Why Choose Natural Stone Countertops

Posted on October 20, 2022October 19, 2022

Natural stone countertops can be expensive, so what makes them worth the cost? We have compiled a list of the top reasons you should consider spending the money and switching to natural stone countertops for your kitchen and bathroom.

Stone comes in a wide variety of beautiful colors, textures, styles, and patterns (I mean, have you seen quartzite)? If you are looking for an eye-catching, showstopper, natural stone is the perfect choice to add beauty and elevate your home. Not only do you get to choose from a wide variety of colors, but there are also many other options. Each granite countertop also has a unique countertop edge. You will have a number of choices when deciding upon which edge you want.
Natural stone is made to last the test of time. They are incredibly durable, require minimal maintenance and can withstand the spills, accidents and mishaps that often accompany day-to-day living. Granite is your best choice when it comes to hard-to-chip, crack, and stain countertops. However, hot cups of coffee, spilled wine and even slicing knives rarely damage marble and soapstone. So, depending on which stone you go with, your counters could be virtually indestructible. If they have proper upkeep, your stone countertops can last a lifetime.
Believe it or not, stone countertops are more sustainable than other industry standards. With few chemical products used throughout industrial processing, toxic waste is little to none. All raw materials are used for the countertops or agricultural fertilizers.
Stone countertops can increase the value of your home. Not only through visual enhancement and appeal, but in your home’s resale value. Stone countertops are a timeless piece that is always in style. Homebuyers will frequently choose to buy a home based on the stone countertops alone, with marble being a showstopper.
Your kitchen or bathroom will be one-of-a-kind. Like snowflakes, no two pieces of stone are the same. This guarantees that your countertops will be unique to your home.
Stone countertops are resistant to bacteria and dirt. Since granite comes from Siliceous Stone, it is naturally resistant to bacteria, mold, mildew and dirt.
Stone countertops such as granite or quartzite require little to no maintenance. Your countertop can be cleaned with soap, a sponge, or a soft towel. This also keeps your granite countertop free of bacteria and dirt. In the event of something adheres to your countertop, you can gently scrape it off with a plastic putty knife or use vinegar and water. JUST A REMINDER though, some natural stone countertops need to be resealed annually.

If you are search for new countertops and have questions, give C & C Stoneworks a call today at 252-902-5535. We are happy to answer questions about options for upgrading your kitchen or bathroom countertops.

Natural Stone Beyond the Kitchen and Bathroom

Posted on August 23, 2021August 23, 2021

You can enjoy natural stone throughout your house. The beauty and durability of natural stone make it a popular material choice for bathroom and kitchen countertops. However, the same qualities that make natural stone great for countertops are the same reasons they are a wonderful choice for other parts of your home.

As a homeowner, you can extend the beauty of natural stone into other rooms in your house by using natural stone on a bar top, island, fireplace or floor.

Bar and Island Tops

Natural stone makes a wonderful choice in rooms where a lot of entertaining takes place because of their dramatic look and impressive beauty. Bar surfaces have to stand up to spills and abrasions and fortunately, there are natural stone options that can withstand these challenges.

Natural stones such as granite and marble embrace the best that Mother Nature has to offer and create stunning focal points to your entertaining spaces. The right stone can create ambience and style, all while withstanding the heavy use that comes from entertaining, something other materials cannot match.

Fireplaces

A natural stone fireplace makes a stunning focal point for your family and living areas. Since marble and granite are both wonderful materials for a fireplace, choosing between the two can be difficult.

A marble fireplace surround can add elegance and visual appeal to a room. Marble can withstand heat and is available white, green, and gray color options. A granite fireplace surround is also heat-resistant and very easy to maintain. Granite is available in a wide variety of colors, making it very easy to find the perfect option for any home décor and style.

Fireplace surrounds are not the only option for incorporating natural stone into your fireplace design. It is also possible to include a marble mantel or a granite hearth even if the rest of your fireplace is not made of natural stone.

Flooring

The beauty of a natural stone floor does not have to be confined to any particular room of your home. While durability makes natural stone flooring more practical than other flooring materials, homeowners tend to choose natural stone flooring for its luxurious appearance. Granite flooring and marble floor tiles are one-of-a-kind, meaning no two natural stone floors will ever be exactly the same. Natural stone flooring is easy to clean, however it must be cleaned regularly to maintain the beauty of the natural stone.

Natural stone, such as marble and granite, is a versatile material. Bar tops, islands, fireplaces and flooring are just a few ways you can incorporate natural stone in your home beyond a kitchen or bathroom countertop.

So, if you are looking for natural stone – countertops, bar tops, islands and more – in eastern North Carolina, look no further than C & C Stoneworks. We service Greenville, Winterville, Washington, New Bern and surrounding areas. Our C & C Stoneworks team is ready to help, contact us today to learn more or schedule an appointment at our showroom.

For more content about design trends, countertop surfaces, remodels and more, visit our blog page.

Natural Stone Countertops

Posted on July 1, 2021July 20, 2021

Most people think of marble, granite and quartzite when they think of natural stone countertops. Natural stone is a classic choice for countertops because of their one-of-a-kind beauty. Below is an overview of natural stone choices along with information on their benefits, finishes, applications and more.

Benefits:
Since mother nature is responsible for natural stone, each slab is unique in their shade variations, cracks, chips, fissures, pits and pores. Whatever you do, do not let this scare you away? These variations are what make natural stone so beautiful! Natural stone is also very durable, and some natural stone is resistant to bacteria, heat, scratches, and stains, and can even be used in outdoor spaces. Depending on what finish you choose, it can change the overall look and resistance of your countertops.

Pros and Cons of Natural Stone Countertops:
No matter what countertop surface you choose there will always be pros and cons. You should take these into consideration when choosing a material so you can make the best decision for your project based on your design preference and lifestyle.

Granite

Pro: Durability. With regular sealing, granite countertops are heat, chemical, scratch and stain resistant.
Con: Granite is a porous material, so it does need to be resealed. Resealing natural stone countertops (granite, marble and quartzite) is recommended every 1 to 2 years to protect against staining.

Marble

Pro: Marble countertops absolutely beautiful, and if they are well-maintained, they can increase your property value.
Con: Easily Stain.

Quartzite

Pro: Quartzite looks like marble. With their unique and their swirling designs make countertops look more interesting helping to create an impressive bathroom or kitchen.
Con: Although it is durable and strong, quartzite can be damaged by sharp objects, such as a knife. You must also seal quartzite countertops annually to keep them shiny and stain free.

Soapstone

Pro: Very sanitary countertop because it is non-porous. It can be cleaned with a mild soap and a sponge.
Con: Since the stone is fairly soft, avoid cutting on it. Be careful not to drop heavy objects on it. The soft nature of soapstone makes it nice to the touch, but it is also its one main weakness.

Finishes:
Before the slab gets delivered and installed into your home, the last step of the fabrication process is the finish. Depending on your style, you can choose smooth, textured, glossy countertops or even have little to no shine. This is all achieved by the finish.

Polished: To achieve semi-gloss to high gloss on your countertop, polished should be your choice. Stains are less likely on polished countertops, but one negative is that a high-gloss surface shows scratches easier.
Honed: Honed is a popular finish for marble – it creates a smooth, matte look. The benefit is that scratches are difficult to see, but this makes the surface more prone to stains.

Care:
Care for your natural stone countertops depends on whether it is granite, marble, quartzite or soapstone. You will want to be sure you are taking the proper precautions to prevent damage. We highly recommend cleaning up spills with a soft cloth using mild soap and warm water. If the stain is more stubborn, a nonabrasive bristled brush could be used. Always use hot pads, cutting boards, placemats, trivets and coasters to protect your surface from staining, scratches and discoloration.

Applications:
The most common places are for natural stone to be incorporated in your home are in kitchens and bathrooms as countertops, but natural stone can be used in so many other areas of your home. Consider an outdoor kitchen, a fireplace surround, flooring, or backsplash.

Our designer can help you incorporate natural stone into your home, call us to schedule a meeting today, 252-902-5535.

Create a Beautiful Bathroom with Natural Stone

Posted on June 15, 2020July 16, 2021

Showers are about getting clean, right? So, it fits perfectly that shower designs are getting more clean-lined too! We’re seeing bigger stone slabs in the shower, with fewer grout lines, and smaller shower drains to complete the sleek look. We are also seeing light stone tiles being used to make a space feel bigger and more elegant.

If you’re ready for a shower update, here are a few tips from us at C and C Stoneworks!Picking a Natural Stone

As far as what kind of stone to use in a bathroom – it is pretty simple. Any natural stone, when properly installed, cared for and sealed, will hold up great in your bathroom. Whether it’s marble or granite, nothing looks as beautiful as real stone in a bathroom.

1. Marble
Marble is a limestone, but limestone is not a marble. The beauty and elegance of marble has been used in bathrooms for many, many years. Marble can be used to create stunning shower surrounds, floors, walls and backsplashes. Just remember, that marble is susceptible to etching from acidic cleaners, so make sure to use extra care if marble is your choice of stone.
2. Granite
As we’ve mentioned many times before, granite is one of the hardest stones known to man. This makes granite a perfect choice for a vanity top. Because every slab is made by nature and completely unique, you can create a bathroom look all your own. Spills wipe easy, and granite is hard to stain.

Sealing and Polishing
When it comes to sealing these stones keep in mind that bathrooms are wet places. This makes it prudent to keep your natural stone and any grout lines sealed with a sealer to keep the appearance you fell in love with in the first place, and to prevent mildew. However, it is also important to note that a highly polished marble or granite will usually not absorb sealer, so that step could be a waste of time and money. The more polished a stone, the better it repels water. Whereas, honed and other stone finishes may not dry as quickly. The professionals at C and C Stoneworks can advise you on the best way to care for the stone in your bathroom.

Grout and Caulk
Lock out water by ensuring that grout and caulk are properly maintained. You should inspect it regularly and get any repairs made promptly to prevent water from getting behind the stone or stone tiles in your shower. We also recommend using a grout and caulk with built-in mildewcide to stop the growth before it even starts.

Drainage and Ventilation
When completing your bathroom design or remodel, make sure that your plan includes a system that will reduce moisture. Excellent drainage is a must to preserve the natural stone you choose. Draining on the shower floor is especially imperative. Keep in mind too, that ventilation also helps to keep a bathroom dry. Fans and central air vents are great at helping prevent mold and mildew from growing.

The professionals at C and C Stoneworks in Greenville, NC are ready to help you create your perfect bathroom. We’re here to guide you through the entire process and pick the perfect stone for your space! Give us a call today!

New Year, New Stone Trends

Posted on January 7, 2020July 16, 2021

Happy New Year! With 2020 in full swing, we can now talk about some of our favorite stone and countertop trends for this year. Some are classics we see from year to year, and a few are new trends we just can’t wait to tell you about. If a kitchen or bathroom remodel is on your to-do list for 2020, these trends are sure to get you excited!

Slab Backsplash
Stone slab backsplashes will add so much drama to your kitchen. Extending the countertop material, whether that be granite, quartz or marble, up the wall to meet your cabinetry, creates a streamlined, clean and contemporary backsplash design.

Double Islands
Here’s a new idea we are really loving! Expand your kitchen’s functionality and maintain a great traffic flow with double islands. It’s a great way to divide the space and create two distinct areas; one for preparing food and another for gathering with family and friends! You can make even more of a statement on your double islands by using a complementing stone countertop to match the rest of the countertops in your kitchen. Or, you can opt for a contrasting countertop color to really make the islands the focal point of the space.

Gravity Defying Countertops
Clean lines and sleek designs are definitely trending in 2020. Many homeowners want to maximize open space, and a gravity defying countertop is the perfect way to do that! Having a countertop that extends feet beyond the structure of your island not only allows you to slide barstools underneath but creates a cool architectural piece in your kitchen!Quartz
Once again, in 2020, quartz isn’t going anywhere. At the top of the countertop material list, quartz is both durable and beautiful! We highly suggest visiting our stone yard to see our many quartz options in person!Dark Stones
In years past we have seen light and bright trends, with white countertops and white cabinetry. But, in 2020 expect to see dark stones more and more. Especially in smaller spaces and bathrooms, dark stones can add a lot of drama to your space. Dark stone countertops paired with dark cabinetry will be trending this year!

Make your home trend this year! Contact C and C Stoneworks for all your stone countertop, tile and flooring needs.

It’s time to spruce up for summer! At C and C Stoneworks in Greenville, NC, we have lots of great stone remnants in many colors and patterns – perfect for your small summer projects!

First of all, what exactly is a stone remnant? Well, when someone purchases a slab for kitchen or bathroom countertops, we custom cut it to the perfect size. This means that there are often pieces cut that are not used for the project. At C and C Stoneworks, we stockpile remnants that are too small for most countertops, but large enough that they’d go to waste if not used – making them perfect for small projects. And the best part? These remaining pieces are less expensive than full slabs!

To help you get started, and spark a little creativity, here are a few ideas of what you can do with stone remnants to carry the luxury of natural stone throughout your home.

1. Bathroom Vanity
Is there a bathroom in your home that could use a little TLC? A simple vanity countertop upgrade can create a consistent aesthetic throughout your home. Remnants are the perfect choice for this project – especially for the vanity in your smaller half or guest bathrooms.

2. Kitchen Island
While remnants are not big enough for a full kitchen countertop remodel, they are a great choice for a kitchen island. Adding a pop of quartz or granite to your kitchen island can create just the “wow” factor you are looking for. Even if you don’t have a permanent kitchen island, a rolling island with a stone countertop is very functional – it gives an extra surface to prepare meals and entertain but can be rolled out of the way when needed.

3. Bar Top
If you love to entertain, this is the perfect project for you! A beautiful stone remnant can give a fresh face to your bar top.

4. Accent Tile
Our fabricators can cut stone remnants into accent tiles that can be used anywhere in your home. Add them behind the kitchen sink, to the fireplace surround, in a built-in bookshelf, or as an accent strip in a shower. The possibilities are endless with these!5. Outdoor Décor
Natural stone looks right at home when used outdoors. Small, irregular shaped slabs can be used to create a beautiful garden path or rock wall, and very small pieces can be made into mosaics for the patio.Are feeling creative yet? Visit our stone yard to see all of our beautiful remnant pieces for yourself. We can help you find just the one that suits your style and project!

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Category: Natural Stone