Marble and Granite - FAQ

What is the difference between Marble and Granite?
Is Granite good for kitchen counters?
What is Honed Granite?
What is Flamed Granite?
Does Granite need sealing?
Can Marble be used on counters?
Can Marble be used on floors?
Is Green Marble different from other Marbles?
What is the best way to care for Marble or Granite?

Solistone - FAQ

 What is the difference between Modern and Cubist?
What are Pebbles - Standing?
Can the Sandstone Collection be used outdoors?

What is the Difference between Marble & Granite?
Both are natural stones quarried from the earth, along with Limestone, Travertine and Onyx. Granite is a very hard stone created deep in the earth, formed from crystallized minerals under extremely high pressure & temperature. Marble starts out as sediment - shells, plant matter, silt and even animal skeletons (you wanted to know) This super hot mass starts to rise after millions of years of resting on the bottom of bodies of water, it solidifies as it cools into a hard stone known as marble.
**Note: Because it is naturally high in calcium content, Marble can be affected by acids such as fresh fruit drinks and even vinegar!

Is Granite good for kitchen counters?
Yes it is fine for use on counter tops  mainly due to it's extreme hardness. Granite stands up well to daily use from kitchen utensils, unaffected by heat from cooking pans and is not subject to damage by acids, like marble.
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What is Honed Granite?
Granite is considered honed when the polishing process is stopped just before the stone achieves a high gloss finish, leaving the surface with a soft matte appearance.

What is Flamed Granite?
Just like it sounds, a flame (usually of blowtorch intensity)in applied to the surface of Granite causing some melting of surface crystals.
This product is great for using outdoors or a wet area, to reduce slipping.
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Does Granite need Sealing?
Unsealed Granite is subject to some staining from cooking oils for instance, but occasional resealing, subject to amount of usage, will preserve the great look of this beautiful product!  

Can Marble be used on counters?
Honed Finished Marble may be used on kitchen counters, because it's surface already has an "etched matte finish" that tends to help conceal some the utensil marks.
**Note: Remember Marble is softer than Granite and is subject to acid damage and you will need to apply a stone sealer as needed.
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Can Marble be used on floors?
While Granite works better than Marble for floors, Marble Floors have been around for ages. A matte finished Marble Tile is the generally the best choice for a floor, because it is less apt to show scratches and foot traffic wear. The matte finish also tends to give a softer and less formal appearance, while maintaining the natural beauty of the stone.
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Is Green Marble different than other marbles?
Some Green Marble is not really marble at all. They are generally created from a different material entirely, called serpentinites or serpentines. While "Green Marble" tends to be very hard, do not etch and unaffected by acids, they do have a unique quirk. Green Marble tends to curl if installed using a water based adhesive, so an epoxy adhesive is required.

What is the best way to care for Marble or Granite?
You should always use cleaners and sealers designed specifically for use with natural stone products. These special products are really not difficult to use and usually provide the desired results.
**Note: Never use any powdered cleanser including "Soft Scrub" on your natural stone tiles. Never use oil based or acidic cleaning  products (including ammonia and Windex) as these will cause damage or stain Marble or Granite Stone.
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What is the difference between Modern and Cubist Collections?
These are both natural stone products for wall use only. Their design redefines the conventional aesthetics for wall tiles.
Modern Collection: A natural split-faced stone, each nominally sized at .5"x.75" wide and .375"X.75" high, mounted on a 12x12 inch mesh-backing for easy installing.
Cubist Collection: A 1" square cube with dramatically varied height .625" avg. and again mounted on a 12x12 inch mesh-backing for easy installing.
Both collections must be sealed before installation and are interior/exterior.

What are Pebbles - Standing?
This style of natural stone gives the effect of ancient stacked stone structures.
These spectacular looking tiles are available in flat stone and rounded stone.
The pebble size mix ranges from 1.25" to 3" in length and .75" to 1" thick and  
they are mounted on a 4"x12" mesh-backing for easy installing. (note: Standing Pebbles do not require grout. They are installed in thick adhesive @ 1/4" to 3/8"
so each stone is seated in the thinset and the thinset is visible and acts as grout.
If another grout color is desired, mix that color grout into the thinset at a
ratio of 1 part grout to 7 parts thinset. As with all natural stone, sealing is recommended.
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Can the Sandstone Collection be used outdoors?
This tile is not recommended for exterior use because Sandstone tends to be
extremely porous and does not stand up well to freezing and thawing conditions.
In this type of collection where acrylic sealers are required, the solvent-based
Miracle 511 or 511 Porous Plus is recommended, depending on how porous
the stone may be.