Monday, April 18, 2016

What’s The Difference Between White Carrara Marble & Calcutta Marble?

When it comes to marble counterops, White Carrara marble is probably the most popular choice and the one that many consumers think of when they think of marble. That’t because it has a classic, elegant look that is timeless. White Carrara marble has been used for centuries in architecture, buildings and monuments and of course more recently for countertops.
Calcutta is another white marble however, that has gained popularity and has a look that is very similar to White Carrara. In fact, many people often confuse these two marbles, as the the characteristics of each stone are quite close.  If you look closely though, there are subtle differences.
Let’s take a look at some examples…

This photo shows a beautiful White Carrara Marble kitchen. Notice that the pattern contains fine gray veining.


This photo shows another beautiful White Carrara Marble kitchen. Again the pattern is light with feathery, small 
veins.

This photo shows a beautiful White Carrara Marble fireplace. The veins on this piece are larger, but there is still a light pattern with darker gray veining.

This photo shows a beautiful Calcutta Marble vanity top. Notice how the pattern is more defined.


This photo shows a beautiful Calcutta Marble kitchen. Notice the more dramatic veining in this island top.


This photo shows another beautiful Calcutta Marble kitchen. Notice in this photo that the pattern and veining also contains some light gold tones. Some Calcutta marble has more prominent areas of gold than others.



Both White Carrara marble and Calcutta marble can vary quite a bit from lot to lot, so it is best to hand select the marble you are interested in.
If you are interested in using marble for your countertops, make sure you stop by our showroom. We would be happy to help you with your selections.
Thanks for reading!


Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Add A Consistent Look With A “Quartz” Countertop…

When it comes to countertops, there are many options to choose from. That is why it is important to ask the customer up front if they have a material in mind, as well as a price range they looking at. It is also important to ask, if they like materials that have a consistent pattern, or ones that have a lot of variety and and movement to them. From there, questions can be asked about preference for color, etc. If consistency in pattern is really important, a “quartz” product might be a good option for them. While there are a variety of “quartz” products on the market these days, they are all essentially made the same way.






How It’s Made:
Quartz” countertops are an engineered stone that is man-made. Most “quartz” is comprised of approximately 93% quartz and 7% resin binder by weight, (more than 80% resin by volume) with added pigments for color.
Manufacturers:
While we sell a number of “quartz” products including: Cambria,Wilsonart,Silestone, Caesarstone, Hanstone, Difiniti, Dupont Zodiaq and Color Quartz, there are other “quartz” products on the market, as well. Each manufacturer has their own unique colors to choose from, although some colors may be  similar to other product lines.
Maintenance
“Quartz” is relatively easy to clean and maintain. Most manufacturers recommend that they be cleaned with a hot, soapy dish cloth. “Quartz” products do not need to be sealed.
Price
“Quartz” is often more expensive than granite, depending on the color selection. It can range in price from anywhere from $65 to $100 per square foot.
If you are looking for a “quartz” product for your new countertop, make sure you stop by our showroom to check out all of our material selections.
Thanks for reading!
KB Factory Outlet