Sealing quartzite: when, how often, and the water test
Quartzite is porous like other natural stone, so it needs sealing. Here's how to tell if yours is due, how often to reseal, and how to run the water test yourself.
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Plain talk about your countertops.
Notes from the shop on picking stone, caring for it, and what we have learned templating and installing kitchens across the Midlands. No sales pitch, just the truth as we know it.
Sealing granite: when, how often, and how to test it
Here's the real schedule for sealing granite countertops, plus a simple water test you can run yourself to see if it's due.
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Picking the right travertine slab: reading color and veining
Travertine varies a lot from block to block and even slab to slab, so here's what to look for in color, veining, and fill before you settle on one.
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Picking the right dolomite slab: reading color and veining
Dolomite slabs vary more than a lot of buyers expect. Here's how to read color and veining, and why seeing the actual slab in person beats picking from a sample chip.
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Picking the right Taj Mahal quartzite slab
Taj Mahal quartzite can look creamy and soft or busy and dramatic depending on the block it came from. Here's how to read color and veining before you commit to a slab.
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Picking the right engineered quartz slab: color and veining questions worth asking
Choosing a quartz slab isn't just picking a color chip. Here's how to actually read veining, lighting, and cabinet pairing before you commit.
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Undermount vs drop-in sinks: what stone counters need from each
We walk through how undermount and drop-in sinks differ on stone, from templating to daily cleaning, so you know what you're choosing before the slab gets cut.
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Picking the right soapstone slab: reading color and veining
Soapstone changes color over time and varies a lot from slab to slab, so picking one on a screen is a bad idea. Here's how we walk customers through choosing one in person.
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Marble and heat, marble and scratches: what actually happens
Marble handles daily kitchen life well, but it's not heatproof or scratch-proof. Here's what actually happens when a hot pan or a knife meets marble, and how to keep it looking good.
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