GRANITE

An igneous stone, granite contains several minerals (including quartz and feldspar). Granite’s unique composition makes it the hardest natural stone other than diamond. Because of its durability, granite has become a popular kitchen and bathroom countertop material, and is gaining popularity as a material for floors and other heavily used surfaces.

Besides being durable, granite is also beautiful. Stone LA offers numerous granite options, each slab with its own distinct pattern and veining. To amplify their natural beauty and create dynamic eye catching countertops, we polish the granite to a high-gloss finish.

After polishing, small pits and fissures will still bet visible in the stone; these small marks are a natural characteristic of granite. The pits and fissures do not compromise granite’s durability and will not increase over time – instead, they add to the beauty and individuality of the stone.

Granite, quite literally, is as old as the earth itself. It is formed from liquid magma, the molten rock found below the Earth’s crust, cooled slowly to form a substance approaching the hardness and durability of diamond. Granite’s unique properties make it the material of choice in high traffic surface applications such as kitchens and bathroom counters. As a commercial or residential surface, Granite rarely discolors or stains and is extremely easy to clean and maintain.

Granite Standard Sizes

Granite slabs range from approximately 60″ to 74″ high by 110″ to 120″ long by 3cm thick, the ideal size for kitchen counter and vanity tops. All slabs vary in these ranges and should be checked before specifying a specific height or length

 

 

Caring for granite countertops  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marble

A result of the metamorphism of limestone, marble is composed mostly of calcite and is a popular building material. At Stone LA, we offer numerous beautiful marble slabs for your selection.

Because the crystals within marble are prone to damage from a variety of liquids found in the kitchen, we recommend marble mainly for mantels, fireplace surrounds, foyers, floors and countertops that don’t often come in contact with acidic substances. Marble also requires yearly sealing to protect from staining and to maintain its beauty.

 

Interesting Facts: The use of marble dates back thousands of years to ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian cultures. Capable of bearing immense weight, marble was ideally suited for monolithic columns and supporting structures in public, private, and religious buildings. It can be found in most awe-inspiring pieces of architecture from the past.

Similar to granite, the minerals that result from impurities give marble a wide variety of colors. The purest calcite marble is white. Marble containing hematite has a reddish color. Marble that has limonite is yellow, and marble with serpentine is green. Extremely pure calcite marble is used for most statues. This kind of marble is translucent–that is, light penetrates a short distance below the surface of the marble before it is reflected.

 

For your kitchen or bathroom: In general, marble is much softer than granite or other materials so it is most susceptible to stains or streaks. To clean the marble all you will need is a bit of neutral cleaner, stone soap (available at hardware stores) or a mild liquid dish washing detergent and warm water. Use a soft cloth for best results. Too much cleaner or soap used during cleaning may cause a film residue and cause streaking to occur on your marble sculpture. Never use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble. Always rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth

 

 

 

 

 

 

Limestone

Composed largely of calcite, limestone is a sedimentary rock that is light in color, usually in off-whites and pale gray. A hard, durable stone, its popular remodeling uses include patio pavers, countertops and bathroom vanities. At Stone LA, we seal our limestone countertops to offer the ultimate in durability and long-lasting beauty.

Interesting Facts: Limestone is a sedimentary rock, mainly composed of mineral calcite. The primary source of the calcite is usually marine organisms, which settle out of the water column and are deposited on the ocean floors as pelagic ooze. A sedimentary rock formed by a chemical transformation in relation to various organisms such as coral, algae, and bivalves. Limestone is also formed as a carbonate precipitate around small particles in water or is deposited by waters rich in calcium carbonate, making it very easy to see fossils in the surface.

• For your kitchen or bathroom: Limestone counter tops are some of the most beautiful countertop options out there, and also some of the most expensive. With all of the intricate details, such as fossils and other natural inclusions, it’s hard to not oogle at the wonder of nature when viewing limestone. Again, this is a very porous stone, much
  

  Limestone Vanity

  more so than granite and can stain if not properly maintained and cared for. Be very careful with vinegar, citric fruit and other foods like tomatoes, as they are acidic. With all natural stone, the best practice is to dampen the countertop with water before you work with these foods and liquids, and immediately clean up by rinsing the top well after you get these acids on the surface.

 

Soapstone

Interesting Facts: Soapstone is a metamorphic rock. There are two different materials popularly called soapstone. The first being Talc, the softest mineral on earth, mostly used in the manufacturing of cosmetics, refractory materials, sculptures, and everyday items such as toothpaste, baby powder and even chewing gum. The rock steatite (also called soapstone) is the material used for countertops, sinks, masonry heaters, flooring, and many other architectural applications.

 

For your kitchen or bathroom: Soapstone is softer than most other natural stone and,although soft, soapstone is a very dense (non-porous) stone; more so than marble, slate, limestone and even granite. Since soapstone is impenetrable, it will not stain, no liquid will permeate its surface.

Soapstone is quarried like granite but provides a smooth texture. Soapstone is a heavy, mineral talc composition that can endure temperatures up to 600 degrees. Soapstone enhances any décor with its rich and distinctive character. Stone LA offers both a finish accentuating the natural attributes of the stone as well as an option to enhance the stone to a polished finish.

 

ENGINEERED STONE/QUARTZ COMPOSITE/SOLID SURFACE

Looking for countertops that really POP!

Quartz has modern colors as well as the granite look-alike colors and patterns, and many advantages over granite. Quartz has bright colors, is light weight, almost indestructible, and worry free. This manufacturing process uses raw quartz crystals ranging in size from coarse grains to the size of rock salt. Once the quartz is ground and selected, the crystals are combined with bonding agents (resin) and color, then heated and vibro-compacted to form an impenetrable surface. The resulting slabs are a matrix of 93% quartz and 7% resin binders and pigments … free of fissures and cracks, and impervious to water, moisture, or bacteria.

These quartz surfaces and countertops offer a great combination of form and function, allowing a durable and practical countertop surfacing material. For those people who want an extremely uniform appearance, and to be able to choose a color from factory produced samples, these materials are often the top choice.

If engineered stones like Cambria, Caesarstone, SileStone, Qortstone, Vetrazzo, or IceStone are what you are looking for, Stone LA has been certified as a Sales Rep and Fabrication Shop all in one. You can choose your material through us, the supplier ships to us, and we handle all aspects of your fabrication.

 

CAMBRIA    

Cambria Natural Quartz Countertops are twice as strong as Granite!

If you’re considering granite or other stone surfaces for your kitchen or bath, take a closer look at the benefits of Cambria.

Discover the warmth and richness that can only be found in natural quartz surfaces – where elegance and beauty meet function and lasting durability. With an endless palette of dazzling colors showcasing the depth and character of natural quartz, you’ll see why more and more homeowners are asking for Cambria by name. With Cambria, you’ll add warmth and beauty plus the strength and durability that can only be found in natural quartz. Your dream home begins with Cambria!

Discover the warmth and richness that can only be found in natural quartz surfaces – where elegance and beauty meet function and lasting durability. With an endless palette of dazzling colors showcasing the depth and character of natural quartz, you’ll see why more and more homeowners are asking for Cambria by name. With Cambria, you’ll add warmth and beauty plus the strength and durability that can only be found in natural quartz.

The Benefits of Cambria Quartz Countertops

Strength & Durability- Cambria Natural Quartz countertops are twice as strong as granite. Cambria is a surface that is truly everlasting.

Maintenance Free - No sealing, polishing or reconditioning is needed. Simply wash with warm water. It’s that simple. Plus, unlike granite, Cambria countertops will resist stains from common food items such as wine, coffee and tea.

Food Safe - Unlike granite countertops, Cambria has been certified by NSF International as safe for use as a food preparation surface. Cambria countertops are nonporous; therefore, food and moisture cannot penetrate the surface — the main source of growth for harmful bacteria.

All Natural - Cambria is created from pure natural quartz, an extremely hard stone. In fact, quartz is the hardest non-precious stone that can be found in the earth’s surface.

Everlasting Value - With its beauty and performance advantages over granite, a Cambria kitchen countertop or bathroom vanity will add value to your home.

Guaranteed - Cambria countertops are covered by a Lifetime Limited Warranty. The closer you look, the more you’ll discover the benefits of Cambria over other surfaces.

 

CEASARSTONE QUARTZ  COUNTERTOPS

CaesarStone had the revolutionary idea of using quartz – one of nature’s hardest materials – to create a brand new surfacing product in 1987. The engineered stone’s extraordinary physical properties soon became internationally recognized, establishing a new product genre in the industry.
Today, CaesarStone offers two products – CaesarStone – the original quartz stone surfacing material and Concetto – the stone surface made from individually cut semi-precious stones. CaesarStone is the original quartz-based engineered stone primarily used for kitchen countertops and bathroom vanities.

CaesarStone is 93% crushed quartz, one of nature’s hardest minerals. The quartz is combined with high-quality polymer resins and pigments and then compacted under intense vibration, vacuum, and pressure into dense, non-porous slabs. The slabs are post cured, gauged to precise thickness, and polished to an enduring shine.

Although long used for the finest residential countertops, CaesarStone is now offered as an attractive and versatile finish for commercial and institutional buildings. Our quartz surfacing is tough enough for the wear and tear on just about any interior surface, and beautiful enough for every architectural and decorating scheme.

 

What makes CaesarStone a great choice for quartz kitchen countertops?

CaesarStone offers advantages over natural stone. Stronger, more durable, cleaner, safer, and more consistent — it’s the “Six-Million-Dollar-Man” of stone surfaces. In addition to its superior performance, CaesarStone has greater consistency than natural stone which is veined and prone to flaws.

CaesarStone Quartz Surfaces are manufactured to an exacting standard of excellence – from the procurement of raw materials to the final quality control check – highly skilled and trained staff members ensure the quality of a product unrivaled in the industry. The manufacturing process begins with a rigorous inspection of all incoming raw materials. These are blended at the ratio of 93% natural quartz aggregates to 7% pigments and polymer resins.

CaesarStone is proud to have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval – a testament to our tireless dedication to you, the consumer. CaesarStone USA offers 5 times the required level of customer support that Good Housekeeping requires to earn the seal of approval. CaesarStrone carries a Lifetime Warranty.

 

 

Silestone ®

Silestone is a compound made of natural quartz, which makes it extraordinarily hard and resilient. This is the one and only countertop made of quartz with bacteriostatic protection, giving it very strong that are among the top in the market. It is an excellent surface for kitchens, bathrooms, floors and wall cladding using the minimum number of joints

The genius of Silestone Quartz is its ability to help you reinvent your personal spaces. With products that stay at the forefront of innovation and designs that are constantly refined to meet your changing needs and interests, Silestone offers you an almost endless palette of possibilities and a 15 year limited warranty.

Silestone is natural quartz created for today’s homes. Utilizing a revolutionary process, Silestone offers you over 60 colors, exceptional textures and variety of finishes. Also, multi-dimensional functionality makes Silestone quartz a cleaner, safer surface for your home. Silestone offers the unique combination of built-in Microban antimicrobial product protection, National Sanitation Foundation certification and GREENGUARD indoor air quality certification. Microban protection inhibits the growth of microbes such as odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew.

While Microban protection does not protect users from foodborne illness and is not a substitute for normal cleaning practices, it does result in countertops that are easier to clean and stay clean. Certifications by the national sanitation foundation and the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute mean Silestone quartz is a safer surface for areas where food preparation takes place, while protecting the quality of your indoor environment.

 

GREEN BUILDING MATERIALS/RECYCLED GLASS SLABS

Recycled Glass Countertops

Recycled glass countertops are becoming popular as the public becomes more aware of the environmental impact we have on the world. These countertops are very durable — nearly as durable as granite. They are made from 85% recycled glass material and joined by concrete.

This material is made entirely in the United States. While most of the glass is generally collected from curbside recycling, some comes from windows, drinking glasses, automotive glass and even traffic light lenses. It is recommended for recycled glass countertops to be resealed yearly.

Stone LA is always researching new products on the market. We support products that are environmentally responsible. Ask for more information about recycled glass!

IceStone

IceStone durable surfaces are made of recycled glass and cement and is one of the most environmentally safe products you can use for home building. It is strong like granite, not as porous as marble and heat-resistant like stone. The chemical composition is benign and 99.5% inorganic, making it a very safe material from the standpoint of toxicity and fire resistance. The fabrication, installation and maintenance of IceStone surfaces follow essentially the same process as used with natural stone.

IceStone has adopted goals for energy conservation, carbon emissions, water use, and waste management. IceStone will become carbon-neutral, purchase renewable energy credits, and will continue to reduce energy use per square foot of product produced.

Icestone is a surfacing product only sold to fabricators who are licensed, bonded and insured in the states they do business. Icestone actively reduces the waste stream by redirecting millions of pounds of glass from landfills for use in our durable surface slabs, made of 100% recycled glass in a cement matrix. Designed to be VOC-free, Icestone is the first and only durable surface material in the world to be cradle to cradle certified for human health, environmental health, and recyclability.

VETRAZZO

Vetrazzo^® is a recycled glass surface comprised of 100% recycled glass. When you buy Vetrazzo, you get an exquisite surface material—truly a work of art—that becomes the centerpiece for your home or project. What else makes it sparkle? A high glass content (85% by volume), expansive color palette, and story in every surface.

Exquisitely repurposed glass.

With Vetrazzo Surfaces you can express both your styles and your respect for the earth without compromise. Vetrazzo is 85% glass, and all the glass we use is recycled – so it really is good for the environment

PRODUCT INFO

VETRAZZO is proud to produce one of the greenest surface materials available. Invented in 1996, Vetrazzo® is composed of a proprietary formula that combines recycled glass with cement, additives and pigments.

The Glass:

All of the glass used in Vetrazzo is recycled, and it makes up about 85% of the total material. Most of the glass comes from curbside recycling programs. Other glass comes from windows, dinnerware, stemware, windshields, stained glass, laboratory glass, reclaimed glass from building demolition, traffic lights and other unusual sources. Every Vetrazzo surface has its own history. We track that history, and after you purchase and register Vetrazzo, we provide a Certificate of Transformation that tells you where the glass in your Vetrazzo came from.

 

Regardless of what material you chose for your project, Stone LA will walk you through the entire process.  Our focus is to understand the look and feel that you want so, we can deliver a final product that exceeds your expectations.  For anyone who isn’t exactly sure what material is best for them, we are happy to answer any questions you might have.  Let us partner with you in determining the best way to bring your vision to reality.

Do you have any questions? Would you like a Free In Home Consultation?

Contact us today and experience excellence.  The Stone LA Way!

323.384.9657 / info@mystonela.com / 1.855.MYSTONELA