Friday, January 23, 2015

Advantages of Quartz Bathroom Vanities



There are several different reasons you should look into quartz vanities if you are remodeling your bathroom. As a company that fabricates and installs quartz bathroom vanities in the Twin Cities, we are often asked about quartz and why it is such a popular choice for bathroom vanities. 

With quartz bathroom vanities, you can find just about any color or pattern. Quartz is a manufactured stone, so your imagination is pretty much the limit when it comes to finding the perfect choice for your new bathroom. And in this day and age, the colors and styles are very contemporary and luxurious. You can get an elegant look and feel to your bathroom with quartz bathroom vanities!

No matter how big or small your family is, quartz bathroom vanities are a good choice because of their durability. They do not chip or crack very easily, and they are more long-lasting than some other stones and materials on the market these days.

Quartz bathroom vanities will not stain easily either. Quartz is a non-porous stone, so that also means you don’t have to worry about having it sealed like you do with some types of granite. So if something is spilled on quartz bathroom vanities, it probably will not stain. Just be sure to wipe up the spill as soon as possible after it happens.

They are also a great choice for bathrooms because they are bacteria-resistant. While this will not keep you and your family from getting sick 100% of the time, it can help in fighting the spread of germs, bacteria and illnesses.

Cleaning quartz bathroom vanities is easy! Simply wipe them down with a soft cloth and mild soap. You do not have to buy any special cleaners. They are pretty much maintenance-free, so that makes your life easier in the long run when it comes to cleaning the bathroom.

Do you want to learn more about quartz bathroom vanities in the Twin Cities? Call us here at Universal Stone at 952-746-4690 or get a Free Quote.

Monday, January 12, 2015

Caring for Marble Bathroom Countertops



If you want to keep your new marble bathroom countertops in your Plymouth home looking as good as the day they were installed, we have a few suggestions for you and how to care for them. Marble bathroom countertops are easy to care for, so follow these tips to keep them looking great.

For everyday cleaning and care of your marble bathroom countertops, all you need is a soft and clean cloth and warm water. Use another soft and clean cloth to dry them after you are done wiping them down. Do not use vinegar or other acidic cleaners on your marble bathroom countertops. This can dull the surface.

Marble bathroom countertops occasionally need a deeper cleaning. You can do this with a cleaner that is specially made for marble. Just make sure the cleaner is not abrasive in any way. Clean your marble bathroom countertops per the instructions on the cleaner, and make sure you completely dry the surface after you are done cleaning it. If you have any doubt about what kind to buy, just give us a call and we can help you out. 

Some day-to-day maintenance is also needed to keep your marble bathroom countertops looking good. You should wipe up any spills right after they happen. You can get special marble stain removers if you want to buy them. Or you can make your own using a combination of baking soda and water or rubbing alcohol if the stain is oil-based or a combination of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide or acetone if the stain is water-based. Just wet the stain with some clean water, put the mix on it and then cover it up with plastic wrap. Let the mixture sit for about a day and then rinse it thoroughly. 

Taking the time to do some regular maintenance and cleaning can help keep your marble bathroom countertops looking great for years to come!

For more information on marble bathroom countertops in Plymouth, call Universal Stone at 952-746-4690 or Request a Free Quote.

Monday, November 24, 2014

Marble for Your Home: Fusing it into Your Décor



Marble is a great way to add elegance and class to just about any room in your home. One of the best ways to do this is with a marble bathroom vanity. St Paul residents love these types of bathroom vanities because it’s a great way to add a feeling of luxury to your home without overdoing it. Here are a few ways to choose a great marble bathroom vanity for your home.

Think about your bathroom and its color scheme. Make sure that, when you are choosing the stone you want your marble bathroom vanity made out of, that the color or pattern of the marble matches with the rest of your bathroom. Take a look at the marble’s veining and try to match that with one or two colors you are already using in your bathroom. This will help give it a more cohesive look and feel. A neutral shade like black or white marble would go great with more vibrant shades on your wall. 

You can further enhance the look of your new marble bathroom vanity by selecting accessories that will bring out the marble’s colors and patterns. A new faucet for your marble bathroom vanity can help complete the overall luxurious look and feel if you choose one that has smooth lines and is a brushed stainless steel or even bronze.

Other accessories could be everything from new towel racks to a new toothbrush holder. Make sure they match the marble bathroom vanity and faucet. Try to stick with the same metal throughout too. Instead of going with the standard square mirror, try an oval mirror. An oval mirror is a great way to complement your new marble bathroom vanity and accessories. It’s a great way to think outside of the box when it comes to decorating your bathroom, but it’s not so over the top that it will detract from your new bathroom’s look.

Be sure you hire a professional, like the ones here at Universal Stone, to install your new marble bathroom vanity. This is definitely not a do-it-yourself project! Marble is a beautiful stone and it takes a lot of skill and know-how to make sure it is properly installed.

Are you interested in learning more about how to have a new marble bathroom vanity installed in your St Paul home? Call Universal Stone at 952-746-4690, or you can contact us for a Free Quote.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Minneapolis Soapstone Countertops: What Do You Know?


What do Minneapolis residents know about soapstone? Universal Stone wants to test your knowledge! We proudly serve Minneapolis; soapstone countertops are just one of the many different types of stone we fabricate and install in and around this area. Take our quiz and maybe you’ll learn a thing or two about this beautiful stone.

     1.       True or false: Soapstone can retain heat and cold without breaking.
     2.       In India and China, what was soapstone used for?
     3.       True or false: You can safely use soapstone in your oven.
     4.       Why are soapstone countertops a good investment for your Minneapolis kitchen?
     5.       True or false: soapstone countertops are a natural and non-stick surface.
     6.       Images and amulets of gods were made out of soapstone in which country?
     7.       Where is soapstone usually quarried for soapstone countertops and other items?
     8.       Nowadays, besides soapstone countertops, what other main use does soapstone have?
     9.       How do you darken the color of soapstone countertops?
     10.   Typically, soapstone is honed to a ______ grit finish.

How do you think you did on this quiz? Check your answers and find out!

     1.       True
     2.       Ornaments and domestic utensils
     3.       True
     4.       Soapstone countertops are not slippery when they get wet, and they are a natural and non-stick surface.
     5.       True
     6.       Finland
     7.       Open pit mines
     8.       Decorative items
     9.       Increase the hone level
     10.   320

Hopefully, you learned a thing or two about soapstone and you can find out even more by following this link. We here at Universal Stone just love to talk about this subject, and we’re always happy to answer any questions about soapstone countertops and installing them in your Minneapolis home.

Why not give us a call at (952) 746-4690 or request a free quote online? Before you know it, we could be installing soapstone countertops in your Minneapolis home!

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Marble Countertops Pros and Cons

Every type of natural stone has its pros and cons. And marble is no different. Marble countertops have their own unique set of advantages and disadvantages. As we noted a while back in an article about the pros and cons of marble countertops
The biggest reason many pick marble is because it's beautiful. It comes in all different colors (white being the most popular), and is usually light with a creamy hue. Because of this beauty, however, it is one of the more expensive stones to have fabricated, with the average cost being $60 to $100 per square foot.
Compared to granite countertops, on the other hand, marble is much more fragile:
Granite is a much more durable stone, which is why it's the preferred choice for fabrication. Marble is more likely to break or chip as opposed to granite, and the usual kitchen accidents - dropped glasses, spilled drinks, etc. - are more likely to have an aesthetic effect than they would on granite counter tops. Alabaster counter-tops are more prone to staining than their slate counterparts.
You can read the full article by clicking here. And to see what our Minneapolis marble countertops company has to offer, please visit www.UniversalStone-Inc.com