Granite tiles and other types of natural stone tiles can make great floors for your kitchen and bathroom. They’re durable and aesthetically pleasing, making them worth the price. Another advantage of natural stone floors is that they are reasonably easy to clean and maintain. So, let’s look at some tips and advice on how to clean your granite floors and other natural stone floors.

Choosing cleaning products for natural stone floors

You don’t want to use any cleaning products that could potentially damage or weaken your stone floors. Just like your stone countertops, anything that is overly acidic can stain or etch your floors. It is best to look for products that are “neutral” rather than too acidic or too alkaline. Products that say they don’t leave behind a residue are also good choices. Cleaners that are specifically designed for natural stone floors could be your safest bet.

If you want to use homemade cleaners instead of store-bought ones, then avoid acidic ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, and ammonia. A mild dish soap mixed with warm water can do the trick in most instances, although you may need something stronger for more stubborn stains.

Sweep and vacuum regularly

Natural stone is a tough material, but it isn’t immune to scratches and dents. Sweeping and/or vacuuming regularly will keep your floor free of debris and small particles that could scratch the stone as people walk over it. A quick sweep every day is a simple task that could help to keep your floors in good condition.

Mopping stone floors

Next, use your chosen cleaning solution to mop your floors with warm water. Or you may just be able to spray your cleaner on the floor and clean the surface using a dry mop, depending on what kind of product you’re using. Make sure to get into those grout lines between the tiles as well. It’s a good idea to scrub the grout lines occasionally with a smaller cloth or tool to clean them deeper, preventing dirt and grime from building up too much.

Sealing stone floors

You can keep your natural stone floors in good condition for longer if you seal them to reduce their porosity and help to prevent staining and scratching. Have your stone floors sealed when you get them installed and then reseal them once a year or so to keep the sealant intact.

If you’re looking for quality granite or other types of natural stone for your floors, walls, or countertops, then contact Amanzi Granite to get a quote, or visit us in our Kernersville showroom to see our stone up close to help you decide.

There are so many design options when it comes to renovating or designing a house, especially downstairs. While you’ll want all the bedrooms and bathroom upstairs to be fully defined and separated, you have a bit more flexibility with the rooms downstairs. Your living room and dining room could open up into one large room, or your kitchen and dining room, your kitchen and your living room, or even all three!

Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of having an open plan kitchen merging with your living room and/or dining room.

The pros of open plan kitchens

An open plan kitchen/diner or kitchen/living room can make your home a lot more social. Friends or family members could be relaxing on the sofa watching TV while you cook, allowing you all to socialize and continue spending time together in a comfortable environment. Eaven if you live alone, you can have the TV on in the background while you cook or do the dishes, which makes these tasks more enjoyable if they usually feel like chores to you.

If you live in a small house or apartment, an open plan kitchen can make it feel more spacious and help you make the most of the space. Removing the barriers that are usually put in place by walls opens up the space, making it feel bigger and perhaps giving you more space for furniture and appliances. Having this open space is also likely to make it lighter, and this can also give your room a roomier and airier look and feel. At the same time, this can help you reduce your electricity bills.

The cons of open plan kitchens

There are also downsides of opening up the kitchen into a space where you socialize and relax, too. If someone’s cooking strong-smelling food in the kitchen, such as fish or curries, then there are no barriers to contain these smells to the kitchen, which could be unpleasant for those in the rest of the house.

The same goes for noise carrying from one room to the next. One person might want to listen to music while they cook and the other might be watching TV in the living room, which can be disruptive without a wall dividing the two rooms.

An open plan kitchen/living room/dining room will also give you less wall space due to their literally being fewer walls. This could limit you slightly in terms of decorating as you’ll have less wall space to hang photos and paintings, for example. It could also reduce storage space if you would usually hang shelves or have a storage unit against a wall.

If you’re planning and designing an open plan kitchen, try our kitchen visualizer tool to help you make the important decisions. And contact Amanzi Granite if natural stone countertops, floors, or backsplashes have a place in your open plan kitchen design.

One of the best things about natural stone countertops is that they come straight from the earth. These natural materials are taken from the ground and then crafted into something that looks amazing in your home or garden. But, have you ever wondered how this process works?

We’ll take you through this process to help you understand how granite and other types of stone go from the earth to your kitchen. Since we’ve got such impressive granite quarries right here in North Carolina, let’s focus on how granite goes from quarry to countertop.

Mining granite from quarries

Granite is found close to the earth’s surface in locations called quarries. The stone is extracted or mined from these locations using drills and explosives. These techniques break large chunks of granite away from the quarry so that it can be transported and used in a number of ways. Cranes and other machinery will be used to lift the granite and move it onto a truck so that it can be transported.

Processing the granite

The granite extracted from quarries is extremely unrefined, pretty far removed from what you ultimately get for your kitchen countertops. The chunks of rock must be transported to a factory or other facility where it can be processed and fabricated. Specialized machinery is required to cut the granite into smaller slabs. Diamond blades are the most effective equipment for performing this job.

Once cut, the granite slabs are polished to give them a nicer finish, as it will have come from the quarry with an extremely rough finish. Large machinery using polish pads complete this process. The finished slabs are then ready for distribution. Some providers will fabricate the granite in-house while others will have it shipped to them after fabrication is complete.

Natural stone sellers can place these slabs in their showrooms for customers to browse and buy, but the process isn’t over yet. When someone buys granite, one of the slabs will be measured and cut to the right size and shape for the countertops needed. Different finishes can also be applied to the granite slab, such as a polished, honed, or matte finish.

An edge will also be applied to the stone, such as a square or beveled countertop edge to give it the perfect finishing touch. These granite countertops can then be installed in your kitchen or bathroom for the final result. The countertop may also be sealed to protect it after installation.

So, there you have it. A piece of natural stone from the ground meticulously finished to produce the perfect surface for your kitchen or bathroom countertops. You can visit our Kernersville showroom to view our granite slabs or get in touch to find out more about our natural stone and countertop installation.

Farmhouse sinks are a timeless classic, offering great aesthetic appeal as well as lots of space for washing up large pots and pans. While the traditional farmhouse sink is made from porcelain, they are now available in a wide variety of materials, including natural stone.

We’ve put together some design ideas to help you choose the perfect farmhouse sink for your kitchen.

Custom design

Natural stone is much more customizable than materials like porcelain and stainless steel, so your stone farmhouse sink can be made with any design and to fit whatever space you have available. You can even have an ornately decorated sink like this marble example. You really have the freedom to choose how your farmhouse sink will look.

Rustic stone sink

Most kitchens display a nice polished aesthetic, with smooth porcelain or polished stone displayed prominently. To make your farmhouse sink stand out, you could choose a more rustic style instead. Sinks can be carved from natural stone and left unpolished to produce that natural, rustic finish. Soapstone is a great option for that rustic look.

Mix and match with your countertops

You can have fun when choosing the material for your countertops and farmhouse sink. Use the same material and design for both to create a seamless finish, or contrast two different materials to make your farmhouse sink really stand out. A dark granite sink could offset white marble countertops, for example, or vice versa. Choose a combination that lets your sink and countertops complement each other perfectly.

Outdoor farmhouse sinks

Natural stone is great for outdoor use, as well, because it is durable and weather-resistant. A farmhouse sink can look great in an outdoor kitchen. Or maybe you just want an outdoor sink in your backyard or front porch for a convenient water supply while you’re gardening. Soapstone is an especially good option for outdoor use.

Curved corners

Because farmhouse sinks typically stick out slightly from the countertops and cabinets, they can pose a bit of a safety risk in a house with children. Designing your sink with a smooth front surface and curved corners helps to make those bumps a little softer. It also produces a sleek finish, adding a bit of modern style to a more traditional piece.

Double farmhouse sinks

If you’ve got space for it, then a double farmhouse sink is a great design option for your kitchen. This provides even more space with two basins side-by-side. If you cook a lot, you could have one side for dishes and the other for food preparation. The size of each basin is up to you, depending on the space you have available.

Designing your farmhouse sink and your countertop should go hand in hand to make sure that they suit each other stylistically. If you need countertop installation or design ideas around Winston Salem, Greensboro, High Point, and Kernersville, then get in touch today.

Are you looking for a way to add some extra flair to your home? Something that not only looks great but is unique? Exotic granite could be the material you’re looking for. In this blog, we’ll learn more about exotic granite and cover some ideas on how to add it to your home.

What is exotic granite?

Classic granite is already available in a wide range of colors and patterns, but with exotic granite, you get a whole new range of options. These slabs of granite are rare and exotic, and they display bright and bold designs. If you’re not feeling inspired by the appearance of traditional granite, then exotic granite should spark your interest in this material once again. It has all the great properties of traditional granite but does tend to be a little more expensive due to its rarity.

Exotic granite can add a striking, dramatic effect to any room, certainly drawing the eye of anyone who enters it. Let’s look at a few different rooms this natural stone would be perfect for.

Exotic granite in the kitchen

Granite countertops are extremely popular for their durability and other properties. If you’re looking to make a bolder statement with your granite countertops, then exotic granite is perfect. If having all your kitchen countertops made out of exotic granite is out of your price range, then it’s great for isolated elements like the backsplash or a kitchen island. If you want a central island to be the focal point of the room, then exotic granite will certainly help you achieve this. Add a beveled countertop edge for a nice touch of detail to your island.

In the bathroom

The countertop of your bathroom vanity or just around your sink is ideal for exotic granite. Since it’s not the entire room, it won’t break the bank, and it’ll add a striking element to your bathroom. The best granite countertops complement the design of the room they’re in. Since it’s available in lots of bold colors and patterns, you can select your bathroom countertop to match the overall design of the room.

In the living room

Fireplaces are often a focal point of a cozy living room. Designing your fireplace surround with exotic granite will help to draw attention to the fireplace. This kind of design adds a great sense of luxury to the room as well as being visually interesting. You can mix and match your color scheme so that your exotic granite complements the rest of the room.

If you want to add exotic granite to your home, Amanzi Granite can help you. Get in touch for countertop installation or if you’re buying granite around Winston Salem, Greensboro, High Point, and Kernersville.

Great interior design and remodeling consider the little details as well as the big picture. Pairing your kitchen countertops, cabinets, floors, and walls together makes a big impact on the overall appearance of the room, but it’s the little details that can make it perfect. Think about how the hardware, accessories, and finer touches in your kitchen complete the look.

In this blog, we’ll be taking your kitchen faucets as an example and looking at how to pair them well with your granite countertops.

Faucet colors and finishes

The color you choose for your faucets will depend largely on the color of your granite countertops and the style of your kitchen overall. Chrome and stainless-steel faucets are common in both kitchens and bathrooms, but a matte black faucet could pair strikingly with black granite and other dark-colored countertops. Brass and bronze can also go well with dark granite countertops depending on the style of your kitchen, while lighter metals like chrome and stainless steel could be ideal for lighter countertops.

Contrast or match

Complementing elements don’t have to match; they can equally contrast each other in a way that creates a cohesive image. For example, a dark-colored granite countertop could pair well with black faucets as part of the same color scheme, or you could contrast them with chrome or brass faucets, for example.

A great way to make this look cohesive is to pair the faucets with another element in the room, such as brass handles on your kitchen cabinets. Or you can match your faucets to the veining and patterns in your granite countertops. For example, black granite countertops could have flecks of gray and silver in them, which could pair well with chrome or stainless-steel faucets.

Faucet styles

You should also consider the style and proportions of your faucets in relation to the style of your kitchen and countertops. For example, the thickness of your countertops and the type of edge profile you’re choosing could determine whether you should look for slender and delicate faucets or bolder and chunkier faucets.

And think about the shape of your countertop edges when deciding between faucets with curves or more straight lines. Think about whether you prefer a modern style or a more traditional style kitchen and try to match these styles across the room.

If you’re looking for the right granite countertops or other granite features for your kitchen, then contact Amanzi Granite to find out more about our high-quality stone and professional installation services across Winston Salem, Greensboro, High Point, and Kernersville.

To help us be efficient and allow you to enjoy your new natural stone that much quicker, please take a moment to go through this helpful checklist.

Disconnect all plumbing.
Before we arrive to install, all sinks, faucets and disposals must be disconnected so we can lift out the sink successfully.

Disconnect the gas.
Before we arrive, disconnect the gas range or cook top so we can move it or lift it out as needed.

Disconnect all electrical wiring.
Before we arrive, disconnect the range, cook top or vent if hardwired.

Remove the microwave.
Before we arrive, if we had previously planned to install a backsplash, remove the microwave from the countertop.

Clear off all countertops.
Before we arrive, countertops must be completely free of personal items and any removable appliances.

Considerations BEFORE the Template Stage
Your new natural stone surfaces will be cut precisely to the agreed layout of the template. Before that crucial stage, please make sure we are informed of all decisions that might impact the final design of the template. Some of the more common changes are listed below.

Are you planning to purchase new appliances?
To ensure proper fit, we MUST know the exact dimensions of any new or updated appliances and any changes to the overall layout prior to the template stage.

Are you planning to purchase new faucets?
So we can ensure exact drill hole placement and size, inform us of your plans before the template stage. You MUST have the new faucets available at the time of install. Note: For any drill work post-install, there will be a trip charge applied.

Are you planning to purchase a new sink outside of our inventory?
We carry a basic selection of sinks; however, we are more than happy to work with other products to achieve the look you desire. If you are planning to provide your own sink, we MUST know before the template stage. Your new sink MUST be on site at the template stage. Our expert template designer will then take your sink into the shop to ensure the proper cut-out for a precise fit.

Are you planning to remove tile, flush shelving or make any other changes that might impact the fit of the stone?
If you are planning to make any changes that may impact the width or length of your countertops, make sure it is removed BEFORE the template stage to ensure the proper cut-out.

– All decisions MUST be final at the template stage. –
Once the template is complete there cannot be any changes.

Note: We are not responsible for plumbing, gas, or electrical work. We can provide you with a trusted list of providers if you are in need of any of these services.

Just as a reminder, faucets and strainers are not included with any of the sinks we sell. You are responsible for the separate purchase of these accessories.

If you have any questions or concerns throughout the process, don’t hesitate to call us. We value your opinions and input in helping you achieve the results of your dreams!

There are a lot of decisions to make when it comes to renovation and remodeling. This usually involves a lot of wandering around stores and showrooms to browse all the different options you have, which can be tiresome and time-consuming. Wouldn’t it be better if you could just drive up to a store knowing exactly what you want and buy it there and then?

Well, now you can!

With the amount of information readily available online, you can now do a lot of your redesign research without leaving the comfort of your own home. You can read pros and cons and customer reviews to help you decide on designs, materials, and colors. For deciding on the design for your countertops, you can also use a countertop design tool to help you imagine what different countertops will look like in your home.

On our website, you will find the following tools to help you select the perfect countertops for your home:

• Kitchen Visualizer Tool
• Bathroom Visualizer Tool
• Countertop Edge Visualizer

Using these tools, you can select different combinations of materials, patterns, colors, and edge profiles to get a vision of how they will look together for your countertops. Seeing the countertops makes it much easier to make a decision than having to imagine what they’ll look like in your head. It’s the next best thing after seeing it in real life, letting you do a lot of the decision-making before you actually go out to any stores.

Our kitchen and bathroom visualizer tools also help you to imagine what your countertops will look like in the room as a whole, allowing you to see how a certain material or edge profile will complement the design of the rest of the room. This is also useful if you are remodelling the entire room and have other decisions to make, such as what material you want for your floor.

Using these tools, you can select your flooring material, the colors of your cabinets, and the style of your backsplash in the kitchen. Doing so can help you envision the whole kitchen and bathroom to help you make the right design decisions. Our site also features a Project Estimate Tool so you can make sure all your choices still fit within your budget.

So, get online today in the comfort of your own home or come into our showroom, and work with one of our account managers who can assist you on our in-house kiosks. Amanzi Granite serves customers in Winston Salem, Greensboro, High Point, and Kernersville, North Carolina. Get in touch if you have any questions.

Quartz Countertops

Rivaling natural stone countertops are man-made options such as quartz. Quartz countertops are becoming increasingly popular in bathroom and kitchen renovations for lots of different reasons. Let’s take a look at some of the pros of quartz countertops to see whether they are right for you. 

Pros

Appearance – Although quartz is a man-made product, it still has the striking look of natural stone, making it a stand-out feature of any room. Because it’s man-made, you also have a wider range of color choices than many natural stones, including bold colors such as blues and reds as well as the more traditional blacks, whites, and grays. Quartz countertops can fit in well in both modern and traditional style rooms, and can be designed specifically to mimic the appearance of natural stones. 

Easy to maintain – Quartz is a non-porous material, which means that it doesn’t soak up liquids that come from spills on the surface of your countertops. This means they are much less likely to stain and don’t require as much cleaning as porous stone countertops. This also means that quartz countertops don’t need to be sealed. 

Durable – Like most natural stone countertops, quartz countertops are strong and durable. They’re also not too prone to scratches and chips compared to natural stones such as marble, so they’re easy to keep in good condition.

Granite Countertops 

There are lots of reasons for choosing granite countertops for your kitchen or bathroom. People choose them for their appearance, durability, and potential resale value, among other things. But how do you know if they’re the right choice for you? There are many other great choices when it comes to natural stone countertops.

Pros

Extremely durable – Granite kitchen countertops can last decades as the stone is one of the toughest there is. This means that you won’t need to replace your countertops anytime soon. You’re more likely to move out of or sell your house before you need new countertops. It also means they’re incredibly scratch-resistant, so they’re not prone to damage.

Resistant to heat – As well as being scratch-resistant, granite is also incredibly heat-resistant. This means you don’t have to worry if you accidentally put a hot pan down on your kitchen countertop, there should not be any damage as a result of this. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures isn’t recommended, but everyday activity shouldn’t damage your countertops.

Low maintenance – Part of this is mentioned above, since granite doesn’t damage easily it won’t need a lot of attention and repairs. Also, granite surfaces are nice and easy to clean, especially if you have your countertops sealed. Simply wiping down your surfaces regularly will keep your granite countertops shining.

Wide range of styles – One of the main reasons for choosing granite is the way it looks in your home. But its popularity certainly doesn’t mean your countertops will be unoriginal. Granite comes in a range of colors and patterns, so you can choose a slab that suits your tastes and the style of your home.

If you’re still unsure about whether quartz is the right choice for your countertops, you can use our countertop visualizer tool to see how it might look in your kitchen or bathroom. Once you’ve made your decision, get in touch with Amanzi Granite for supplying and installing your new countertops. We proudly serve the Triad area, including Winston Salem, Greensboro, High Point, and Kernersville.