Quartz Counters Beautify Minneapolis Homes

Are you thinking about having quartz counters installed in your Minneapolis home? If so, congratulations because they are a great choice! While you may have chosen it for your kitchen in Minneapolis, quartz counters aren’t just limited to the kitchen anymore. You can spruce up your whole house with these natural stone surfaces. We know you might need a little inspiration, so in this blog, we’re going to cover some great applications for quartz counters throughout your Minneapolis home.

Entertainment Area

Do you have an entertainment area in your home? You may have guests over in your living room or basement. Both of these places are perfect places to install quartz counters. If you have an in-home bar, quartz can really kick it up a notch. If you have a seating area somewhere other than your kitchen, quartz counters can be the perfect addition. With many color options, there is sure to be one that matches your entertainment area.

Bathrooms

Quartz is durable and beautiful, making it great in bathrooms. If you’re redoing your whole bathroom, or just your counters need updated, contact us today. We can help you select a stone that matches your bathroom perfectly. They look great on a new bathroom vanity. Imagine your bathroom now, and then take a moment to imagine it with quartz counters. We bet it’s a big improvement.

Kitchen

Last but not least, don’t count your kitchen out. Your kitchen can be enhanced by adding quartz counters as well. While they can be used as your primary counters, they also make great accent surfaces. If you have an island, bar or other surface, quartz could work. If you get together with one of our design specialists, we can help you envision what your new countertops would do for your kitchen.

Are you ready to install quartz in your Minneapolis home? Contact us today by calling 952-746 4690 or Contact usOnline.

Facts About Soapstone Countertops in St Paul

If you're looking to update your countertops, you've probably considered granite, marble and quartz. But, have you taken a minute to consider soapstone countertops? For residents of St Paul, soapstone countertops can be a beautiful, environmentally friendly option. In this blog, we're going to cover some interesting facts about soapstone countertops.

Choosing Soapstone Countertops in St Paul

Soapstone countertops are just one of the many natural stone countertops options out there. If you are a resident of St Paul, it may seem difficult to choose just one. Here are some facts about soapstone, that will hopefully make your decision a little easier:

• Soapstone countertops are environmentally friendly. They are made of all-natural components including talc, magnesite and chlorite
• It is a very strong, dense material. It is the perfect selection for enhancing your fireplace and for use in kitchens and bathrooms.
• Soapstone countertops are very heat resistant. They can withstand high temperatures, without becoming disfigured.
• It is hygienic, making it perfect for food preparation, as well as good in bathrooms. It is hard for soapstone to harbor bacteria.
• Soapstone does need to be oiled from time to time. This will help keep it looking its best for years to come.

·         It comes in a variety of colors, making it the perfect addition to almost any St Paul home. Not only that, but they can be cut to match any space.

At the end of the day, the selection of which natural stone countertops you're going to have installed comes down to a matter of personal preference. All of them have their positive qualities. If you need guidance, don't hesitate to contact our team.

If you're interested in installing new soapstone countertops in your St Paul home, contact us today by calling 952-746-4690 or Contact us Online.

Why Quartz Counters for St Paul Homes?

Universal Stone fabricates and installs a variety of stones as counters in St Paul homes, and one of our favorite kinds of stones is quartz. We just love to help people select quartz counters; St Paul kitchens, bathrooms and more always look so elegant and beautiful after we’re done installing these countertops.

And why do we love quartz counters so much? For one thing, they are a classic addition to any St Paul home. Not only are they elegant and beautiful, but they add such a classic and timeless look and feel to any room that they are a sure bet if you want to enhance the style of your home.

Quartz counters are also practical. Busy St Paul families don’t have to spend too much time worrying about caring and maintaining these counters. Not only are they durable, they are also scratch-resistant. You don’t even need a cutting board when cutting fruits, veggies or meat on these counters. So you get these long-lasting counters but you don’t sacrifice looks in the meantime. No two pieces of quartz counters look exactly alike, so you’re always guaranteed to have an exceptional-looking counter in your home.

Plus, even if you’re remodeling on a budget, quartz counters won’t break your bank. You can get quartz counters at a good price, they look fantastic in any St Paul home, they’re practical for families who are always busy and on-the-go and they are easy to care for, clean and maintain. Really, quartz counters are a win-win-win!

Let Universal Stone answer any questions you may have about quartz counters in your St Paul home. We can meet with you, figure out what you want and need and even provide you with a written estimate on how much new quartz counters would cost to fabricate and install in your St Paul home. Call us today at (952) 746-4690 or contact us online for a free quote!

How to Care for Your New Marble Bathroom Vanity: Dos and Don’ts

Did you just get a new marble bathroom vanity? Twin Cities custom fabricator and installer Universal Stone has some tips on how to keep your vanity looking as good as the day it was installed.

DO:

• Use a special cleaner for your Twin Cities marble bathroom vanity because they are known for being sensitive to acid.
• Use a soft and damp cloth when you clean it. Microfiber or something similar is best for your vanity.
• Wipe up any spills on your marble bathroom vanity as soon as possible after they happen.
• Get your Twin Cities home checked for hard water because that can stain your vanity.
• Get your vanity resealed on occasion. A Twin Cities company like Universal Stone can help with this process.
• Use a stick of crushed chalk and baking soda to clean your Twin Cities marble bathroom vanity. 
• Wipe the vanity with a mix of baking soda (3 tablespoons) and water (1 quart).  Let it air dry for a couple of hours and then rinse. Then get a fresh cloth, dampen it and dip it into the crushed chalk. Wipe your marble bathroom vanity with the cloth and chalk, rinse and then dry it completely.

DON’T:

• Do not use abrasive or harsh chemicals, like bleach, or cloths to clean your marble bathroom vanity.
• Do not place anything that is too hot, like a curling iron, directly onto your vanity.
• Do not forget to clean your vanity on a regular basis.
• Do not drop anything too heavy onto your marble bathroom vanity.
• Do not leave too many objects permanently on your vanity because that could end up discoloring the surface.

If you have any questions about your marble bathroom vanity in your Twin Cities home, call Universal Stone at (952) 746-4690 or contact us online to request a free quote. We will be happy to answer your questions, address your concerns or speak to you about how to start the fabrication and installation process so you can enjoy a new marble bathroom vanity in your Twin Cities home as soon as possible.

Victoria Granite Countertops: What’s On Tap for 2014

It’s nearly the start of the new year, and for your 2014 New Year’s Resolutions list, why not include new granite countertops for your Victoria kitchen? Victoria granite countertops are a thing of beauty, and there are some really cool and interesting trends that are going to be big in 2014. Universal Stone has a rundown of what to expect.

The three main trends for 2014 are black countertops, glass-front cabinets and open shelves. The glass-front cabinets and open shelves will work well on just about any style of kitchen – from traditional to modern to contemporary. Use only one or two materials at the most though and pick a focal point. Use colored glass or painted cabinets for that burst of color. The open-shelf and glass-front looks are also great throughout the rest of your home, especially in the bathroom. 

Black granite countertops are another 2014 kitchen trend for Victoria kitchens and beyond. The nice thing about granite countertops is they are easy to clean and maintain, but they still add a certain level of style and sophistication to any kitchen out there. If you want a sleek and elegant look, pair them with dark cabinets. If you want a brighter and more traditional look, get them with white or lighter colored cabinets. Granite countertops are a beautiful addition to any Victoria home, and if you get professional fabricators and installers to do the work for you, like Universal Stone, you are guaranteed a timeless look that will last several decades. Granite countertops are a great investment for any Victoria home, and they are an especially good investment if you are thinking of selling your home within the next few years.

For all of your Victoria granite countertop needs, call Universal Stone at (952) 746-4690 or contact us online for a free estimate. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have about granite countertops and kitchen and bathrooms in the Victoria area.

Granite Counters for Your St. Paul Home

Are you dreaming of a granite Christmas? Have you had your eye on granite counters for your St. Paul home? We don't blame you one bit if they are on your Must-Have List for 2014! We here at Universal Stone just love fabricating and installing granite counters. St. Paul homes look so classy and elegant with them! We love the look people get in their eyes when their eyes when they see the new granite counters in their St. Paul home for the first time. In another blog we covered how to go about designing the kitchen of your dreams.

And when your dream kitchen is finally done, what will you do to show it off? How can you decorate the granite counters in your St. Paul home to make people really take notice of them?

If your granite counters are dark, you can accent them nicely with dark cabinets and stainless steel appliances. But if you want a more retro look, light-colored cabinets can set off granite counters well too. It's an interesting contrast to see the light colors with the dark colors. And if you stick to a basic black-and-white color scheme, you can accent with a bright color, like a deep red or turquoise. Go to St. Paul flea markets or yard sales and try to find interesting vases or picture frames that you can use for decorations. Or try to find unique containers you can use to hold kitchen spoons and other utensils.

Thanks to granite's durability and timeless elegance, you will be enjoying the granite counters in your St. Paul home for years to come. They make a lovely addition to any home and will definitely become the focal point of your kitchen!

And when you're ready to have granite counters installed in your St. Paul home, just call us at (952) 746-4690. Or you can contact us online and request a free quote!

Spruce Up Your Victoria Home with Granite Countertops

Looking to beautify your Victoria home? One of the best ways is with granite countertops. They provide a look that is both unique and elegant, and they are an excellent long-term investment. Laminate and wood countertops need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years, but granite countertops will last you for 30 or more years. Yet another reason they’re worth looking into? The return-on-investment for these types of countertops could be as much as 100% -- meaning, you will increase your home’s market value by as much as you spent on them!

But if you’re thinking about the more practical, short-term, day-to-day benefits, there are many. For one thing, granite countertops are tough and durable. They are scratch, stain, bacteria, burn and heat resistant, and maintaining them is easy, especially if you take the time to get them sealed by a professional, like Universal Stone. As for their beauty, the best part in that regard is that each piece of granite is unique and you won’t find two that are exactly the same. The colors of the stone range from light accents to deeper and darker shades. And if you take the time to properly maintain your granite countertops, the polish can last almost indefinitely. Mostly, maintenance entails wiping up spills as quickly as possible and resealing the countertops at least once a year. 

Your Victoria home will look its best for your family and visitors when you choose granite countertops. They give such a beautiful and elegant touch to kitchens and bathrooms. Give us a call here at Universal Stone at (952) 746-4690 today at and learn more about this lovely and versatile stone. Or visit our website and request a free quote.