Category Archives: Travertine

You Have Natural Stone Countertops, Now You Should Seal Them

Posted by ExquisiteStone on March 19, 2024

Natural stone countertops such as granite, marble and quartzite are porous materials, meaning they have tiny openings and capillaries that can absorb liquids. Sealing is an essential protective measure to prevent damage due to daily wear-n-tear.

It sounds like an inconvenience, but treating natural stone with a penetrating sealer creates a protective layer that repels liquids, preventing substances like red wine, oils, and acidic foods from penetrating the stone and causing stains.

Steps to Properly Seal Natural Stone Countertops

1. CLEAN THOROUGHLY:  Before sealing, ensure your countertops are clean and free of any stains, dirt, or debris. Use a pH-neutral stone cleaner for the best results.

2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT SEALER:  Select a sealer based on the type of natural stone you have. Check out recommendations from Exquisite Stone here.

3. VENTILATE:  Adequate ventilation is essential when applying sealers to minimize exposure to fumes. Open windows and doors or use fans if necessary.

4. APPLY SEALER:  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for applying the sealer. Typically, this involves evenly applying the sealer in small sections and allowing it to penetrate the stone for the specified time.

5. BUFF & REMOVE EXCESS:  After the sealer has had time to penetrate, use a clean, dry cloth or paper towels to remove any excess sealer from the surface.

6. CURE:  Give the sealer ample time to cure and create a protective barrier. This can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day, so be patient.

7. MAINTAIN:  Reapply the sealer as needed.  Exquisite Stone recommends every 3 to 5 years for most materials but please contact the sales team with any questions.

Sealing natural stone countertops is a vital part of preserving their beauty and longevity. By taking the time to follow proper sealing procedures, you can ensure that your countertops remain a stunning focal point in your kitchen or bathroom for years to come. A little maintenance now will go a long way in protecting your investment and maintaining the timeless elegance of your natural stone countertops.  Contact Exquisite Stone for information about sealers and helpful tips.

Benefits of digital templating

Posted by ExquisiteStone on June 5, 2014

We are living in a world that appears to become more entwined with technology by the minute.  This reliance on phones and tablets seems to make life both easier and more complicated as we move away from phone books, the #2 pencil, and even desktop computers.

In working towards incorporating more digital technology into the countertop production process, Exquisite Stone has set aside the glue gun and graph paper, and is now using a digital templating machine for every project. Instead of manually building a pattern of the countertops or creating a drawing using a tape measure and a notepad, Exquisite Stone now uses a state-of-the-art templating machine to gather all the information that is needed to build the countertops.  This computer enables the template technician to quickly and accurately collect all the relevant data for the project, including not only the locations and dimensions of each cabinet but also sink and cooktop centerlines, subtle inconsistencies in elevation and many other details that can be easily missed.  This step towards a more digital process has allowed Exquisite Stone to become faster, more efficient and more accurate with the way that countertops are made.  While conversion to digital production has its challenges, every day it makes our jobs easier, our work better, and our customers happier.

There are still a few #2 pencils and graph pads floating around the shop, but not many!

Dupont Warranty

Posted by ExquisiteStone on May 15, 2014

The last few years have seen improvements in the way that natural stones are being quarried, processed, and prepared for installation into the home. Dupont is now offering an extended warranty program for their StoneTech Bulletproof sealer. This warranty guarantees protection against food-related stains for 15 years. During this period if issues or concerns arise with the seal on the material, DuPont will offer repair or replacement services through their warranty guarantor. Exquisite Stone is an approved dealer for this warranty, and offers it for $175 with any kitchen installation. At less than $20 per year for the life of the warranty, this peace of mind is a nice reassurance that your countertop investment is being protected. Please visit Exquisite Stone for more details.