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How To Choose The Perfect Granite Work Surface
My Grandmother used to say to me "Nothing cheap is good
and nothing good is cheap". This ring true when dealing with the purchase
especially on the internet of Granite Work Surfaces. In fact of all
stone so read carefully.
Natural stone is graded as to it's suitability for a given
task. It is also graded regarding the region of the world it originated
from. This is a grade for general use but more for stone professionals
to advise architects, surveyors etc which products to use for maximum
efficiency in the building or home.
When buying on the internet you are usually shown samples
of the very best, Granite, marble, Limestone etc. You must be aware
that this stone is probably not what you will receive. Firstly, the
stone is batched. You need batched stone to get the consistent pattern
throughout the surface. If you were to buy stone today and return for
stone a month later to complete your project you will invariably get
a mismatch that can look horrendous especially with the larger crystals
such as blue pearl granite.
Always make sure you are receiving the same batch and have
it itemized on your order. Also if the installer chips
a corner or scratches the surface you will generally need a replacement
piece. If the batch isn't available you may have a problem.
I have received numerous calls lately concerning the fading
of black granite counter tops. Black granite should not fade. Black
granite imported from Asia is sometimes doctored with dyes and oils
to darken the surface. The fading is nothing more than the dyes and
oils being removed. Unfortunately, the only fix is to re-polish the
top. This can be costly.
Before purchasing a granite top perform the following test to find out
if it has been doctored.
Get a clean white cloth and apply some acetone (nail varnish
remover) to the surface of the granite. If any residue or black color
is observed on the top, do not accept it, it has been dyed.
Take a piece of the "granite" you want to test and spill a few drops
of lemon juice onto it. If you see that under the drops of lemon it
develops very quickly dark spots, it means that it's a very absorbent
stone and I would advise you against it. If it takes, say, a minute
or so to be absorbed, then you're dealing with a level of absorbency
that's easily controllable with the application of a good quality impregnating
sealer.
So, in short be careful where you place your order and always
seek specialist advice. The void between a good stone and a bad stone
is huge, the price between a good stone and a bad stone is smaller than
you think but can be costlier.
About The Author
Edward Green owns and operates the highly successful marble Master Ltd
Company. marble Master specializes in Restoration and Refinishing of
all types of natural stone and consultancy services to Architects, Restoration
Companies and Interior Designers. http://www.marblemasteruk.com
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