Kitchens Archives

5 Things You Need To Know About Porcelain Slabs

September 10, 2016/in Design, Kitchens, Marble, Uncategorized /by keatings

Porcelain slabs are revolutionising the use of stone in commercial and home design. Overcoming the traditional pain points that natural stones can encounter, porcelain slabs are carefully engineered to be characterised by practicality, adaptability and beauty. Porcelain slabs perform excellently and could even be considered superior to natural stone. Due to a special customised set of properties, porcelain slabs are an impeccable option for basic, traditional and advanced architectural applications – for a fraction of the price.

Here are 5 key points that you need to know about porcelain slabs.

Heat and stain resistant

The practicality of having ceramic surfaces in the home is unquestionable – they require almost no maintenance. By nature porcelain is non-porous, liquids do not seep into it. Rather, they sit on the surface and spills can be cleaned up a simple wipe. Unlike marbles, they do not scratch, etch or dull from spills, heat or high temperatures.

Thin and light

Porcelain slabs are perfectly flat, and much lighter than natural stones – while being amazingly structurally sound. Its lighter weight allows for easy installation and trickier applications. It is perfect for vertical installation such as splash backs, wall coverings or building exteriors.

Cost effective

As porcelain is a ceramic, the cost of the material is considerably lower cost than marble, granite or quartzite. In general the labor costs are higher, as more specialisation is required and there is less margin for error. However in saying that – the large sizes of the slabs do minimise cutting and labor costs. Porcelain slabs can also be installed over existing surfaces – so when renovating you do not need to rip everything out of your kitchen – saving again on cost.

Eco-friendly

The production of porcelain is a carbon neutral process. Having porcelain surfaces in your home or business is ecologically sound and friendly. They do not require any harsh chemical treatment – they are cleaned simply with water and a cloth. Porcelain does not emit contaminants due to careful product design and structure. Porcelain does not allow the growth or build up of any harmful bacteria or mould.

Consistent patterning

The tiles are made to mimic the organic patterning of highly sought after natural granites and marbles. As it is man made, the veining looks organic but is wonderfully seamless. Due to the continuity from slab to slab, unsightly joins are minimised resulting in a consistent flowing surface.

5 Stunning Marble Look-Alike Stones

June 27, 2016/in Kitchens, Uncategorized /by keatings

Marble is one of the most sought after natural stones in the world. White marbles have stood the test of time, reaching the top of design trends for domestic and commercial applications alike for decades. Due to high demand and limited availability, some marbles such as the Italian Calacatta can also get very pricey.

It’s classic, sophisticated and definitive appearance and clean-cut aesthetic is always in hot-demand, you’d think it was unbeatable. Unfortunately due to its properties, marble is not always the most suitable material for certain applications. Generally, marble is unsuitable in areas that have a high-usage, such as a kitchen benchtop. All buyers of marble should be made aware of the following points

* Marble is considered a soft stone that can be easily scratched or damaged.
* Most marbles have high porosity and are susceptible to food and beverage stains.
* Direct contact with substances of high acidity such as lemon juice may cause a chemical reaction and etch the marble.
* Marble require maintenace and should be periodically sealed with water and oil repellants.

If you’re certain you won’t get a pinot noir stain on your prized benchtop – the risk may be worth it. For those of us who can’t be so sure, there are many stones available that mimic the look of popular marbles, but boast more practical and friendly properties that are accommodating to the daily thrills and spills of home life.

There’s something for everyone that’s after the beautiful look of white marble.

Quartzites

Quartzite is the hardest natural stone available for benchtops. It is etch proof, has low porosity, and therefore requires minimal maintenance. The Calacatta and Calacatta Ouro quartzites have similar appearance to Carrara and Calacatta marble. Quartzites are generally at the more expensive end, so there is little savings in price here. If within your budget, these quartzites are highly recommended. It fills in all the qualities that marble lacks and is a really sensible, practical and beautiful choice.

Trendstone Quartz. Carrara, Venatino, Gioia and Calacatta.

Trendstone Quartz is a man made stone and more affordable. It has been engineered from quartz to be extremely resilient. The Trendstone Venatino and Gioia mimic the iconic carrara marble and are a fantastic choice. Trendstone Calacatta Quartz mimics the very rare Calacatta and Statuario marbles. It’s veining is darker than carrara.

Super White Dolomite-Quartzite

Super White is a dolomite marble with high concentrations of quartzite that provide strength and durability, Although not as durable as its granite or quartzite counterparts, it is certainly considered suitable for benchtops. It is a popular and rare Brazilian stone that is sought after all over the world due to its carrara-like appearance, yet much more durable. Dolomite does etch when in contact with acidic substances so this stone requires periodic sealing.

Porcelain

Recently introduced are Porcelain slabs that have the perfect look of the most beautiful marble at a much lower cost. They are heat and stain resistant, and are perfect for kitchen applications. Porcelain slabs are thinner and lighter than natural stone, making it a perfect material for vertical applications such as splash backs or an island show back. The only negative with Porcelain slabs is that they are difficult to work with to produce benchtops. Only the most skilled and equipped stone fabricators are recommended for working with porcelain slabs.

To view these stones and more on our website click view range.

Caring For Your Granite Benchtop

May 28, 2016/in Kitchens, Uncategorized /by keatings

One of the major perks of having granite surfaces in your home, is that they require very little maintenance. Granite is one of the hardest minerals on earth, so is by nature extremely strong and durable. It is also heat and stain resistant. This doesn’t mean it doesn’t need a little bit of loving, with a good routine using basic equipment and product, your granite benchtop will serve you well for many years. The Granite Benchtop Company recommends this fail-safe method for caring for your granite benchtop, to make sure it stays looking as good as the day it was installed.

The method we advise to our clients here at GBC is really basic – a 30:70 mix of Methylated Spirits and water. Inexpensive and easy!

First you’ll need to do a surface clean of the benchtop to remove any loose grime. You can do this simply with a paper towel.
Once the surface is clear, mix together a 30:70 mix of Methylated Spirits and water.
Apply the solution to a cloth and wipe down the stone areas.
Once your done, use a paper towel to pat the excess water off of the surface.
To finish, we highly recommend using a micro-fibre cloth to remove any excess dust or left over solution. This will ensure your benchtop is clean, safe for use and super shiny!

If you have any questions regarding caring for your benchtop you can contact us.

*** It’s important to watch what you use on the granite, over time some harsh acidic kitchen chemicals can take their toll on the surface. Chemicals with acidic properties are the one thing that can corrode the sealing of granite, so do not use any product using vinegar or lemon. ***

*** Soap or detergent is okay to use periodically, however long term use will result in a build up on the surface***

Granites For White Kitchen Cabinetry

May 11, 2016/in Design, Kitchens /by keatings

White cabinetry is a age-old choice for any kitchen, whether you’re building or renovating your home interior. Due to the neutrality of white cabinets, choosing a benchtop colour can be overwhelming as almost anything goes! You can pick something that compliments the colours of your appliances or surrounding furniture, a artistic and bold statement piece, or simply choose a gorgeous white granite or marble for a classy but understated look.

The good news is, with white kitchen cabinets, the world really is your oyster. You can choose white granite, marble or quartz, black, gold,
red, green blue or even something a multi-coloured and out of the ordinary. Making the choice is the hard part! There are lots of things to consider to ensure you get the kitchen result of your dreams.

Granite is a natural stone, ensuring your home will harness a piece of wild nature to provide the perfect environment your looking for. Whether that be providing a warm and nurturing place to raise your family, catering for a large crowd or entertaining great friends with cheese, wine and good conversation.

Check out these images below of various granite benchtop colors matched with white cabinets and get inspired.

This could kick off the next step in your kitchen design plans and get you closer to the kitchen you deserve.

As you can see, any colour of this beautiful stone will compliment white cabinetry. It’s really up to your personality and vibe to pick something that reflects you.

As a product, granite has stood the test of time. It’s proven that is does not go out of style. It is extremely beautiful, while remaining one of the most hardest minerals on earth, resilient to heat, scratches and stains. It’s exceptionally easy to clean – making it low maintenance. Why would you not choose this extraordinary stone to grace your home?