Friday, December 30, 2011

Caring for a Granite Countertop is Easy

One of the reasons families in Minnetonka MN elect to install granite countertops over other types of counters is the ease of caring for granite.

Granite Countertops Minnetonka MN


Granite countertops are incredibly tough to stain. They're also not susceptible to heat damage, nor can they be scratched easily. As far as cleaning your granite countertop, a soft white cloth with some water will do the trick.

Have questions about your granite countertop, or issues that require professional treatment? Give us a call at 952-746-4690.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Granite Means Unique

One of the draws to adding a granite countertop to your Chaska MN home is the fact that no two granite countertops are alike. No pattern is the same, and you can choose from a variety of colors and edge profiles to put your fingerprint on the countertop even more.


Chaska MN Granite Countertops


Universal Stone has installed hundreds of countertops, and has helped a number of Chaska MN families pick out and install the countertop of their dreams. Homeowners love the look and durability of a granite countertop, and the feeling that the countertop in their home has no equal anywhere else in the world.

Call Universal Stone at 952-746-4690, or click here to request a free quote. We'll help you find that perfect granite countertop for your home.

Why Granite Counter Tops?

Residents of Plymouth MN might be asking themselves: why a granite counter top? What are the advantages of using this type of stone over others? And who can I trust to perform a quality granite counter top installation in Plymouth? Simple -- Universal Stone.

Plymouth MN Granite Counter Tops

Universal Stone has installed hundreds of kitchen counter tops in Plymouth, as well as other cities and towns in the Twin Cities region of Minnesota. Many of our customers choose granite due to its affordability, as well as its durability. Granite counter tops can take a lot of punishment, and can last for decades. We can install the granite counter top of your choice, and do so with the quality and precision you'd expect from a professional contractor.

If you're in the Plymouth MN area, or are located anywhere else in the Twin Cities metro, give Universal Stone a call at 952-746-4690.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

A Few Customer Testimonials

With 2011 coming to a close, and with an eye toward next year, we'd like to share some of the testimonials customers have given about Universal Stone. We hope that you'll choose us to guide you through selecting and installing a stone countertop in 2012. Thank you!


"I want to thank you and Universal Stone for the outstanding granite countertops you installed in our kitchen. The quality of the stone is exceptional, the craftsmanship and fit is perfect and the appearance of the stone in our kitchen is exactly what we were looking for. The compliments we've had from guests in our home have been endless.Susan and I were very pleased with the customer service of Universal Stone and we would not hesitate in recommending you to our friends and co-workers."
--Tim Blotz, Fox 9 News Weekend Anchor


"Thank you and all the others in and associated with Universal Stone Inc. for you work, materials and service.  You really make this process easy for the homeowner, especially with the ability to refer out plumber, tiles, etc.  The option of "one-stop shopping" is very convenient.  It's been my pleasure working with you and others."
--Judge Tony N. Leung, Hennipin County District Court



"Thank you for all your wonderful work. I had a woman call from Edina and I gave an excellent referral. Would be happy to refer again. Take care."
--Rose Barkley, Realtor at Lake Area Realty

Friday, December 16, 2011

Stone Countertop Protection Tips


Always use a coaster when placing a glass, mug or cup on your stone countertop -- especially when the liquid inside is alcoholic or citrus.


Blot any spills on your countertop with a paper towel. Don't scrub the spill, as this causes it to spread even more. There are some liquids that can permanently stain your countertop if they seep into the pores of the stone, depending on which type of stone you use.


Do not, under any circumstances, use a bathroom cleaner or any other type of cleaner that contains acid on your stone countertop. These types of cleaners can change the stone's look and complexion, damaging it in the process.

Find more stone countertop care tips at the Universal Stone website. If you want to request a free quote, fill out this form or call 952-746-4690.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Countertop Edge Profiles

You probably know that you can have a few different stone types used for your new countertop, such as granite, marble or quartz. But did you know that each of these countertops can be finished with a certain edge profile? You aren't stuck with a simple block slab of granite for a counter -- instead, you can bevel the countertop's edge, select an ogee finish, shape the edge with a waterfall finish, and many more. The image below shows you some of the finishes that can be applied to your new countertop.



Which of these edge profiles would you use on your counter?

If you're interested in requesting a free quote from Universal Stone, click here or give us a call at 952-746-4690.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Choosing the Stone for Your Countertop


When choosing to go with a stone countertop in your home, you not only have several stone types to choose from, but you also have different pros and cons for each type of stone. You can use these pros and cons to choose a stone type for your counter if you know what the counter will primarily be used for.


Granite is scratch resistant, bacteria resistant, heat resistant, burn resistant and is 100% natural. As far as staining goes, granite is pretty stain resistant, but it isn't 100%.

Marble is burn resistant and is 100% natural -- unfortunately, it falls short in several other categories. It's not scratch, stain, bacteria or heat resistant, which means you'll have to be more careful about how you treat your marble countertop.

Soapstone is not scratch resistant, but it can offer every other protection, including being stain resistant, bacteria resistant, heat resistant and burn resistant. As long as you're careful not to scratch your soapstone countertop, it should last you for years to come.

Need a granite countertop installation performed? Perhaps you prefer a different stone type for your counter? Contact Universal Stone today and request a free quote.