A kitchen with a large island and black stools.

Benefits of Natural Stone

  • Scratch Resistance: Withstands normal daily use without scratching.
  • Bacteria Resistance: Proper sealing or non-porous surfaces prevent bacterial harboring.
  • Stain Resistance: Proper sealing or non-porous surfaces deter stains from penetrating.
  • Heat Resistance: Withstands moderate temperatures without damage.
  • Natural Beauty: Each stone boasts unique colors, patterns, and textures for a distinctive appearance.
A large black marble wall in the center of two chairs.

Finish Options

  • Polished: Also known as Hi-Gloss and is a finish with a high shine.
  • Honed: Also known as Matte and is a finish with little or no shine.
  • Textured: Known as leather, brushed, concrete, suede, or velvet, offering texture with minimal shine.
A kitchen with a large island and black stools.

Benefits of Natural Stone

  • Scratch Resistance: Withstands normal daily use without scratching.
  • Bacteria Resistance: Proper sealing or non-porous surfaces prevent bacterial harboring.
  • Stain Resistance: Proper sealing or non-porous surfaces deter stains from penetrating.
  • Heat Resistance: Withstands moderate temperatures without damage.
  • Natural Beauty: Each stone boasts unique colors, patterns, and textures for a distinctive appearance.
A large black marble wall in the center of two chairs.

Finish Options

  • Polished: Also known as Hi-Gloss and is a finish with a high shine.
  • Honed: Also known as Matte and is a finish with little or no shine.
  • Textured: Known as leather, brushed, concrete, suede, or velvet, offering texture with minimal shine.
A large wooden table with white base and wood top.

Characteristics of Natural Stone

  • Shade Variation: Shade variation is inherent in all natural stones, although more pronounced in stones with heavy veining and movement. It becomes particularly noticeable at seams where different sections of the stone meet.
  • Fissures: Fissures are small, naturally occurring hairline cracks found in natural stones. As defined by The American Geological Institute, they are extensive cracks, breaks, or fractures in the rock that may contain mineral-bearing material.
  • Cracks: Cracks may occur during the handling, fabrication, transportation, and installation of natural stone. Repairing cracks is a common practice, and in many cases, the repaired area is as strong or even stronger than the surrounding area due to the strength of the adhesive bond.
  • Chips: Chips are small, repairable imperfections in natural stone resulting from severe impact or fabrication processes.
  • Pits/Pores: Pits or pores are small, pinhole-like variations found in all finishes of natural stone. They are a common characteristic and do not diminish the durability or quality of the material.
A living room with a fireplace and a large wall.

Seams

Seams in natural stone countertops are filled with a color-matching adhesive, which is visible and palpable upon inspection. Their prominence is more pronounced in materials with texture and movement. While English Marble & Granite considers all desired seam locations, the final placement is at our discretion, based on factors such as slab size, layout, material characteristics, installation requirements, and safety considerations.

A counter with many different colors of granite.

Support

The maximum unsupported overhang for a 3CM Natural Stone product is 10" and 6" for a 2CM product as long as 2/3 of the countertop is supported by a solid affixed structure (e.g. cabinets, walls, etc.). Additional support or brackets are required in other situations for safety concerns. Bracket supports should be placed 6" from each end, spaced up to 30" apart and extend 3"-6" from the edge.

A bathroom with a sink and mirror in it
A bathroom with a sink and mirror in it

Care

Natural stones, being products of the earth, require gentle care to maintain their beauty. Avoid harsh cleaners or abrasives containing lemon juice or citrus, as these can etch and dull the finish. For daily cleaning, use a soft cloth with mild liquid soap and warm water. To remove soap scum, utilize a non-acidic soap scum remover. Promptly wiping up spills is crucial to prevent staining. Darker-colored and non-polished materials necessitate more frequent cleaning, as they tend to show dirt, dust, and marks more visibly than lighter patterns. Protect your surface from heat damage, scratches, and staining by using hot pads, trivets, cutting boards, placemats, and coasters.

A living room with a fireplace and a large wall.

Seams

Seams in natural stone countertops are filled with a color-matching adhesive, which is visible and palpable upon inspection. Their prominence is more pronounced in materials with texture and movement. While English Marble & Granite considers all desired seam locations, the final placement is at our discretion, based on factors such as slab size, layout, material characteristics, installation requirements, and safety considerations.

A counter with many different colors of granite.

Support

The maximum unsupported overhang for a 3CM Natural Stone product is 10" and 6" for a 2CM product as long as 2/3 of the countertop is supported by a solid affixed structure (e.g. cabinets, walls, etc.). Additional support or brackets are required in other situations for safety concerns. Bracket supports should be placed 6" from each end, spaced up to 30" apart and extend 3"-6" from the edge.

A bathroom with a sink and mirror in it
A bathroom with a sink and mirror in it

Care

Natural stones, being products of the earth, require gentle care to maintain their beauty. Avoid harsh cleaners or abrasives containing lemon juice or citrus, as these can etch and dull the finish. For daily cleaning, use a soft cloth with mild liquid soap and warm water. To remove soap scum, utilize a non-acidic soap scum remover. Promptly wiping up spills is crucial to prevent staining. Darker-colored and non-polished materials necessitate more frequent cleaning, as they tend to show dirt, dust, and marks more visibly than lighter patterns. Protect your surface from heat damage, scratches, and staining by using hot pads, trivets, cutting boards, placemats, and coasters.