With 25 years’ experience and over 50,000 countertops installed, we understand stone. Every month we’ll cover an array of topics while sharing our knowledge and expertise with you.
After you’ve made all the tough decisions in selecting a countertop for your project, the stone, the colour etc. choosing a countertop edge may come as a surprise to some people. While it may seem like a minor decision, the countertop edge is the surface you will come into contact with a lot so there…
A kitchen renovation can be an exciting and sometimes perplexing exercise. Many people find it tough to decide on a countertop and backsplash. With so many choices available this task can feel overwhelming. Today we’re sharing some popular countertop and backsplash combinations that are a fail-safe way to create a harmonic kitchen design in your home. Selecting…
Stone countertops are beautiful and they increase the value of your home for years to come which is why we’re seeing homeowners searching out additional ways to incorporate stone into their living spaces. Stone is being used in home offices, fireplace surrounds, outdoor kitchens, closets and bathrooms. We’re even seeing stone remnants crafted into home…
Marble is a wildly popular stone when it comes to interiors. Known for its unique veining and elegant appearance, it’s often a top consideration for homeowners. But is marble a good stone for kitchen countertops? We take a closer look. If you do a search on marble you’ll see that it continues to be a…
There are few design elements that spark heated debate and divide homeowners as much as which stone surface to use for their countertops — granite and quartz. If you like both, the decision may come down to cost. Often customers ask us which is more expensive, granite, or quartz. We wish the answer were…
Marble countertops have enduring appeal, adding a timeless, luxury look to any room, but the expense or demanding maintenance can steer homeowners away. Now, there’s a solution: quartz. Quartz slabs can be manufactured to achieve a marble effect, giving consumers a great mix of affordability, durability, and style. Why people love marble Marble is the…
Unique slabs, natural beauty, and peerless durability—these are some of the top reasons why homeowners select granite when they choose their countertops. There’s no doubt this gorgeous natural stone is an attention-grabber, but when it comes to the qualities required of a kitchen countertop, does it live up to the hype? In a word, yes.…
There’s no more effective way to make your home shine than by showcasing a brilliant kitchen. Some features—like natural materials—are perennial favourites, while others boldly reflect the latest in cutting-edge design. Read on for more about the top trends in kitchens for this coming year. Big Backsplashes A backsplash is an easy-to-clean panel, usually found…
Granite and quartz are two of the most popular natural stone choices for countertops, and for those doing construction or renovations, choosing between them can be a challenge. Making things even more complicated, there are several common misconceptions about each material. Here, we debunk the four most common myths about each so you can choose…
Spring has sprung and that means more time in the great out-of-doors. With good planning, materials, and design, you can have your own parcel of paradise right in your backyard. Incorporate natural stone elements for a fashionable and functional outdoor kitchen, and enjoy the warm weather in style. Elements of an exceptional exterior If you’ve…
When it comes to kitchens, much is written about countertops and cabinets—both are strong focal points adding as much to the design as functionality of the room. The discussion of backsplashes is meagre in comparison, an unfortunate oversight when you consider that the space behind your appliances can handily spiff up your kitchen while protecting…
Homeowners are increasingly concerned with eco-friendliness in their construction and renovation projects. This might mean using reclaimed or upcycled materials and low toxicity paints or looking at installing energy efficient systems like solar panels or low-flow faucets. Did you know that your countertops can be eco-friendly as well? Quartz is an engineered stone that offers…
When considering natural stone for your countertops, you’re likely most interested in the colour, pattern, and type of material to best suit your needs. There’s another choice to make, however: the surface thickness. For decades, the industry standard for natural stone countertops was ¾” (2 centimetres), but more recently, 1 ¼” (3 centimetres) countertops have…
With 25 years of experience serving Southern Ontarians, we’ve come to understand the process of countertop installation inside and out, and we are pleased to be able to offer the absolute best selection of stone installed quickly and professionally. Over the years, we’ve gotten a pretty good sense of what our customers think, too—and the…
Whether it’s cooking, socializing, or design trends, kitchens are where the action is. Two-tone cabinetry, where some of the cabinets are finished in a different colour or material, is showing up all over the place—and with good reason. It’s versatile and stylish, and, because you needn’t cover all surfaces in the same material, can have…
Homeowners and designers alike are always on the lookout for the most stylish and durable materials. When it comes to countertops, quartz is on the rise—especially those patterns that mimic the natural appearance of real stone. Read on to find out more about why veined quartz countertops are topping the trend lists for 2018 and…
If you’re interested in construction or home improvement, chances are you’ve come across the idea that granite emits radon, a radioactive gas. Stories to this effect began showing up in the mainstream press a few decades ago, raising the alarm among homeowners that their countertops may cause cancer.
If you’re considering including stone in your home, chances are you’ve heard of the granite versus quartz debate. Proponents of each can be terrifically passionate about their choice, but is one really better than the other? In this article we’ll look at the properties of each, and suggest appropriate uses for both.
