Travertine is characterized by the presence of many tiny holes, caused by trapped gas bubbles during its formation. This creates a porous, uneven surface, which is referred to as Unfilled Travertine. When these cavities are filled with cement or another material, the result is called Filled Travertine and may be honed and polished to provide a uniform surface similar to marble.

Natural stone from different areas contains a varying mix of mineral deposits and rock formations. For example, the mineral Mica may be found more frequently in some areas, which means that the rock from that location will contain bigger shiny crystals than we would find in places where less Mica is found. Some countries quarry more limestone than granite. Therefore, stone from certain places may be better suited for one application than another. Natural stone qualities and characteristics differ due to geological formations, not geographical boundaries.

Sources of natural stone with desirable qualities are found all over the world, in many different locations. Some sources are better than others due to the stones' appearance, hardness, and other qualities. Therefore, stone may be quarried in China, India, Africa, South America, and some does come from within United States borders.

Cost of processing is also a factor. Since natural stone has been used as a building material for thousands of years in many locations overseas, those areas have a long-established system for quarrying and processing these stones which is efficient and economical.

Natural stones are quarried directly from the earth's crust, and every piece is unique. The only processing they need is shaping into various forms, sizes and finishes.

Natural Stone products include Granite, Marble, Limestone, Travertine, Slate, Quartzite, Sandstone, Adoquin, and Onyx.

Granite is an igneous rock of visible crystalline formation and texture. It is composed primarily of feldspar, quartz, and mica. It starts off as liquid magma deep within the earth’s core where it is cooled and compressed over millions of years under tons of pressure. It is then quarried, cut and polished. After that process it can be applied in various ways like kitchen countertops, vanity tops, fireplace surrounds as well as Jacuzzi surrounds and other custom designs.

The main difference between granite and marble is that granite is a highly dense material composed deep inside the earth’s core while marble is formed from sediments under the seabed. Both solidify into stone after millions of years but the mineral composition of the two stones makes marble and granite react differently to various chemicals and household cleaners.

Thickness tolerance varies from stone to stone. Slates generally have a tolerance of 0.38”, and granite tiles have a tolerance of 0.06”.

Granite is a natural stone, and Corian is a man-made material. As a plastic-based material, Corian is more prone to scratching, deformation and loss of finish due to heat. Granite is more durable, easy to maintain, resistant to scratches and stains – and much more appealing to the eye. Granite is available in a wider range of colors than Corian, and costs less as well.

The thickness of a kitchen countertop is generally either 0.75” or 1.25”. In the eastern U.S. the larger thickness is preferred, and western consumers prefer the thinner.

Tile size is a personal choice, but should be proportionate to the size of the room. Smaller spaces should use smaller tiles in order to make the most of the stone's color and other qualities.

Standard stone tile sizes include squares of 4”, 6”, 8”, 12”, 16”, 18”, and 24”.
Standard thickness for 12” square tiles is 3/8”.
Standard thickness for 16”-24” square tiles varies from 0.5” - 0.75”.
Slab sizes vary from 104”x70” to 125”x80”. Smaller sizes are available as well.
Thickness of slabs is generally ---------------
Slates and Quartzites are produced in nominal sizes, not exact sizes - a 12” square tile may actually measure 11.87” square.

The grain structure in a piece of stone was formed during an igneous stone's cooling process. The slower the stone cooled, the larger the grains. “Grain” refers to the crystalline and flowery patterns visible on the stone's surface. Some stones, particularly marble and granite, have a great amount of veining, which is caused by the distribution of various minerals within the stone.

Any color may become an accent color, contrasting with the main color in the room. For example, a white stone border can accent a black floor.

Each stone is unique, and some types of stone display more variation between the pieces than others. Granites show little variation in color, but may have differing patterns and grain density. Slates tend to show a wide variation in color, even within the same pallet of stone.

The criteria for selecting stone color will depend on the application. Color choice can make a room appear larger or smaller, formal or warm and inviting. Consider the following characteristics:
Lighter colors tend to make a smaller room seem larger.
Dark colors tend to make a room more intimate and cozy.
Solid colors, smooth and polished tiles show more dirt and require more maintenance.
Patterned material, usually in a honed finish, is one of the easiest to maintain.
Dramatic patterns can help highlight and accent portions of the room, including architectural features.

Some types of stone are better suited for interior applications than exterior because they cannot withstand harsh weather extremes and may crack, crumble, or fade. Also, stones with naturally slip-resistant surfaces are better for outdoor walkways or patios than those with smooth, polished surfaces. Some multicolored slates bleed color upon contact with water.

Countertops in kitchens and bar areas are often exposed to acidic substances such as lemon, vinegar, alcohol, and tomato sauce. Knives, dishes, pots and pans, and other implements may cause scratching of lesser materials. Granite is the hardest and densest of all natural stones – the feldspar content keeps it water resistant, and the silicates it contains won't react with acid. These properties help Granite resist staining and retain its fine luster over a longer period of time than ceramic tiles or other stones.

Although Marble is commonly requested for countertops in bars and kitchens, marble's high carbonate content makes it vulnerable to acidic substances.

Natural Stone can be used on nearly every surface both inside and outside the home, including floors, kitchen countertops, vanity tops, bathrooms, patios, walkways, fireplaces, facades, wall cladding, and garden landscaping.

In a word, yes. There has been some misinformation circulated by competing industries attempting to raise concerns about issues such as bacteria and radon. We would be pleased to share the research that shows that these concerns are not only unfounded but granite actually ranks second to stainless steel in a study measuring the bacteria resistance capacity of six common countertop materials.

No, marble is not a good choice for a kitchen countertop. Although it can be sealed, it is not as dense as granite and therefore it is more porous and susceptible to being stained in a highly used area like a kitchen.

Grout is an important design element. Because it is used to fill the spaces between each tile, the grout must be selected carefully. A wide variety of grout colors is available to enhance the beauty of the tile installation and may be chosen to contrast with, match, or accent the tile.
Contrast Grout: emphasizes a pattern created by the tile.
Matching Grout: blends seamlessl y with the tile.
Accent Grout: a shade slightly different from the tile, gives them an appearance of depth.

When travertine is filled at the factory or at the time of installation, the fill can work its way out of the spaces. Normal maintenance may involve re-filling these voids.

Open all boxes and mix up all of the pieces before installation. This will help to create a visually pleasing distribution of stone variation. A good installer knows that green marble and some other stones require water-free epoxy thin-set. When stone is installed on a concrete slab at ground level, ensure that a proper moisture barrier is in place prior to installation.

Because stone is a natural product, there is always some variation within a selection. By sorting out the stone tiles before installing, it is possible to place the tiles on the surface before installing, blending the varying colors, grain, and veining as desired.

The tightest grout joint that you may request is 1/16".

Creating an installation without visible grout joints is difficult, but if the surface of the floor is straight and the tiles are perfectly cut, very little grout should be seen. A professional, experienced installer should be chosen to create this look.

The process of purchasing custom stone is more detailed than, for example, buying carpeting. As with any purchase, you need to determine what criteria are most important to you. Are you searching for the absolute lowest price or looking more for overall superior value? Is timely completion important? How heavily do you weigh the quality of materials and workmanship of both the fabrication and installation? Do you value responsive service, integrity and the caliber of people that you deal with and will have working in your home? Be prepared to ask tough questions to determine the proper fit with a reputable source.

Seams are done where the two pieces of stone are put together. The seams are joined with epoxy that is mixed with the color that matches the stone. Then the joined area is smoothened, leaving only a very thin line visible.

The availability of a particular stone is the most important factor in determining price. However, handling and transportation cost does drop slightly for a larger quantity. The best way to reduce cost is to find a stone dealer who is running a special on a particular product.

The larger the stone, the more difficult it is to process, handle, pack, and transport. Larger sizes also tend to have a higher amount of waste compared to the part that is used, which makes them more expensive.

Stones that are harder and denser are more difficult and expensive to quarry and process. Quarrying methods vary as well; stones may be quarried below ground, which is more expensive than above ground. Also, since natural stone is quarried all over the world, long distance shipping factors into the price.

Granite, marble and other natural stone products are porous materials and therefore require sealing. Every SFI top is sealed upon installation. For residential use, it is recommended that the surface be sealed annually using sealant designed for use with natural stone. The sealant is available from SFI. The process is similar to waxing your car.

Like any solid surface, high impact blows can harm granite. Because of its crystalline structure, it can chip if subjected to sharp hard objects. Unsealed, granite can absorb stains such as oil, which can ultimately cause dark spots or discoloration. All of the fabricated tops we make are sealed before they are installed.

Only if you want to ruin your good knives. Granite is harder than your knife blades and will dull them very quickly, if you use the countertop as a cutting surface. Always cut and chop on a wooden or plastic cutting board.

Normal use will not overstress this durable material. In only cases of severe abuse with a hammer or an impact tool. A chip can be filled with a granite dust and epoxy mixture. Usually most flaws in stone are detected during transit of the slab. If it can withstand the fabrication process, it will never break under normal conditions. It is most susceptible to cracks during shipping and installation.

It is very hard to damage granite. If any damage occurs it can be sealed with a mixture of epoxy and ground up chips of granite, but if the damage is sever then it might not be able to fix, and you would have to replace the entire piece.