Colonial Marble and Granite

Which Natural Stone Finish is Right for You?

Finding the right finish can immeasurably enhance the look of your granite or marble countertop, as well as help it hold up better over time. Some of the most commonly used finishes for natural stone include:

Polished finish: The smoothest and finest polish available for stone, it is commonly used for floor tiles, walls, and countertops. Its glossy surface is very light-reflective, bringing out the stone's natural color and markings.

Honed finish: This is an extremely smooth finish with a low level of light reflection. It is usually used in places where a polished finish could fade due to frequent traffic, such as floors, stairs, and patio areas.

Brushed finish: This finish is achieved by brushing the stone with a rough wire brush, which gives it a lived-in appearance. Brushed finishes are popular because they enable you to replicate the time-worn look of a much older counter. 

Acid-washed finish: In this rustic finish, the stone is washed in acid after polishing, taking off much of the shine and leaving the stone's etched, crystalline surface exposed. This finish is an excellent way to minimize the appearance of scratches and lower the degree of shine on your material.

Flamed finish: This finish is given by exposing the stone's surface to a very high temperature, usually with a blowtorch. The heat causes the stone's crystals to explode, leaving the surface rough and uneven. The appeal of a flamed finish lies in its unrefined texture, which gives it considerable slip-resistance. This makes it a popular choice for shower floors.

At Colonial Marble & Granite, we offer a comprehensive range of natural stone for the home. When you are looking for the right finish for your marble or granite countertop, we will be happy to lend our expertise. Check out our stone selection at our website or call us at (484) 685-0426 to learn more. 

The Advantages Granite Offers Over Other Countertop Materials

Choosing the right countertop is important not only for looks, but for practical use as well. For this reason, it’s important that you consider all of the best countertop materials before making a decision. Here’s a quick look at all of the advantages that granite offers over other countertop materials:

• Heat Resistance: Since granite spends millions of years underground experiencing extreme heat and pressure, it performs very well when hot pots and pans are placed on it. Instead of forcing you to keep just-used pans on your cooktop, granite allows you to free up oven and stove space when cooking large meals. In contrast, cheaper countertop materials like wood and laminate are easily scorched.

• Durability: Once you install a granite countertop in your kitchen or bathroom, it will stay beautiful for decades. Granite’s tough surface can withstand all sorts of abrasion, spills, dirt, and whatever else your kitchen can throw at it.
• Easy Maintenance: One of the best things about granite countertops is how easy they are to maintain. All you need to clean granite is water and a mild detergent. As for maintenance, granite simply requires a sealant once every two years or so. Wood countertops, however, need to be oiled frequently to prevent water damage.
• Aesthetic Appeal: If you’re looking to add value to your home with a kitchen remodel, consider installing granite countertops. There’s something about the intricacy of granite that completes the look of a kitchen. And since granite comes in so many colors and textures, you’re bound to find a stone that matches your kitchen design!

If you’re convinced that granite is the stone for you, contact Colonial Marble & Granite at (484) 685-0426. Our natural stone experts will gladly help you find a granite variety that makes your kitchen or bathroom shine.     

We are located at 201 West Church Road (Entrance off of Henderson Road) in King of Prussia, PA 19406. We are open from 9am – 8pm Monday through Friday, 9am – 7pm Saturday and 10am – 5pm Sunday. Give us a call at 484.685.0426.

Ideas for Decorating Your Bathroom, Natural Stone Cleaning Tips and More with These Helpful Links

Granite, marble, and limestone all have elegant, eternal qualities that can add beauty to any part of your home. For more information, take a look at these additional resources or call Colonial Marble & Granite at (484) 685-0426:

• Do you need help decorating your bathrooms? Check out these ideas from GoodHousekeeping.com.
• Granite is an exceptionally durable and beautiful stone. Learn more at this page from Geology.com.
• Cleaning a granite countertop is easier that you think. See for yourself at this page from DoItYourself.com.
• Do you need help cleaning natural stone? This page from Angie’s List can help.

We are located at 201 West Church Road (Entrance off of Henderson Road) in King of Prussia, PA 19406.  We are open from 9am – 8pm Monday through Friday, 9am – 7pm Saturday and 10am – 5pm Sunday. Give us a call at 484.685.0426.

Colonial Marble and Granite Review | "I Would Highly Recommend Them to Anyone"

Tips for Keeping Your Granite Countertops Pristine

If you’re planning a kitchen remodel, switching out your old countertops is likely high on the agenda. Before you make your final decision, you should strongly consider granite—an incredibly durable stone that outperforms most other countertop materials. In order to choose a countertop that is durable and best meets your cooking needs, check out the following four things you can and can’t do on granite countertops: 

• You Can Roll Bread Dough: Since granite countertops are so easy to clean, they can provide a sanitary surface for food preparation. Granite countertops also feature smooth, flat surfaces on which you can knead and roll bread dough to perfection.
• You Can Place Hot Items Down: While other countertops warp and burn when hot pans are placed on them, granite usually remains completely undamaged by contact with items fresh from the stove or oven. Since granite withstands millions of years of intense heat and pressure to attain its beauty and strength, a hot pan won’t do any harm. 

• You Can’t Leave Messes: Like all other countertops, you don’t want to leave a spill on your surface for an extended amount of time.  If allowed to soak in overnight, acidic liquids such as lemon juice, wine, or soda may cause slight stains on your granite counters. The best solution is to immediately wipe up any spills as they occur, and always place glasses on coasters.
• You Can’t Chop up Food: Though granite may seem like a good surface on which to chop fruits and vegetables, doing so can be detrimental to your kitchen utensils. Since granite is so durable and scratch-resistant, trying to cut anything on it will significantly dull your knives. In order to keep your cooking tools sharp and useful, use wood or plastic cutting boards.   

Granite isn’t just a tremendously useful countertop material—it’s also a particularly beautiful stone. If you’d like to see several wonderful examples of granite countertops, come by Colonial Marble & Granite—our natural stone selection can make any home’s interior shine! For more information, call us today at (484) 685-0426.        

We are located at 201 West Church Road (Entrance off of Henderson Road) in King of Prussia, PA 19406. We are open from 9am – 8pm Monday through Friday, 9am – 7pm Saturday and 10am – 5pm Sunday. Give us a call at 484.685.0426.