ABKA DESIGN CENTER

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Granite

Granite countertops and granite tile are one of the most commonly used surfaces in home construction and home remodeling projects. It is also very popular in hotels, malls and office buildings. Using the correct granite cleaner, granite sealer, and granite care products are essential to preserve the natural beauty of this unique surface. Cleaning granite and sealing granite are simple with Stone Care’s line of granite care products.

 

 

 

 

 

Igneous stones such as granite are mainly formed through volcanic material such as magma. Underneath the Earths surface, liquid magma cooled and solidified. Mineral gases and liquids penetrated into the stone and created new crystalline formations with various colors.

Granite: Primarily made of Quartz (35%), Feldspar (45%) and Potassium. Usually has darker colors. Granite contains very little calcite, if any. Provides a heavy crystalline and granular appearance with mineral grains. Granite is a very hard material and easier to maintain than marble, yet, it is still porous and will stain. There are different types of granite depending on the percentage mix of quartz, mica and feldspar. Black granite is known as an Anorthosite. It contains very little quartz and felldspar and has a different composition than true granite. Fined grained granites are often more absorbent than others; however, they are all extremely durable. Granites should be sealed with Stone Spray-N-Seal to protect against water and oil-based spills. Clean with Marbalex. Flamed/thermal granite can be enhanced and protected by using Stone Color Enhancer and cleaned with Stone Quest. For polished granite countertops, clean with Marbamist and provide additional protection with International Stone Polish.

Marble

Marble tile is a natural material that is millions of years old. Marble is used to produce magnificent tile floors, kitchen Countertops, Marble Bathroom Vanities, Tile Floors, Marble Wall Tile and even columns. It is very important to use products specifically designed to clean marble such as: marble cleaners, marble sealers and marble polish. Stone Care has a complete line of products.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Metamorphic stone such as marble originates from a natural change from one type of stone to another type through the mixture of heat, pressure, and minerals. The change may be a development of a crystalline formation, a texture change, or a color change. 

Marble: A recrystallized limestone that formed when the limestone softened from heat and pressure and recrystallized into marble where mineral changes occurred. The main consistency of marble is calcium and dolomite. Marble ranges in many colors and is usually heavily veined. Usually very sensitive to the wrong cleaning products. Hardness rates from 2.5 to 5 on the MOH Scale. It is very important to begin taking care of marble from the beginning with proper stone care products. Restoration is often required on neglected or improperly treated marble. Marble is very sensitive to both acid and alkali cleaners; therefore, it must be protected with Stone Spray-N-Seal and cleaned with Marbalex or Marbamist. For bathrooms, disinfect with Marbadan Plus. Glass rings, surface scratches, dull spots, and shower wall streaks can be repolished by hand with Marbacream polishing cream. More severe etches in marble will require the use of Honex before using the Marbacream. Provide additional protection to marble vanities, tables, countertops, and walls with an application of International Stone Polish and clean with Marbamist. Polished marble floors should be cleaned with Marbalex and polished using SCI-M. Marble can be polished, honed, or tumbled. For tumbled marble the color can be enhanced using Stone Color Enhancer.

Marble is classified into three categories: (Stone World)

  1. Dolomite: If it has more than 40% magnesium carbonate.
    * Does not provide a high polish; however, it is a very
       durable marble.
  2. Magnesian: If it has between 5% and 40% magnesium carbonate.
    * Usually provide a finish with less polish and reflectivity
       and are more durable than calcite marbles.
  3. Calcite: If it has less than 5% magnesium carbonate.
    * Calcite marbles provide the highest polish; however,
       they are more sensitive to acids and alkali chemicals.

Information Courtesy of Stone Care International

Granite and Marble  |  Kitchen and Bath  |  Countertops  |  Granite Countertops
Maryland  |  Virginia  |  Washington DC

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