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GRANITE
Granite is an igneous rock composed of mostly two minerals: quartz and feldspar. It is an intrusive rock, meaning that it crystallized from magma that cooled far below the earth's surface.
To identify an igneous rock that could be granite, look for rocks with crystals.
Look for shiny, flat surfaces within the rock—these are the crystal faces. The rock we're looking for has interlocking grains, or in other words, all the rock's grains are touching each other along their crystal faces.
Benefits of Granite
• Resists Chips and Scratches
One of the best reasons to choose granite countertops for your kitchen is that the material is so durable that it resists chips and scratches under normal use. If granite countertops are installed properly, they will last for decades.
• Affordable
Have you ever wondered why granite countertops are so popular? Part of it is due to their high affordabilityThe affordability of granite increases when you think about the investment you’re making. Most granite countertops will last at least thirty years (some even longer than that)!
• Heat Resistant
Another benefit to granite countertops is their heat resistance. Granite is naturally formed by pressure and heat which means that granite countertops resist heat well. You can even put a hot pot or pan on the surface of your granite countertops without scorching it, though we recommend using pot holders.
• Stain Resistant
In addition to heat resistance, granite countertops are stain resistant with a properly applied sealant. Granite is a porous material and can be stained by alkalines and acids. However, with a proper sealant applied annually, your granite countertops will maintain stain resistance. Keep in mind that any liquid and food spills should still be removed immediately with water and a mild detergent (such as a natural cleaner or a small amount of soap). If spills dry on the counter top, you should be able to gently scrape them off using a plastic scraper. When you have granite countertops installed, ask the installation expert about the type of sealant to apply every year.
• Unique
Each piece of granite is unique, so you can be sure that no one will have the same countertops as you do. If you want a one of a kind, natural surface in your kitchen, call Stonelogic, to get started today! There are many different types of granite depending on which granite slab would work best for your granite kitchen countertops. Granite is a popular choice and the natural pattern of sealed granite countertops will set your kitchen above and beyond!
MARBLE
Marble forms when existing stone—namely, limestone or dolomite—is transformed by intense pressure and heat at the boundaries of tectonic plates in the earth. A type of metamorphic rock, marble gains its distinctive veins and swirls from mineral deposits in the stone that react to the heat and pressure in unique ways
Marble is less porous and slightly stronger than limestone, but still less durable than granite. Depending on the limestone and the mineral combination within the marble, most marble rates from three to five on the Mohs hardness scale.
Benefits of Marble
• Authentic Beauty – While man-made porcelain and quartz can imitate the look of marble, nothing can quite compare to the beauty of the real thing. If you desire a bold, one-of-a-kind stone with distinctive veining, marble is a winning choice.
• Durability – When professionally installed and properly maintained, marble will hold up very well over time. Resistant to heat and cracking, it can be relied on to perform impressively in the kitchen or bathroom and around a fireplace.
• Affordability – Marbles is a premium material that varies greatly in pricing, depending on your selection. The cost can range based on the kind of marble, the labor involved, and details like edge profiles and polishing. That means we can always help you find an option that works for your design and your budget.
• Customizability – Because marble is softer than granite, it is much easier to shape its edges. You can choose from a variety of unique edge profiles to personalize your marble countertops and add intriguing texture.
QUARTZ TOPS
Although quartz is a naturally occurring mineral, this countertop is manufactured. The surface is created using crushed quartz crystals combined with pigments and resin, replicating the look of natural stone with patterns of flecks and swirls. Unlike natural stone slabs, quartz countertops have a non-porous surface that resists scratches and stains.
Benefits of Marble
• QUARTZ IS NON POROUS
Quartz countertops are made from roughly 90% quartz, and this benefits you in two ways.
First, quartz is non-porous which makes it stain resistant. This means that as long as liquids are wiped away soon after a spill, there shouldn’t be any concern. Natural stones like granite, which are porous, will absorb liquids and moisture. Over time, a kitchen countertop may absorb oils, wine, juice, and other substances that will be difficult to remove. This is because the pores let the substance in below the surface where it can’t be wiped away.
The second benefit of the non-porous nature of this countertop is the fact that it won’t require sealing. To help prevent stains in other materials, it needs to be sealed periodically. This is time consuming and if left undone, can harm the material. Quartz doesn’t require sealing, so it takes less work to have in the home.
• LOW MAINTENANCE
In addition to being non porous, quartz countertops are also low maintenance. Any spills can be quickly wiped up, so no scrubbing, poultices, or special cleansers are required. In fact, while stone needs very special cleansers to avoid things like etching - the removal of surface particles from the stone - quartz can be cleaned with your basic household cleansers, or with soap and water. It is scratch and stain resistant, so you’ll think about it and its maintenance a lot less.
• HIGHLY DURABLE
Kitchens are busy places, so you need a countertop that can hold up to anything. Quartz is incredibly strong and durable. You can use your quartz countertop for all your kitchen needs, without worrying that you’ll be damaging it in some way.
Quartz is also heat resistant. This allows you to relax more and really use your countertop, rather than worrying constantly about caring for it.
• STYLISH
One of the biggest benefits you’re going to receive from a quartz countertop is the many stylish choices available. Quartz comes in an incredibly wide range of colors and patterns. It can mimic the look of marble, granite, or concrete, and it comes in colors that may be unobtainable in other materials such as bright blue.
Whether you want the traditional look of polished marble or the industrial appearance of leathered concrete, quartz can match. And since quartz is much more durable and lower in maintenance than these other materials, you come out ahead each time.
• REDUCED IMPERFECTIONS
If you take a close look at a slab of granite or marble, you’ll notice many small naturally occurring imperfections. Pits, fissures, cracks, and color streaks are present in nearly every type of stone. Some may be small, some may start small and grow over time, and others are noticeable right from the beginning.
Quartz countertops are made with precision, using controlled quantities of materials, as well as quality control and care which minimizes the occurrence of pits, fissures, and other imperfections that so often show up in stone countertops.
SINTERED STONE
Sintered Stone is manufactured using recent technological advancements which mimic the processes that form natural stones. While natural stones like marble and granite are formed over thousands of years, Sintered stone slabs take just a few hours.
Minerals and stone particles like the ones found in porcelain or granite are carefully selected for quality, colour and texture. These particles are then subject to extreme heat and pressure – just like they would be deep in the earth’s crust for thousands of years, but achieved much quicker. When the process is finished, the particles are bonded together permanently, without the need for resins or bonding agents, to create Sintered Stone.
Sintered Stones provide all the benefits of quartz and natural stones without any of the drawbacks.
• HIGHLY DURABLE
Although Sintered stones are manufactured to be lighter than natural stone, this does not imply that it is any less robust. In fact, the production procedure actually makes these stones extremely sturdy.
• VARIETY
Like the rest of the materials, its surfaces may be generated in a variety of finishes, and it is also non-slip. With the exception of consistent designs, which are unaffected by the sintering process, the majority of Sintered stones are printed on the front of the slab since any intentional design will not be able to withstand the sintering process. It is available in a broad array of shades and treatments to suit every taste, from the striking, marble-effect to a contemporary, subtle choice. And unlike granite and marble, the surface will have a flawless, consistent finish thanks to the regularity of the patterns and colours inside the stones.
• VARYING THICKNESS
Sintered stones come in a range of dimensions, designs, surfaces, and widths, from 3mm to 20mm. Additionally, it can be designed to create the wood-effect, concrete-effect, stone-effect, and many others.
• DURABLE
Sintered Stone surface won't change colour, distort, or deteriorate. The application of Sintered stone goes much beyond the installation in the kitchen.
Because of their heat resilience, they are also perfect for furnaces, bathtubs, and both domestic and exterior wall coverings. Sintered stone has the highest heat resistance of any material.
• NO SEALING
Sinks, counters, shower walls, and many other moisture-prone surfaces made of Sintered stones do not require sealing because of their excellent, compressed makeup.
As opposed to granite, quartz, marble, and other stones, it does not demand a yearly polishing schedule or the use of toxic substances to prevent damage throughout the course of its existence.
We welcome our clients to send us a drawing and pictures of what they need. We will give an estimate based on that, but to get an accurate quote we need to meet on site and take precise measurements.
If the quotation is accepted and deposit paid, a team will take final measurements and make the necessary templates.
After the order is received it normally takes between 5 to 7 working days, depending on material availability and difficulty of job.
Quality work takes time and we strive to not only have a good turnaround time but quality of the highest standard as well.
At Stonelogic we provide our clients with a market leading 24month guarantee on our workmanship. If there are any defects that spread from the installation we will rectify and solve any problems within this period. On most of our Engineered stone products the suppliers have their own warranties and our staff will inform the client the registration process of these warranties according to suppliers. On natural stone there are no warranties.
Stonelogic is accredited fabricators and installers of Caesarstone, Infinity, Silestone, Dekton and Neolith.
Our staff is trained to meet all our suppliers’ International standards.
This is a question that we are often asked and it is not as simple as choosing the one above the other.
There are definitely pros and cons for all of these… the better question would be: What material will suit my application best?
Speak to us to find out what will be best for you.
The following is some questions that you will have to ask in order to get the best material for you.
What is it going to be used for?
Where is it going to be used?
Will it be exposed to direct sunlight?
How much “traffic” will it have to endure?
How will it fit in the rest of the space?
Will it fit in budget?
Will it be exposed to direct heat etc.…
Once we have established the above, we will guide you to the right material.
You have to treat different types of material different from other materials.
Hereby are some guidelines to clean and maintain
MARBLE
Marble countertops add a clean look to your kitchen and bathroom. As you use them often, they are prone to stains and etches from the products you use on top of these surfaces.
In the kitchen, you need to protect your marble countertops from:
• Food preparation: Foods with high acidity could stain the marble finish of your countertops. Even cutting a lemon over a marble countertop could damage the material. Use a cutting board to protect your marble surfaces from acidic foods and sharp knives. If you’re preparing food on a marble countertop, you can also use a plastic or silicone sheet.
• Meals: While marble can tolerate hot pots and pans, you should use a trivet for extra protection. Immediately after each meal, you should clean your marble countertops.
• Drinks: Bottles and cans filled with any kind of liquid could leave a stain on your countertops. Use coasters for all drinks placed on the countertop.
In the bathroom, you should also watch out for shampoos or beauty products that could discolour your marble tiles.
You can maintain your marble in your bathroom by:
• Using a tray for your toiletry products instead of putting them directly on your marble surfaces.
• Turning on an exhaust fan while you shower to reduce moisture build-up.
• Wiping your marble surfaces with a cloth after every shower.
To prolong the life of your marble countertops, you should also avoid sitting or placing heavy objects on any marble countertops in your home. Marble isn’t flexible, so the extra weight could cause cracks in your countertops.
Marble care and maintenance involve regularly cleaning marble surfaces. Marble is sensitive to acid, so you need to choose a cleaner that won’t harm your marble surfaces. Using harsh materials with any acid could result in dull spots called etches.
Avoid using cleaners with vinegar, lemon or orange as these products could etch your marble surfaces.
You should also avoid abrasive cleaning agents. Products made for granite countertops are too harsh for marble countertops. Even when you’re cleaning the bathroom, you shouldn’t use bathroom and tile cleaners unless they are specifically designed for marble tile.
Here are the different types of cleaners you can use:
• A pH-neutral cleaner: Instead of using acidic cleaners, use a pH-neutral cleaner designed for marble tile. You can recognize a pH-neutral cleaner in the store by its label. When you use commercial cleaners, always read the manufacturer’s instructions on the bottle. Test any new cleaners on a small, inconspicuous area of your marble inlays before using them to clean.
• A homemade cleaner: You can also create a marble cleaner by mixing one tablespoon of mild dish soap with warm water in a spray bottle. Shake the solution to mix the soap and water together. This homemade cleaner is safe to use on marble countertops after eating and preparing meals.
• An ammonia mixture with hydrogen peroxide: Only use ammonia when removing heavy stains from your marble surfaces. Ammonia can be toxic when mixed with certain chemicals, including bleach. When cleaning with ammonia, always ensure there’s adequate airflow by opening a window or turning on a fan.
Along with the type of cleaner you use, you should also consider the type of brush or cloth you use to apply the cleaner. Only use harsh scrubbing brushes for occasional deep cleaning.
Unless they’re used on particularly stubborn stains, scrubbing brushes could scratch the marble stone. Use a soft cotton cloth or chamois to clean up regular stains and to dry a wet area.
Spills are inevitable in your kitchen and bathroom. When you spill something, blot it up right away so it doesn’t stain your marble countertops or floor. Wiping up a spill could spread the liquid to other areas of the marble surface.
Kitchen backsplashes are prone to stains from food and drinks. If you notice a stain on your backsplash while you’re cooking or eating, clean up the stain as soon as possible. Blot stains with a towel and wash with a pH-neutral cleaner made for marble tile. After cleaning, dry the area with a soft cloth.
Dust your countertops at least once a week. To remove dust from marble countertops, use a dry microfiber cloth. If you use a wet cloth to clean up the dust, make sure you follow with a dry cloth to remove any excess moisture.
You should deep clean your marble floors, countertops and showers at least once a month. If you have marble in a high-traffic area, you should schedule a deep cleaning more often. Use a pH-neutral cleaner to reduce streaks in the marble finish.
Sealing marble will make it last longer, increasing its resistance to stains and etching. Check with your marble manufacturer before you seal your marble surfaces. Some marble doesn’t need sealing. If you apply sealer to marble that doesn’t need sealing, it won’t absorb, and it will create discoloration. If your marble needs to be sealed, you should apply a marble and granite sealer at least once every six months.
GRANITE
Granite is one of the most beautiful natural stones that you can select for your countertop. Beyond the appearance of the stone, many homeowners love the low maintenance requirements that granite has. But while the stone is low maintenance, you will still need to put in some effort to keep it looking beautiful.
Regardless of the maintenance requirements, all natural stone countertops need consistent attention if you want to keep the surface in top shape. The following steps will help you achieve this with your granite countertops.
While you can use soap and warm water, there are many cleaners available on the market that is designed for use with granite. Apply the cleaner and wipe your counter down. Make sure to use only cleaners or dish soap that is pH neutral, rather than acidic cleaners such as vinegar or ammonia. If you use acidic cleaners, you might remove any sealant from the countertop, which will leave the surface vulnerable to damages.
While granite countertops are among the lower maintenance options that you have, it is highly recommended that you keep up on regular cleaning. Regular cleaning can be as simple as using a little dish soap and warm water, so this process is not anything difficult or time consuming. Make sure to use a soft cloth to wipe the surface clean, not a rough sponge.
Even if your granite countertop is sealed, it is still not good to leave any spills sitting on the surface. Clean any spills that may occur as soon as they happen to avoid any potential damages. To wipe up any spills, use a soft dishcloth instead of a rough cleaning device.
It is always a good idea to be as careful as possible with any natural stone countertop. As such, you should use coasters when placing drinks down on the countertop so you do not risk any chance of moisture penetrating the surface. Another example of cautious behaviour would be to use trivets or hot pads in the kitchen. Although granite is heat resistant, consistent exposure to high levels of heat will weaken the countertop over time.
Granite countertops, like almost all natural stone surfaces, need to be sealed to prevent stains and liquid damages. While this may sound like an inconvenience, the process of sealing granite is simple and quick, and you will typically only have to do it once a year. How often you have to re-seal the countertop will depend on what type of granite you choose. Lighter colored granite will need to be re-sealed more often than granite that is a darker colour.
To tell if your granite countertop needs to be re-sealed, you can perform a simple test. Pour a small amount of water on a small section of your granite countertop. After you do this, wait for about 10 minutes. If the water beads up on the surface, your sealant is still effective. On the other hand, if the water sinks down into the surface, you should re-seal your countertop as soon as possible.
If you find that your tops needs resealing contact Stonelogic for the right product.
QUARTZ
Wipe Your Quartz Counters With Mild Dish Soap And A Soft Rag
Take a soft cloth or sponge and dip it in a warm water and soap mix. Take the sponge and begin to gently but firmly wipe down the quartz tops. Wipe them down as often as you need.
Scrape Off Dried Gunk From The Quartz Surface
We recommend using a window scraper to scrape off any dirt or food. Be mindful and only scrape gently when you are removing any excess build-up. For easy and fast access, we suggest keeping a scraper in a nearby drawer so you can grab it when you need to remove build-up off of your countertops.
Wipe Off Grease Using a Degreaser
Take the degreasing agent of choice (make sure it is safe to use on quartz) and spray it generously on your quartz countertops. Make sure the spray does not have any bleach because this will damage your quartz countertops. If you are going to use disinfectant wipes they must also be free of bleach. After all of this, you are going to want to immediately rinse off the surface using a sponge or wet towel. Only get cleaning sprays or products that are made specifically to be used on quartz counters
Ask your Stonelogic contact person anytime you are not sure about a specific product when you want to clean quartz countertops
Preventing Quartz Countertop Damage
Step 1: Clean Up Spills Immediately
Even though engineered stone like quartz will resist stains for only a small period of time, you should not let the stains just sit there for too long. You still run the risk of damaging your countertops if you do. You should clean quartz as soon as the spill happens. You can take a mild soap and warm water mix to clean up the spill. Permanent stains can occur if the spill was coffee, wine, or tea. Just be careful. If you will be sipping on citrus like drinks, make sure to use coasters. Citrus liquids don’t mesh well with quartz counters.
Step 2: Quartz Countertop Protection from High Temperatures
To protect your quartz countertops from really hot temperatures you can use mats or trivets to place your crock pots, hot pans, and electric skillets on. You do not want to place an object that is extremely hot, directly on your quartz because it will damage the countertop.
Step 3: Use a Cutting Board
Cutting and chopping food directly on your quartz can be tempting because quartz is durable and hard but we do not recommend it. We encourage you to keep a cutting board on site and use it when chopping, cutting, and slicing food. Quartz is scratch resistant but they are not scratch proof. Another reason why cutting boards matter is because your knives will get dull.
Step 4. Stay Away From Harsh Cleaners
Using highly alkaline or acidic cleaners will hurt your quartz counters. If an extremely acidic or alkaline solution falls on your countertops run and grab a wet cloth dipped in water and mild detergent then clean it up. Keep nail polish, oven cleaner, turpentine, drain cleaners, bleach, methylene chloride, and all other harsh agents away.
SINTERED STONE
Sintered Stone Care and Maintenance
Wipe clean with a damp cloth soaked in regular detergent and water, if the stone surface is routinely cleaned and kept dry.
To avoid polished / glazed surface from scratching when cleaning, only use cloth made of soft fibres, suitable for cleaning of glass, kitchen appliance and nonstick frying pans.
Substances（eg. Acidic foods, beverages, oils, cosmetics, and the like ) should be avoid to leave dry on its surface.
Limescale - use an acid-based detergent. Rinse surface with lots of water and use clean microfibre cloth to wipe dry.
Greasy and Oily Substances – use mild or degreasing detergent. Rinse surface with lots of water and use clean microfibre cloth to wipe dry.
Ink/Permanent Marker/Nail Varnish/Expanding Foam – use thinner-based detergents. Rinse surface with lots of water and use clean microfibre cloth to wipe dry.
It’s always advisable to perform a preliminary test on a less-visible area of the stone, to verify if the chosen cleaning product and method are suitable for you and will not cause any damage to the surface.
Caution
• Do not use sharp, metal object to clean the surface.
• Avoid pulling or dragging kitchenware, frying pans and other appliances on the surface.
• To avoid scratching the surface. Do not chop directly on the work surface because some knives might contain diamond particles.
• Cleaning products ( oily soap, film-forming products) must be taken away from the surface as such agents will leave reside on the surface.
• Avoid standing or kneeling on the surface. Too much weight pressure might cause breakage on the vulnerable areas ( eg. sinks and hobs)
• Avoid overloading or stacking heaving objects on the surface.
• Do not use hydrofluoric acid, caustic soda or products with PH value greater than 11 to clean the surface.
• Avoid falling off the blunt objects on surface; these can cause cracks that are hard to mend.
• Must kept Sintered Stone materials away from naked flame.