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GRANITE COUNTERTOPS
Granite is a coarse grained crystalline igneous rock composed primarily of quartz and feldspar. It forms from slowly cooling magma (silicate melt) that is subjected to extreme pressures deep beneath the earth's surface.
With public awareness increasingly turning to the use of natural materials in the home, Granite has become the countertop of choice for today's kitchen designer.
Synthetic solid surface materials are no match for the richness, depth and stellar performance of real granite. Unlike laminates and solid-surface materials, a hot frying pan has no effect on granite's mirror like finish. The diamond-like hardness of granite makes it virtually impervious to abrasions, stains and extreme heat.
Most important: by choosing a granite countertop and island, you not only give your kitchen timeless performance and beauty, you increase the value of your home.
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LAMINATE COUNTERTOPS
If you want the best selection of colors and patterns and the lowest price, laminate is your choice. Yet laminate's advantages go beyond price and selection. These range from vibrant pure colors to hundreds of patterns that simulate the look of stone and wood, all at a fraction of what you'd pay for the real thing. With laminates' low cost and always-up-to-date patterns and colors, changing your countertop to be right in style with today's trends is a piece of cake. Laminate countertops, like those made from granite and engineered stone, have seams where the countertop sections come together. A good fabricator can make laminate seams almost disappear. Not so easy with either natural or engineered stone countertops. And forget about it with tile countertops – both ceramic and granite. No way to do those without grout lines and their potential for bacteria build-up.
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QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS
Quartz counters are really rock with an attitude—they are manufactured with nearly 100 percent quartz. In contrast, granite may contain only 50 percent quartz. The other minerals found in granite leave it soft, porous and vulnerable to scratches and stains. Industry-wide, all quartz countertops are made with 93 percent quartz or they cannot claim the hardness, durability, or impermeability of a true quartz surface. The prescribed mixture results in a product that is non-porous, exceedingly durable and more than twice as strong as granite.
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SOLID SURFACE COUNTERTOPS
Solid surface countertops have been available for over 25 years. They are a product of the plastics industry. Plastics, in one form or another, dominate the kitchen and bath countertop industry. The vast majority of plastic countertops are made from thin sheets of plastic laminated to wood or wood by-product substrates. Solid surface countertops are simply that, they are solid plastic.
The solid nature of these materials offers distinct advantages. Colors and patterns are solid throughout the material. These solid surface materials have many of the same properties of wood, which allows them to be shaped and molded into countless shapes and figures.
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STAINLESS STEEL COUNTERTOPS
Stainless steel countertops offer some definite advantages over surfaces like laminates, ceramic tile and wood. For one thing, they are tough. They are highly resistant to damage from water, heat and many corrosive materials. While they can receive dents and scratches, such occurrences don't damage the functionality of stainless steel. If preventing bacteria and germs from invading your kitchen is among your top concerns, you will be glad to know that stainless steel countertops are the most hygienic material available.
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WOOD COUNTERTOPS
Wood is one of the strongest raw materials of nature. Wood should only be worked on after years of experience. Standard Kitchen has gained this experience after working with solid wooden worktops for the kitchen and bathroom industry for more than 35 years. Standard Kitchen takes pride in the standard of craftsmanship and the results speak for themselves.
We have a product range of maintenance products which ensure that your solid wooden worktop keeps a closed and beautiful surface, which resists, for example, water and gives the worktop a lasting finish and protection for many years.
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ECO-FRIENDLY COUNTERTOPS
IceStone Durable Surfaces – Eco-Friendly, Green and Sustainable Choice for Countertops
IceStone durable surfaces are made from 100% recycled glass and concrete. IceStone® products are the ideal choice for green kitchen countertops. They are also a great option for backsplashes, bathrooms, vanities, bathroom dividers, table tops, bar tops, interior walls and commercial flooring applications. Beautiful shower surrounds, bathtubs and kitchen sinks can be made with IceStone as well. IceStone surfaces can be shaped, water jet cut, inlaid, mounted vertically or horizontally. Currently, there are 27 colors available, but the color palette is infinite.
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