If you’re ready for a bathroom redesign, remodel, renovation or revamp, then it’s most definitely time to read our guide to using natural stone in the bathroom.

You may have a few questions or concerns when it comes to natural stone. Let’s address a few of those and get them out of the way:

Is natural stone difficult to maintain?

The answer to this varies by material and function. Marble is a soft, absorbent stone. This can be a downside for use in the bathroom. For example, if you use marble as a shower enclosure or bath surround then you’ll have to be careful not to stain the stone when using hair dye. Similarly, marble can be damaged if you use incorrect cleaning chemicals.

Having said that, you shouldn’t need to worry too much about maintenance if you make sure that the marble is sealed with a quality sealer and used appropriately. Ideally you should combine marble with other materials, such as porcelain or ceramic. Choose marble for a stunning vanity top or flooring, and then use porcelain tiles in the areas that will receive heavy exposure to water, such as the shower itself.

Is natural stone expensive?

Natural stone will always be more expensive than off-the-shelf ceramic tiles. The production of man-made materials is cheaper than that of natural stone. Also, having a bespoke vanity top, bath surround or shower enclosure created will involve enlisting the skills of a stone mason and professional fitting team. This will inevitably come at a cost, but it need not be prohibitively expensive. Discuss your budget and ideas with your stone manufacturer, to find a solution that works for you.

The extra pounds will certainly have been well spent when you see the finished product.

Moving on to the materials themselves:

Marble: Marble is one of the most popular natural stones used in bathroom.The stunning shiny white surface, emblazoned with flowing natural grains, is definitely the most opulent choice.

Granite: Granite is traditionally used in the kitchen, but it’s just as well-suited to the bathroom too. Choose from a huge selection of stunning natural colours and grains.

Semi-precious stones: Marble or granite not extravagant enough for you? Why not take a look at the semi-precious stone surfaces from Maer Charme – Click Here.

Let’s get inspired…

It’s far easier to imagine how natural stone could be integrated into your bathroom by viewing images. Take a look at this ideabook on Houzz for inspiration!

A few of our own projects…

With the help of our dedicated team of stone masons, templaters and installers, we have helped to create these stunning bathrooms:

The post The Essential Guide to Integrating Natural Stone into the Bathroom appeared first on Marble and Granite.

If you’re redesigning your kitchen, then your two major concerns will be functionality and appearance. You’ll want a kitchen that’s practical, but beautiful too – and that means choosing the perfect kitchen worktop.

Your kitchen’s work surface is often the first thing that catches your eye. But it’s not enough for it to look good – a kitchen worktop needs to be strong, durable and preferably heat-resistant and stain-resistant too. That’s why stone worktops are a great choice.

Granite Worktops

Each granite work top is individually made from large slabs of quarried granite individual work surface is crafted from huge slabs of granite stone. Together with the naturally-occurring variations in granite, this means your granite kitchen work surfaces will be completely unique. Granite worktops are also heat resistant and very durable, so this natural material will be long-lasting and highly practical.

Quartz Stone Worktops

If you want the durability and look of a stone worktop, but desire a more uniform appearance than granite can give, you need a quartz work surface. Quartz worktops are not 100% stone, as resins are added to give the work surface extra strength and provide a wide variety of beautiful patterns and colours to choose from.

Whichever material you choose for your kitchen work surface, come to the stone worktop experts here at Marble and Granite. We can show you a range of samples, give you guidance on choosing your ideal work surface, create a template and professionally fit your stone worktop in London, ensuring it is perfect. For more information and advice on stone worktops, just call 01992 535 038.

The post Stone Worktops London appeared first on Marble and Granite.

We’re Marble and Granite…of course we nuts about Granite! Here are just a few of the reasons why:

1. Granite is the main constituent of the continental crust, and forms the core of the continents.
2. Granite is a type of igneous, plutonic rock.‘ Igneous’ means it was formed by volcanic activity, while ‘plutonic’ indicates that this happened very deep below the Earth’s surface.
3. Granite forms the world’s tallest cliff faces. These include the northwest face of Great Trango Tower in Pakistan, around 5,500 ft high, and the Ogre, Masherbrum, and K7 mountain faces. Many of the rock walls in the eastern fjords of Baffin Island, including Polar Sun Spire (around 4,700-5,000 ft) are also made of granite, as are Ruth Gorge in Alaska, the Mont Blanc massif, the Bugaboos of Canada, and the Fitzroy and Paine groups in Patagonia.
4. All the granite we can see came from between 1 and 20 miles below the earth’s surface.
5. The word granite comes from the Latin word granum, meaning ‘grain’ – probably due to its granular appearance, caused as molten rock cools beneath the Earth’s surface and solidifies as quartz, feldspar, mica and small quantities of other minerals. These minerals give granite its speckled look.
6. Granite comes in a variety of colours. The different colour varieties are a consequence of the type of feldspar in the sample. Milky white granite contains plagioclase feldspar; pink granite contains pink or reddish alkali feldspar; grey granite contains white alkali feldspars; yellow, green and red granite all contain different shades of alkali feldspar.
7. Granite crystals vary in size. This variation is caused by the rate of cooling during its formation. Coarser granite occurs when the molten rock has cooled more slowly.
8. Granite is far more durable and stain resistant than limestone, sandstone or marble. These are the qualities that make it ideal worktop material.
9. The third highest mountain in the world, Kangchenjunga, is made of granite. It’s 28,169 ft high. It’s part of a 2.5 mile-thick sheet of light-coloured granite formed deep in the thickened crust of the Himalayas.
10. There are many forms of rock similar to, and incorrectly called, granite. True granite must consist of at least 20% quartz and 35% orthoclase feldspar. No other minerals are required, but these percentage criteria must be met.
11. Granite has a density of around 162 pounds per cubic foot, so it’s about two-and-a-half times heavier than the same volume of water.
12. Granite is approximately 50% oxygen by weight.
13. Curling stones are traditionally fashioned of Ailsa Craig granite. The first stones were made in the 1750s, with granite from Ailsa Craig in Scotland. 60-70% of the curling stones in use today are made from Ailsa Craig granite.
14. Granite has been used as a building material for thousands of years, and Aberdeen is known as the Granite City because so many of its building are made from this material.

The post Fourteen Things You Didn’t Know About Granite appeared first on Marble and Granite.

If you’re thinking of having a quartz worktop fitted in your Richmond home, then it is important to select a high-quality supplier. However, you might understandably think that all quartz countertop manufacturers are virtually the same! In reality, unlike granite or marble, quartz worktops are crafted by combining the natural quartz with additional resins. This combination of ‘ingredients’ results in a durable surface which is extremely resistant to heat, cold, stains and damage! However, this process means that the techniques and ingredient combinations can vary considerably between suppliers. So how do you select the right supplier for you?

Benefits of Silestone Worktops

If you want quality, then Silestone is the leader in the field. The brand combines 94% natural quartz with resins, for an extremely resilient worktop. The company is also the only supplier to incorporate a unique anti-bacterial protection into their quartz worktops. They achieve this by using silver ion technology.

Silestone Worktops in Richmond from Marble and Granite Ltd.

We are nominated fabricators of Silestone, which allows us to design, create and fit Silestone worktops! If you’re looking for Silestone countertops, or another brand of quartz surfaces, then get in touch with us today.

The post We Supply Silestone Worktops in Richmond appeared first on Marble and Granite.

Redesigning your Ealing kitchen could add significant value to your home. The cost to re-design your kitchen will almost certainly be less than the value added to your home. It’s worth taking considerable time when selecting a kitchen worktop to ensure that your worktop is durable, stain resistant and has the wow factor.

Here at Marble & Granite, we are able to create stunning bespoke natural stone worktops from granite. Granite is one of the most popular choices when it comes to work-surfaces, due to its stunning natural patterns. Our competitive prices and unbeatable customer service, means that we are a leading supplier of natural stone worktops in Ealing. If you would like to know more about how we can help you, then get in touch with us today on 01992 535 038.

The post Natural Stone Worktops in Ealing appeared first on Marble and Granite.

Interior design trends alter year on year, but when it comes to choosing a kitchen worktop it will need to stand the test of time. Are you looking for a beautiful worktop that will exude quality and fit into your décor? Most likely. However, you will also be looking for a work surface that will last for many years in terms of durability and style.

The most popular choices include laminate, stainless steel, wooden, composite or natural stone. Here at Marble & Granite, we are a little bit biased towards natural stone kitchen worktops…with good reason of course.

Is granite the right choice for your kitchen?

Formed from cooled magma, granite has a unique cooler and character. No two worktops crafted from granite will be the same – each will display an individual beauty. You can find granite in pink, red, brown, grey and black colourings, and it will be the ideal addition to your home if you prefer natural materials.

It has excellent resistance to heat and cold, which is an important factor when selecting a material for use in the kitchen. Granite can absorb liquid if spills are not dealt with quickly. With this in mind it is wise to choose a darker granite, which will not stain so easily.

If you think that natural stone kitchen worktops may be the right choice for your home, then get in touch with us today! Simply call 01992 535 038.

The post Why Choose Natural Stone Kitchen Worktops? appeared first on Marble and Granite.

When you see your newly installed granite work surface for the first time, it will be in pristine condition. However, knocks, spillages and general wear and tear will eventually take their toll. In order to keep your worktop looking like new, take note of our simple cleaning and maintenance tips.

1. Perform daily maintenance

• Clean the countertop with a soft cloth, warm water and a few drops of washing up liquid.
• Rinse the surface and finish by drying with a cloth.
• If you spill something on the worktop, then blot it up immediately with a paper towel. Avoid wiping spills, as this can spread the spill and push it further into the granite.
• Once the spill has been blotted up, clean using the instructions above.

2. What to avoid

Do not use ammonia, vinegar or lemon cleaners on your granite worktop. The acid in these formulas will eat away at the granite.

3. Wash the counter with a white cloth

For best results you should opt for a white cloth that is free of excess fibres. Soak the cloth in the cleaning liquid and then wring it out to remove as much water as possible. Wipe over the surface and rinse and repeat until your worktop is clean.

4. Don’t forget to buff and dry

Cleaning fluids and even water can leave streaks if the surface is not properly dried. Buff the counter to remove streaks and to give it a beautiful shine.

The post Marble & Granite’s Advice: How to Clean Your Granite Worktop appeared first on Marble and Granite.

Granite splashbacks and/or upstands are often used to compliment a granite worktop. In the kitchen, it’s inevitable that splashes will occur. An upstand will protect the wall from wetness and staining.

How to protect your wall from kitchen splashes and spillages

• Wipe-able paint: This can be applied to the walls behind the work surface.
• Tiles: The walls can be tiled behind the worktop.
• Splashbacks: A splashback is used to describe a piece of material (e.g. stone, stainless steel) that covers the full height/a large portion of the wall. A splashback is often used behind the hob, because this area is prone to steam and food splatters.
• Upstand: An upstand is usually around 100mm high and is generally the same material as the worktop itself.

Bespoke granite splashbacks and upstands

Upstands are a popular choice to compliment a granite worktop. Our upstands are usually manufactured in 20 mm granite and are 110 mm high. If you require full height splashbacks or 30 mm thickness, then simply let us know and this can be arranged.

Why not get in touch with us today to discuss your particular requirements?

Simply call us on 01992 535 038.

The post Bespoke Granite Splashbacks and Upstands by Marble & Granite appeared first on Marble and Granite.

Forging worktops out of granite slabs is what we do best! We could discuss granite worktops all day, but we realise that it may not be the most exciting topic to read about. Therefore, we’ve decided to pass on a few facts about the amazing history of granite and prove that it’s actually a very interesting material!

Firstly, did you know that granite has been used in construction for over 4,000 years? It has had over 4,000 years to develop some fascinating stories – let’s take a look:

Granite was the building block of choice by the Ancient Egyptians

Have you ever heard of the stone quarries of ancient Egypt? These quarries are located in the Nile Valley and produced quality stone, including red, grey and black granite. The granite was used to construct Cleopatra’s Needles, obelisks and columns.

A mountain of granite…

Mount Rushmore is one of the most iconic monuments in the World, attracting 3 million visitors every year. The monument depicts the faces of four US presidents and covers 1278.45 acres! The faces have been carved into our favourite material: granite.

Why is granite used in historical buildings and monuments?

Granite is the material of choice for many ancient sculptures and monuments, due to its durability and resistance to erosion. Yet, granite has one considerable drawback for ancient people – it is extremely heavy! You may consider a granite worktop, weighing around 145 lbs, to be heavy. But many ancient sculptures have weighed many tonnes – for some monuments it remains a mystery as to how they were transported into position!

Let’s add to the list!

Maybe you know a few fascinating facts about Granite? Let us know in the comments below.

The post The History of Granite: A Few Fascinating Facts appeared first on Marble and Granite.

Redesigning your Oxford kitchen is one way of significantly increasing the value of your property. The expense incurred in a kitchen re-design will almost certainly be less than the value added to your home. Part of the design will involve selecting a kitchen worktop, and it’s certainly worth taking plenty of time to select a work surface that is durable, stain resistant and has the wow factor. Quartz worktops are one of the most popular choices, due to the stunning natural appearance and durability.

Here at Marble & Granite, we are able to create stunning stone worktops from quartz and are nominated fabricators of leading brands, including Silestone and Caesarstone. Our competitive prices and unbeatable customer service means that we are a leading supplier of quartz worktops in Oxford. If you would like to know more about that ways that we can help you with your Oxford kitchen, then get in touch with us today on 01992 535 038.

The post Quartz Worktops Oxford appeared first on Marble and Granite.

We’ve got an exciting offer for the New Year! You could receive 10% off all of our products and services, providing you get in touch with us by the 23^rd December.

If you place an enquiry for an order in the New Year, then you’ll receive 10% off your order total! All customers enquiring about an order to be commissioned between January 5^th 2016 and March 31^st 2016 will receive the discount. Don’t miss out – to be eligible for the 10% off you need to get in touch with us before the 23^rd December!

Get a quote now!

The post Don’t miss our 10% discount on all New Year Orders! appeared first on Marble and Granite.

We are pleased to announce that we have now added three new brands to our range of products. Lapitec, Neolith, Dekton – three companies providing cutting edge materials using the latest innovations in the worktop industry. The Sintering technology used by these companies creates worktops that are thinner and stronger than ever before.

Understanding Sintered Stone Worktops

Sintered Stone Worktops are created using Sintering Techology. This consists of subjecting raw materials to extremely high pressure and temperature in order to fuse the minerals together. The resulting product is 100% mineral, with no resin or binder. More importantly this process creates a material that is extraordinarily strong with almost zero porosity.

Traditional granite and quartz worktops generally have a minimum thickness of 20mm. Due to the superior strength of Sintered stone, we can now offer worktops at a thickness of 12mm.

Benefits include:

– Inert and tolerant to high & low temperatures, and unaffected by moisture

– Resistant to UV light, acids, alkalis, abrasion and impact

To find out more about these materials, or to receive a quote, simply get in touch by visiting the contact page.

The post Sintered Stone Available: We are now suppliers of Lapitec, Neolith & Dekton appeared first on Marble and Granite.

With over 30 years experience in our industry, we are an experienced, family-run business that has grown to become one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of kitchen worktops. One of the many services we offer in Wandsworth is the manufacture of bespoke ceramic worktops. Ceramic worktops make a fantastic alternative to traditional work surface materials, such as quartz or granite.

So why is ceramic the right choice for your kitchen? It is 100% scratch proof, extremely hard-wearing, resistant to heat and hygienic. This amazing strength and durability allows us to cut extremely thin work surfaces, to thicknesses of as little as 10 mm.

If you would receive a quote for a ceramic worktop in Wandsworth, then get in touch with us today via the contact form.

The post Ceramic Worktops Wandsworth appeared first on Marble and Granite.

If you’ve decided that your kitchen is looking a little bit tired or past its best, the first place you may have started researching is possible replacements for your kitchen worktops. Some of the most popular kitchen worktops include materials such as quartz, granite, ceramic, glass, wood, laminates and stainless steel. Take a look at the following to see which material you’d be better off with in your own kitchen:

Wood – Perfect for smaller food preparation or dining areas, wood will suit almost any style of kitchen.

Stainless Steel – This will give your kitchen a rather industrial feel and is often favoured for use in commercial kitchens. As well as looking great, stainless steel also has excellent anti-bacterial properties and is easy to clean.

Granite – One of the most expensive materials, granite has been used as kitchen worktops all around the world. Whether you want it due to its durability or aesthetics, granite is a great choice.

Quartz – Similar to granite in durability, quartz is available in a wider variety of colours and doesn’t require sealing. We offer quartz from some of the leading suppliers in the UK, including Caesarstone worktops.

Ceramic – Ceramic worktops can give your kitchen a really unique look and they are well suited for use in dining/breakfast bar areas.

When asking the question “what’s the right kitchen worktop for your Ealing home?” you should weigh up your total budget and your family lifestyle before making your choice! If you require more information about any of the options, call the Marble & Granite team on 01992 535 038.

The post What’s the right kitchen worktop for your Ealing home? appeared first on Marble and Granite.

With over 30 years of experience in this industry, we have established ourselves as one of the leading manufacturers of natural stone worktops in the South East & Central London. We specialise in creating stunning, unique kitchen worktops from beautiful, high quality natural stone.

About our natural stone worktops…

Marble is a hard crystalline metamorphic form of natural limestone. Found in many areas around the world, this stone can be templated in a variety of colours. The soft, porous nature of the rock means that it is not ideal for use as a kitchen worktop, as it is prone to staining. Granite on the other hand is a very hard, almost indestructable igneous rock consisting primarily of quartz, mica, and feldspar. It is well-suited for use in the kitchen, and is one of the most popular materials available.

In addition to purely natural stone worktops, we also offer quartz countertops. Quartz is a man-made alternative to granite, and is created by mixing natural quartz with resins. The resins provide added strength and durability. Our extensive range includes quartz from leading suppliers, including Silestone & Caesarstone.

Request a quote today!

Whether you live in Central London or another area of the UK, get in touch with Marble & Granite today for a quote.

The post Expertly-crafted Stone Worktops in Central London appeared first on Marble and Granite.

We are offering a 40% discount on a range of quartz and marble products in our end of season stock clearance! The marble is ideal for bathroom vanity tops and includes Carrara Marble, Emperardor Marble and Crema Marfil. Our discounted quartz stones are suitable for both bathroom vanity tops and kitchen worktops. We currently have the following in stock:

• Starlight Black Quartz
• QF Twinkle White
• QF Pebble Light Grey
• Compac Snow
• Portland Grey
• Brazilian Canadian White
• Crema Venato
• White Platinum
• M A White
• Blanco Cameila
• Pebble Dark grey

Our stock clearance is only available directly from our Warehouse, so visit us in person to grab it before it’s gone!

Showroom Location:

Unit 3, Hertford Industrial Estate, Caxton Hill, Hertford, SG13 7NE

Contact us today to arrange an appointment on 01992 535

Opening Times:

Mon to Fri 8am to 5pm,

Saturday 10am to 4pm (last appointment 3:30pm),

The post Huge Savings on Marble & Quartz – 40% Off in End of Stock Clearance appeared first on Marble and Granite.

One of the most popular kitchen worktop materials is quartz, also known as composite worktops. Take a look at three of the main reasons for this:

Durability – Quartz is one of the toughest materials available for use as a kitchen work surface. During manufacture of the work surface, natural quartz is combined with resins to make the finished surface extremely hard and resilient. The result is a material that is highly resistant to scratches, chips or heat damage. With this in mind, it is ideal for families with young children, or keen cooks.

Colour variety – There are a huge number of colour choices when it comes to quartz. Quartz worktops are available in almost any shade you can think of. Some companies even allow you to create custom colours from your favourite shade!

Exclusivity – Quartz worktops are highly sought after due to their stunning asthetics and high price tag. A Silestone, Caesarstone or other quartz worktop installed in your home could increase its value!

If you are looking for quartz worktops in Greater London then get in touch with Marble & Granite. Marble & Granite are also nominated fabricators of Caesarstone worktops and Silestone worktops. Simply call 01992 535 038.

In addition to our quartz surfaces, we also manufacture granite worktops London.

The post Quartz Worktops in Greater London appeared first on Marble and Granite.

Like most industries, when it comes to kitchen worktops the market is dominated by just a few exclusive brands. At the top of many home owner’s wish lists are granite and quartz worktops, due to their aesthetic qualities, durability and exclusivity. If you’re looking to purchase a stone work surface for your home, then which brand or company should you opt for? If you’re looking for a quartz worktop supplier then one of the leading brands in the industry is Caesarstone.  Caesarstone have been producing their composite stone surfaces for many years now and are now recognised as leading experts in their field. Their place at the top is due to the excellent quality of their products and the wide range of colours and finishes available.

Are Caesarstone worktops available in London and the rest of the UK? Marble & Granite can supply and fit a vast range of quartz kitchen worktops, including Caesarstone, so if you would like to find out more just call one of the team on 01992 535 038.

The post Caesarstone Worktops in London appeared first on Marble and Granite.

Got a better offer from another supplier? Been quoted less for your new worktop? That’s not a problem, as we will match any price for the same service.

At Marble and Granite we pride ourselves on providing the highest quality products and services, at a competitive price. We will not compromise on the quality of our products and strive to maintain these high standards. However, we do understand that budget is often a factor when selecting a worktop supplier. If you’re offered the same service at a lower price than we have quoted, then we will match that price, in accordance with these terms and conditions.

The post Price Match Promise: Find a better offer and we’ll match it! appeared first on Marble and Granite.

Here at Marble & Granite, we have a range of kitchen worktops suitable for your Richmond property. Choosing the material for your worktop depends on a number of factors, including the overall kitchen design and your particular budget. The materials we offer include:

• Granite
• Quartz
• Ceramic
• Sintered Stone

The process of manufacturing quartz and sintered stone for use in worktops involves complex processes and specialist techniques. These are carried out by a number of leading brands in the industry and we are nominated fabricators of many of these brands, including:

• Silestone
• Caesarstone
• Cimstone
• Quarella
• Arenastone
• Compac
• Lapitec (sintered)
• Neolith (sintered)
• Dekton (sintered)

Browse the website to view samples and colours from these manufacturers.

For more information about our kitchen worktops, products and services in Richmond, contact us today on 01992 535 038.

The post Quality Kitchen Worktops in Richmond appeared first on Marble and Granite.