Stone Dimensions - Fall/Winter 2007 - (Page 24)

Photo: Stonemark Granite is naturally heat- and stain-resistant, and new products are enhancing its application in the kitchen. your home,” says the Encinitas Tile & Stone website about marble and granite. About 80 percent of home builders are now incorporating granite, Hope says, recognizing that it adds value to a home, especially when used in the kitchen. “The most common application of granite is on kitchen countertops,” Snyder says. “Granite used on a countertop will outlast the cabinets it sits on. “Granite is also being used more on floors, particularly in contemporary homes and in commercial applications,” he says. “New techniques are being used to make granite slip-resistant: Flaming to create a more crystallized surface, brushing to add undulations, and sandblasting and honing to dull the surface are options that make it a safer material to use on a floor.” Granite is also finding a home in bathrooms and master bedrooms, and is also a good choice for the great outdoors. It 24 StoneDimensions ability to withstand the elements makes it suitable for cladding, paving and curbing. “It’s also used a lot in barbecues because of its strength,” Hope says. “Besides being beautiful, it’s also popular because it’s an even surface and easy to work on.” Granite is naturally bacteria-, heat-, scratch- and stain-resistant. But, if you’re concerned about staining, a contractor can add a surface sealant to increase stain-resistance and can help you choose one that is nontoxic, which is, of course, important in food preparation areas. A new alternative to sealing is a product called Stonemark, a 100-percent natural granite that has undergone a trademarked antistain technology called PermaShield. According to the manufacturer, unlike sealers, the PermaShield process only covers the microscopic staining paths that occur beneath the surface of the granite. These paths are infused with a molecular technology that causes them to adopt water- and oil-repelling properties. This process does not affect the surface of the granite, and does not affect the color. PermaShield has been developed as a “green,” water-based, nonpolluting technology with no toxic chemicals or solvents that can be released into the air or water. Granite has it all—durability, versatility and sheer beauty. And technological advances in quarrying, fabricating and installation make it a rock-solid choice for in- or outdoors. For information about Stonemark products, go to www.stonemark.com. Marble Institute of America www.marble-institute.com Dedicated to promoting, with integrity, the use of natural stone, the MIA website is a good source of consumer information about granite and other natural stones. This article was originally published in the March 2007 issue of Décor & Style Magazine. (www.decorandstyle.com) Reprinted with permission. www.stonedimensionsmagazine.com http://www.stonemark.com http://www.marble-institute.com http://www.decorandstyle.com http://www.stonedimensionsmagazine.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Stone Dimensions - Fall/Winter 2007

Contents Featured Designer: Heather E. Adams: Creating Authentic Style with Stone Pricey, But Worth It: Kitchen & Bath Design News Masters of Design Awards Success the Second Time Around: Remodeling a Master Bath Gallery of Ideas Hard Rock...Easy Choice: Granite is Truly a Stone for the Ages White Marble: Gaining Popularity in Kitchens Travertine Index of Photographs

Stone Dimensions - Fall/Winter 2007

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