Check Out Universal Stone’s Residential Gallery!

There’s no better way to see what Universal Stone can do for your Twin Cities home than by checking out our natural stone residential gallery. It’s where you can see our quality granite countertops, marble sinks and much more. We are proud to be able to put our work on display, and pleased with all the work we’ve done.

If you like what you see, then we’d be honored to showcase our expertise in your home. Contact Universal Stone at 952.746.4690 or visit www.UniversalStone-Inc.com to request a free natural stone quote.

Request a Free Quote Today from Universal Stone

Are you in need of professional quartz fabrication in your Twin Cities MN home or office? Do you want granite countertops of which you can be proud? Then Universal Stone Inc. can help!

We are experts at natural stone fabrication, and are proud to offer current and future clients the ability to obtain a free quote online. This simple request can be made simply by visiting www.UniversalStone-Inc.com.

When you need marble fabrication in Minneapolis or St. Paul, Universal Stone should be your first choice. Call us today at 952.746.4690!

Universal Stone Now Offers Inventory Online

Thinking of granite countertops in your Twin Cities MN home? Want to see what natural stone fabricators have, but from the comfort of your chair? Then take a trip over to www.UniversalStone-Inc.com!

Universal Stone, the professional granite, marble & quartz fabricators and installers of record for Minneapolis & St Paul are now proud to offer a searchable, online database of its inventory. Enjoy looking for that perfect natural stone remnant or slab without ever leaving your home!

For everything granite, marble and rinato in the Twin Cities, contact Universal Stone today.

Upgrading a Kitchen With Granite Countertops - Cost Savings To Be Had While Improving Other Rooms

One of the strongest and most durable of all building materials is a natural stone such as granite. Mostly used as kitchen or bathrooms countertops, granite can serve as a very beautiful focal point of any home. The home owner should not restrict the use of granite to just the kitchen and bathroom. Many of the other areas of the home can benefit from the use of granite or other natural stone.

Certain types of home remodels will pay for themselves when the home is sold. Kitchen upgrades or remodels are a prime example of the home owner receiving close to a 100% return on the investment. After upgrading the kitchen with a granite countertop there are subtle, but effectively simple ways to jazz up the rest of the home in order to tie it all together. Most home owners would prefer the home to not be dated with a brand new standout kitchen, calling attention to other shortcomings in the house.

The key is to balance the use of granite throughout the home. Particular areas which lend themselves nicely to using granite are mantels and fireplace surrounds, built-in shelving, window sills or tabletops. Do not forget about the exterior of the back yard. Most of the time the patio or deck is just outside of the kitchen. Unlike some other types of countertops granite is the ideal choice for creating an outdoor kitchen for barbecues and cookouts. Laminate counters, as well as some porous natural stone materials, are not ideal due to the conditions nature provides. A stone fabricator should be able to advise the client which type of stone will be durable enough to weather outdoor environments.

It is important for the home owner to note that if there is the intention of accenting the rest of the home by incorporating granite or other natural stone throughout in order to achieve an organic flow, it is recommended to select all of the slabs at the same time. If the home owner selects more granite at a later date, it is quite probable that finding a slab with like marbling or veining and coloring will be exceedingly difficult and unlikely due to the ever changing variation of natural stone. No two slabs are alike, but very similar patterning, texture, and appearance can be found on slabs from the same area of a quarry.

Stone fabricators will many times have a showroom for the home owner and remodeling contractor to view. As one looks through the displays or portfolios other ideas on how to best complement the rest of the home may develop. The stone fabricators and contractors may be able to use any excess of the selected slab in the client's home.

For more information on granite countertops and other natural stone, visit Universal Stone Inc. of Shakopee, MN.

Article independently authored by Dan Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Universal Stone Inc. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Kitchen Countertops

Tooling of Granite and Other Stone Materials for a Countertop

Granite has enjoyed a long history of use as flooring, shelving, countertops and even buildings and monuments. From the earliest stone tools to works of art, granite has been crafted into all shapes and sizes. Perhaps the most prevalent use of granite today is for countertops used in kitchens, bathrooms and other surface treatments. Because of the fact that granite is one of the hardest and most durable materials on earth, it lends itself well for use in high traffic areas. It is also due to this same hardness and durability that makes it a difficult material with which to work.

It is common for improvements in technology to yield lower costs of products and manufacturing, but this generalized rule does not apply to the area of stone fabrication. As the demand for granite has increased more and more equipment is necessary to maintain and increase production levels. Specialized diamond-tipped saws, water jets and other tools and heavy equipment are needed to be able to cut and transport the dense and massive material.

Despite the advent of computer controlled machining, crafting a countertop is still a laborious and time consuming process. Computers and computer aided design programs have revolutionized the level of precision that fabricators may achieve and reduce the amount of errors and wasted material. Much of this precision is visible in the edge profiles that are possible. There are over 15 edge profiles which are usually available from a simple round over to a delicate waterfall profile. Some granite countertop edge profiles are given different names by individual suppliers much like certain retail chains will assign their own model numbers to a particular line of appliances.

The first step in exploring the use of granite as a countertop or even as a fireplace surround is to visit a granite showroom. Many showrooms will actually have the granite fabrication facilities on the same site. There will be a wide variety of colors and patterns available, but it is important to note that because granite is a product of nature no one piece in the showroom will be able to be exactly duplicated. The samples available for viewing are simply a good representation of what particular type of granite can be found at a specific quarry. When it becomes time to select a countertop, many fabricators will walk the customer through the warehouse so that the client will be able to select the exact individual slab for the kitchen remodel project, providing a truly customized one-of-a-kind product which will last for many decades.

Visit Universal Stone Inc. to view the colors of granite offered or to request a free quote.

Article independently authored by Dan Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Universal Stone Inc. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Granite and Marble - The Advantages Of Using Natural Stone For Countertops and Flooring

It is often true of artwork that special care needs to be taken in order to preserve the natural beauty of the piece. While this is true regarding most things of value, countertops fabricated from natural stone such as granite, marble and others share a natural durability which is unmatched by any human made invention. Not even stainless steel can claim to be as durable and easily maintained as granite. There are a few exceptions to the rule, however.

Granite is essentially the hardest material on earth that can be commonly found throughout kitchens, bathrooms and as a variety of building components in residential and commercial applications. When granite is used as a countertop, shelf, or fireplace surround very little care is necessary to maintain the inherent beauty and finish. Granite is, for all intents and purposes impervious to the every day rigors of life.

Although some fabricators will recommend sealing a granite countertop, this is largely for the peace of mind of the consumer and not for any special protection needed for the granite material. Other types of natural stone countertops should be sealed due to the specific stone's porosity. The best rule of thumb is to follow the recommendations of the stone fabricator. The only usual needed care to maintain granite or marble countertops is to wipe the stone down with warm water and possibly a non-abrasive liquid soap. The one exception, which is true of any material, is when granite or marble is used for flooring.

With regards to flooring materials, continuous wear and tear which floors are subjected to every day will not damage the stone itself, but can dull the finish. Sand, dirt and almost all abrasives will cause any surface, including carpet and wood, to become worn unless regularly cleaned. The nature of granite just allows the flooring to be more durable than other floor types.

As proof of this, many high traffic government buildings and large commercial businesses, such as hotels erected in the early half of the 1900s, used granite for countertops, flooring and more. Today these materials are still just as beautiful as was when installed. For this increased durability and natural one-of-a-kind beauty, granite flooring is often more expensive than the average carpet or even genuine hardwood flooring. The investment is also usually higher due to the specialized skill and machinery necessary to craft natural stone with attention to detail.

For additional information on granite kitchen countertops and more call 952-746-4690 or visit www.universalstone-inc.com today!

Article independently authored by Daniel Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Universal Stone, Inc. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

In the Know About Granite

When it comes to your home's décor, there are many options for your kitchen and bathroom countertops. These choices include basic laminates, ceramic tiles in an array of colors and patterns, concrete slab countertops which can be customized to suit and granite. To help you decide if granite countertops are right for you, consider these perks and quirks of granite:

• It comes in over 3,000 colors each one with its own unique pattern and movement, and can be given custom edges and finishes.
• Countertops, when properly sealed and maintained, are virtually scratch, stain and chip resistant.
• They are great for making cookies, candies, bread dough and other foods that are best prepared on a cool surface.
• It is heat resistant. If you forget to grab a heat pad for that pan of lasagna, it won't matter if you set it on your counter.
• The only surface that is harder than granite is a diamond.
• Granite countertops add a minimum of 10% to the resale value to your home.
• Granite is not excessively porous (unlike marble) making it chemical and acid resistant.

Disadvantages of granite are:

• It is expensive due to the labor for its removal from the quarry, the work involved in cutting it and the work necessary for installation.
• It does not have a uniform pattern or color and will also contain natural cracks or pits. These "imperfections" are actually what lends to its beauty and "movement".
• It will dull your knives if you use it as a cutting board.
• Granite countertops should be installed by a qualified professional-it is not a do it yourself project.
• They need to have the sealant re-applied a least once a year to prevent staining or fading.
• Seams are visible, regardless of how good the installer is.

When it comes time for you to have your countertops installed, you want to have the best job possible. Here are a few tips for selecting a granite installer:

• Beware of rates that are considerably lower than others-a great price does not necessarily equal excellent quality. Oftentimes these companies may give a low price quote, but then add in extra items on the expenses not included in the original bid.
• Take your time-during busy seasons, the best companies can be backed up, don't hire someone simply because their calendar is open---ask why they don't have a lot of work at a time when premier companies have a waiting list.
• Be sure to get more than 1 referral for the installation company you are considering; also, asking the company for a customer list is only going to give you the name of satisfied customers. Rather ask those you know who have had granite countertops installed, for their recommendations.
• Contact the Better Business Bureau for a list of companies that have received great reviews. Find out if the company honors their contracts with the homeowners as well any suppliers.

For additional information on granite countertops visit Universal Stone Inc. Article independently authored by Janet M. Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Universal Stone Inc. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.