Quality Controls Of Natural Stone

In order to ensure its quality,Natural stone requires some controls. Manufacturers of natural stone products are required to perform some CE Marking requirements since 2013.

CE marking is a “passport” enabling a product to be placed legally on the European market. Manufacturers of natural stone products should implement a factory production control (FPC), consisting in laboratory tests with some frequency, to know the physical-mechanical properties of the material and to control production.

All stone, not just that from Europe, include China, India, South Africa and so on ,must be CE marked. If the stone contractor is importing stone, they are responsible for ensuring that the stone has been properly tested.

External paving,Masonry, cladding, slabs and tiles for flooring and stairs,setts and kerbs are products that will be required to comply with the requirements of the relevant harmonised Standards. These standards set out the requirements for initial type testing and factory production control. The supplier must declare the denomination of the stone in accordance with BS EN 12440 Natural stone-Denomination criteria.

A Declaration of Performance is needed

A Declaration of Performance is also needed and must include the intended use and at least one of the Basic Requirements of the Constuction Products Regulation as required for the end use of product.

In the case of external paving, the minimum features that the manufacturer must provide are: skid resistance, frost resistance, flexural strenght and the water absorption. It is very important to pass laboratory tests to evaluate stone suitability as pavement. Based on the results obtained, conditions of use must be defined to choose thickness and placement procedures.

More info,please check stonepackingcase.com

Designing your bathroom,selecting your materials according to your favorite style

A bathroom remodel can seem daunting when you realize how many choices you need to do .There are for fixtures, hardware, flooring and countertops. Add in the unique challenges of water, heat and humidity, which affect all bathrooms, and choosing the right materials becomes even more important.

While countertops might be the least of your concerns when it comes to remodelling a bathroom, they are still incredibly important - they need to be attractive, easy to clean and durable. Traditional Designs offers a selection of bathroom countertops . If you don’t know where to start, I will guide you through the process of designing your new bathroom and selecting the materials that will give you the look and performance you want. Stone sample case 

Things to Consider Before Remodelling
Think about the overall character that you’re striving for in the room. Are you going for a modern, sleek look, or will you be using dark wood and antique hardware?Think about who will be using the bathroom - will it be used by adults, by children or all members of the family? Families with children need durable surfaces that are stain-resistant and easily cleaned, while rooms used primarily by adults can incorporate materials that require more care.

Consider how much surface you need to cover with your countertop. Whether you have a small vanity top or a long counter may affect your choice of materials.

Stone Countertops
You will probably at some point have considered stone countertops for your bathroom. Let’s take a quick look at four of the stone options we offer at Traditional Designs.Stone sample brochure

Quartz: Quartz shares many of the qualities of granite at a lower cost. It is durable, stain-resistant, and easy to clean. It also comes in a wide choice of colors.

Marble: Marble’s beautifully veined colors, from white to pink to black, lend an old-world elegance to any room. However, marble is softer than granite or quartz and is more porous. It must be sealed to protect it from stains and gently cleaned.

Granite: Granite is an excellent choice for any bathroom counter. It is hard, scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, and able to withstand the heat from curling irons and hair dryers. Granite is available in a large array of colors and patterns.

Limestone: Limestone is a less formal and increasingly popular material for the bathroom countertops remodelers want. Limestone is available in a variety of earth tones and is usually installed with a matte finish. It may have small visible fossils, which give the bathroom a natural, green atmosphere. Stone Sample Boards

Designing your bathroom,selecting your materials according to your favorite style.

How to choose the right color for your kitchen countertop

Planning a kitchen is funny. From the style of your cabinet ,colour,placing position and so on.Now let’s talk for a minute about the choices you have for a kitchen countertop color, and how your choice can affect the look of the kitchen.

Light or Dark
We can’t talk about color without talking about light. You may have a large, airy, open kitchen with sunlight streaming in through many windows, or you may have a small, enclosed space with no windows at all. Your choice of colors can make all the difference in the ultimate feel of the room.

A dark small kitchen with no natural light is not a place anyone wants to be. Imagine how transformed it could be with cabinets of gray or palest yellow topped with a misty granite or white marble counter.

A large bright kitchen can feel clean and sun-washed with light countertops, but it can also handle darker tones. Rich wood cabinets with deep green granite countertops would be the perfect way to make the kitchen an extension of the natural landscape visible through the windows.

The Latest Style or Classic
Kitchen decor goes through fashion phases. You may be someone who wants the latest style, or you may be someone who prefers a classic, timeless look. The good news is that you can choose a kitchen countertop color that will look great now while also giving you the flexibility to flow with changing fashion in the future.

For example, the current color rage for kitchens is white. Do we have white countertops at Traditional Designs? Yes. Is that what you want for a fashionable white kitchen? Not necessarily. You might also consider a dramatically veined white marble, or an elegant gray or even jet black granite. Our designers can show you how even our most strikingly colored stone can be used to create the most fashion-forward space of today and still be compatible with whatever color may be coming over tomorrow’s style horizon.

The Color of Quality
At Traditional Designs we consider your kitchen countertop an investment in quality. Whether you find the perfect look and want to stick with it or you want to shakethings up every few years, your countertops will endure. You may decide to paint the cabinets or switch out the hardware, but you will not have to replace your stone countertop.

Quartz Countertop Colors

The kitchen countertop color you choose can open up a small room, make a large room more cozy. It can help make your kitchen a pleasant and welcoming space for you and your family.Stone Sample Boards

How to Make a mosaic tile tray

Clean tray by dusting or wiping with a slightly damp cloth to remove fine wood particles and dust. Paint with craft paint in a colour of your choice.

If required apply a second coat to ensure a professional finish. Always wait for the first coat to be 100% dry before progressing

You do not need to paint the area where the mosaic work will be done as this surface will be completely covered by mosaic and grout.

For this mosaic I have chosen some beautiful inserts - blocks with words, flowers, stems and some leaves. The first step is to decide where these go and glue them in place.

To match the inserts I have selected mosaic tiles with colours that work together. There are no rules - just have fun .Glue each piece as you go along, spread a little glue on tray and place tile.

The entire area around the inserts now needs to be filled by glueing down mosaic tiles. Start with the border and work towards the centre.

You will need to cut, trim or shape some of the mosaic pieces to fit around the inserts as you go along. Use a tile cutter - perfect shape is not needed, the grout will fill in the gaps.

To make it more exciting play with some additional colours. Just keep going - spread some glue, place the tiles piece by piece. The glue is easy to peel off your fingers if it gets messy.

Perhaps add some tiles with different textures and sizes as you fill the tray working towards the centre. You can also cut tiles into halves and quarters - again, there are no rules

To give a completely different feel in the centre I chose to break the tiles into pieces creating pieces that are diverse in shape and size.

These are "scattered" around to fill the centre of the tray.

The glue needs to dry before grouting can be added, read the glue label for drying time. If unsure 3 to 4 house should do it, overnight is perfect.

In a tub Mix about 5 heaped tablespoons of grout with small amounts of water at a time, you are looking for is a paste between the consistency of mayonnaise and tooth paste.

Use a spatula and spread the grout liberally over your mosaic. I used a black grout and added a bit of glitter for bling. Grout comes in various colours including white & shades of grey and brown.

Start in the centre and work outward to cover the entire tray in grout.

It is messy but keep going making sure that every gap is filled with the grout.

When completed gently wipe off with a dry cloth to remove a bit of the excess - do not press cloth into the gaps. Now sprinkle some dry grout on top - this helps the grout to not sink when it dries.

Wait 5 - 10 minutes and wipe the surface again to remove excess grout on the tiles. Do not remove grout in gaps. With a wet cloth clean any grout that was messed on the rest of the tray.

Continue by using a slightly damp cloth wrapped around your finger to gently and cautiously clean any little bits of remaining grout on the inserts.

Leave to dry for several hours (about 4-5 hours).

The final product and a perfect gift for someone special!!

Need mosaic tile frame ,please contact us: stonepackingcase.com

The differences between granite and quartz for countertops?

We are always getting asked What is the difference between granite and quartz for countertops?
Granite and quartz are both great choices for countertops, and come in many different patterns and dazzling colors. If you’re about to embark on a bathroom or kitchen remodel, hire an experienced countertop professional who offers granite and quartz installation services, as well as bathroom and kitchen design. Laminate stone sample board

Quartz Countertops
Quartz countertops are engineered products that are made with crushed quartz and resin—the ratio of quartz to resin varies among manufacturers, but is on average about 95% quartz to 5% resin. Quartz countertops are not porous, do not need to be sealed, and are stain and scratch resistant. These characteristics make quartz countertops easy to clean and maintain, and an unfavorable place for harmful food-related bacteria to colonize. Though quartz countertops are highly durable, they are not immune to damage. For example, repeated exposure to direct sunlight can cause quartz countertops to fade over time.

Granite Countertops
Granite is a natural product, mined in large slabs from quarries and shipped all over the world. It’s highly regarded by homeowners and interior designers, and known for embodying elegance and natural beauty. Since granite is porous, it needs to be sealed—and resealed every year—to protect it from water intrusion and damage.These countertops are extremely durable, but like all natural stones, granite is susceptible to staining, scratching, and chipping. With proper care, granite countertops can last for a lifetime. Board For Display Granite Tile

In conclusion, the better of the two is your personal preference. One customer may appreciate the natural veining and different movement found in granite slabs while another prefers the consistency that comes with quartz base surfaces. Both granite and quartz base surfaces will increase the beauty of your home as well as the value.Choosing to upgrade your countertops to a quartz base surface or granite will only benefit you in the long run.

If your need Stone Sample Boards for display granite or quartz,please contact us: stonepackingcase.com .

What is the difference between granite and quartz

We are always getting asked What is the difference between granite and quartz base surface countertops.look at difference as follows:

Looks
Because granite is a natural product, there are no two identical stones. If you do decide to go with granite, we suggest that you always look at the whole slab beforehand and make sure you ask to choose the one you like. There are endless options of colour, pattern, and variations. Going with granite offers you natural andextremely unique look that only you will have.granite sample display

Quartz base surfaces are more consistent in colour, patterns, and variations. Because the factory makes them, you know that one slab will look like the other. However,with the growing popularity of natural stones, quartz base surface manufacturers are beginning to expand their selections by offering slabs and tiles that  natural stone.Quartz Stone display

One of the most important differences between the two is that quartz base surfaces can be found in any colour you want. Because of their colours and lack of natural movement, these slabs are perfect for modern and ultra modern looks.
While quartz base surfaces can be found in any colour, granite is limited to what we have been given by Mother Nature. For example, the White Quartz WOMAG stocks, is completely white without any movement or discolouration. This is extremely rare and almost  impossible to find in any of our white granites.

While quartz base surfaces can easily be ordered by catalogue, granite cannot as it is found naturally in nature. However, WOMAG's natural stone collection is just as varied as its quartz base surfaces. What makes WOMAG stand out from all its competitors is that our buying team travels to the far corners of the earth looking for the most unique and beautiful stones, bringing back a huge range of colours and patterns.

Strength
In essence, granite and quartz base surfaces are both equals in terms of longevity. Both are resistant to staining, chipping, and cracking.
Because granite is found naturally, WOMAG ensures its longevity by sealing it. While quartz base surfaces are made by humans, they already add a "sealer" to their product.

Maintenance
Both are extremely easy to clean and care for. We recommend using mild soaps with warm water to wash off any spilled liquids or just cleaning in general.

Cost
The cost of granite and quartz base surfaces really depends on the slab you are looking for. There is some granite that costs less than quartz base surfaces and vice versa.

In conclusion, the better of the two is your personal preference. One customer may  appreciate the natural veining and different movement found in granite slabs while another prefers the consistency that comes with quartz base surfaces. Both granite and quartz base surfaces will increase the beauty of your home as well as the value.

Choosing to upgrade your countertops to a quartz base surface or granite will only benefit you in the long run.

Granite is a natural stone and quartz base surfaces are manufactured.
Granite is formed deep in the Earth's crust from hot molten rock, otherwise known as magma. This magma undergoes pressure from the intense heat and rises through the Earth's crust through the cracks and crevasses of the earth. As the boiling magma slowly cools down, it forms Granite. Granite is then quarried and cut into slabs and tiles for your home or business.

Quartz base surfaces on the other hand are manufactured in a factory using a mixture of high quality quartz, special adhesives, and pigments. Quartz base surface countertops are also called engineered counter tops or man made countertops. display stand for quartz stone