The NSRA is now going to be running a “Website of the Month” contest each month where members can submit their boards to have a chance at winning Website of the Month.
Rules:
*Owner must be an active participant of the forum to submit their site
*User must have 10 are more post to submit their site
*Each user can submit only 1 site per month
*The submitter must own are work for the owner of the website
*All site must promote the use of natural stone over all other surfaces
How Will It Work
On the 1st of each month we’ll create a thread that users can submit their Site for the SOTM Poll. This will be open for 3 Days
Next, the Nsra core members will choose the top 3 to 5 sites and create a Poll where users can vote on the BOTM.
SOTM winners will receive a link on 12,000 pages
You will get a thumbnail of your site, a short description of your site with a link to it on almost all of the pages of the nsraweb.com
You will have a spot on the
NSRA blog network that presently consists of 20 blogs
NSRA Link Directory
You will also receive a little button that you can place on your site that shows the month and year that you won over your fellow tradesman.
Can you imagine, 12-20,000 new back links in one month!!
NSRA website of the Month (SOTM) - Natural Stone Restoration Alliance
Stone Countertops - Natural Stone Restoration Alliance
March 18, 2008
A stone kitchen countertop suggests a special sort of luxury and lasting quality, but care must be taken to select the right stone, have it properly installed, and respect its natural vulnerabilities.
Stone counters are elegant and durable when installed and cared for properly.
Stone Properties
When it comes to selecting countertops, stones with similar looks and characteristics are often combined into one class, even though they may actually be different stone types. The most common stone types for kitchen countertops are marble, slate, soapstone, limestone, travertine, and some sandstones. Slabs are cut into two-foot wide strips and then further custom fabricated.
A stone’s strengths and vulnerabilities depend on its hardness or resistance to abrasion and scratching. Stones are composed of deposits that affect their overall strength. Granite—composed of quartz and feldspars—is resistant to scratches and resistant to many chemicals. Marble—any crystallized carbonate rock—is softer and more chemically sensitive, so it will show wear sooner than granite. Marble can be etched by acids and stained by oils, but is restored more easily than granite.
Stones like marble that are limestone-based are more susceptible to acid attacks than silicate-based stones like slate, soapstone, or granite. Stone counters are susceptible to stains, scratching, and breaking, but are easy-to-clean and resistant to bacteria growth. Stone countertops are cleaned with hot water, not detergent because it can leave a cloudy residue. Granite tops may be wiped with vinegar.
Preventing Countertop Damage
Understanding a stone countertop’s vulnerabilities and care requirements will ensure a comfortable and long-lasting fit in your home.
Staining
Most, but not all, stone countertops come sealed with a substance that impregnates the material to protect against stains. If a sealer or impregnator is applied, be sure that it is non-toxic and safe for use on food preparation surfaces. Stone countertops that are sealed usually require re-application every five years, and sometimes as often as every two years depending on the product used.
“The biggest issue on any contaminant is dwell time,” says Chuck Muehlbauer, technical director for the Marble Institute of America, in Westlake, Ohio. If you choose a stone countertop, you will have to protect it—as you would most other types of countertops—from staining foods by cleaning up immediately after use or a spill. Acids from tomatoes or lemon juice are noted for staining if not wiped up promptly.
Scratches
Guard against scrapes from pans or knives on marble or other non-granite stone surfaces by using placemats under china, ceramics, silver, and abrasive objects that can scratch the surface.
Cracking
Stone—even granite—can crack from a strong, localized heat source such as hot pans or dishes, so it’s important to use trivets or hot mats underneath.
Repairing Stone Counters
Counters can be polished to eliminate stains or scratches. Small cracks or chips may require resin injection and polishing, a job best left to professional restorers. Pitting is common with granite and most polished igneous rocks so you must be prepared for how the stone will age. Fissures also occur naturally in many stone types. This visible separation differs from a crack in that it is a naturally occurring feature in the stone and one that contributes to its character.
If your stone surface cracks, the entire countertop will need to be replaced. However, certain repairs are possible if the damage is not in a structurally significant area.
Costs and Installation
Once a stone is cut into strips, the fabricator uses basic measurements of your countertop to finish edges and plan for sink and cooktop cutouts. Stone countertops range from $30 to $100 per square foot installed. The type of stone, thickness, and number of cutouts impacts the cost. Almost all stone countertops come in either 20mm or 30mm thickness, roughly 3⁄4 and 11⁄4 inches. Dozens of edge profiles are available.
A very experienced handyman could install a stone countertop, but it’s not recommended by stone experts. A fabricated countertop often arrives in sections that must be seamed. Separate stone backslashes, corners, and extra long sections require seaming. Multiple sections will not affect performance but will impact installation and total cost.
During installation, cabinets must be permanently affixed. Fragile stone varieties or those with excessive fissuring or unsound veins may require a full subtop to support the stone. If an undermount sink has been chosen, a special support rail for the cabinet frame is suggested. Stone sections are set on adhesive beads on the cabinet. Polyester adhesive, which cures to a hard shiny state, is the most common material used to seal the seams, which are about 1/16th of an inch. The whole installation process typically takes a half day.
Countertop Choices
A counter is as resistant as the stone it’s made from. Use the list below to study the strengths and weaknesses of the most popular stone countertop varieties:
Granites: Resistant to abrasions and scratches. Resistant to most chemicals but may be vulnerable to some acids. Can be porous and stained by oils.
Marbles, serpentines and onyxes: Known for their aesthetic appeal. Vulnerable to scratches, abrasions, and chemical attack. Stained by oils and other liquids.
Soapstone’s: Easily scratched. Unaffected by acids but darkened by oils. Stains can be scrubbed out.
Limestones and travertine’s: Vulnerable to acids and abrasions. Many varieties have high absorption rates.
Slate: Very dense so not as porous and susceptible to staining. Low to medium absorption of oils and other liquids. Easily scratched. Handles heat well.
Source: bobvila.com
See what the real pros have to say about this topic.
On 3/18/2008 A great service and web site was introduce to the greater Columbus Ohio area, Patrick Stone Restoration Service specializes in the repair of natural stone countertops. Steve Patrick, owner of Patrick Stone Restoration Service realized there was need for detailed countertop repair not offered by stone fabricators and installers in the Ohio area. After exhaustive research Steve found Fred Hueston’s “Stone University” that gave the fundamentals of restoration as well as a background of basic geology and chemistry that is important in working with natural stone. Steve also took an advanced hands on courses offered by the renowned stone restorationist Josveek Huligar of Huligar Stone Restoration. He now offers high quality restoration of natural stone surfaces. Viewing stone as “art” produced by Mother Nature, the goal is to produce a highly detailed surface restoration. In addition to professional cleaning and sealing to help keeping marble and granite surfaces looking their best, Patrick Stone Restoration Service also offers detailed seam work on countertops to make the necessary seams less noticeable and in most case totally invisible from two feet away.
When asked, what is the best part of your job, he said “One of my favorite parts of the job is when the customer returns and has a hard time finding the seam that was so apparent before the work was done” Steve concludes. “For us in the stone restoration trade this is a form of art.”
To learn more, visit Steve at http://countertop-repair.com
Pick The Best Stone For The Job
Commercial or construction use of stone
Architects, specifies, designers, clients; choosing and using stone is an experience and one for which we recommend you ask for professional advice. Stone is a naturally occurring material and as such, has to be chosen like no other building material. Stone Federation members are fully trained, experienced and competent professionals who should be consulted as soon as you decide to use natural stone on your project. They can advise you and prevent any costly mistakes being made before it is too late.
Domestic use of stone
Using stone in your home or property can enhance your living space but you must be aware of the questions to ask when making your choice of stone.
Stone, correctly selected, can enhance the value of your property and be durable, and virtually maintenance free. However, incorrectly selected it can cause you problems. By purchasing stone you are making an investment so protect your money and get the right advice. Stone Federation suggests you always consult the experts first.
General types of natural stone
Classification
There are many different classification schemes for stone, which have prompted the industry to simplify descriptions. This has led to many problems when, for instance, a stone laid as a granite is actually found to be a different stone type altogether and does not perform as expected. The British Standard BSEN12440 (Denomination of natural stone) addresses the classification problem and insists upon the correct identification of stone type and origin. For the purposes of this guidance however, the simplified descriptions remain and it must be stressed that all stones should be considered individually for their merits in whatever use they are being considered for.
The term granite has been applied to almost any igneous stone that can retain a polish. True granites provide many of these stones but other types of igneous stone that may fall into this classification include syenites, gabbros, dolerites, and diorites. The metamorphic stones gneiss, schist and granulite are frequently also included in this ‘granite’ classification.
The formation of these igneous rocks by the slow cooling of molten minerals such as quartz, feldspar and hornblende has resulted in a wide variety of colors and grain patterns.
In the United Kingdom the quarrying of granite is concentrated in a small number of locations. Those of particular importance may be found in Devon and Cornwall, Cumbria, at Peterhead and Aberdeen and on the east coast of Scotland.
The main sources for imported granite are Scandinavia, South Africa, Sardinia, Portugal, Spain, India, North America, China and Brazil.
Applications
The interlocking crystal structure imparts both the high strength and low porosity necessary for a wide range of applications other than just flooring; these characteristics are also important in allowing successful use of slabs that are thinner than other types of stone.
Appearance
The immense color choice includes fine and medium grained silver gray from Devon and Cornwall and fine grained pink from Scotland, whilst other countries provide dense, very fine grained materials with reflective crystals such as larvikite (e.g. blue and emerald pearl) from Norway; reds from Scandinavia and India; large grained brown from Finland; yellows from Brazil; and the delicately mottled grays, fawns and pinks from Sardinia.
The surface finish affects the appearances of granite and those available include sawn, flame textured, dolly pointed, fine axed, rough punched, honed, bush hammered and water jet. It is in the gloss polished form, however, that these granites reveal fully their colors and grain patterns.
Performance
Very hardwearing and physically strong, granite is largely unaffected by erosion, pollution or atmospheric attack. Facades are generally self cleaning, although eye level areas benefit from occasional cleaning as for glazing. A polished finish is almost indestructible.
SANDSTONE The term sandstone is used to describe almost any stone of sedimentary origin with a granular texture. Some other types of stone that may fall under this classification include grit stones, siltstones, gray whacks, conglomerates and marls. Aside from particle size variations, the dominant factor affecting sandstone performance is the grain cement that may be siliceous, calcareous, clay bearing or iron-rich.
Geologically it is a sedimentary type rock made up of various mineral particles mainly quartz, mica and feldspar. All these minerals are bonded together with natural cements such as silica, calcium carbonates, iron oxides and clays. The individual make up of each sandstone gives a wide range of colors. A pure silica sandstone is white with the colors arising from other minerals. Iron oxides can cause the stone to vary from buff or brown through to the deepest red. Gray color stone is due to the presence of clay and green could indicate the presence of glauconite which contained potassium.
Sandstone is a natural material traditionally regarded as the building stone of the North. However, sandstone can be seen throughout the United Kingdom in many prestigious buildings from structures which form part of our heritage to modern office blocks.
Sandstone is traditionally used as a building material in many areas where it occurs locally particularly in Derbyshire, Yorkshire and the North East of England, Wales and Scotland. Many of the “stone cities” of the North derive their particular architectural character from the use of sandstone.
Most of the major sandstone quarries working today are located in the North of England, Derbyshire and Scotland. For flooring purposes, sandstones are also imported.
Appearance
Sandstone has many colors ranging from white, gray and buff to various shades of pink and red.
The color and texture of stone is self evident, however the color of dry stone can change quite dramatically on wetting. Natural weathering can play a major part in the change of color. Such color change can sometimes be viewed on abandoned faces of the quarry although it is much more important to view existing buildings constructed from the same stone.
Sandstones generally have an even texture, which may vary from course to fine, but the stone from some quarries also show attractive natural markings.
Applications
Many types of sandstone are suitable for paving or flooring. Some can be split (“riven”) otherwise the normal finish is sawn. Tooled, sandblasted and flame textured finishes are also available.
There is a vast variety of surface finishes available from the traditional rubble walling to wrought stonework with its finishes to different forms ie. boasting, pitched, broached, hammer dressed and rusticated, to the very intricate looking vermiculated. But most importantly, credit must go to the craftsmen who hue the sandstone to all the various forms from large stones with a high degree of molding to the most intricate of carving work. Sandstones are suitable for block construction in most building and engineering work and can now be cut to relatively thin sections for cladding to steel framed or concrete structured buildings.
All in all sandstone is one of the few historic natural minerals still in use today. It provides excellent durability and is virtually maintenance free. It is aesthetically appealing to the eye whilst giving great value for money to the client.
Performance
Most sandstones have good load bearing and weathering properties. Correct detailing with regard to weathering is of prime importance, especially on buildings designed with sloping surfaces and without overhangs. Great care is required in the design of non-ferrous cramps and corbels for fixing to structures.
SLATE Slate is found extensively, throughout the British Isles and has, for centuries, been a major source of building stone. Historically, and, in common with other stones, it was first used in and around the immediate areas of availability.
The term slate is often used to describe any rock that can be easily split into thin sheets, principally for roofing purposes. True slate is defined by the presence of a ‘slaty’ cleavage; this allows the slate to be split at almost any point through the stone parallel to the cleavage plane. Most true slates are metamorphosed sediments, often formerly mud stones; however, some British “slates” are derived from volcanic ash sequences and are not true slates in the strict geological sense.
Appearance
The major UK sources of slate, with their distinctive colors, are the Lake District blue/gray, light green, olive green and silver gray, North Wales blue, gray, blue-black and red, and Cornwall - gray.
Slate is easily split (“riven”) into thin sections, giving a natural finish. Other finishes include sawn, sanded, fine rubbed, flame textured, bush hammered and water jet.
Applications
From the very early, basic applications, British Slate is now used for very wide and diverse purposes. Modern quarrying and machine processes allow prime blocks to be sawn or split into large slabs and a variety of thickness. Current products include: roofing, cladding, cills, copings, flooring & paving, treads, plaques & memorials, work tops & fireplaces.
Slate is typically a very durable construction material and rarely exhibits visible degradation, even when placed under extreme atmospheric conditions for many years. For flooring purposes U.K. slate is unlikely to delaminate or exhibit efflorescence.
High flexural strength and typically very low porosity makes slate eminently suitable for flooring purposes and it requires little maintenance.
Caution should be exercised when choosing material marketed as slate as some may not be suitable for flooring. If any doubt exists about the material being considered, specialist advice should be sought.
Very thin, split, natural riven sections are used for roofing and the same methods produce thicker material for flooring and cladding. Slate is readily available in sawn, fine rubbed and other finishes such as sand-blasted and flame textured.
Performance
British Slate has a proven record of durability and being supplied fit for its intended purposes. This is readily seen on countless buildings in the UK and many areas of the world. Such examples of installation are witness to the ability of slate to withstand the rigours of extreme atmospheric conditions. Slate is extremely stable and will not degrade, warp or twist. Quality Assurance, management systems are widely used throughout the industry.
Stone is a material that man has used in building for several thousand years and it still lends itself to modern usage and design, and limestone in its various geological forms is probably the type of natural stone most widely used for this purpose. It occurs naturally in many parts of the UK with the limestones of the Jurassic period being those of most importance in this field. They run broadly in a belt from Dorset and Somerset in the south west, through the Cotswold’s and Oxford shire, on into Northampton shire and Lincolnshire, to just north of the Humber.Limestone is a sedimentary rock. Many of the commonly used varieties were formed by the accretion of the hard remains of former organisms such as corals and shells. These materials principally comprise calcium carbonate (calcite), as does the cement. Calcite is a relatively soft mineral and careful selection will be needed when you choose this for use as flooring. Variations in the types and quantities of shell and other remains and the nature of the cement provide a huge range in the types of limestone available.
The limestones of these areas were used for building in Roman times and, in later centuries and to-date, have been the traditional building material of their localities, Many buildings throughout these counties bear witness to this. In addition, some limestones are extensively used outside their areas of origins as is evidenced by the many fine buildings to be seen throughout the British Isles, particularly in major cities and towns. Cathedrals, churches and numerous public and private buildings provide outstanding examples of the durability and beauty of these limestones and they show through the skill of the mason, how this stone is so eminently suitable for producing masonry of excellence in all aspects of plain and detailed work that may be required. Among the better known limestones of the Jurassic age are those of Purbeck, Clipsham, Ancaster, Ketton, Bath, Doulting and Weldon, whilst Portland stone is a characteristic feature of London architecture. From the earlier Carboniferous age come the limestones of Derbyshire and Cumbria such as Hopton Wood, Sheldon, Orton Scar and Salterwath.
Imported limestones, most notably French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish, Egyptian and Israeli are also available in the UK.
Appearance
The colors of limestones range from almost white to the warm honey tone of Bath stones with gray/blue and darker browns a feature in some limestones. Textures range from fine even grained stones to the smooth fossil bearing types and to the coarse open textured Portland roach. Certain limestones such as Purbeck and Hopton Wood take a polish and can be used as “marbles”.
Applications
Limestones are used extensively in both new building and restoration where their ease of working facilitates the production of cladding, ashlar and other forms of walling. They are also suitable for flooring.
Many limestones are particularly suited to carved and moulded work. Components such as cills and jambs, soffits and copings, heads and mullions are readily produced to add interest and enrichment to building facades.
Performance
Limestones generally have good load bearing properties and weathering characteristics although correct detailing is important as with all building materials. Limestones must not be used above sandstones on exterior elevations.
The properties of individual types of stone can vary considerably and advice should always be sought on the selection of suitable stones, both for general and particular applications.
MARBLE True marbles in the geological sense are metamorphosed limestone and are principally composed of recrystallised calcite formed into an interlocking granular structure. Some hard or partially metamorphosed limestones are incorrectly referred to as marble, even though they exhibit many of the characteristics of marble.
In its ‘purest’ state marble is typically white, however the presence of other minerals can often provide color (s). In some cases the color appears as irregular shaped patches (brecciation) or as substantial veining. Specialist advice should be obtained as to the suitability of such marbles in particular locations.
Greater care must also be taken during installation as other construction defects easily taint the pureness of marble, particularly from underlying materials, and may result in staining at a later date.
It is common to use marble with a highly polished surface finish and, as a consequence, slip resistance should be carefully considered. Marble is imported.
Quartzite’s are typically the metamorphosed product of an original sedimentary rock e.g. sandstone, composed almost entirely of quartz.
In general quartzite’s are hard wearing, have low porosity, a high compressive strength and good durability making them suitable for use as flooring. The metamorphic varieties in particular may be brittle and so some care is required in assessing a material prior to use. While composed largely of quartz, the presence of some impurities can lead to the development of different colors and the typical range is from white to yellowish brown, through to green, brown, gold, gray and blue. In Eire, the metamorphic quartzite’s have a complex geological history which has tended to result in them having a relatively small natural block size. All operating quartzite quarries in the British Isles occur in Eire. Elsewhere quartzite’s are commercially available from Norway, Sweden, Italy, South Africa, USA and Brazil.
Travertine is the name normally given to a type of precipitated calcite associated with the cooling of waters around hot springs or in caves. Being formed very slowly it often incorporates dead matter such as tree debris that later rots away to leave a voided structure.
The performance of travertine greatly depends on the size and density of the voids, which, in most instances, are routinely resin surface filled before the finished stone is supplied. The nature of the fill material must be compatible with the travertine and not subject to discoloration or decay.
Traditionally travertine was naturally bedded and generally referred to as vein cut. Recently travertine cut face bedded and referred to as classics has appeared on the market. Whilst the vein cut material has a long and proven history of use, the cross cut or classic travertine has not yet proved to be as suitable because of surface collapse and filler failure. Before this material is considered, its limitations in performance must be taken into account.
Generally travertine is suitable only for internal flooring purposes, and then only after the most careful consideration. Strength may be lower than most other stones and the presence of hidden voids below the surface may lead to ongoing repair when the filling material collapses.
Unfilled travertine has been used for flooring purposes but only after strict quality control of the size and distribution of the voids. All travertine is imported.
GREEN MARBLE OR VERDE
Green or Verde marble is considered separately to true marble because its origin is often the result of the metamorphism of rocks other than limestones. The green color is typically derived from the presence of serpentine minerals. These minerals are relatively soft and the structure often weak, the stone commonly requiring reinforcement from matting glued to the underside.
Verde’s are rarely used for whole floors and are preferred for providing colored inserts to other flooring materials. Care must always be taken to ensure their compatibility with other stones.
A special consideration for any Verde is the presence or otherwise of asbestiform minerals that may be naturally present e.g. chrysotile (white asbestos) and the amphiboles tremolite and actinolite. It may be prudent to establish that, where present, fibres of these minerals in the respirable range are not generated during any cutting, grinding and polishing operations, particularly if carried out dry.
The Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations have banned the import, supply and use of blue, brown and white asbestos (crocidolite, amosite and chrysotile respectively) essentially when part of an asbestos admixture product. Natural stone that contains chrysotile for example, and is used for flooring, would not be classed as an asbestos admixture product.
You can find the very best stone cleaners and polish at www.nsraweb.com/store
Pick The Best Stone For The Job « Natural Stone Makes The Best Countertops
Stone Repair Class - Natural Stone Restoration Alliance
March 13, 2008
Stone Repair Class
The two-day boot camp is packed with skills training that can only be learned through a true hands-on experience. One on one tutoring based on your individual skill level. Each student has the opportunity to perform multiple repairs and polish various types of stones. No seats. No stories. No sales pitch.
The students will learn how to make repairs and seams look and feel like a natural product, remove scratches, factory blending, chip repairs, color blending and matching, seam repairs, honing, and the widely coveted knowledge of top-polishing.
This class has been revamped to include some of today’s new trends and finishes. Students will also learn how to deal with and doctor natural stone in a variety of colors, how to perform and maintain the antique finish, and how to remove the flaws of poor cnc tooling.
For an additional $200 per student, we have also added for the first time a real Floor repair seminar where we will work on a newly install floor. We will perform all task from prep work to sealing.
Successful participants receive not only the knowledge, complete set of tools necessary to perform typical surface repairs, but they are also eligible to join the NSRA.
The NSRA is a nationwide group of independent, natural stone restoration professionals dedicated to quality and the education of the consumer and our members.
Time: May 09th - 10th - 11th 2008, from 9am-5pm
Place: 30 Hilliard Street, Manchester CT, 06040
Cost: $1,800.00 us dollars
Public registration Ended: May 01, 2008
Click here to see what others had to say about the
Click here to sign up our comprehensive class
Airport: Bradley International
Hotel: Fairfield Inn & SuitesSM by Marriott® Hartford Manchester
121 Pavilions Dr
Manchester, CT 06040
