Countertops

Apr 29 2024

8 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Caring for Quartz Countertops

Quartz is known for its durability and low maintenance, but there are still common mistakes that homeowners can make that may affect the longevity and appearance of their countertops.

By educating your clients about these potential pitfalls, you can ensure they enjoy their quartz countertops for years to come.

Here are eight common mistakes to avoid when caring for quartz countertops.

1. Using Abrasive Cleaning Supplies

One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is using abrasive cleaners or scrubbing pads on their quartz countertops.

While quartz is resistant to scratches, abrasive tools can dull the surface. Instead, advise your clients to use mild dish soap and water or a non-abrasive, pH-balanced cleaner for routine cleaning.

2. Neglecting to Use Trivets or Hot Pads

Although quartz countertops are heat-resistant, extreme temperature changes can still cause thermal shock in the resin and lead to cracks or discoloration.

Encourage your clients to use trivets or hot pads instead of placing hot pots, pans, or dishes directly on their quartz countertops.

3. Skipping Maintenance

Unlike natural stone countertops, quartz does not require sealing to maintain its integrity. However, some homeowners may mistakenly believe that quartz countertops are entirely maintenance-free and skip routine cleaning and care.

Remind your clients that while quartz is non-porous and resistant to staining, regular cleaning and care are still essential for preserving its beauty and longevity.

4. Using Harsh Chemicals

Avoiding harsh chemicals is crucial when caring for quartz countertops. Acidic or alkaline cleaners, such as bleach, oven cleaners, and products containing ammonia, can damage the surface of quartz and cause discoloration.

Recommend gentle, non-abrasive cleaners to ensure they maintain the pristine appearance of their countertops.

5. Allowing Standing Spills

While quartz is non-porous and resistant to water absorption, staining may occur with heavily pigmented, acidic liquids like coffee and wine.

Encourage your clients to promptly wipe up spills and dry the countertop to prevent discoloration over time.

6. Using Knives Directly on the Surface

Quartz countertops are scratch-resistant, but they are not scratch-proof.

Advise your clients to avoid cutting directly on their quartz countertops to prevent scratches and damage to the surface.

7. Installing Quartz Outside

If your clients want an outdoor kitchen, they don’t want to use quartz countertops. The resin that binds quartz is highly susceptible to discoloration from UV.

Point them towards natural stone like granite or quartzite instead.

8. Ignoring Manufacturer Guidelines

Finally, remind your clients to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and recommendations for caring for their specific quartz countertops.

Each quartz brand may have slightly different care instructions, so it’s essential to refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for the best results. By following these guidelines, your clients can ensure they properly care for their countertops and maintain their beauty and durability.

At Everest Stone, we know what it takes for fabricators to ensure client satisfaction. Educating your clients about the common mistakes to avoid when caring for quartz countertops is essential for ensuring they enjoy their investment.

But education isn’t enough– you need to start with the right stone. That’s where we can help. We only sell to fabricators like you, ensuring access to the highest quality slabs for your fabrication needs.

Apr 22 2024

5 Creative Ways to Incorporate Marble Accents into Your Kitchen or Bathroom Design

Does it seem like your clients can’t get enough marble in your home design choices? We understand.

After all, people have been using marble as a building material for thousands of years. The ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians all prized marble for its durability and natural beauty.

Marble almost seems to have an inner glow, and its luminosity and texture make it an easy choice for use in home design.

From the bathroom to the kitchen, there are many ways to use marble– and that’s in addition to using it as a countertop!

Here are five of our favorite ways to use marble for home accents here at Everest Stone.

1. Shelving and Niches

Enhance the functionality and style of any kitchen or bathroom with marble shelving and niche inserts.

Use marble slabs or tiles to create custom shelving in the kitchen for storing cookware, dishes, and decorative items.

In the bathroom, install marble niche inserts in the shower for storing shampoo, conditioner, and soap, or use marble shelves to display towels and toiletries.

While a full marble floor might be too slippery, a marble niche in the shower adds that elegant touch and combines it with great functionality. The natural beauty and durability of marble make it an ideal choice for shelving and niche inserts, adding style to any space.

2. Marble Accent Wall

Create a statement wall in the kitchen or bathroom with the luxurious elegance of marble. Help your clients choose a wall to highlight, such as behind the stove or vanity, and cover it with marble tiles or slabs to make a bold statement.

Marble accent walls add depth and texture to the space, creating a focal point that draws the eye and enhances the overall design. Whether they prefer a monochromatic look or a more dramatic pattern, marble accent walls immediately elevate the kitchen or bathroom.

3. Luxurious Shower Surrounds

Turn your client’s bathroom into a spa-like oasis by installing a luxurious marble surround. Install marble tiles or slabs on the walls of the shower enclosure to create an opulent shower environment.

The natural beauty of marble adds elegance and sophistication to the space, while the waterproof properties of marble ensure that a shower surround will remain beautiful and durable for years to come.

4. Beautiful Backsplashes

Upgrade the kitchen or bathroom backsplash with the timeless allure of marble. Opt for marble tiles in a classic subway pattern for a sleek and sophisticated look, or choose larger marble slabs for a more dramatic statement.

The natural veining and variation in marble add visual interest and texture to the space, creating a stunning focal point that enhances the overall design. Both polished and honed finishes look great behind the sink, too. You can use either one, or combine them for an interesting textural contrast.

5. Marble Cabinet Hardware

Marble cabinet hardware, like knobs and drawer pulls, are small but impactful accents that help create cohesion in kitchen or bathroom design.

Choosing marble drawer pulls that match the marble countertops enhance the cabinetry finish and ties the overall aesthetic together.

Your clients can also choose marble hardware that compliments the main focal point of the room to add some variety while retaining the refined look of the space.

At Everest Stone, our focus is on you, the fabricator. We know that you have a wide variety of clients with different preferences and needs, and that’s why we take pride in offering so many different marble choices to help you maintain client satisfaction.

Apr 13 2024

Granite and Wine Culture: Designing the Perfect Wine Tasting Space with Countertop Selections

Wine culture is not just about enjoying a fine glass of Merlot or Chardonnay; it’s about creating an experience, a journey through flavor and aroma that engages all the senses.

And what better way to enhance that experience than by designing the perfect wine-tasting space? When it comes to creating a wine-tasting room or area in a home, the choice of countertops plays a crucial role in setting the mood and ambiance.

Granite, with its timeless beauty and durability, is an excellent choice for crafting a sophisticated and inviting wine-tasting space.

Why Granite?

Granite countertops are renowned for their durability, resistance to heat and scratches, and stunning natural beauty. With a wide range of colors and patterns available, granite allows you to create a wine-tasting space that reflects your clients’ personal style and complements the aesthetic of your home.

Whether your clients prefer the classic elegance of black granite or the warm tones of brown or beige, there’s a granite countertop option to suit every taste and design preference.

Creating the Perfect Wine-Tasting Space

When designing your wine-tasting space, consider incorporating granite countertops in the following ways to enhance the overall experience:

Tasting Bar

A granite countertop makes an excellent choice for the tasting bar or serving area in your wine-tasting space.

As a fabricator, you should provide your clients with access to granite slabs with a polished finish to create a sleek and sophisticated look that will impress their guests.

Inspire them to pair it with bar stools or chairs for a comfortable and inviting atmosphere where friends and family can gather to enjoy a glass of wine together.

Wine Storage

Granite countertops can also be used to enhance the storage area in a wine-tasting space. Install custom wine racks or shelving units with granite countertops to create a stylish and functional storage solution for your wine collection.

The durability of granite ensures that the countertop will withstand the weight of the wine bottles and provide a sturdy surface for organizing and displaying a wine collection.

Decorative Accents

In addition to countertops, consider incorporating granite accents throughout your wine-tasting space to tie the design together.

From backsplashes to decorative insets and trim, granite adds a touch of luxury and sophistication to any space.

Encourage clients to choose complementary colors and patterns to create a cohesive look that enhances the overall ambiance of the room.

Designing the perfect wine-tasting space is all about creating an environment that enhances the wine-tasting experience and allows people to fully appreciate the flavors and aromas of their favorite wines.

With its timeless beauty and durability, granite countertops are an excellent choice for crafting a sophisticated and inviting wine-tasting area in any home.

At Everest Stone, we pride ourselves on providing fabricators with the best of the best. Our granite slabs give you the most flexibility to offer a wide variety of countertop options.

Contact us today with any questions and visit our slab yard and showroom to explore our wide selection of granite countertop options.

Mar 30 2024

Top 8 Granite Cleaning Hacks for Keeping Your Countertops Sparkling

Want to keep your granite countertop looking as good as new? With our easy granite countertop cleaning hacks, your countertops will stay just as beautiful as the day they were installed.

Cleaning granite doesn’t have to be complicated, especially when you follow our simple tips!

1. Avoid Harsh Materials

One of the most popular DIY cleaning tips is to use a solution of water and vinegar to disinfect countertop surfaces. But you should never do that with granite countertops. Vinegar can dull the surface and interfere with the seal.

The same is true of bleach, even when it’s diluted. Vinegar is an acid, and bleach is a base, and both acids and bases can damage granite countertops. Instead, choose balanced, gentle cleaners that are designed to preserve your stone’s natural beauty.

2. Clean Granite Regularly

Part of granite upkeep is routine. If you get into the habit of cleaning your countertops regularly, it’s easier to maintain their appearance. You should wipe down your countertops every day to catch crumbs, debris, and water stains. Once a week, or whenever you have a major spill, do a deeper clean.

3. Use Mild Soap and Water

Simple soap and water are often the best cleaners for granite countertops. Mild dish soap is gentle enough to avoid damaging the sealant or the stone itself while still effectively removing dirt, grease, and spills.

4. Keep Your Granite Sealed Regularly

Resealing granite countertops on a regular basis maintains their resistance to stains, moisture, and other damage. The timeline for sealing can vary, depending on use and exposure.

However, the best way to know when to seal granite countertops is to ask the fabricator. They can give you specific timelines and advice for your countertops.

5. Disinfect with Isopropyl Alcohol

If you want to disinfect your granite countertop, use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol diluted with water. It does a great job killing germs and bacteria, and it evaporates quickly, so you won’t get water stains.

6. Avoid Hard Water Stains

Nobody likes the look of water stains on their granite countertops. But if you forget to use a coaster, simply use a soft cloth to buff away the stain. If you get a white residue from hard water, simply make a mix of 1:1 water and isopropyl alcohol and use that soft cloth to scrub away the stain.

7. Use the Right Supplies

The right cleaning supplies go a long way in keeping your granite countertops looking their best. Sure, you could use paper towels—but microfiber cloths and sponges are much more effective at lifting dirt and grime without leaving streaks or scratches, preserving the smooth finish of your countertops.

8. Avoid Scratching

Scouring powders and other abrasive cleaners might make some surfaces shine, but not granite.

Abrasive cleaners will make granite surfaces dull and scratch over time, diminishing their natural luster and beauty. It’s best to use gentle cleaners specifically formulated for granite to maintain its pristine appearance and longevity.

The Bottom Line

Keeping your granite countertops looking great is a labor of love, but it’s worth it to preserve the beauty of the natural stone. And here at Everest Stone, we’re all about providing the most beautiful, unique granite in the business.

If you’re a fabricator interested in buying slabs, we’re the importer for you. We see our fabricators as partners, not just customers, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

Whether we’re helping you choose the right stone or advise your clientele, we are here for you no matter what problem you face. Check out our extensive inventory and contact us today to start working with us!

Mar 25 2024

Granite and Practical Design: Creative Ways to Incorporate Granite Remnants into Home Projects

When you install a custom granite countertop, you’ll likely have slab remnants left over. What should you do with them? After all, you have this beautiful, polished stone—it would be a shame to waste it, right?

With modern CNC machines and stonecutting technology, fabricators can take granite remnants and turn them into gorgeous fixtures for your home or garden. Here are some creative ways to use up your granite remnants.

Unique Counter-Matching Coasters

For a cohesive look that unifies your countertop and other living spaces, turn your granite slab remnants into coasters that perfectly match your countertop. By repurposing leftover material from countertop installations, these coasters not only showcase the natural beauty of granite but also offer a practical and stylish addition to any home.

Each coaster becomes a miniature work of art, mirroring the patterns and colors of the original countertop. Additionally, their durability ensures long-lasting protection for furniture while adding a touch of elegance to any room.

This sustainable approach promotes resourcefulness and reduces waste, making it a win-win for both the environment and interior design enthusiasts.

Decadent Bookends

Stone bookends look sleek and imposing, adding an air of elegance to your shelves. These exquisite pieces showcase the opulence of natural stone, and each bookend boasts unique patterns and textures reminiscent of your high-end countertops.

Crafted with precision and attention to detail, granite bookends elevate any bookshelf or desk, adding a touch of elegance and refinement to the space. The weight and durability of granite impart a sense of grandeur and enduring stability for cherished literary collections.

Or use them to prop up pictures of your beloved family members—granite bookends are a versatile piece of luxury!

Gorgeous Shelving Support

Transforming granite remnants into shelving support adds both functionality and elegance to any space. To achieve this, granite remnants are cut into smaller, uniform shapes and then securely mounted onto the wall as brackets or supports for shelves.

These granite supports provide exceptional durability and exude a luxurious aesthetic with their natural stone texture and patterns. When installed, they create a striking contrast against the wall, showcasing the beauty of the granite while offering reliable support for shelving units.

The result is a seamless blend of functionality and sophistication that enhances the overall design of the room.

Embedded Granite Garden Stones

Repurposing granite remnants as garden stones or stepping stones can bring a touch of luxury to your outdoor spaces and develop a cohesive design aesthetic that brings consistency to your spaces.

Granite is durable even in harsh weather conditions, and its natural beauty adds a sophisticated charm to the outdoor environment. Each granite stone, with its unique patterns and colors, becomes a focal point in the garden, offering both practicality and aesthetic appeal.

Utilizing granite remnants in this way elevates the landscape design, providing an enduring and visually striking feature.

Conclusion

Repurposing granite remnants is a savvy choice that combines sustainability with elegance. Whether crafting bespoke home accents or enhancing outdoor spaces, granite remnants offer durability and timeless beauty.

If you’re looking for the most beautiful granite in Texas, Everest Stone has just what you need. We cater to both fabricators and homeowners, and we have exclusive access to thousands of the finest granite options on the import market. Contact us today to schedule a showroom visit!