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Olympia Stone is a proud member of:
The Better
Business Bureau
Angie’s List
The Marble Institute of America
Builders
Association of Greater Indianapolis
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Why Natural Stone
Stone Types
Stone Care
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Natural Stone
 Whether
building a new house or remodeling an existing residence, natural stone
offers you unparalleled beauty, durability and uniqueness and adds true
value to your home. See what others are saying about natural stone:
“Natural stone is a key part of two of the top 10 elements of design in
the home that are resonating with today’s buyers: the desire for
low-maintenance/no-maintenance materials and the use of natural materials
inside and outside the home.”
- Builder Magazine, NAHB
Homeowners who remodel using natural stone in their kitchens and bathrooms
recover about 80-93% of their remodeling costs at resale.
- Cost vs. Value Report, Remodeling Magazine
“For kitchen countertops, granite is best for toughness with the appeal of
real stone.”
- Consumer Reports
Granite is the countertop material most resistant to harmful bacteria.
- Hospitality Institute
*Information provided by the Marble Institute of
America.
Stone Types
Granite
An excellent choice for kitchen countertops, floors and other heavily
used surfaces
Granite, quarried from the mountains of Italy, the United States, India
and dozens of other countries around the world, is one of the most popular
natural stones on the market.
Available in a striking array of colors, granite’s durability and
longevity make it ideal for kitchen countertops and other heavily used
surfaces, including tabletops and floors.
While some synthetic surfaces scratch easily and melt under hot cookware,
granite resists heat. Granite is one of the most bacteria-resistant
kitchen surfaces and it is not affected by citric acid, coffee, tea,
alcohol, or wine. It is also nearly impossible to scratch, and with proper
cleaning, will not stain under normal use (contact Olympia Stone about
sealants available to further improve resistance to staining).
A leading consumer magazine recently compared granite with engineered
stone, ceramic tile, laminate, butcher block and other manufactured
surfaces. Granite received the highest overall performance rating as a
kitchen countertop material.
Because of its exceptional strength, granite is well suited for exterior
applications such as cladding, paving and curbing.
Marble
 Ideal
for foyers, bathrooms, floors and hearths
Marble is found in the mountainous regions of Canada, Italy, Germany,
Spain, the United States and other countries worldwide. Because of its
beauty and elegance, marble is a popular choice for countertops, floors,
foyers, fireplace facings and hearths, walls and windowsills.
Marble adds a sophisticated element to your home and its wonderful
appearance, superior engineering characteristics and ease of maintenance
make it a natural choice for floors, wall coverings, table tops, vanity tops, tub
decks and showers.
Marble should be cared for as you would a fine wood finish. Using coasters
on tabletops and cleaning up spills immediately will preserve marble’s
natural beauty.
Another option for marble-loving homeowners is using serpentine for kitchen counters. Sometimes called the
green marble,
serpentine is not a true marble but offers a marble-like look. Because it is magnesium-silicate based, it is not sensitive to citric acid
and other kitchen spills.
Travertine, Limestone, Sandstone, and Slate
Beautiful enhancements for your home, inside and out
Travertine, limestone, sandstone and slate are other examples of natural
stone frequently used in residential applications.
Travertine is a type of limestone and one of the most popular natural
stones for interior and exterior wall cladding, interior and exterior
paving, statuary and curbing.
Limestone is widely used as a building stone because it is readily
available and easy to handle. Popular applications include countertops,
flooring, interior and exterior wall cladding and exterior paving.
Slate is a popular flooring material and sandstone and slate are often
used for exterior paving stones. Other slate applications
include kitchen countertops, fireplace facings, tabletops and roofing.
Sandstone is frequently used for fireplace facings, chimneys, garden
walls, patio benches and at poolside. *Information
provided by the Marble Institute
of America.
Stone Care
Stone is a natural product and simple
care and maintenance will keep it looking beautiful. Here are some
recommendations for routine care and cleaning.
Precautions for Marble Surfaces
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Use coasters under
all glasses, particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juices.
Many common foods and drinks contain acids that will etch or dull the surface.
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Do not place hot
items directly on the marble. Use trivets under hot
dishes and placemats under china, ceramics, silver, and objects
that can scratch the surface.
 Floor
Surfaces
Dust mop interior floors frequently using a
clean non-treated dry dust mop. Sand, dirt, and grit do the most damage
to natural stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness. Mats or area rugs
inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize the grit that will scratch the stone floor. Be sure that the underside of the
mat or rug is non-slip. Do not use vacuum cleaners that are worn. The metal or
plastic attachments or the wheels may scratch the surface.
Other
Surfaces
Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of
neutral cleaner, stone cleaner (available from Olympia Stone), or a mild
liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Use a clean rag mop on
floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results. Too much
cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. Do not use products
that contain lemon, vinegar, or other acids on marble or limestone. Rinse
the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a
soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently. Do not use scouring
powders or creams as these products contain abrasives that may scratch the
surface.
Bathrooms and Other Wet Areas
In the bath or
other wet areas, soap scum can be minimized by using a squeegee. To remove soap scum, use a non-acidic soap scum remover or a
solution of ammonia and water (about ½ cup ammonia to a gallon of water).
Be aware that frequent or over-use of an ammonia solution may eventually dull the
surface of the stone.
Outdoor Pool and Patio Areas
In outdoor areas, flush with clear water
and use a mild bleach solution to remove algae or moss.
Sealer
Olympia Stone seals all tops with a
non-toxic, penetrating sealer before installation. It is recommended that
a penetrating sealer be reapplied at least once a year in order to protect the
stone and minimize water spotting.
Dos and Don’ts
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Do dust mop floors
frequently.
-
Do clean surfaces
with mild detergent or stone cleaner.
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Do thoroughly rinse
and dry the surface after washing.
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Do blot up spills
immediately.
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Do protect floor
surfaces with non-slip mats or area rugs and countertop surfaces with
coasters, trivets, or placemats.
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Don’t use vinegar,
lemon juice, or other cleaners containing acids on marble, limestone,
travertine, or onyx surfaces.
-
Don’t use cleaners
that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners, or tub and
tile cleaners.
-
Don’t use abrasive
cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.
-
Don’t mix bleach and
ammonia; this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas.
Contact Olympia Stone
for further information or to purchase cleaner and sealer.
*Information
provided by the Marble Institute of
America.
Frequently Asked
Questions
About Olympia Stone
Do I need an appointment to visit your showroom?
No appointment is required when visiting our showroom Monday through
Friday during the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. We are pleased to offer
extended hours by appointment.
What is your payment policy?
Olympia Stone accepts cash, check, and major credit cards. Fifty percent
of the total price is due upon contract signing and the remainder is due
at installation.
About Granite
How is granite formed?
Granite is an igneous rock of visible crystalline formation and texture.
It is composed primarily of feldspar, quartz and mica. It begins as
liquid magma deep within the earth’s core, where it is cooled and
compressed over many years under tons of pressure. It is then quarried,
cut and polished for various applications.
 Can my
granite top be stained?
Granite itself is approximately 95-98% stain resistant. Also, Olympia
Stone uses an
impregnating sealer on all our stone, which ensures lasting life and
beauty.
Can I set a hot pot on my granite countertop?
Granite is formed by extreme heat and pressure combined beneath the
earth’s crust. It cannot be affected by heat from a cook top or frying
pan. A lit flame placed under the granite will have no melting effect and
will not leave any burn or scar marks.
Can granite chip?
Only in cases of severe abuse with a hammer or impact tool. If the
countertop does chip, it can easily be filled with granite dust and epoxy.
Do granite seams show?
Because granite is a natural material and is mined from the quarry in
blocks usually no more than 10' long, it is often necessary to seam
countertops to reduce costs and utilize slabs effectively. The seams are
joined with epoxy that is mixed with a color that matches the stone. Then,
the joined area is smoothed, leaving only a very thin line. Most customers
have found that the beauty of natural granite outweighs the concern of
seams.
Does granite have any pits or fissures?
Granite has pits and fissures that are part of the stone’s natural
structure. Pits can be minimized by applying sealer to the surface of the
stone.
Can granite be repaired?
It is very hard to damage granite. If damage does occur, the stone can be
sealed with a mixture of epoxy and granite dust.
About Marble
What is the difference between granite and marble?
The main difference between granite and marble is that granite is a highly
dense material composed deep inside the earth’s core, while marble is
formed from sediments under the seabed. Both solidify into stone over many
years, but the mineral composition of the two stones makes marble and
granite react differently to various chemicals and household cleaners.
Can I seal marble?
Just like granite, marble is sealed after the fabrication process.
Where can I use marble?
Marble can be used for a number of applications such as fireplace
surrounds, tabletops, saddles, and shelves. Ideally, it can be applied to
various projects in the bath area like Jacuzzi surrounds, vanities, and
shower paneling. Marble can safely be used as flooring in low-traffic
areas.
Is marble really appropriate to use in living areas?
Since ancient times, marble has been used in all areas of the Grecian home
– from furnishings to floors. Marble has proven as durable as materials
traditionally considered to be sturdier with the added benefit of creating
a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Getting Started With Granite and Marble
What do I need to consider when buying marble or granite?
Because they are natural stones, marble and granite possess a remarkable
natural beauty that has captivated humans throughout the ages. Inherent in
such natural products is a certain lack of predictability that architects
and designers celebrate. Consumers who are less acquainted with the
material expect the marble or granite ordered to be identical to the
picture or sample they were shown. Although sample stones are intended to
be representative of the quarry’s product, slabs may differ slightly in
color and veining from the sample. Moreover, even a single marble or
granite slab will possess a certain amount of color variation from one end
to the other. Interior designers and architects have come to view this
tendency of natural stone as an advantage. Slight irregularities can be
pleasing, introducing an element of the natural into human-designed
spaces, whether residential or commercial.
Should I use marble or granite for my kitchen countertops?
Although typical application of marble is for the bathroom, it is possible
to use it in the kitchen with extra care. However, due to the fact that it
is easy to scratch and is affected by acidic substances such as vinegars,
ketchups, etc., we don’t usually recommend it. Moreover, the high gloss of
the marble countertop can be partially lost as chemicals etch its surface.
Granite’s polish, in turn, is not subject to etching by household acids or
scratching by knives, pots and pans under normal use.
Is it necessary to seal stone?
Since mineral surfaces are porous, they absorb liquids, which may result
in discoloring and staining. Although there are many commercial grade
products available on the market that may bring the stone back to its
original luster, simple precautions and regular maintenance can save a lot
of trouble and cost. All of our marble and granite countertops are sealed
before they leave our shop. The impregnating sealer penetrates the stone,
clogging most of its pores and making it impervious to alcohol, juices,
soft drinks, cosmetics, cleaners, coffee, food and oil. With the course of
time and depending on how heavily the tops are used, the sealer gets
washed out. The clear indication of this happening is easy
absorption of liquids into the countertop. Marble should be sealed at
least every six months and granite should be sealed at least once a year.
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