Granite and Marble For Your Kitchen and Bathroom

Welcome to AlonyMarble.com, a wonderful source and guide to finding the perfect remodeling solution for your kitchen or bathroom remodeling projects. Whether looking for the perfect kitchen flooring for your brand new home, adding granite countertops to your existing decor, or simply looking for bathroom ideas as part of a bathroom remodeling project we are your one stop resource to helping you bring your visions alive.

It is no secret that an investment in tile flooring and stone countertops in the kitchen and bathroom will help just about any used home appraise higher for resale. Why? well most people equate marble, granite, slate, and ceramics with million dollar homes. Thus, as long as the rest of the house appraises well, these upgrades will help appraisers increase the value of the home. For realtors, these materials sell themselves so long and the actual decor fits the taste of the prospective buyer, especially since kitchens and bathrooms are feature rooms of most homes on the market. From an investment standpoint, it's pretty much a slam dunk so be sure to visit our Home Center now for some really cool ideas.

Is resale value the only reason to consider these kitchen and bathroom upgrades? Of course not. Whether you are purchasing a new home or considering kitchen remodeling or bathroom remodeling, keep in mind that these materials can and will transform the look and feel into that of luxury and elegance.

  • Marble - No other materials can compete with the rich, deep luster and shine of marble. Having been used as a decorative material for thousands of years, it offers both decorative and practical comfort to any room inside or out.
  • Granite - Granite has quickly risen as the most popular choice for new home installations and remodeling projects as well. Its’ durability, low maintenance, and the available variety of options it comes in make it a consumer favorite.
  • Slate - Slate is a clay-based, fine grained hard rock containing clay, mica, and quartz. Most readily available in black or gray, you can also find it in other colors such as rich greens, reds, and purples. The modern boldness of slate fits many ranges of decor from classical to contemporary.
  • Ceramics - Made of pressed clay, ceramic and porcelain tile is offered in both matte and gloss finishes. Relatively inexpensive, its' chemical, mechanical and thermal durability make it a popular choice among consumers.

So as you can see you have many options available to you when it comes to refinishing countertops and your flooring in your kitchens, bathrooms, and the other rooms of your house. But what do you really need to know when selecting the right tile and stone? How do you go about selecting the right type of material? While there is no easy to follow formula, the foundation of the whole shopping concept is to develop your budgetary requirements and goals up front then stay true to them as you shop. This foundation will force you to explore material and installation options that are not always marketed but are most definitely among the smartest consumer choices providing the most bang for your buck.

In addition, here are a few additional secrets of the trade that will give you an edge when shopping for marble, granite, slate, and ceramic tile.

When selecting a kitchen or bathroom countertop, be aware of the abuse it will take. While natural stone is a very desirable material, it is susceptible to scratching and staining.

Stone countertops require regular sealing to help prevent staining.

Natural stone tile should be sealed prior to installation. If it’s not sealed prior to, the grout that will enter the pores of the granite during installation and will be difficult to remove after installation.

Consider the weight of the materials you will be choosing. Heavier materials often require stronger support which could add to the cost of your project.

When selecting countertops, selecting pre-fabricated granite over large slabs will save you a tremendous amount of money.

There is no reason that you can’t have a beautiful new granite countertop for your kitchen or some dazzling glass tile for your bathroom … all at affordable pricing that fits your budget.