Monday, June 2, 2014

Granite Perfection: Finding the Best Slab for Your Countertops



Picking out the perfect stone for your granite countertops in your Victoria home can be a challenging task. But we here at Universal Stone have a few suggestions on how to find the best one to fit with your personal tastes.

First of all, take a long look at your cabinetry. Are you getting new cabinets or are you keeping your old ones? Either way, you want to make sure your granite countertops match your cabinets. A more modern look is to have dark granite countertops with light brown or white cabinetry. Or you could try the reverse: light granite countertops with dark cabinetry. Try to visualize what you want the room to look like when the renovations are completely finished. What color granite countertops do you have in your vision?

Then, come and visit Universal Stone’s showroom to see the options we have in stock for your granite countertops. You will want to remember that no two slabs of granite are exactly alike. So you will always have unique granite countertops no matter which ones you pick out! Plus, when you visit our showroom, you will have an opportunity to ask us any questions you might have!

No matter the size of your family or home, granite countertops make a fabulous addition. Not only are they gorgeous looking and timeless, but they are also stain, scratch, burn and heat resistant, making them a practical choice as well. They are an excellent choice for busy families that are always on the go or for less busy families that spend more time at home. But the best part about granite countertops is they will last for years to come if they are maintained and cleaned properly. 

So when you need granite countertops in Victoria, call Universal Stone at 952-746-4690 or Request a Free Quote.

Monday, April 28, 2014

Granite Bathroom Vanity: Timeless Elegance


We here at Universal Stone just love the look of a granite bathroom vanity in a Burnsville home. It’s timeless and elegant and will never go out of style. But we also love it for a few other reasons. 

A granite bathroom vanity is incredibly durable. If it’s properly sealed, there isn’t much that can get to this particular type of stone! It’s heat resistant (so no more worrying about setting down a hot curling iron or hair dryer!). It’s stain resistant (so you can safely dye your hair without worrying about the dye staining your granite bathroom vanity). It’s environmentally friendly because it’s made out of a natural stone (so you don’t have to worry that you’re harming Mother Earth).

Plus, these types of vanities can add resale value to your home. They’re really good for families with children too because they are bacteria resistant. So you will know your little ones are safe! And it’s just a bonus that they are so easy to maintain and keep clean – busy families that are constantly on the go will benefit from this beautiful granite bathroom vanity. And even if you’re not on the go constantly, it’s still nice to think you’ll have one less chore to worry about on a regular basis!

When you’re redecorating your bathroom, a granite bathroom vanity also adds elegance to the room. The best part about granite is that each slab is totally unique. So your granite bathroom vanity will never look like anyone else’s. They can be sized and shaped for just about every bathroom out there, so they are also usually easy to install.

So when you’re ready to have a granite bathroom vanity installed in your Burnsville home, call us here at Universal Stone at 952-746-4690 or contact us and get a Free Quote.



Friday, March 21, 2014

Why Minneapolis Families Love Granite Countertops

Are you wondering what makes granite countertops so special and why Minneapolis families love them so much? The answer is simple. Granite is a very versatile stone. If you're looking for granite countertops in Minneapolis, you've come to the right place! We can help you choose the perfect slab for your home, fabricate a custom piece and install it for you. Whether you have plans to resurface the countertops throughout your home or want to use granite outside your home, we can help you get started today.

Timeless & Unique In-Home Upgrade
Granite is a beautiful, natural stone that is great for indoor use. It can complement your kitchen, bathroom, home office and more. It comes in a wide variety of colors that you may not find with some other countertop options. We'll be able to help you find a slab that will complement your home's current theme. Granite is a unique countertop option because no two slabs are alike. Each is formed beneath the earth's surface and has a different make-up. Upgrade to granite countertops and start enjoying all the benefits.

Durable & Practical Outdoor Applications
Granite countertops can be beautiful and elegant inside the home, but they are strong enough to hold up outside your home as well. Granite is one of the toughest stones on earth, so you don't have to worry about using it for outdoor seating, kitchens and more. Many people are starting to incorporate outdoor living areas as part of their homes. If you're looking to install an outdoor room, don't hesitate to use granite as a main feature. We're happy to work with you on your custom projects, so contact us today.

Are you looking to install granite countertops near Minneapolis? Contact us today by calling 952-746-4690 or Request a Free Estimate.

Friday, September 14, 2012

The Advantages of Granite Countertops

If you've ever been in a home with granite countertops or bathroom vanities, you know how much elegance they bring to an area. Easy to clean and available in a wide variety of colors and patterns, granite counters are chosen by most to accentuate their kitchen or bathroom. These are only a few of the advantage of granite countertops that we detailed in an article a while back.

We also noted in the article:

When granite is used as a countertop, shelf, or fireplace surround very little care is necessary to maintain the inherent beauty and finish
Unlike other types of natural stones, granite doesn't require all that much maintenance. You can be sure to enjoy your granite countertops for a long time as long as periodic cleaning and maintenance is done.

Read the entire article: "Granite and Marble - The Advantages of Using Natural Stone for Countertops and Flooring."

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Pick A Color For Your Granite Countertop And Feel Its Effect


Choosing the color scheme for your new home or remodeling project can be a joyful experience, but it can also be a challenge. You’ll want to coordinate the color of your Minneapolis granite countertops with that of the cabinets, walls and floor. Depending on your personal preferences, you may choose a Monochromatic scheme and go with several different shades of a similar color, or you may decide on either an Analogous scheme with slightly different colors, or a Complementary color approach.

Any of these methods are okay. It’s a matter of personal taste, and you are the one who will be enjoying it for years to come. Cabinet and wall colors can be changed fairly easily, but the floors and especially your granite countertops, are what they are. Floors can be covered with carpets or rugs, but the color you choose for your granite is what you are going to be looking at for a long time. Choose it with great care.

Your choice of colors can have a strong affect on the mood of any room. You should give a lot of thought to whether you want a room to feel warm and wholesome (orange), elegant and sophisticated (black), or happy and optimistic (yellow). There are plenty of other moods that can be suggested by colors. And fortunately, granite is available in hundreds of colors.

If you would like some more insight into which colors project which moods, you can read the article, “The Right Color Choice For Granite Countertops Can Set The Mood of Your Home.”

Friday, July 20, 2012

Granite Countertops: Types of Finishes for Granite Counters

One of the most important facets of any installation of granite countertops is picking the right finish, colors and edges. We discussed this a while back in an article, noting:
If you are looking for a new way to increase your home's resale value or merely tired of the standard countertops in your home or bath, then granite countertops are just what you need. You will find the color choices to bold, beautiful and surprisingly affordable and the finishes to be vast and varied.
There are a wide variety of finishes available for countertops: high-gloss, honed and more. There's also:
  • Abrasive is a flat non-reflective surface and is often used for outdoor installations 
  • Acid etched granite countertops have been given a look of aging by the application of abrasives or acids
  • Brushed finishes are somewhat coarse to the touch; the look is achieved by using a rotary -type wire brush on the granite's surface.
  • Brush-hammered finishes have been achieved by a mechanical process and can vary as much as the granite itself.
  • Flamed or thermal finished granite has been roughed by heat and exposes the grains of the stone. This is popular in granite flooring.
  • Honed finishes have very little light reflection. It is especially nice for floors, stair treads, thresholds and in other areas that receive high amounts of traffic/use.
  • Polished granite brings out the true beauty of the stone showing the movement to its fullest advantage. It is frequently used on walls, furniture, and floors.
  • Sandblasted finishes have a matte-like textured and little or no gloss. Like the abrasive finish, this is a great choice for outdoor countertops.
 Want more information on granite countertops for your home? Visit www.UniversalStone-Inc.com.