, Onyx, etc. Most of these stones are renowned for their vibrancy in color, depth, quality, and a myriad of other things. However, all of these stones have different properties and it is advisable to consult a professional before using any of these natural or manufactured stones.

Natural Stone

Today most people invest in natural stone to get a classic and aesthetic style. The best aspect of a natural stone is the high simplicity quotient that comes along with the stone. These natural stones are basically made from real stones that are pulled from the earth. These real stones are found in large pieces which are sliced into thinner parts to get natural stones. Natural stone features imperfections, textures, and tonal variation that has formed over thousands of years. Some examples of natural stones are Marble, granite, limestone, slate, sandstone, basalt, quartz, etc.

Manufactured Stone

Manufactured stone is molded concrete or quartz that is artificially colored with paint to resemble natural stone. Nowadays man-made stone is quickly becoming the top choice for many interior designing projects. It is much lighter in weight and no fasteners or footings are needed for the installation, saving both money and time. These stones are normally made up of concrete materials that have been endowed into molds.

Natural Vs Manufactured Stone

Appearance

External appearance is what people are going to see first and as we know the first impression is the best. Manufactured stones can offer a realistic aesthetic appearance, especially from a distance. There are a wide variety of styles, patterns, and colors to choose from or embrace the man-made appearance.

As Natural stones are quarried their color variations are rich and the texture beckons you to run your hand across the surface. These characteristics make this unique and of an unrivaled appearance.

Cost

Natural stones are costly. Retrieving it from the ground is labor-intensive and quite a difficult process, often increasing the expenses. Its installation process is also daunting as it is quite heavy to work with. Whereas manufactured stones don’t require any fasteners or footers for installation.

Durability

One of the best aspects of selecting a natural is its durability. The essential part is that a natural stone will surely last for a long period of time. Sunlight does not have much effect on the stone. Also, The natural stone does not wear off easily. 

Manufactured products do not last as long as natural stone but can last beautifully for 50 years. However, cracking and fading can also occur.

Advantages of Natural Stones

  • More durable than manufactured stone because it’s less porous.
  • Color does not fade but ages in a natural, attractive manner.
  • The exceptional un-matched color vibrancy will look better over time
  • The value of the natural stone is more than a monetary measure. It involves longevity, ease of maintenance, permanence, and stability that far exceed the initial investment.

Manufactured Stones

  • They are more consistent in color and shape and provide a more uniform look.
  • Manufactured stone is also used in wood-frame structures due to its lightweight nature.
  • Of less cost compared to natural stone which is almost 3 times the cost.
  • Easy installation.