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You may have heard of famous story of Meg Ryan rubbing sliced tomatoes all over her brand new white marble countertops in her kitchen to "break them in." This is called acid-etching because the natural acid from the tomato literally etches the surface taking off the finish. This is pretty risky and not recommended, however, as acids can interfere with the stone's chemistry.

If you are looking for sound advice on the internet for how to clean and care for your stone countertops, you may be bogged down and overwhelmed by the thousands of forums and Meg Ryan-like testimonials. This is why Marble and Granite offers multiple outlets for reliable resources on learning how to maintain your granite, marble or other natural stone surface.

Of course, you can always find regular Care and Maintenance posts right here on our blog, but you can also go directly to our website, www.marbleandgranite.com, for several convenient Helpful Resources. From treating individual stones and spills to all the do's and don'ts you would need to know, our website can serve as your go-to source for quality stone caring guidance.

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For homeowners who do not want shabby chic or french country baths with milky white marble there is a durable, fashionable alternative: slate.

Slate is a metamorphic rock with fine grains and consistent color. It comes in shades that are generally rich yet understated. In exchange for the smooth polished look of other finished natural stone, no gloss, no shine slate has a unique property all of its own. Its fine mineral composition allows it to appear sleek and wet when it isn’t, creating just enough sheen for visual interest without being shiny.  The stone is easily divided into thin plates that are perfect for bathroom tiles.

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Marble and Granite offers six types of slate in beautiful colors. Our honed black slate tiles form a solid foundation for bath designs. For a bit more variation, try our black slate with natural cleft. Our green slate with a natural cleft is ideal for baths that desire a serene, natural touch.

Image Source: HomeCarsNew.com, OldHouseWeb.com

Marble and Granite offers an array of tiles from around the world, providing beautiful, durable products for your home. Before installing your tile, here are a few points to consider.  Keep in mind that the guidelines for particular projects may vary. Verify proper installation techniques for each project.

Tiles are often transported in boxes of 10 tiles each, weighing approximately 60 lbs. Handle with care.

After ensuring that you have received the proper order, remove the tiles from the box and arrange them in the designated space in a random order; it is not necessary or recommended to arrange the tiles in the order in which they were shipped. Consider the direction of the stone's veining to create a unified arrangement.




Once you have laid out the stone, ensure that there are extras for odd spaces, errors, etc. If you do not have adequate tiles for the space do not proceed. Ordering additional tiles may result in inconsistent tone.

When installing tile, you have the option of using adhesive or mechanical anchoring. The recommended technique depends on the size of the tiles and where you will put them. Indoor and outdoor installations have different methods so be sure to verify with a fabricator or installer.

Also, if you are not installing the tile yourself, speak with the installer and  approve the grout that he or she plans to use on your project. Color and material will effect the overall look of your project.

Source: Marble and Granite

Image by Shane Adams