What’s the Difference Between Travertine and Marble?

Choosing new countertops, flooring, walls and backsplashes for a new home or remodeling project can be exciting. Stones like marble have been used for centuries, giving rooms a luxurious rich look but another stone that is growing in popularity, travertine, can provide a look that is just as sophisticated. Although both are types of limestone, each has its own advantages and disadvantages that you need to be aware of before choosing one or the other.

Differences in Looks

Marble has very distinct veining, even when it appears to be one solid color. A close look at the stone will reveal streaks of other colors, such as white, gray or black. Some marbles may include streaks of pink, blue or green. Marble is smooth with either a satin honed finish or a glossy polished finish. Marble may also have a glittering appearance.

Travertine has a more natural, textured look and may appear more porous than marble. It can be sanded to a smooth surface that is perfect for flooring or shower walls. Because travertine is more porous than marble, it requires additional sealant to protect the service. Travertine colors range from white to golden browns. Travertine tiles often have a varied pattern so they don’t have a completely uniform look. They are available in polished, honed, brushed, saw cut or tumbled finishes.

Best Uses for Each Type of Stone

Most often, marble is used in a bathroom because it provides a crisp, clean look. Marble is found in bathroom flooring, walls and counters although it does need to be sealed periodically to prevent damage to the surface.

Travertine is often found in tiles and used for bathroom or kitchen flooring. However, it is possible to use travertine on counters, in outdoor spaces as well as for backsplashes and walls. Because travertine can have a honed appearance, they are best used in areas where slipping can occur, such as around pools or hot tubs. They should be sanded, however, as the tiles can be rough. Travertine also needs sealing in order to protect the surface.

Cost of Travertine vs. Marble

Natural travertine is normally more expensive than cultured marble although natural marble is slightly more expensive than natural travertine. Costs vary widely depending on the quality of the stone and can range from $2 to $50 per square foot. Both types of stone are heavy and can be difficult to lift so it is recommended they be installed by a professional which can increase the price.

If you are considering natural stone for your remodeling project or new home, contact us today by completing the simple form online or giving us a call. We can help guide you through the process and help you choose the perfect stone for your needs.

The Secret Behind Caring For Travertine Countertops

The Secret Behind Caring For Travertine Countertops

Travertine is actually limestone, a natural stone that can be used for countertops without any type of polishing. The stone varies in hardness although it is softer than other types of natural stone used for counters which makes it prone to etching. Travertine is most often used for paving patios or to create garden paths, but more people are choosing the unique stone for countertops. Because the stone is very porous and soft, it is important to understand how to care for a travertine countertop.

Possible Etching

Because the stone is soft and porous, it is easily etched by acids like soft drinks, juices or coffee. It can absorb oils more easily than other natural stone countertops as well. Because the stone is porous, polishing powders can accumulate and make it difficult to clean. Only mild dish soap and water should be used to clean a travertine countertop. It is also important to remember that travertine is not a glossy countertop like granite or marble, although it can be polished to give a slightly glossy look. The stone also comes in honed, brushed and tumbled surfaces with hones surfaces the most popular.

Do’s for Travertine Counters

If you install travertine counters, there are some things you must do to keep your counter clean, free from stains and safe from bacteria. Clean spills immediately to minimize damage and be sure to use hot pads and trivets under pans that come directly from the stove. Use placemats when using china, ceramics or silver to prevent scratching. Glasses that contain alcohol or fruit juices should always be placed on a coaster, although it is recommended that coasters be used at all times. If you install travertine in your bathrooms, be sure to use trays for makeup, toiletries and other products.

Don’ts for Travertine Counters

Never use cleaners that contain acid like vinegar, bleach or ammonia. These substances are common in bathroom, tub and grout cleaners. Do not scrub the counters with abrasive cleaners like dry cleansers. Don’t use scouring powders or steel wool to clean the counter. Don’t cut directly on the countertop but instead use cutting boards to avoid scratching.

The best way to protect your travertine counter is to use a professional sealer. The sealer fills the pores and prevents acidic substances from absorbing into the stone. You may need to have the stone resealed periodically to protect the surface.

If you are considering travertine countertops, contact us today to learn more about this beautiful natural stone. You can reach us by calling or completing the simple form online to get more information.

Choosing the Perfect Stone Tiles For Your Home

Choosing the Perfect Stone Tiles For Your Home

When you are trying to pick the flooring type to install for your home renovation, choosing natural stone can add elegance, durability and beauty. You’ll want to make certain to choose the stone that will fit best with your home.

Part of this is understanding what types are available as well as the characteristics and features of each.

There are several different natural stone options that can work well in different rooms of your house.

Travertine Tiles

Travertine tiles are formed out of calcite, and they are a bit softer than limestone. These tiles come in several different earthen hues and come in either polished or porous forms. Because of the porous nature, these tiles do require professional sealing to prevent them from being stained, especially if you have children or pets.

Marble Tiles

A classic choice dating back thousands of years, marble tiles are truly one-of-a-kind. Marble comes in several different shades and is characterized by its veins. The veining of marble occurs while the stone is being formed, making each stone completely unique. Unfortunately, marble is highly porous, making it susceptible to staining and scratching.

Granite Tiles

Granite is a terrific choice for flooring, both when you use it inside as well as outside. Highly lustrous, granite can make your floor shine with a high polish. It is one of the strongest stones available and is just below diamond in hardness. It repels water and can be trusted to stand the test of time. It is a cold stone, so you’ll want to keep that in mind if you are considering it for your flooring.

Slate Tiles

Formed out of metamorphic rock, slate has a very rustic appearance. It is great for providing traction and resistance to slipping. Slate tiles do come in a fairly limited range of darker hues, making that one of its downsides.

Limestone Tiles

Formed from calcitrate, limestone shows the natural striations when it is formed into tiles. This gives it a similar striated appearance to wood flooring. It comes in lighter colors and is very durable, but it does absorb water, making it a better choice for indoor renovations.

Sandstone

Yet another metamorphic stone, sandstone provides terrific traction and is very durable. It is a good choice for bathrooms, kitchens and hallways alike. One limitation is that it lacks much color choice.

With better familiarity with the available types of stone, here are some additional factors you should consider so you can choose the one that’s right for you and your home.

1. Expense

Installing stone flooring tiles requires the use of qualified professionals. Cutting these stones is much more complicated than cutting wood. Installing stone on your home’s subflooring also requires a lot of additional work. You’ll also need to think about other materials that you’ll need, such as grout, plaster or cement. Thinking about where in your home and how large the space is is important, as natural stone flooring is one of the more expensive choices.

2. Purpose

While stone blends beautifully into almost any room in your home, you’ll want to consider how the room is used. For example, slate may be a better option for bathrooms. Children’s bedrooms may not be the best place for most types of natural stone tiles since most are rather hard or prone to staining.

3. Lifestyle

You’ll want to think about the lifestyle you have when you are choosing stone flooring. Pets may not like them. They may also take a longer period of time for installation.

If you are wanting a terrific choice for flooring in your home, choosing stone tiles is definitely a good option. By keeping your tastes and needs in mind, you are sure to find the stone tile that will best fit you and the room in which it will be installed. To learn more about the different options, give the professionals at Flemington Granite a call today. You can also complete your information in our provided contact form, and we will get back to you shortly.

How To Choose The Perfect Natural Stone

How To Choose The Perfect Natural Stone

 

Adding the timeless charm of natural stone to your home is a smart investment, even if it’s only incorporated into small details.

Granite is one of the most recognizable and common stones, but there are so many other material options that you should consider.

If you prefer a more unusual option, onyx could provide a very unique feature in your interior design. As long as you do the research regarding maintenance requirements, it will be easy to find the right product among the vast world of natural stone types.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Try to find your natural stone locally if possible by touring different design centers and showrooms in the area.

Most companies allow you to browse samples so that they can order a stone similar to your preferred style. However, you need to understand that the slabs are each unique and it might be more of an advantage to actually visit our showroom. This ensures that you will get the exact slab that you want to use in your home design.

Not everything is about looks, but it’s a great place to begin narrowing the choices. Consult with an on-site expert to discuss the qualities of the stones you are most interested in using.

Once you have picked out a stone, decide on the finish that best suits your installation plan. A high polish is unsuitable for a bathroom floor, but it looks great as a countertop.

Some stones hold up better with specific finishes because they mask scratches that are likely to accumulate on softer surfaces. Matte or honed stones look the most natural, but a distressed stone offers the charm of an aged appearance. Discuss your preferred style and always ask to view samples to help you choose the perfect stone.

Granite

Granite is a valuable option in areas that require hardness, such as a kitchen countertop or fireplace surround. It can take on damage if you are careless, but it’s pretty difficult to create stains or scratches.

Granite Kitchen Countertop

Limestone

Limestone is exceptional as a bathroom surface or kitchen floor if you choose a quality piece. Maintaining the unique texture is easy if you take care to have it resealed as often as needed.

Limestone Bathroom

Marble

Marble is best for tub surrounds, a vanity top, backsplash, or flooring if the conditions of the area permit installation of a softer stone. It is absorbent, but take precaution when adding protection because lighter slabs may darken if a sealant is applied.

Marble Countertops

Onyx

Onyx is a translucent stone that features striking colors, such as jet black and bright white. Once sealed and polished, the stone can take on a very high gloss that is great for a vanity top or bathtub surround.

Woodland hotel - onyx bar countertop

Sandstone

Sandstone is naturally dense, but the actual level of durability may vary greatly from one slab to another. If you do intend to use as a bathtub surround or kitchen floor, consider having it sealed every few months to maintain the surface.

Sandstone Bathroom

Slate

Slate features a typically matte surface with unique clefts that offer an unusual appearance in flooring and countertops. Preservation does involve sealing, and you should limit cleaning to very neutral products.

Slate Kitchen Countertop

Soapstone

Soapstone is ideal for kitchen countertops and fireplace surrounds because it is very resistant to heat. Sealing is not recommended, and you can remove most scratches by lightly sanding or applying mineral oil.

Soapstone Countertops

Travertine

Travertine is very porous and actually has an appearance similar to a sponge, but the holes can be filled before installation. Otherwise, expect to make a constant effort to keep the countertop clean and dry.

Modern colorful Travertine bathroom tub area.

You are welcome to reach out through the contact form to schedule a tour of our natural stone showroom.

What are the latest styles in commercial restrooms?

What are the latest styles in commercial restrooms?

There are people with actual phobias of public restrooms because they have a reputation of being unsanitary and ugly. Consider the ambiance of the bathroom in your business to recognize the need to complete some important updates. It should be easy to find solutions that will make employees and customers feel comfortable and safe. You may decide that a few small updates are sufficient, or it might require an entire remodel to achieve your ideal modern design.

Touch Free Fixtures

Think about how many restaurants you avoid simply because they have a disgusting restroom. No one wants to feel that they are being exposed to filth and bacteria that could potentially cause a serious illness. The usual culprits are contaminated toilet seats and floors, but your greatest risk of exposure is actually during the process of hand washing. A total of 19 different bacterial phyla were identified by University of Colorado scientists collecting samples from public restroom surfaces. It’s not even safe to touch the exterior of a soap dispenser because it’s being contaminated regularly throughout each day.

Commercial restrooms are implementing touch-free soap dispensers, flushing mechanisms, hand dryers, and faucets to help visitors avoid contact with germs. It’s also easier for facility owners to maintain cleanliness with these innovative features.

Sustainable Materials

Public restroom products are put to the test each day by enduring frequent use during business hours. Manufacturers are beginning to recognize the value of using sustainable materials to improve the overall lifespan of their products. Engineered stone used as countertop surfaces is created from recycled materials to ensure a more durable final product. In fact, most recycled and renewable materials are suitable for heavy usage in an environment that is often damp or humid. High Density Polyethylene plastic is another recycled product found in most modern commercial restrooms.

Luxurious Design

Visitors are more likely to visit an establishment that offers a sophisticated and updated restroom. Stainless steel, granite, and other stone products are becoming trendy because they offer exceptional bacteria resistance and cleanliness. It’s easy to sanitize natural stone flooring, especially if you compare it to the grimy reputation of traditional laminate. Granite countertops are sleek, non-porous, and have the ability to make every business feel like a high-end establishment.

Get in touch with our team of designers by completing the contact form to find out about our commercial restroom solutions and products that we offer.

Natural Stone Can Make Any Pool A Treasure

Natural Stone Can Make Any Pool A Treasure

Any home with a swimming pool is provided with the luxury of relaxation in an outdoor setting. The area surrounding your pool should not only show off your personality, it should match the architectural style of your property. A superior deck should begin with the selection of a natural stone to provide years of exceptional durability as well as sophistication. With so many options to choose from, begin your search by learning a bit about a variety of natural stone types.

Bluestone

The blue and gray shades of bluestone can be installed in any of three different textures to match your design style. This material is versatile enough to feature a non-uniform texture, smooth honed finish, or a thermal uniform texture. It partners exceptionally in yards that are surrounded by natural greenery.

Coral Stone

If your taste desires true uniqueness, the features of coral stone are sure to exceed your design expectations. It consists of a mixture containing fossilized coral and shell, limestone, and sand to create a very distinct looking material. Not only is it beautiful, it does not absorb significant heat or weaken from exposure to sale or chemicals.

Flagstone

Earthy neutral tones of flagstone material feature a naturally family-friendly, non-slip surface. It looks great in an outdoor pool setting because the rich brown textures are rugged and durable.

Granite

When it comes to resisting the elements, the hardness of granite is capable of withstanding years of exposure. It’s a great investment in any outdoor design because granite looks elegant without being too fragile to enjoy.

Limestone

Standing up against freezing, rain, and heat is one characteristic of limestone that makes it a very popular outdoor material. It is going to look bright and beautiful many years after installation, even if your local climate includes frequent and extreme weather changes.

Travertine

An absorbent outdoor deck is ideal for safety, especially if you have small children running around. Travertine deck materials come in many neutral tones that stay cool to the touch and look luxurious alongside a fresh blue pool of water.

Sandstone

Light red or brown quartz creates the perfect companion color for use around any pool style. The even tones make it easy to match with other pieces of sandstone so that you do not end up with noticeably mismatched areas.

Slate

Deeper shades and unique colors of slate create a varied range of visual options. It’s a long-lasting deck option that suits more traditional spaces as well as a more natural or rustic setting. Builders recommend slate for large projects because it is durable, yet easy to customize and install.

Our designers are excited to help you find the perfect deck material to surround your pool. We feature many different natural stone options in our showroom to match your style with a unique texture and color. Reach out through the contact form so that we can give you a personal tour of our facility.

What Color Schemes Go Well With Travertine Counters?

What Color Schemes Go Well With Travertine Counters?

The white and off-white varieties of travertine countertops make it an easy neutral countertop that is easy to match. It is a type of limestone that is often used instead of marble because it is a less expensive building material. Travertine goes great with almost any color and shade that suits the personal taste of the homeowner.

Consider these hues to breathe life into a blah space.

Light Color Schemes

A bathroom that features travertine and a light color scheme puts an emphasis on cleanliness. It naturally reflects the brightness of a white wall or marble floor for a brilliant radiance. Pastel shades of yellow or pink add a striking accent of color to break up the monotony of a single tone. If you prefer to have a warm, inviting feeling in the room, a shade of sand or cantaloupe are complementary additions. Bring out a distinctive coolness to match the stone with Benjamin Moore‘s Crystal Springs #764 or Highland Breeze #786 trim.

Crystal Springs

Highland Breeze

Dark Color Schemes

Pairing such as light stone with dark colors is an attractive contrast. Although most do not go as drastic as black, it does create a feel of high-end design. If you are looking to create a rich look in the kitchen, medium blues are a choice that is visually striking without being overbearing. Warm, darker reds that pair exceptionally are Benjamin Moore’s Crimson (#1299) or Merlot (#2006-10).

Crimson

Merlot

Neutral Color Schemes

The easiest pairing to make with travertine is various neutral shades, although they are typically underused. If you want to avoid adding an overwhelming color to any room, neutral colors are the best way to stay away from plain white. Travertine pairs well with warm browns, such as Benjamin Moore’s Ancient Oak (#940), Oakwood Manor (#1095), or Tavern Ochre (#CW-375). A small accent area of green or yellow adds a touch of uniqueness to an otherwise neutral color scheme.

Ancient Oak

Oakwood Manor

Tavern Ochre

Call us if you would like to take a look at our collection of natural stone options in the showroom. We would be happy to help you add travertine counters to your home, and also provide recommendations of great matching colors that suit your personal style.