The Counters Blog

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Italgranite LLC

Any room in your home can benefit from a stunning, new countertop. It’s not easy to install a 1 1/4″ thick granite or marble countertop, that’s why we don’t trust a third party to handle the installation. That’s why if anything goes wrong, we’ll fix it at no cost to you. If you invest in 45 square feet of countertop or more, then we’ll help you out and throw in a stainless steel undermount sink at no additional cost! That means that if anything goes wrong we can make it right. Call today to find out how you can take advantage of this and other awesome deals. As a family-owned and operated business, we’re dedicated to making sure that you always have a great experience. Relax, all of our installers are fully licensed, bonded, and insured.

Granite by houstongranitemarblecenter.com

Granite is naturally heat resistant, bacteria resistant, and is easy to care for. From your budget, counter shape, or personal preference, we have the type of granite surface that is best for your kitchen countertop. This natural stone adds lavishness to commercial projects such as lobbies, reception areas and hallways. For a continuous stone look, granite slabs can be used thus avoiding the grout joints between tiles. Let your clients browse through our catalogs in our showroom. Granite slabs are one the most elegant choices for a kitchen or bath counter. High-end granite tiles are always a better choice than a low-end granite slab which can be peppered with crevices that will eventually crack. Regular cleaning and proper sealing of the grout can help prolong the beauty while keeping the counter clean. We have so many variations of this beautiful natural stone to offer. Granite has often been seen as kitchen and bathroom countertops, but has also become a favored surface in laundry rooms and workshops. Our granite countertops can be purchased in slab form, modular pieces or in granite tile form.

Fireplace Hearths And Surrounds Granite And Marble | Duration 30 Seconds Granite is an excellent choice for any commercial natural stone application, especially for granite countertops because it is naturally stain resistant and requires minimal care. Construction professionals often use this natural stone as cladding, adding aesthetics to otherwise unattractive building exteriors. The patterns of swirls, streaks and speckles remain unbroken creating a visual continuity across the entire surface. Modular granite will create a seam every foot across the countertop, so while a more affordable choice than slab (especially if installed by the owner), it is ideal for a small area like a bathroom rather than a large expanse of kitchen countertop. Grout can be dyed to match the shade of the tile so that the grout lines are less apparent. Our knowledgeable staff members can help you chose the best granite tiles and grout for your kitchen counter that will look amazing and have functionality in your home as well.

Granite and Stone Countertops McKinney Texas. McKinney by granitestonecutters.net

We area a full service bath and kitchen remodeling company. If you are looking for new countertops, you have come to the right place. We also have the capabilities to custom fabricate your own ideas into reality. Our facility is equipped with our very own fabrication shop, where we cut your stone exactly to your specifications. For your convenience, you may also request services from this site. We look forward to serving you in the near future! Because of this, we are able to give you a level of customization and attention to detail that you simply will not find anywhere else.

Fireplace Mantels For Sale: The 1 Mantel Kit Store Online by efireplacestore.com

Fireplace mantels are a key way to emphasize and improve the focal point of your fireplace. Our selection of fireplace mantel kits is just right for adding something special to enhance your space. What is the lowest height mantel that would be appropriate with a gas fireplace? Based on shelf depth (or projection), the mantel shelf may only come to a certain point above the fireplace. Last year, a noticeable amount of black residue appeared on the face of the mantle; this has been serviced again and the black residue continues to appear.

Marble Fireplace Surround Ideas Decorating | Duration 50 Seconds Some mantels will also show a leg depth, if the mantel uses vertical side legs. I find these figures including allowable projection of the legs and mantels? The legs do not have a projection limitation but between 6 and 12 inches above the fireplace, the breastboard can only project 3/4 of an inch. These ornamental pieces are a great way to emphasize and often improve the focal point around a fireplace. The timeless, visual, elegance provided by these beautiful additions can bring an improved look and feel to any home. This keeps heat from damaging walls or other issues from occurring. A mantel must be several inches wider than the fireplace itself, on all sides. Over the years they have evolved to offering a broad range of mantels. Their business is consistently growing despite economic downturns and soaring material prices, showing the true quality of their superior products. Their mind-boggling selection of custom mantel styles coupled with their offer of allowing customers to customize their finish and numerous, granite or marble surround panels. Full surround mantels have more specific installation requirements. Like full surround mantels, corner mantels require specific installation requirements. Mantel projections refers to both the shelf and leg depth for a full mantel surround. It is important to take into consideration the type of material as some porous stones can crack if overheated. Doing so will void the listing and can result in the clearance requirements not being met. Parts of the mantel assembly located along the sides of the fireplace opening which project more than 1 1/2 inches (38mm) from the face of the fireplace shall have additional clearance equal to the projection extension beyond 1 1/2 inches. Don’t worry it’s an easy hiccup to make, but make no mistake on our fireplace mantles. At the 12 inch mark, the mantel can project further, with no projection limitations. Before making this important home addition decision, it’s important to know as much as possible about fireplace mantels and what they can bring to your home. A mantel is also a great way to draw the focus of a room toward the fireplace. These pieces offer protection and storage to the areas above the fireplace. This will directly influence the size of the mantel required.

Granite Or Marble Which Will Benefit You The Most | Duration 2 Minutes 31 Seconds This is important in keeping the mantel from disappearing in relation to the fireplace. Offering both flush mount and full cabinet mantels, they have taken the guess work out of choosing a mantel for their fireplaces. There are a few brands that offer pre-made cast stone fireplace mantels. This can r ange from traditional wood stain to more modern colors or unfinished options. The consumer can choose it to come with or without decorative legs. All that is needed for installation is the fireplace width and clearance requirements. This style includes a mantel shelf and legs that reach to the fireplace hearth or floor. Before purchase it is important to know the width, height, depth, and clearance of your fireplace. In some cases, they include bookcases built to either side of the fireplace or above it. This keeps items such as books, candles, knick-knacks and other keepsakes safe from heat. Ensuring a fireplace mantel is installed properly is important when keeping your combustible mantel in good shape and your home safe from fire hazards and other implications of improper installation and an oversight in projection. In certain cases, however, manufacturers may require clearances to be observed. These specifically made cabinets should not be used with other models of fireplaces.

Fireplace by en.wikipedia.org

A fire is contained in a firebox or firepit; a chimney or other flue allows exhaust to escape. On the exterior there is often a corbeled brick crown, in which the projecting courses of brick act as a drip course to keep rainwater from running down the exterior walls. Some chimneys have a spark arrestor incorporated into the crown or cap.

Fireplace Surrounds Stone, Granite, Quartz And Marble 1 7 16 | Duration 4 Minutes 17 Seconds A few types are, wall mounted electric fireplaces, electric fireplace stoves, electric mantel fireplaces and fixed or free standing electric fireplaces. Direct vent fireplaces are fueled by either liquid propane or natural gas. All fireplaces require trained gas service members to carry out installations. Fenders are low metal frames set in front of the fireplace to contain embers, soot and ash. Other wider accessories can include log baskets, companion sets, coal buckets, cabinet accessories and more. Evidence of prehistoric, man-made fires exists on all five inhabited continents. Fire pits developed into raised hearths in buildings, but venting smoke depended on open windows or holes in roofs. These could be placed against stone walls, instead of taking up the middle of the room, and this allowed smaller rooms to be heated. They made it possible to give the fireplace a draft, and also made it possible to put fireplaces in multiple rooms in buildings conveniently. Stone fireplaces at this time were a symbol of prosperity, which to some degree is still the notion today. It was smaller, more brightly lit, with an emphasis on the quality of the materials used in their construction, instead of their size. The surround consisted of the mantlepiece and sides supports, usually in wood, marble or granite. Firebacks are traditionally made from cast iron, but are also made from stainless steel. Most efficiency tests consider just the effect of heating of the air. A fireplace with a fireback is a radiant heater, and has done so since the 15th century. Most older fireplaces have a relatively low efficiency rating. During the first phase the initial heat is provided through a large glass window while the fire is burning. This heat is then evenly radiated for many hours during the second phase. Depending on outside temperatures 1 to 2 daily firings are sufficient to ensure a constant room temperature. It explains that human lung and respiratory systems are unable to filter particles emitted by wood combustion, which penetrate deeply into the lungs.

The Best Materials For Your Fireplace Surround | Marble.Com | Duration 4 Minutes 29 Seconds The part of a hearth which projects into a room may be called the front or outer hearth. Fireplaces are used for the relaxing ambiance they create and for heating a room. Historically they were used for heating a dwelling, cooking, and heating water for laundry and domestic uses. A cap, hood, or shroud serves to keep rainwater out of the exterior of the chimney; rain in the chimney is a much greater problem in chimneys lined with impervious flue tiles or metal liners than with the traditional masonry chimney, which soaks up all but the most violent rain. Electric fireplaces can be built-in replacements for wood or gas or retrofit with log inserts or electric fireboxes. Masonry and prefabricated fireplaces can be fueled by wood, natural gas, biomass and propane fuel sources. There are also air quality control issues due to the amount of moisture they release into the room air, and oxygen sensor and carbon monoxide sensors are safety essentials. They are completely sealed from the area that is heated, and vent all exhaust gasses to the exterior of the structure. Newly constructed flues may feature a chase cover, a cap, and a spark arrestor at the top to keep small animals out and to prevent sparks from being broadcast into the atmosphere. A grate (or fire grate) is a frame, usually of iron bars, to retain fuel for a fire. The disadvantage of early indoor fire pits was that they produced toxic and/or irritating smoke inside the dwelling. The medieval great hall typically had a centrally located hearth, where an open fire burned with the smoke rising to the vent in the roof. They did not come into general use immediately, however, as they were expensive to build and maintain. The 18th century saw two important developments in the history of fireplaces. He also improved the airflow by pulling air from a basement and venting out a longer area at the top. They were used for warmth on cold days and nights, as well as for cooking. These fire pits were usually centered within a room, allowing more people to gather around it. By the 1800s most new fireplaces were made up of two parts, the surround and the insert. The insert was where the fire burned, and was constructed of cast iron often backed with decorative tiles. Fireplace efficiency can also be increased with the use of a fireback, a piece of metal that sits behind the fire and reflects heat back into the room. Efficiency is a complicated concept though with open hearth fireplaces. An open fireplace is not, and never was, intended to heat the air. The best way to gauge the output of a fireplace is if you notice you’re turning the thermostat up or down. These modified fireplaces are often equipped with a large fire window, enabling an efficient heating process in two phases. During this time the structure, built of refractory bricks, absorbs the heat. Masonry fireplaces without a glass fire window only provide heat radiated from its surface. While adverse effects on adults are notable, children appear to be at greatest risk. Exposure of preschool children living in homes heated with wood burning stoves or in houses with open fireplaces yielded these effects: decreased pulmonary lung function in young asthmatics; increased incidence of acute bronchitis and severity/frequency of wheezing and coughing; and increased incidence, duration, and possibly severity of acute respiratory infections. For months, cancer causing chemicals can continue to cause changes and structural damage within the respiratory system. Wood smoke can cause disease and even death in children because it is associated with lower respiratory tract infections.

Tampa Tile and Grout Cleaning Repair and Restoration by groutsmithfl.com

When it comes to cleaning and repairing the tile and grout in your home or business, we realize you have options. We lead the industry when it comes to our products and services. We also do cleaning and sealing for granite, marble, and other natural stone surfaces. Put our superior expertise to work for you on your next home or business improvement project. Fill out this quick form and we’ll get in touch with you immediately. We do repair, preservation, sealing, and re-bonding. Over time, wear and tear on your tampa tile floors and grout can begin to show. We can clean and restore your shower, undoing years of unavoidable buildup and damage through normal usage. Amateurs and handymen might be tempted to use harmful products for these tasks, such as harsh acid cleaners, pressurized steam or water, or even carpet cleaning products. If you have hollow tile we can repair the tile and we can always replace the tile. We guarantee no more dirty tile or grout for 10 years backed with a 10 year warranty.

Client Projects by realflame.com.au

Guests often compliment the ambiance of the flames in its modern setting. The fireplace has become a hub within club lounge where guests gather to relax, enjoy the ambience – and warmth! It is a great place for them to sit and unwind with a good book after a long day. Their professionalism and “can do” attitude are second to none, not to mention their pricing is very competitive as well. Often ahead of time and assisting in overcoming obstacles, ensuring a great outcome. In dealing with a high ceiling and a huge expanse of glass it was important to create warmth and intimacy in this space. Their reliable products and customer service ensured that incorporating the real flame fireplace into our project was a breeze. It created an inviting and warm ambience to this stunning living room, encouraging its occupants to enjoy the meticulously finished surroundings.

SlimLine Fusion Series Gas Fireplace by heatnglo.com

Create a style uniquely yours—a fusion of modern and traditional elements. Choose between a heat zone kit to transfer heat where you want it, or utilizing your existing furnace ductwork with a heat duct kit. And always be sure your appliance is off and completely cooled before performing any maintenance. Pricing does not include optional accessories, installation, and venting, if applicable. Explore the possibilities and find one to match or accent your décor. A contemporary linear fireplace in a traditional setting adds impact. Approach your style differently and see what fusion can achieve. Here are some examples of the types of looks you can achieve with a new fireplace. Your local dealer is your best resource to help determine your needs. Tempered glass is a better solution if you want less heat to come into your room. Choices range from brick panels that give the appearance of an authentic masonry fireplace, to reflective fade-resistant black glass for modern drama. Keep me up to date on special offers, new product info, maintenance tips and more. Add flair to a classic look, highlight contemporary elements, or upgrade your space years from now. Learn more about our industry-leading safety standards here. Plan to have a local professional inspect your appliance annually. Browse our idea gallery to get inspiration for your project. Traditional products in more modern spaces also create a unique appeal. Realistic electric embers let you enjoy the ambiance, with or without the fire. Ceramic glass can withstand higher temperatures and has li ttle glare. Choose from the latest styles in fronts and finishes to fit your décor. Controls listed are tested and approved for recommended use with the hearth systems indicated. These sealed fireplaces provide optimal heat, conserve energy and ensure clean, safe indoor air quality. Check with your local hearth professional to determine if your home or fireplace could benefit from power venting technology. For fireplaces, stoves, inserts and gas logs with or without line power.

Aberdeenshire Fireplaces by aberdeenshirefireplaces.co.uk

Burning wood is a sustainable fuel – its carbon neutrality comes from the fact that carbon dioxide is absorbed during the growth of trees which offsets that emitted during burning. Likewise, we would be happy to discuss your requirements for natural stone, slate marble or granite hearths and back panels – which particularly enhance wooden fire surrounds. Also we supply a range of gas stoves suitable for a chimney flue, balance flue or with a flueless (catalytic converters). These include companion sets in brass, stainless, chrome and satin black. We stock sundry spares such as sealing ropes and replacement stove glass. This coupled with the length of time taken to regrow trees makes it better for the environment than burning coal, gas oil or peat. Wood fire surrounds and fireplaces will enhance any gas / electric fire installation or for stoves – subject to suitable clearance.

Dave Allan Fireplaces by daveallanfireplaces.co.uk

Left very clean and tidy when finished and over the moon with the end result. We can provide expert advice to help you pick the perfect fireplace and we offer a full installation service. If you require work out of these areas we are also willing to travel as required. We stock all types of fireplaces both modern and traditional and have a large range of gas and electric fires to suit any home. We have a fully stocked showroom and the fireplaces shown on this site are just a sample of the stock we have on offer.

MARBLE FIREPLACES by selectgranitetops.com

Bathrooms are heavily used rooms and are a reflection of the style and “attention to detail” of the home. Bathrooms can be a refuge and sanctuary, hygienic and indulgent. Studies show that the average family spends 8 hours a week in the laundry room. All natural stone, porcelain and ultra compact are suitable cladding materials for fireplaces. Back and under lighting provide a dramatic warmth to your bar area. Many stones are truly works of art; cladding a focal wall in a home adds drama and prestige. They bring a bit of nature into your home in a unique way that blends with all decorating styles. From undermount sinks, to apron, vessel and top mount, we have what you are looking for! Many people find grids are useful for leaving dishes stacked in the sink to dry. Marble’s swirls and veins provide an elegance and subtle beauty. Raised breakfast bars typically are made from the same stone chosen for the kitchen countertop. ]]> Our experts will ensure you select the material that is best suited for your needs. Quartzite is an ideal material for many stone applications as it is very hard (harder than granite and engineered stone), has a smooth surface and is stain resistant. It is an exotic natural stone that exudes beauty and is most stunning when back or under lit. It will require some care and maintenance to stay beautiful. The result is a luxurious esthetically artistic one of a kind slab. Applying mineral oil to soapstone enhances the beauty of soapstone. It is approximately 93% quartz aggregates and about 7% pigments and polymer resins. They can be used for wall cladding, flooring and fireplace surrounds. It can be monotone or multi-coloured, opaque or translucent. Micro crystal stone provides a unique, clean and sophisticated look. Our experts will guide you in selecting the most appropriate edge for your material and application. Kitchens are also one of the most important rooms buyers consider when purchasing a home. An esthetically pleasing laundry room will add pleasure and value to your home. Bars can be made from any natural or man made stone product. Stone also adds real beauty to outdoor kitchens and patio furnishings. They raise the bottom of the sink and allow water to drain below the dishes. Regardless of the style of the kitchen, countertops can be made from any natural or manmade/engineered stone. From countertops to backsplashes & wall cladding to skirted islands our stone and edge detail can change the ordinary to fabulous. Matching wall cladding, flooring, shower enclosures and tub decks give the bathroom a spa and indulgent quality. Quartz and other manmade materials can provide a clean and hygienic aspect to the bathroom. Lighting, practicality and location of the laundry room are considerations for the colour as well as the stone selection. An appealing and inviting bar draws friends’ and family’s admiration and ensures that the bar becomes the chosen place to enjoy a drink or party in your home. Our experts will guide you in selecting the most appropriate edge for your material and application. Marble is stone resulting from the metamorphism of sedimentary carbonate rocks–most commonly limestone or dolomite rock. Because granite is a natural product, colour, pattern and texture variations within a block of granite, and from one block of granite to the next will vary. Through heat and pressure from tectonic processes, the sandstone morphed into a quartzite. It comes in a variety of beautiful colour combinations from white and grey to a multi coloured “piece of art”. Colour and pattern variations exist within and between slabs making each piece special. It is a semi-precious stone with a minute crystalline structure that has distinctive bands throughout. The stone has a milky appearance and is translucent to transparent. It is typically used for fireplaces, bars, vanities, islands and specialty wall and flooring. With some backlighting, it will add class and sophistication to your room. Each semi-precious stone is hand cut and pieced together, bound with an epoxy resin to create the slab. Other minerals can be present; the soapstone used for countertops contains harder minerals with the talc. Quartz has a hard surface and is a low maintenance material. There is little variation in the different slabs of quartz; the man made quality provides a fairly uniform colour. The material is almost waterproof, meaning dirt stays on the surface and does not penetrate into the material. It is usually made up of marble dust, bauxite, acrylic or polyester resins and pigments. It can be used for kitchen countertops, wall cladding, vanity tops, tub decks and showers. Backlit and underlit vanities capture the beauty of onyx, natural quartz and semiprecious stone elevating the vanity to the jewel in the crown. Raised breakfast bars typically are made from the same stone chosen for the kitchen countertop. Any natural stone and most man-made (with the exclusion of solid surface) are used in custom flooring. Some countertops need to be “dressed up” with a fancier edge, while some countertops call for simplicity. The characteristic swirls and veins of marble result from the presence of various mineral impurities such as clay, silt, sand, iron oxides and silica when the stone formed. Care is required to prevent scratching, etching and staining. Granite typically refers to a wide range of hard stone types with the common properties of being wear and heat resistant. Granite outcroppings are not perfectly homogeneous, and some granites are quarried in several different locations, meaning that the colour and pattern of each slab of polished granite is truly unique. Each granite type has similar characteristics, but because of the above reasons, each slab is truly unique. Our experts will ensure you select the material that is best suited for your needs. It is a hard metamorphic rock that started out as quartz sandstone. Quartzite is an ideal material for many stone applications as it is very hard (harder than granite and engineered stone), has a smooth surface and is stain resistant. These bands result from impurities that seeped into the rock as it formed and can be almost any colour.

5 Focal Point Worthy Fireplaces In Marble Granite and Soapstone by blog.polycor.com

I love the veining of that marble, it’s a dramatic contrast of the charcoal and white. Here she topped it with a warm oak beam to match the rest of the woodwork in the house. Wagner specified a raised fireplace because she likes to see the fire from the bed. Instead he went for “emotive experience” and achieved it with custom cut tiles. Using granite slabs that are 1 cm thick (or thin, as we like to say) has special advantages when you want to take a fireplace vertical. But what kept them caressing the surface was the antiqued finish. Nothing but continuous vein pattern for a more monolithic appearance, almost as if it was carved from a solid block. This space called for a little more warmth because it is a very large piece. He staggered various lengths of tile over a surface that wasn’t completely vertical for an ever so slight variation of depth over the surface. The visual texture offers a pleasing contrast with the uniform finish of the built-in shelf above. The granite doesn’t have the typical speckle of other species or wild veining.

MARBLE by fireplacecarolina.com

Marble in the kitchen area requires that it is properly sealed and resealed more often than most granites. Knowing this, many stone manufacturers recommend that you invest some time in choosing the right edge so that you’ll get the most benefit from your granite countertop. It is the one installed in granite countertops of standard homes. It is very easy to maintain because it is easy to clean and left over food and liquid will not easily lodged into the straight edges. If you have too much daily activity on your countertop, then this is the one for you. The countertop edge is beveled at about 45º angle and can be placed at the top or at the bottom of the edge. Full bullnose is especially good for safety, as its entire edge is rounded. We fabricate all our granite and quartz counters on site. They have advanced seam technology equipment to use on your granite seams during installation (that is, if you have any seams at all!). Choose the slab we will use to cut your granite counter top from. Honed marble countertops (the more matte, less shiny finish that comes from abrading the stone) can be much more kitchen-friendly. The edges are not actually straight but are eased or rounded off a little bit to reduce the sharpness. This can be appropriate for a kitchen or bathroom countertop that has moderate to high daily activity. It offers a smooth round surface and shows a greater cross section of you granite. While bumps against the lip of the countertop may still happen, with rounded bullnose edges, no longer will cuts or scrapes be a problem. It looks great on every stone and allows the stone to show movement over the edge. These installers have been working with granite countertops for several years and know what they are doing. Every edge is custom cut to perfection, giving you the absolute best quality work.

Marble Vs. Limestone Fireplaces: Choosing The Right Stone For Your by btarchstone.com

It has a warm, soft and natural look, which makes it great for elegant underst ated rooms. You can keep it clean and simple for a nice smooth modern feel, or you can make it a bit more ornamental with intricate carving details. In this case, you would probably want to look into using stacked limestone for that natural hand-crafted feel. They are also easy to clean with a little warm water and a neutral cleaner product. If not properly sealed, or if the seal is not maintained, your limestone fireplace can become susceptible to staining and scratches. With it’s high-contrast striations and larger variety of colors, marble is a bolder choice than limestone. What is the feeling and overall theme you are trying to create in this room? But limestone also works if you’re going for a more rustic look as well. Marble can be polished or honed to change the look of the stone for a more or less formal feel.