What Is A Laminate Edge?

The finished edge on your stone kitchen or bathroom vanity is also known as a “laminate”. Edges are referred to as laminates when a neighboring strip of stone from your slab is cut and adhered beneath the countertop’s overhang.

Once the strip is cut, it is matched up with the overhang of your future countertop.

Fabricators will then glue and clamp this edge together with the countertop. Soon it will be routered into the desired shape, and polished.

One of the most commonly seen edges is the bullnose edge. Bullnose is a simple round edge that looks appropriate in nearly any home. Due to the popularity of this particular edge style, laminate edges are sometimes referred to as “bullnose”, regardless of the actual style. 

To see what slabs Natural Stone Source is currently carrying, please visit us at www.nssgranite.com or come see us in person at 425 N. Frontage Rd. in Nipomo California, 93444.

The Difference Between Cracks and Fissures in Granite

When choosing a granite slab or perhaps admiring your newly installed countertops, you may notice intermittent lines in the stone. Do not panic! Some people assume that these are cracks and that the integrity of their countertops will be compromised, but in most cases there is nothing to worry about. The difference between a crack and a natural granite fissure is an important aspect of enjoying the natural beauty of granite.

A fissure in a slab of granite is a natural cleft in the rock caused by God or “Nature”. When the stones form underground, a gap may develop in the material for any number of reasons, and this gap presents as a fissure when the slabs are mined from the ground.

Rock mining companies pull stone out of the ground in large rectangular cubes, then slice those rectangular cubes like bread. The slices become the individual slabs, and if those slabs have gaps or fissures, the mining company will fill them in with quartz crystals and a penetrating resin. The resin used to seal these fissures lends to the overall strength of the slab itself.  

A crack in granite occurs when there is an accident after the slab is resonated and polished. The crack will go all the way through the stone and be detectable by touch. This is the result of unintended breakage, and is not already filled in with quartz, resin, or epoxy. 

To see what slabs Natural Stone Source is currently carrying, please visit us at www.nssgranite.com or come see us in person at 425 N. Frontage Rd. in Nipomo California, 93444.

Care and Maintenance of Natural Stone

In order to protect and maintain your stone, many granite fabricators recommend cleaning with water and a mild, PH balanced soap. Dish soap is a perfectly fine cleaner for granite, travertine, and marble.

Oro Brasil Granite 

In addition, there are several cleaners that are specifically designed for stone. These cleaners can be found in the typical hardware store. They will identify themselves as "granite", "marble", or "travertine" cleaners on the label, and it is important to look for that claim when shopping.

When caring for natural stones such as granite, marble, and travertine, do avoid abrasive cleaners, glass cleaners, and bleach. Abrasive cleaners such as Ajax can scratch the polished surface of your stone. Glass cleaners and bleach will remove your sealer, increasing your risk for stains.

After a penetrating sealer is applied to the stone, it will last anywhere between 1 and 3 years, depending on the type of cleaner you use and how often you clean it.

The re-application of sealer is an easy process. We carry stone sealers for sale at Natural Stone Source, and once the sealer is purchased, re-sealing your stone is a simple matter of spreading the product on, wiping the excess off, and allowing it to dry for up to an hour. 

The Loveliness of Quartzite

Quartzite is another durable stone that makes gorgeous countertops in the kitchen and bath.

Made of metamorphosed sandstone, which is basically melted silica, this rock usually has a nice even color throughout.  Quartzite slabs seen in our showroom change frequently, but our favorites have been the rich Chocolate Quartzite, the stunning Ocean Wave, and the lovely gray of Madre Perola.

Madre Perola Quartzite

Quartzites’s solidly formed structure makes it even harder  than granite. The Mohr’s scale of hardness, which rates stones on a scale from 1 to 10 as to their toughness, rates quartzite at a 7. For comparison, granite itself is composed of feldspar (with a rating of 6) and quartz (with a rating of 7).

Chocolate Quartzite

For those who desire a unique kitchen that holds up well to scratches, wear and tear, Quartzite makes an attractive surface.

Ocean Wave Quartzite

 To see what slabs Natural Stone Source is currently carrying, please visit us at www.nssgranite.com or come see us in person at 425 N. Frontage Rd. in Nipomo California, 93444.

Ready for an Estimate? We're Here to Help

The remodel process can be very exciting. When you are ready for your granite estimate, we'd like to give you as much information as possible, no matter what step of the process you are at.

The sales crew at Natural Stone Source will be able to issue an estimate if you have the plans or drawings of your future cabinet dimensions. You may bring in drawings of your kitchen or bath that you have measured and drawn at home. Some plans come from an architect or the company that has designed your cabinets. The plans can be copied and handed in at our Nipomo showroom, faxed to our office, or emailed. Call (805) 540-7171 for more information.

Give us a call and we will be happy to help!


To see what slabs Natural Stone Source is currently carrying, please visit us at www.nssgranite.com or come see us in person at 425 N. Frontage Rd. in Nipomo California, 93444.