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Posts Tagged ‘stone’

The beauty of a kitchen granite countertop can be dramatically enhanced by the correct countertop edge. The casual observer will just notice the general look of the countertop not knowing that the granite edge has a lot to do with its overall beauty. Knowing this, many stone manufacturers recommend that you invest some time in choosing the right edge so that you’ll get the most benefit from your granite countertop.

Stone suppliers generally recommend that your countertop edges must blend with the overall décor of your home so that they will not be out of place. A further consideration is the normal traffic in your kitchen and bathroom countertops. The edge design will be affected by the amount and frequency of your daily countertop activities.

Here are some of the most popular granite edges in the market today. By considering their designs, you will be able to determine if the edge design that you like will be suitable and safe for the functions by which you will use them.

Straight Edge

This is the most common design of a granite edge. It is the one installed in granite countertops of standard homes. The design is simple but can give you the best in functionality. It is very easy to maintain because it is easy to clean and left over food and liquid will not easily lodged into the straight edges. The edges are not actually straight but are eased or rounded off a little bit to reduce the sharpness. If you have too much daily activity on your countertop, then this is the one for you.

Bevel Edge

This design is more attractive than the straight edge. The countertop edge is beveled at about 45º angle and can be placed at the top or at the bottom of the edge. There are many variations of this design such as the ¼ bevel, ½ bevel, ¼ bevel top and bottom and reverse bevel. This can be appropriate for a kitchen or bathroom countertop that has moderate to high daily activity.

Bullnose Edge

The basic shape of this edge is circular. There are also a number of variations in this design. These include the half bullnose, where half of the edge is rounded and the full bullnose where the whole edge has the profile of a half moon. There is also the ¼ round and the demi bullnose. This is also designed for a bathroom or kitchen countertop with medium to high activity.

Aside from these common designs, there are special designs that can really add to the beauty of an existing countertop. The combination of shapes were difficult to make in the past but with the use of CNC machines, complex and intricate shapes can now be made without difficulty. These designs are called Ogee and they are beautiful combinations of straight, bullnose and beveled edges. An Ogee granite edge can dramatically improve the look of your countertop although it has to be carefully maintained because dirt and grime can lodge easily on the intricate shapes.

Travertine tile is one of the easier tiles to clean because it involves relatively simple processes and bars the use of most industrial cleaners. While travertine is a stone, it is not as dense or hard as some other stones commonly used for the same purposes, like granite. It is sensitive to acidic substances which can cause stains even if it is sealed.

To save yourself grief, consider the following do’s and don’ts when it comes to cleaning travertine tile:

DO: Take time to seal your travertine tile annually. This will help preserve the travertine and help protect it from dust and stains.

Wipe spills immediately. Standing spills damage the travertine, particularly if the spill is acidic in nature, such as wine, juice, or coffee.

Use a neutral cleaner or stone soap to clean your travertine tile, best applied using a clean mop, sponge, or soft cloth, quickly followed by a dry mop. Take care not to use too much as this produces streaks on the tile when used in excess.

Use coasters under glasses and bottles, as the liquids from these may dull the surface of your travertine tile counter. In the same vein, put toiletries and other beauty products in the bathroom on a tray to protect the travertine surface from substances that can accidentally spill from these products and damage the travertine.

Put mats in entryways to protect your travertine tile floor from scratches that could potentially be caused by dust and sand coming from shoes. Hall runners and area rugs also give additional protection to the travertine tile floor.

Dust mop your travertine tile floor regularly to keep it free from dust and debris that may scratch its surface.

DON’T: Use vinegar or any other acidic cleaners to clean your travertine tiles. Travertine is sensitive to acidic substances and using such cleaners will only serve to damage your tile. Other generic tile cleaners must also be avoided as they are abrasive and may contain acid.

Place bathroom products directly on top of travertine tile countertop. As previously stated, some of these products may accidentally spill and stain or damage your travertine tile. It is best to follow the previously stated instruction and place these bathroom products on a tray.

Let spills remain on the travertine. Travertine is a very porous material, and any spills left standing for some time will dull the finish and may stain the surface.

The marble has been used for a long time, everything about covering, decoration and production of accessories and household items. The versatility of this material, accompanied by good quality, strength and elegance, has become an ideal material for applications of any home.

This material can be used both for the development of a sophisticated counter or a single sink. Furthermore, the characteristics of this stone render it an easy material to accompany and combine not only with other materials, but also with the various environments or environments that are looking to build, wearing a well with a stylish bathroom sleek, minimalist or rustic.

The different shapes, colors and textures that can take the marble, make possible this polyfunctionality, when decorating or designing a bathroom, whatever the style or interior design is sought.
Types of marble

There are several varieties of marble, which have different characteristics, because, although all are suitable for use in the bathroom, some are more optimal and appropriate than others. On the one hand, we can recommend a variety of less porous marble, for all those cleaning supplies that have a recurring contact with water.

Have been developed and produced various types of material, and has worked on the marble, in order to achieve greater strength and moisture tolerance. In fact, there are a variety of manufacturers have focused on the use of marble, for the exclusive production of spare bathroom.

As mentioned earlier, one of the most important advantages of marble is perfectly adapted to the different style and bathroom designs, both modern and sophisticated styles, or classic and rustic styles.

The painting of walls with foam is a simple application technique, which has a short drying time and resulting in a mottled finish that looks like a textured surface. Best results are obtained using natural sponges.

Among the techniques of painting walls, the foam is one of the simplest and fast executions. It used to create the illusion that the surface is textured. It provides a pleasant mottled finish.

This technique can be applied on various surfaces, plaster, wood, ceramic, stone, etc. It also supports its application in a variety of environments, such as hallways, lounges, large rooms. It used to cover imperfections such as uneven walls, holes, scratches, etc. Paper can be applied to upholstery, or in combination with these, choosing one of the tones of the paper.

Technical paint walls with foam:

The paintings are suitable for these technique acrylics. If you want more depth, apply several coats of paint.

The colors shown are those that are within the same range, so as not to saturate the wall color and give a delicate effect. Never use colors that are on opposite sides of the spectrum.

If a stain or defect in the color, apply clear base color to hide the stain again. It is preferable to work with mixed white and not pure white. The different colors can be applied simultaneously, or allowed to dry before applying one another. When applied two coats of color, it is leaving the lighter on the surface.

For the painting of walls, a number of tricks we can use for best results:

• Avoid excess paint, drain sponge before painting.
• Choice of color should be careful. It is appropriate to take a test in a carton, to ensure that the right combination.
• The design is created must not be obvious or very geometric.
• When painting the corners and edges will cut strips of sponges.
• When the job is done, carefully washed away the tools.
• To make the foam, make emulsion paint mixed with the desired tone.
• The final aspect depends on the type of pad is used, and the number of layers are applied. Natural sponges are more expensive, but the outcome is better.

Today we happened to know a little more about countertop, seen, and considering that before purchasing, so there is no thought of changing it every time.

The ideal is to know beforehand what will be the care that we have thus prolonged the life of the countertop in optimal condition.

The materials of construction:

The stone is a composite material modified by 93% of quartz particles. The range of colors that is available is greater than that of granite. It is resistant to scratches (although its surface is not porous), acids and dirt. No need care. The main anti presents is its high price.

The tops and countertops are plastic laminate plastic coated. Its surface is easy to clean. They are of various colors and cut to size. Other benefits are its low cost and that is a very durable material.
It should be noted that cracks and breaks, virtually cannot be repaired. Auctions and the front can be expensive.

The marble is not used much due to its high price. Besides its beauty, this material supports the water and heat. It is requires continuous maintenance. Stains easily unless it is sealed, but cracks easily, so you usually need periodic sealed.

The concrete shape allows original forms. It is resistant to heat, is more exotic looking than other materials. It can be tinted and modern decorative finishes are super. Its drawback is a porous material and can be cracked, but has the potential to be sealed.