In today's housing and commercial real estate market, nothing says quality like natural stone countertops in the kitchens and bathrooms. But it's more than a status symbol. It's also extremely durable, functional and, of course attractive. The huge variety of colors, materials and finishes available mean that you will almost certainly find the stone that fits your design ideas perfectly, whether it's a brand new project or a rennovation.
The most popular material for kitchen countertops by far is granite. Granite is an extremely hard material, making it the best choice for standing up to the rigours and abuse of a busy kitchen. Installed correctly, it is also extremely heat and stain resistant. In the bathroom many people choose a marble or travertine to give a more luxurious and classic look. But these choices are by no means the only choices and there are new materials (such as engineered stones) being added all the time. Be sure to talk to your sales representative about your project, big or small. Their knowledge of, and passion for, stone will amaze you.
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When designing your countertops it is important to put some thought into the type of edge profile you wish to incorporate. Different edge profiles work well for different styles of kitchen or bathrooms, whether it be a traditional, classic, casual or contemporary look. To the right are some common edge profiles and their names. Your sales representative will be more than happy to discuss all the options with you and make suggestions based on all the above factors and more. |
| Granite |
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| Granite is a popular material for surfaces subject to, many and varied impacts, such as kitchen and vanities, steps and floors in 'high traffic' areas. Some granite’s have a quite spectacular appearance and is used for their visual impact, such as on facades. Granite is classified as an igneous rock. It is formed when hot magma from the earth's core cools very slowly and crystallizes. In many cases, granite originates from the underside of continents or pieces of ocean crust that are melted by intense heat. The extreme pressure in the center of the earth compresses the liquid magma, creating a very dense material with minimal pores. These characteristics make granite’s surface tough and almost impenetrable. Granite emerges at the surface of the earth after eons of natural erosion has removed the overlying layers of older rock. Most granite appears where deeply buried rocks are brought to the surface by movements of the earth’s crust. The mineral grains that are formed are large enough to be clearly distinguishable; interlocked like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. This is what makes Granite very strong and durable - ideal for building and construction. Although they cost more to install their life cycle cost averages are much lower than other options, given that they theoretically last for centuries with having an immeasurable value. According to an article by Stone World Buyers Guide 2004 the Canadian and U.S Stone consumption exceeds the ceramic tile value for building stone, flooring, countertops, monuments and others. This shows the demand and changing trend in style towards the beauty and elegance of natural stone. Eye-catching and functional, granite is a speckled stone that ranges in color from Absolute Black to Crystal White – and every color in between. The natural color variations result from a mixture of minerals, including common materials found in ceramic or porcelain, like feldspar, quartz and mica. Natural irregularities in the interlocked minerals create a beautiful array of kaleidoscopic patterns. |
| Uses for Granite |
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| Types of Granite |
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| Sizes of Granite |
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| Special Considerations |
| Color variations enhance the natural beauty of the stone. Inspect multiple samples before selection to ensure satisfaction with colors and patterns. Granite is the most hardest stone and when measured ,it ranges from 8-9 on the MOHS scale only next to diamond with 10 on the MOHS scale, this makes granite scratchproof. |
| Maintaining your Granite |
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| Marble |
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| Marble has long been valued for its beauty and strength; it was and still is widely used in buildings, monuments and sculptures. Even the ancient Greeks used marble for just this purpose; and who has not heard of Michelangelo, the undisputed master from Carrara who used marble for his statues? Marble is a metamorphic rock, formed when limestone is subjected to enormous forces inside the earth's crust. This process, called re-crystalization, causes changes in texture and composition. Fossilized materials, along with carbonates, form large, coarse grains of calcite. Any impurities present affect the mineral composition and the color of the marble that forms. Known for its beauty and elegance, marble is a timeless classic. Throughout the centuries, it was the material of choice for artists and architects to create magnificent sculptures, monuments, and buildings such as the Taj Mahal in India and the Greek Parthenon. Inspired by such masterpieces of antiquity, architects and designers of today use marble to add an aura of sophistication and splendor to any space. Like fingerprints, no two pieces of marble are exactly alike. Marble varies in color and veining from stone to stone as a result of fissures filled with minerals that are present during the stone’s formation. The naturally occurring variations in marble contribute to its distinctive appeal. Polishing achieves a patina that further enhances the colors of all the trace elements. |
| Uses for Marble |
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| Types of Marble |
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| Sizes of Marble |
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| Special Considerations |
| Consider the function of the area involved prior to selection. Marbles range from 5-7.5 on the MOHS hardness scale. Green and black colored marbles require a 100% solid epoxy adhesive as they have a tendency to warp from water-based adhesives.+Color variations are common and enhance the natural beauty of marble. Be sure to inspect multiple samples of the stone before selection to ensure satisfaction with colors and patterns. |
| Maintaining your Marble |
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| Slate |
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| Slate, being a slip-resistant medium, is often used for different flooring applications. The colors and subtle textures of a slate floor complement most of the interior design scheme. Natural slate has a look that cannot be matched using man-made alternatives. The durability of a slate floor makes it a cost effect option, in the long run. Its combination of hardness and beauty also makes it a choice for commercial applications as well as the home. It can hold up to heavy and repeated traffic and still maintain its natural beauty. Slate Lasts for Hundreds of Years, with No Maintenance Required!! Slate is a fine-grained rock formed by the composition of mud and stone sediment. Being a natural material, slate is found beneath the earth's surface in many countries throughout the world. With subtle variations in color and texture, slate resonates warm undertones and rustic charm. A metamorphic rock, slate forms from the low-grade metamorphosis of the sedimentary rock, shale (“mudstone”). Like its precursor, slate is a very fine-grained rock consisting of microscopic clay minerals combined with microscopic quartz and calcite. Some slates also contain a few of the minerals found in granite, resulting in iridescent or hard surfaces. The alteration of shale by heat and pressure produces the pronounced partings (cleavage) that give slate its layered characteristics. |
| Uses for Slate |
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| Types of Slate |
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| Sizes of Slate |
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| Special Considerations |
| Natural shade variations are inherent in slate. Be sure to inspect multiple samples of the stone before selection to ensure satisfaction with colors and patterns. Shalling (material splitting from the surface) is possible. This will cease over time. |
| Maintaining your Slate |
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| Travertine |
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| Travertine is a unique stone rich with historical significance. The word travertine comes from an old Roman name for Tivoli, a town in Italy where large deposits of travertine exist. The brilliant beige stone, characterized by irregular surfaces and edges, has been a principal building material in Rome since the Roman Empire. Travertine clothed the exterior of the Colosseum and was later favored by Michelangelo for his sculptures. Travertine is a sedimentary rock that begins as limestone. Over time, geological shifting forces the limestone deep within the earth. The porous nature of limestone makes it a great liquid reservoir. Limestone absorbs water from aquifers, which are enormous underground pools formed by ice age melting. Heated by the earth’s inner core, the water rises as steam, forming hot springs and geysers. This hot water dissolves the limestone and brings it to the surface along with other granules from below. If enough time transpires, mud beds consisting of limestone and other minerals cool and crystallize into solid travertine. The cooling process results in the extraordinary small holes or cavities while minerals in the stone create unique variations in color and veining. These variations contribute to travertine’s natural beauty and call to mind the ancient splendor of Imperial Rome. |
| Uses for Travertine |
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| Types of Travertine |
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| Sizes of Travertine |
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| Special Considerations |
| Color variations are common and enhance the natural beauty of travertine. Be sure to inspect multiple samples of the stone before selection to ensure satisfaction with colors and patterns. |
| Maintaining your Travertine |
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| Limestone |
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| Limestone is a sedimentary stone that consists of seashells and the bones of the sea creatures that have settled to the ocean floor. Calcium in sediment combines with carbon dioxide in the water to form calcium carbonate, the basic structure of all limestone and marble. Limestone contains suble variations in color and veining as a result of minerals that are present during formation. These naturally occuring variations in color add to the distinctiveness and beauty of the stone. |
| Uses for Limestone |
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| Types of Limestone |
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| Sizes of Limestone |
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| Special Considerations |
| Color variations are common and enhance the natural beauty of limestone. Be sure to inspect multiple samples before selection to ensure satisfaction with colors and patterns. |
| Maintaining your Limestone |
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Caring for your Natural Stone Products.
Firstly we recommend you read the specific instructions for each of the materials listed above. Your stone will always be installed with a high quality sealer but it is imperative, to keep your stone products looking their best, that you re-apply a sealer every few years. Hari Stones carries a full line of StoneTech® products by DuPont. Please see the link below for more information about these products.
Hari Stones is an industry leader in supply and installation of many types of natural stone. Like many companies in other industries, Hari Stones and its suppliers are now taking steps to address the environmental concerns related to this industry.
Several of Hari Stones suppliers go beyond mere compliance with current environmental regulations and invest heavily in ways to alleviate and reduce environmental damages by using advance technology in the block extraction process, mainly based on using diamond edge strands and water. Implementation of water treatment and sludge recovery plants helps to reuse precious resources, while other programs work to restore affected ecological areas through applying organic mulches and re-planting of native species.
At Hari Stone’s own facilities strapping wood and wooden crates are recycled, as well as office paper. All broken tiles and slabs are reused as samples. In addition our new delivery trucks use the latest ultra low sulfur fuels and implement a diesel particulate reduction system, reducing particulate emissions by up to 90%.
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While the definition might vary, a green product is essentially one that is both environmentally and socially responsible. Made from natural and renewable materials, a green product minimally impacts the environment, human health and can be recycled at the end of its useful life. Recognizing these issues, the market for GREEN countertops has evolved and there are now unique, environmentally friendly options for those seeking to green their kitchens. Hari Stones have over 600 different colors and styles of natural stone and quartz products that deliver aesthetic qualities, priced well and still fulfill certain qualities of being environmentally friendly. Certain natural stones have been critiqued as not being made from renewable materials and does not meet complete standards of a LEED project, but it certainly fulfills the necessary required points needed for a LEED project. Natural Stone is certainly the most sustainable product, due to its longevity. Hari Stones has also completed the Dockside Phase I project in Victoria that is designed to LEED standards. Demand for the classic beauty is on the rise because of the wide variety of available colors, veining, patterns and finishes. GRANITE, The most durable of all countertop materials MARBLE, Resurgence ENGINEERED STONE (Compac, Quartz and Marmol) |
RADIATION IN GRANITE - FACT OR FICTION?
Recently there has been some publicity about the possibility of some small radiation emmisions from certain types of granite countertops. If you have concerns about this we encourage you to read the publications linked below or talk to your salesperson about it.
The truth about radiation in granite (PDF)
Granite and Radon information (PDF)
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS