Time and time again, granite appears to be the superior material for those looking for stone worktops. So we’ve delved deeper into the pros and cons of this popular stone. 

Properties of granite

• Granite is a tough, igneous rock and is probably the most recognisable of all the countertop materials. 
• It’s used for a wide variety of products including worktops, floor tiles, paving stones and monuments. 
• Granite has been used in interior and exterior constructions for thousands of years. It is considered a prestigious material, admired for its elegance, durability and strength. 

What makes it better than other materials?

• Granite has the longest life expectancy, so if you’re looking for worktops that will stand the test of time, it’s longevity is unrivalled.
• Granite is also very low maintenance. Other than needing a wipe down after use, a good sealant will stop it from absorbing liquids or developing stains as easily as marble.
• It is also impervious to heat, so you can rest assured that hot pans and plates will not melt or crack the surface. This sets granite apart from other worktop materials, as marble, quartz and laminate are all susceptible to heat damage. 

• It’s also available in a wide range of colours. Many granite owners suggest picking lighter colours if you’re concerned about the stone retaining that ‘just installed’ look. 
• In more recent years, granite has been favoured for its environmentally friendly sourcing and hazardous-chemical-free maintenance. 
• Granite is the toughest natural stone and therefore lends itself well to use in the kitchen or bathroom. 

Unlike softer materials such as marble, you don’t need to worry as much over handling it with care. It can take some rough and tumble, and may even dull your knives should you choose to cut directly on its surface (we suggest you use a cutting block instead).

Even if the worktop does sustain damage, chips in granite can be repaired by a professional relatively easily.

What are the limitations of granite?

• If you want your granite worktops to stay resistant to wear and tear, it’s worth sealing it. This may be a con, as forgetting to top up sealants could lead to damage, however, at Marble Supreme we’ll advise you on the right sealant and treatments for your worktops. 

If you stay on top of sealing (which will ultimately only need to be done once or twice a year), your worktops shouldn’t cause you any serious issues.

• Granite is incredibly heavy, so it’s vital to pick a frame that can take the weight of the worktops. 
• Granite can be on the more expensive side, but when factoring in just how long it will last you as well as the added property value of having a good kitchen, it’s worth the investment. 

So, is granite the best choice for you? 

It’s easy to see why granite is such a popular material. But the most important question is, is it right for you? 

All kitchen worktops materials have different limitations, so it’s important to pick the material that suits your needs best. You can find direct comparisons in our stone ‘VS’ series. 

We stock plenty of different styles and colours of granite, why not visit our Bristol showroom (currently subject to our social distancing promise) to see your options in person? 

If you’d like to explore more options, find out if quartz or marble is better suited to your needs by reading our full guide to kitchen worktops materials.  

For expert advice, complete an online contact form or call us on 0117 956 3030 today. 

The post Is Granite The Best Material For Kitchen Worktops? appeared first on Marble Supreme.

At Marble Supreme, we stock four popular quartz brands, in particular, Compaq, Caesarstone, Silestone and Unistone. We stock these brands because they each offer something different. But choosing a brand isn’t always easy. With so many different brands available, each offering different colours and patterns, we understand that it can get confusing. So, in no particular order, we’ve broken down the top nine brands!

1. Caesarstone – Known as the “original” quartz company, Caesarstone was founded in 1987. Since then it’s grown to provide its stunning quartz stone to over 50 countries across the world. The stone is both practical and attractive. It’s used domestically for worktops and floors as well as commercially in museums and offices. View the Caesarstone we offer here. 
2. Compaq – Compaq stone has an exceptional aesthetic appeal, as well as being particularly resistant to wear. It’s ideal for areas with high-traffic because of how hard it is. In fact, Compaq is manufactured to be tougher than natural quartz, so it’s performance is much greater. It’s available in a wide range of thicknesses and finishes. View the Compaq stone we offer here. 
3. Unistone – Unistone is one of the newest brands in the stone world. It’s engineered using the well-known Breton-technology. As a quartz compound, it’s extremely hard-wearing and is available in a wide combination of colours. View the Unistone we offer here. 
4. Silestone – Silestone provides virtually unlimited possibilities in terms of applications. It’s perfect for kitchen worktops, bathroom vanity tops, tabletops, floors and even shelving. View the Silestone we offer here. 
5. Cambria – Cambria is a high-end brand, usually only available from specialists. As a luxury engineered-stone brand, it’s coveted for its beauty and dedication to environmental sustainability.
6. Technistone – Technistone is a premium product that’s wonderful for commercial, industrial and private residences. Consisting of 93% natural quartz and granite minerals it can be easily blended with a variety of coloured pigments and resin. 
7. Okite – Okite is composed of a mix of natural quartz particles and a polymer resin, that’s becoming an increasingly popular choice for modern kitchen worktops. Claimed to be five times stronger than granite, it’s a tough stone with a luxury feel. 
8. Corian Quartz – Formerly know as Zodiaq, Corian Quartz comes is available in a range of 50+ colours and patterns. It’s a popular choice for those looking for a solid-surface. It’s a popular choice among architects and interior designers. 
9. Santa Margarita Quartz – With a colour range inspired by the brand’s roots in Italy, the Santa Margarita Quartz line is a more high-end brand. The brand offers both standard and jumbo sizes of their slabs.

The ten brands above offer countless stunning colour and pattern options for your worktops. Each brand has its own style and price-point. If you’re interested in finding out more about the brands we stock, take a look at our quartz page, dedicated to the brands we offer. Or have a read of our other blogs! 

If you’re considering updating your kitchen, get in touch with our team!

Follow us on Facebook to see our latest work. 

The post What Are The Top 9 Worktop Material Brands? appeared first on Marble Supreme.

You need to choose a colour that not only works now but will continue to look great into the future.

The good news is that here at Marble Supreme, we offer a huge variety of colours (not to mention materials) — so you know you’ll be able to pick the colour that suits you.

The question is, how do you pick that colour? Well, that’s what this blog is all about. So let’s get going with some advice.

1: The rest of the room is important, but it can (and will change).

The first thing to remember is that it’s likely your kitchen paint job and appliances will change over time. This means that it’s worth considering a more neutral colour that pairs nicely with a variety of other colours, rather than matching directly to your current colour scheme. That’s not to say you can’t choose your favourite colour. Remember, you can always choose a worktop that has splashes or veins of the colour you love.

2: Think about your undertones.

Undertones are an important part of the colour scheme of your kitchen. Make sure that you take note of the undertones you have in your paint and cabinets and use that knowledge to inform which countertop colour you choose. Keep in mind that the colour of your worktops can change how an undertone looks, giving an overall cooler or warmer feel.

3: Use kitchen worktop samples.

Samples of potential worktop material are a great way to check if your kitchen colour scheme makes sense. We offer samples of many of our worktops, so you can choose a few, then go home and make sure it works before fully investing in one choice. Or have a look at our previous work for inspiration! 

4: Plain or complex?

Another thing to consider is how you combine patterns in your kitchen with patterns in your worktop. A worktop that has a lot going on, combined with wallpaper that also has a lot going on could look a little messy. So make sure that you think carefully about striking the right balance unless intentional pattern clashes are your style. Don’t forget that there are plenty of different finishes available too! 

5: Don’t forget about your flooring.

It’s easy to focus on whether your worktops will match your walls or cabinets and lose sight of your kitchen as a whole. But it’s important to consider the colour of your flooring. Ideally, the finish of your flooring (matte or glossy), should match your worktops to ensure that your kitchen looks cohesive. Not everything has to match though, and the contrast of light worktops look beautiful against dark flooring and vice versa.

What next?

It’s a lot to think about, but it’s worth taking your time. It can also help to see the colours of countertops to spark your imagination and get you thinking about possible colour combos.

To do this, just pop into our Bristol showroom, where we have a huge variety of kitchen worktops on show. Or take a look at our Facebook, where we’re always posting photos of our latest work!

The post How To Choose The Right Colour For Your Kitchen Countertop appeared first on Marble Supreme.

After almost 30 years of experience in creating and installing marble, granite and quartz kitchen worktops, we’ve learned a lot about how people design their kitchens. The looks, the layouts, the lot.

And one issue that comes up time and again is that people struggle to make the most out of small spaces. When it comes to kitchens, bigger does often feel better — but not everyone is blessed with loads of space.

But there are solutions, and one that we’ve seen work in countless kitchens is the ‘working triangle’.

The Working Triangle Theory

You might have heard of it referred to as the ‘golden triangle’ or ‘magic triangle’, but either way the basic premise remains the same. The idea is that the three key work areas of your kitchen should be set out in a triangle, with certain distances between points.

The theory dates all the way back to the 1940s when researchers started to look at how to make kitchen space more efficient. The research found that the kitchen was really made up of three key areas — preparation (the sink), cooking (the stove) and food storage (the fridge).

Connecting these three areas in a triangle, with no side shorter than 4ft or longer than 9ft, allowing for free and easy movement from one area to the next, as you go through the process of cooking a meal.
By using the kitchen triangle, you can enjoy cooking efficiently and easily, even in a small kitchen!

Other Kitchen Designs That Might Work For You

The working triangle is a proven design principle, but it’s not set in stone. The design of your kitchen depends on how you use it.

Maybe you use your microwave and mixer more than your oven. Also, the working triangle is ideal for small spaces with one person doing all the work. If you have a bit more space and tend to cook in pairs (or even with the whole family) then you could consider expanding the working triangle.

You could, for example, create multiple separate zones. Each of these would have everything needed for a different task. Your baking zone would contain everything you need to bake, including ingredients and equipment. And the same would be true of your food preparation zone.

The key is making sure that you can either move around easily on your own. Or, if you have a few people cooking, that you don’t get in each other’s way.

Take a look at our other blog on popular kitchen design trends for more ideas on what you can do with your kitchen!

The Cherry On Top

In the end, these designs are about functionality, rather than looking good. But when it comes to your actual worktops, we can help you make the most of both.

We’ll work with you to decide on the perfect material for your kitchen worktops — based on both your practical needs and how you want your finished kitchen to look.

Come on down to our Bristol showroom to have a chat today or give us a call on 0117 956 3030.

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