Whether new or renovated, your kitchen should reflect your taste and personality– the kitchen is the heart of the home! It’s important to ensure you feel comfortable and relaxed in a room that sees everything from parties to pizza nights, from late night snacks to holiday feasts. Read below for five of this year’s most popular kitchen design trends, all of which can bring warmth and renewal to your kitchen.

FUNCTION-FRIENDLY
The streamlined look and style of early 2000s kitchens have given way to a more practical design mentality. Recent trends include functional features such as ‘butcher block’ islands, accessible and ergonomic cabinetry and even stainless steel countertops. While useful, many of these choices also add warmth and hominess to the kitchen. For an alternative to the commercial look of stainless steel, consider Stoneworks’ quartz surfaces for equal durability and practicality– with many more options for colour and customization!

STAY CENTRED
Once known formally as a ‘sideboard,’ islands or detached counters have become wildly popular in new and renovated kitchens. In fact, islands have become so commonplace: many kitchen design outlets have noted that the kitchen table is nearly extinct! Stoneworks has seen modern islands evolve out of their utilitarian designs into more refined forms– featuring clever design, furniture-inspired styling, ‘twin’ islands and, of course, a wide variety of unique countertops.

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
When you pick the design of your next kitchen project, you may feel like you have to choose just one style. Thankfully, tastes have expanded to create a wide range of products that fuse and combine modern design. It’s common to see traditional materials like marble side-by-side with modern innovations such as seamless stainless steel. Visit or contact Stoneworks today to sample our huge range of unique and durable surfaces– we can help you find the perfect balance between modern and traditional.

LOOK AND FEEL
This year, kitchen design is all about tone and texture. Top designers have fallen in love with dark, muted colours accented with laminate wood patterns and metallic trim. Ornate and commercial has given way to subtle, yet functional appliances and cabinetry with more of a homey feel. Gone are the days of all granite, all the time; Stoneworks’ custom kitchen surfaces of all varieties are in high demand.

CONNECTED CUISINE
These days it’s just as common to find a digital tablet alongside a stack of cookbooks. The web is an amazing resource for busy homecooks and farmers’ market foodies alike! So it’s no surprise kitchens are now being outfitted with more electrical outlets, hidden wifi networks and connected appliances. Looking to plug a little 21st-century into your culinary kingdom? Consult with Stoneworks today for a wide range of customization options.

Gourmet food, fine wine, classical art– we relate all of these things with Italy. The vibrant colours and personalities of the country contribute to the overall sensation we enjoy when it crosses our imaginations. Italy sets trends globally and home design is no exception: Italian marble has dominated refined and luxurious projects thanks to its one-of-a-kind warmth and appearance. Are you curious about the origins and differences of Italian marble? Read on for Stoneworks’ handy guide.

CARRARA
Carrara marble is one of the most popular varieties ever sold; it earned the name from the city and region in which it was produced. Carrara is a city and province in northern Tuscany that has quarried more marble than anywhere else in the world. In fact, the other two marble types listed below are also sourced from the Carrara region in Italy. Carrara marble is a classic white variety with subtle, subdued veining– perfect for understated and subtle rooms.

CALACATTA
Calacatta marble, like Carrara marble, is coloured classic white, mined in the Carrara region of Italy and has been sold widely for hundreds of years. Unlike Carrara marble, Calacatta has thick, bold veins throughout the stone. These veins create wide a range of shades in a single slab, as well as dramatic, geometric visuals. Ranging from dark grey to stark white, Calacatta marble is a good choice for unique surfaces in any room.

STATUARIO
A precious and rare subclass of Carrara marble, Statuario is generally considered to be marble of the highest quality. With subtle tones and hues, Statuario marble enjoys a deep range of colours– from rich gold to pale grey. Deep, complex veining is also common in this variety; a subtler version known as Satuarietto is also available.

Tips:

• Invest in a good sealant– marble is porous and can stain if not treated
• Ask for at least three samples of your desired marble– you will get a better idea of the range of colour, tone and pattern.
• Embrace the patina– the first scratch in a marble surface is hard to take, but over time well-worn marble adds charm and warmth to any room.
• Avoid acid– acidic cleaners and food can seriously and permanently damage your marble surface. Clean all spills immediately.
• When in doubt, refinish– unlike some other products, marble can be refinished to renew its original look and feel (thought it can be costly).

Still have questions about marble surfaces, their origin and their care? Contact or visit Stoneworks today and our stone specialists can address any concerns you might have. We pride ourselves in a diverse stock, friendly customer service and unmatched experience in the field of stone surfaces. Get your free quote today!

Countertops are an essential part of any kitchen’s form and function. Kitchen surfaces need to be sturdy enough to handle everyday use, while being subtle and stylish enough to remain fresh for years. There is a wide range of options to choose from if you are a homeowner looking to upgrade, renovate or create the perfect kitchen. Here at Stoneworks, we specialize in granite, quartz, onyx and marble. Read on for a summary of the pros and cons of using each product for your next kitchen countertop.

GRANITE
In countertops and building materials, the full selection of ‘granite’ surfaces actually consists of many hard and semi-porous igneous stones. Selected for their granite-like properties, these stone types provide a consistent product available in all prices, colours and qualities.

Pros

• Wear-, heat- and bacteria-resistant
• Thousands of colours and styles
• Rarely needs sealing

Cons

• Heavy impact can crack surface
• Stone cleaner should be used often
• Prone to stains

QUARTZ
To manufacture quartz into countertops, it first must be mined, crushed into crystals and then pressed into form. Once the quartz is molded, resin is added– hardening and strengthening the finished product. Colour is also added, allowing for a highly customizable, yet durable kitchen surface.

Pros

• Wear-, stain-, bacteria- and acid-resistant
• Does not require sealant or cleaner
• Consistent, even appearance

Cons

• High-end range is extremely costly
• Heavier than some products
• Matte finish can appear dull

ONYX
Highly attractive, yet somewhat fragile– onyx is a kitchen surface choice for those with discerning taste. Onyx is extremely diverse: each slab is unique and boasts deep colouring, irregular striping or banding and a subtle translucence that captures and diffuses light. A striking centerpiece in any kitchen, onyx countertops will reflect positively on any homeowner, homebuilder or contractor.

Pros

• Unique colours and accents
• Translucence creates depth and enhances lighting effects
• Smaller and less heavy than other products

Cons

• Fragile
• Vulnerable to wear, acid and cleaning agents
• Special cleaner and regular sealing required

MARBLE
Marble is usually a metamorphic rock– a combo of two existing forms of stone– that occurs in nature, but the term can encompass other crystallized minerals used in construction (ie: limestone). Regardless of a marble product’s geologic origins, when used for home surfaces it always provides a classic style and pleasant aesthetic.

Pros

• Diverse colours and styles
• Look is both natural and classical
• Heat-resistant

Cons

• Regular sealing required
• Easily scratched
• Difficult to repair
• Vulnerable to acid

THE VERDICT
No matter your preference, Stoneworks has the right stone for your next kitchen surface install or upgrade. From hyper-durable quartz and granite to more delicate alternatives like marble and onyx, you are free to choose which material will anchor your kitchen for years to come. Visit or contact us today to consult with one of our stone specialists– we will listen to your needs and customize the perfect product for you and your kitchen.

The two main differences between quartz and granite are:

• Granite is porous and quartz is not
• Granite can have more variance than quartz (i.e. more movement)

Having a non-porous material in your kitchen is good for reasons of sanitation, since bacteria and viruses cannot penetrate into your kitchen countertop. Granite on the other hand can have a wilder and indeed organic feel to it.

Price

Depending on which company you buy your quartz from it can vary significantly of course, but generally engineered stone has a price point that is close to granite. Some colors of granite cost much more, some much less, but engineered stone in general is about equal in price to a mid-range granite

Difference in strength

Engineered stone much stronger than granite, while at the same time being easier to shape. Granite tends to be more brittle due to some parts of the slab being denser and having higher or lower iron content in relation to the natural amount of quartz in the matrix.

Drawbacks of Quartz

The biggest complaint about quartz products is that if something does manage to scratch or somehow deface the surface of your counter top, it is almost impossible to repair. This is because engineered stones have a surfacing substance applied to them.
With granite it is possible to repair a chip or fill a scratch and to cover your tracks by surface polishing the material. Afterward the repair can often be unnoticeable. This is something that is difficult or impossible with many engineered stones.

Drawbacks of Granite

Granite counter tops occasionally need to be sealed because they are actually porous. Also over time each color of granite will tend to shift (get one shade darker or lighter, change hue slightly) as it is mined from deeper and deeper in the Earth. So if you ever wanted to replace a piece or add to your job, the odds become increasingly thinner and thinner of finding a good color match, even of the same color.

Quartz countertops are man-made. They are engineered from a mixture of minerals – mostly, but not 100%, quartz. The mineral crystals are ground and mixed with resins, bonding agents and colour. Then they’re compressed and heated until solid and impervious to moisture and bacteria.

Basically, what the manufacturers are doing is mimicking nature. Natural granite is a mixture of stone and minerals bound together by the intense pressure and heat deep in the earth.

Quartz is one of the hardest minerals on earth. Natural granite has a percentage of quartz in it, but it’s never as high as the percentage in engineered quartz countertops – which can be as much as 93%. That’s what makes quartz countertops so durable and scratch resistant.

The appearance of a countertop depends on the size of the quartz crystals used – fine crystals will look more uniform than larger ones. And the colour of a counter, since it’s manufactured, will be consistent through the whole countertop. The colour you see on the sample chip is the same as you’ll get in your kitchen.

Every piece of granite, since it’s natural, is unique. Which means the little sample pieces you get to choose from might not represent what your whole counter might look like.

When it comes to choosing between granite and quartz, think about your kitchen design and your taste. If your countertop is a complex shape and will need lots of pieces and cuts, odds are those seams will be more noticeable in granite than in quartz. Since a granite countertop is a cut slab of rock, it’s not going to be uniform. Quartz will be consistent throughout in pattern and colour, so seams are easier to match and hide.

What I look for in a kitchen counter is that it’s easy to keep clean. You want to make sure it’s non-porous, so bacteria can’t get into it. Some counters I’ve seen are so porous it’s scary: preparing food on them is as unhealthy as wiping your counter with raw chicken.

Quartz countertops are non-porous and impervious to bacteria. That doesn’t mean germs won’t live on the surface – it means they won’t penetrate into the countertop.

Granite also needs very little maintenance. Many quartz countertop manufacturers make a big deal about how “porous” and “soft” granite is in comparison to quartz. It’s a marketing strategy for manufacturers of a competitive product.

Yes, granite does need to be sealed every year, but it’s not a big deal – it’ll only take an hour or so. It’s not high-maintenance.

But, for some people any maintenance is too much maintenance. Yes, it’s true, unsealed granite is more porous than quartz, so don’t forget to seal your granite!

We often hear that quartz countertops are more green than the alternatives. Granite has to be quarried from the earth, and shipped long distances, which makes it not very green.

Quartz is also natural – in fact it was originally mined. But, since it’s a by-product of industry (often crumbly rock too brittle to be used as slabs) it’s easy to spin it as “greener.” Processing and reusing this post-industrial waste keeps it out of landfills.

But the processing to make the quartz into a countertop is very energy intensive. Also, the resins used to bind the ground quartz are likely to be high in VOCs, so don’t be taken in by a green wash.

Engineered stone countertops are a great product: durable, beautiful and long-lasting. They are heavier than granite and they take highly trained and certified professionals to install them – definitely not a DIY project. And, they are expensive – they’re at the upper end of countertop options. But like with most things, you get what you pay for.

Stains

Generally, Granite does not stain. All stone, however, is porous to some extent, but granite has very little porosity.

Most colors will never show any moisture. A few colors may show some moisture if exposed for a period of time. For example, a puddle of water left on the counter for 30 minutes for some colors, may show a dark spot when the water is wiped away. This spot will then dry up and no evidence will show. Only a few colors demonstrate this trait. It is very important that the homeowner seals the granite surface & grout at least every year.

Removing stains from granite countertops can be both a challenge and a puzzle at the same time. In order to remove a stain, you need to ensure that it is indeed a stain and not damage to the stone. Next, you need to determine what caused the stain so that you can apply the correct materials to remove it. Here are guidelines for determining the problem and the necessary steps to resolve it.

Stain or Damage?

Use these guidelines to determine whether the spots you are seeing are in fact stains or if they are areas of damaged stone. If you are unsure, consult a trained specialist before proceeding.

Stains:

• Discoloration from the stone absorbing a staining agent (coffee, tea, oil, etc.)
• When the staining agent is removed, the stain is gone.

Damage:

• A change in the natural chemical makeup of the stone.
• Not caused by the stone absorbing an agent, but rather caused by damage to the surface.
• Corrosion, typically caused by acids, leaving “rings” or “water spots” that cannot be removed.
• You cannot remove a “stain” that is actually damage as it requires repairing/removing the damaged area.
• It needs to be determined if the damage is to the stone or to the protective coating/sealant. (Some types of granite do not require sealants and when they are applied, they become damaged and look as though the area is stained.)

Removing stains requires the use of a poultice. A poultice consists of two materials:

• an absorbent material such as Bounty or Viva paper towels, talcum powder or diatomaceous earth
• a chemical to remove the stain.

Water Stains

Most water stains are only a temporary problem. The granite may darken or lighten in color when the water is absorbed into the stone. However, once the water evaporates, the color of the stone should return to normal. To prevent this absorption from happening in the first place, it is necessary to seal the surface of the granite with a high quality sealer. This can be completed on your own or by a professional. If hard water stains occur, they can be removed by applying vinegar to the area using the same methods as above.

Cutting

Cut directly on a Granite countertop surface only if you want to ruin your good knives. Granite is harder than your knife blades and will dull them very quickly if you use the countertop as a cutting surface. Always cut and chop on a wooden or plastic cutting board.

Heat

Granite is formed by a combination of extreme heat and pressure, and thus it cannot be affected by heat from a cook top or frying pan. A lit flame placed under the granite will have no melting effect and will not leave any burned or scarred marks.

Care and Precautions

Use coasters under all glasses, particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juices. Many common foods and drinks contain acids that will etch or dull the surface of many stones. Do not place hot items directly on the stone surface. Use trivets or mats under hot dishes and place mats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that can scratch the surface.

Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap (available at hardware stores) or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Use a clean rag mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently. Do not use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.

Want to learn more? Contact the team at Stoneworks Granite & Quartz today for a custom countertop quote!

A common problem working with natural stone is, we can’t control what it looks  like. As a fabricator, our job is to measure your job, custom cut it to your specifications, polish the edges, and install the project in your home.

Even though we try to educate our customers up front, we still get asked many questions in regards to material, including questions about fissures in the stone. Some of you out there may not know what a fissure is, so let’s start by defining it.

The MIA, Marble Institute of America, in their 2005 Residential Stone Countertop Installation Guide states that, “Fissures occur naturally in many stone types. A fissure is defined by the American Geological Institute as ‘an extensive crack, break, or fracture in the rock, which may contain mineral-bearing material.’ The term ‘fissure’ is used commerically in the stone industry to describe a visible separation along intercrystalline boundaries. This separation may start and stop within the field of the stone, or extend through and edge. A fissure differs from a crack, in that it is a naturally occurring feature in the stone.”

Fissures are very common in granite. Some granite however, contain more fissures than others. If you notice a fissure in a certain area, more than likely there will be other areas that contain fissures as well. Depending on the lighting in your home, some fissures may stand out more than others, or look more pronounced.

• Fissures are not typically prominent in sink areas. A crack could be caused in a sink area during transportation, or from in-proper handling of the stone.
• Fissures do not change the plane of a surface. If a level was placed across the questionable area, you shouldn’t be able to slide a business card underneath it.
• Fissures will show up in more than one area of the stone, not just in 1 place.
• With fissures, you shouldn’t be able to catch a fingernail, business card, car key, etc. in the area.

Remember to keep in mind that granite is natural. While markings, veining, pitting, and fissures are common, they do not affect the quality of the stone. These characteristics are what makes each piece of granite unique, stand out, and make it “natural.”

Talk to the team at Stoneworks Granite & Quartz in Edmonton to learn more!

When choosing a sink for a new kitchen or remodel, there is more than one alternative available. The two known options are either a top-mount or under-mount sink. Both types have pros and cons.

Topmount

A top-mount sink is one that is installed on top of a countertop. A portion of the sink, called a lip, overlaps the countertop to provide a covered edge.

Undermount

This type of sink is set up below the actual countertop, yielding a smoother finish. There are no extra grooves or crevices that will trap dirt and debris.

Appearance

An under-mount sinks gives a cleaner look. It allows the countertop selection to be showcased and functions better during cleanup.

Labor

Top-mount sinks simply fit into a cutout already made in the countertop, and a faucet can easily be installed afterward. Under-mount sinks require additional support by a brace or frame, because they are positioned underneath the countertop; the placement of a faucet has to be secured underneath as well, hindered by a small amount of working space.

Cost

Under-mount sinks tend to be more expensive, because many are custom built. and the labor is much more extensive than a top-mount installation. Under-mount sinks are typically used in kitchens with natural stone countertops; therefore, the cost of granite or marble is likely to be reciprocal in the selection of the sink.

Still not sure which sink option is right for you? Contact the team at Stoneworks today to learn more!

We import much of our granite from suppliers that keep the environment in mind. When they are finished mining stone for your beautiful, natural countertop, they plant trees and other native vegetation in those areas.

When we measure for your custom made countertop, we use a digital measuring device. This means that we don’t have any waste by having to create a cardboard or wooden template. The digital measurements are uploaded right into our CAD department to draw your space. Then, when it’s time to cut your countertop, the CAD specialists send the file electronically to our expert machine operators. After your countertop has been fabricated, extra materials are saved for reuse or recycled.

When we come to install your beautiful new countertop, you’ll find that our installers use the most eco-friendly materials available to you! We’ll use low-odor acetone and silicone. Acetone is a product that occurs naturally in our environment. It’s found in everything from the foods we eat (blue cheese, raw chicken & beef, even human milk) to our lakes, soil and plants. Silicone is not only used in construction. It is also used in cookware, electronics, hair care products and is even being used now as an eco-friendly alternative for dry cleaners.

And, if you choose us to remove your existing countertops for you, you’ll be glad to know that we bring them back and recycle those too!

From start to finish, you can be sure that you are getting the most beautiful countertop in the most environmentally friendly way from Stoneworks Granite & Quartz Inc.. Contact us today!