Choosing a stone finish for your home is a big decision, and quite possibly a substantially expensive one. Picking the correct material and color is overwhelming in itself—but that’s just half of it. 

Ensuring you have the right fabricator is essential because even a beautiful, high-quality stone can get wrecked by an inexperienced fabricator and installer. To help you differentiate between a professional and a rookie, here are some key signs to look for: 

1. Polished Edges

Although polished edges are highly desirable, many fabricators overlook this crucial step. Especially for kitchen islands, where people unconsciously hold the edges, polished undersides can make all the difference. Even if the polish is only a few inches from the edge, it can give the whole countertop a finished feel. 

2. Seams

For large countertops, it’s impossible to have a slab without seams. A professional stone slab installation company will ensure that the seam is barely noticeable to the naked eye. The seam should ideally be smooth and less than 1/16^th of an inch. Additionally, for natural stone with veins, the installer will use epoxy that matches the color of the vein as closely as possible. 

3. Sink Mounting

When installing a stone countertop, every little detail makes a world of difference. A granite or marble installation expert will take time to ensure that the faucets and sink blend into the granite seamlessly. That’s why they will try to get as accurate a measurement as possible during the template-building stage.

Additionally, when attaching the sink to the countertop, the installer will ensure there aren’t any visible globs that can reduce the holding strength substantially. 

4. Countertop Level

Stone slabs are leveled and shimmed during installation to ensure that the surface is even and straight. Skilled fabricators understand that a flat countertop isn’t the same as a leveled one. Hence, they will ensure maximum care and precision during installation. 

At GM Marble & Granite, we offer granite, marble, and quartz installation and fabrication services, as well as sealing stone installation, in Concord, Napa, and the Bay Area. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, you can ensure the best results possible. Contact us now, and we’ll help you find the right solution that meets your aesthetic preferences.

Considering a Quarts Countertop for your kitchen? Here are some benefits!

Your kitchen countertop is used to cut vegetables, lay your mail, and pour coffee into a cup. The countertop has a variety of uses, and each use compounds the risk of it being dirtied. So, if you frequently use your countertop (i.e., if you’re a regular person), you need to know how to clean up after yourself. Not doing so may damage the countertop. Here’s how to clean the most common countertop materials. 

Marble

Marble offers a timeless aesthetic, but it comes with some downsides. One of those downsides is that it’s a reasonably high-maintenance material. Marble countertops can easily stain, be etched, or be scratched. 

Fortunately, they can also just as easily be cleaned. All you’ll need to clean a marble countertop is some non-abrasive soap and warm water. For more stubborn stains (looking at you, red wine), mix water with baking soda to make a cleaning paste. Importantly, avoid acidic cleaners, like lemon juice, as these can damage the marble.

Granite

Unlike marble, granite doesn’t need much maintenance; in fact, it’s only second to quartz in the list of low-maintenance countertop materials. 

That’s not to say that you can use any cleaner under the sun; while granite countertops are durable, because granite is porous, liquids can enter and damage it. Non-abrasive dish soap is all you’ll need to clean it, though. You can also use isopropyl alcohol to disinfect the surface.

Quartz 

As mentioned above, quartz countertops require little to no maintenance. This refers in particular to engineered quartz, which is made of polymer resins and natural quartz. These countertops are resistant to virtually all kinds of damage. 

Despite this, quartz countertops stand to benefit from occasional cleaning. As for granite and marble, mix warm water and non-abrasive dish soap to wipe down the countertop. You can also use a degreaser (don’t use bleach) to wipe off any grease on your counter. Additionally, you can use a scraper or putty knife to scrape off any dried buildup on your countertop. Lastly, like with granite, isopropyl alcohol is an appropriate disinfectant for quartz countertops.

These countertop materials are popular because of their functional and design advantages over virtually all other countertop materials. If you’re looking for kitchen countertops, get in touch with us, at GM Marble & Granite. We provide granite, quartz, and marble installation and fabrication services in Napa, Concord, and the Bay Area. Get in touch, and we’ll enhance your kitchen’s function, design, and value.