Colonial Marble and Granite is one of the nation's fastest growing providers of natural stone fabrication & installation. Serving all of DE & NJ, and parts of PA, MD, NY.
According to the 2011-12 Cost vs. Value Report from Remodeling Magazine, the average minor kitchen remodel costs nearly $20,000, while the average major renovation costs more than $50,000. It’s perfectly understandable if these numbers shock you—most people don’t fully grasp how complicated a kitchen renovation can be. For instance, contractors need to create a template before they can fabricate and install countertops. Here’s a brief look at necessary countertop templates.
Planning a Kitchen Layout
A countertop template is basically a cardboard and plywood stand-in for what will become the real countertops. Before constructing a template, a kitchen remodeler will create a detailed design of the project. However, the design won’t seem “real” until the homeowner sees the design come to life. Once the template is in place, the homeowner can identify problems and tweak the design.
Measurements for Fabrication
Installing a countertop requires a high degree of precision. Inaccurate measurements can seriously affect the countertop’s beauty and structural integrity. Building a template is the best way to get the measurements just right before making the necessary cuts. Since cutting granite and marble involves special saws and tools, natural stone fabricators take the template measurements to their shop, make the necessary cuts, and then come back with the cut segments.
Assisting Plumbers and Electricians
Before the countertops can be installed, all of the necessary fixtures and outlets need to be in place. Building a template can give plumbers and electricians a much better idea of where to install these fixtures and outlets, thus reducing the chance of a costly mistake. Since the fabrication process often takes a few weeks, the plumbers and electricians have plenty of time to complete their portion of the renovation before the countertops arrive.
Building a template is an essential part of creating an elegant granite or marble countertop. If you have any questions about natural stone countertops, walls, or fireplace surrounds, call Colonial Marble & Granite at (484) 685-0426. We’re proud of our low prices, speedy fabrication, and stellar customer service.
Considering how many varieties of natural stone there are, choosing the perfect stone for your home or business can be a real challenge. Still, you should find the ideal stone if you look in the right place.
In this episode of HGTV’s “Rate My Space,” Angelo Surmelis discusses how to choose a type of stone. He suggests the process of elimination; if you rule out stones that are too dark, too light, and too bland, you’ll be much closer to a decision.
For more help selecting a type of natural stone, come by Colonial Marble & Granite. Not only will we help you choose a stone, but we’ll happily install your countertops, walls, or floors as well. Call us today at (484) 685-0426 to speak with one of our representatives.
Granite and marble are among the most beautiful countertop materials. Unfortunately, these elegant natural stones are also vulnerable to stains. If you don’t wipe up your spills immediately, you could end up with blemishes on your beautiful countertops. Here are a few of the most common culprits of stone countertop staining.
Oil
Olive, vegetable, and other kinds of oil can wreak havoc on your countertop if you let them. Just a little bit of oil can easily penetrate your marble or granite counter and leave an unsightly dark spot.
Wine
Wine tends to leave stains wherever it’s spilled—unfortunately, granite and marble counters are no exception. In order to avoid an ugly purple streak on your beautiful counter, you need to wipe up wine spills immediately after they occur.
Citrus Juice
Like wine, citrus juice is very acidic. If you let orange juice sit on your counter for too long, it will seep into the stone and create a terrible stain. Though granite is more stain resistant than marble, it’s still vulnerable to stains from citrus juice and other acidic liquids.
Coffee
When you’re in a rush to make coffee in the morning, it’s easy to spill a drop or two. If you’re in too much of a hurry to wipe up your spills, you may come home to nasty stains. Coffee also contains acid that is harmful to marble and granite.
Stain Prevention and Removal
Sealing your countertop is the best way to prevent ugly stains. You’ll know your counter is safe from stains if water beads on the surface. If you already have a few stains on your counter, you may be able to remove them with hydrogen peroxide or ammonia and water.
For more natural stone maintenance tips, contact Colonial Marble & Granite. We’re one of the fastest-growing natural stone fabrication and installation companies in the United States Don’t settle for an inferior kitchen countertop—call us today at (484) 685-0426, and get one step closer to elegant natural stone surfaces.
YOU CAN'T PLEASE EVERYONE We looked everywhere for granite and I mean everywhere. First of all no one has the inventory that Colonial has. If you can't find something you like there you never will. Everyone else said I would be out of a kitchen for between one to two weeks and Colonial has no down time. We went three different times and...
If you’re like most American homeowners, you have a deep-seeded desire to make your property as beautiful as possible. However, a lack of inspiration may keep you from performing unique upgrades. If you’d like to create a truly astonishing effect, you should consider backlighting onyx. Here’s a brief look at how backlighting onyx can make your home glow.
Introduction to Onyx
Onyx is an exceptionally beautiful natural stone that comes from quartz. It’s known for its rich bands of crystals of exquisite colors—including red, black, white, brown, and many others. Onyx has lent its beauty to jewelry and pottery for millennia. Today, many homeowners install onyx in their bathrooms, kitchens, and elsewhere throughout the home. Though many consider onyx to be more beautiful than granite or marble, it’s softer and more vulnerable to scratches. If you’re going to install onyx in your home, you should be sure to seal it.
Backlighting Basics Backlighting is exactly what it sounds like—lighting an object from the back. By lighting a semi-transparent surface from behind, you can make it appear as if it has a natural glow. When cut very thin, onyx allows light to pass through; when backlit, the dark bands of onyx remain dark while the lighter parts create a brilliant illumination.
Creating a Beautiful Space
Backlighting onyx can give virtually any space a feeling of warmth. Homeowners especially like to install backlit onyx in their bathrooms to create a more relaxing environment. In order to create a magical effect in your home, all you need is thin cuts of onyx and enough space to install a discreet lighting fixture behind it. Since backlighting onyx is a delicate procedure, it’s always a good idea to hire a professional.
If you’re interested in adding backlit onyx to your home, contact the experts of Colonial Marble & Granite. In addition to onyx, we offer marble, granite, limestone, and several other popular natural stones. If you call us at (484) 685-0426, we’ll start planning your natural stone project immediately.
