Sold On Stone

As a homeowner, you want your interior design, or "reflection," to be the best possible representation of you. The mirror doesn't lie. You know when you need updating--a new home wardrobe if you will.

So you begin to check out trends, take tours of new homes, talk to friends. You take notes, make comparisons, pick and choose from the millions of styles and materials on the market. You visualize, conceptualize and dream.

If it's the kitchen or bathroom you are looking to change, marble and granite may very well be on your wish list. There is no denying their popularity, and when installed properly, granite and marble are breathtaking. But one mistake and the dream renovation can U-turn into a nightmare.

Granite is a favorite for homeowners looking for classy countertops, but it is not a do-it-yourself material. There are several different grades, finishes, colors and grain patterns of granite--as in you'll see a big difference in price points. Installation is a precise art, requiring special tools and training that most weekend warriors just can't master. This is when remodeling can become overwhelming. Time to consult an expert.

"My biggest tip for homeowners is to treat their renovation as a full construction project," says Don Lewis of Hallmark Stone. "You need to budget plenty of time for the project to be completed. Don't install a new granite countertop the day before you host a dinner party. You're just asking for trouble."

Find a reputable fabricator to make sure your renovation project goes well. "You need to feel comfortable asking questions," says Lewis. "The fabricator should do their best to educate the consumer along the way." This education is key, as you will need to know how to care for your new countertop. Granite is a porous material and should be treated at least two times a year. Good care won't help though, if your granite is not installed correctly. For example, granite must go in on a completely flat surface, or you risk cracks. Cracks can be repaired, but it is time-consuming and can get pricey.

If going the granite route sounds too involved, there is a new trend on the market that provides the look of granite without the fuss. "It's called engineered granite and it is basically maintenance free," says Chuck Wintermute of Granite Transformations. "We use Rocksolid Granit, which consists of approximately 95 percent natural granite combined with a specially formulated polymer. It is only a quarter-inch thick and lighter than natural granite, so it can be installed directly on top of existing countertops."

This engineered granite is nonporous and comes with a 10-year warranty. It can be installed quickly and causes little disruption. It is affordable, comes in a wide variety of colors and can be cut to just about any size.

Another man-made product on the market is Silestone, which Hallmark Stone uses in many home remodeling projects. "It's called Silestone quartz surfacing, and it is one of the biggest trends in stones," says Lewis. "It is made up of 93 percent crushed quartz combined with 7 percent poly-resin binder. It's mixed, poured into slabs and then put through a heat and vibration process, almost like baking cookies. The outcome is a wonderful material that comes in a variety of styles and colors and is very affordable."

Silestone is now being engineered with Microban antimicrobial protection. Although it is not designed to protect against food-borne illnesses, it is a deterrent to the growth of bacteria that can cause stains, odors and product deterioration.

Lewis says quartz surfacing has been in use for a little under 10 years and is the same weight as granite. It is nonporous so you won't need to seal it, and it has high resistance to scratching, stains and heat. It costs about as much as entry-level granite, and, like its natural counterpart (no pun intended), quartz surfacing is a material you need to leave to the experts.

The same advice goes for marble, a popular choice for flooring. Installation is similar to granite, requiring specialized training to make sure the material is set properly.

Marble provides a durable finish, which is why it is a top choice for floors, bathrooms, kitchens and fireplaces. But what about using decorative tile outdoors? Sander Coovert of Brader Marble & Granite says it's a growing trend that may surprise you.

"There has been an explosion in the use of porcelain tile, especially on outdoor surfaces. The trend is growing in popularity because the material is so hearty and requires less maintenance. It's denser than the majority of natural stones, more readily available."

Porcelain tile can be fired at very high temperatures, resulting in a very dense tile. And the denser a tile, the better it resists moisture. Although not as strong as porcelain, ceramic tiles are also an option for outdoor use. Consult your fabricator when choosing the material.