At Marble and Granite Supply of Illinois, our first priority is
to ensure that your project involving natural stone is a success.
We want to make the process easy and smooth for you. We are happy
to work with architects, designers, builders, fabricators and
homeowners, to ensure that all interfaces with stone are properly
planned and executed.
We believe the success of your project begins with selecting the
right stone and having the knowledge base to make the right
decisions throughout the process. We hope this practical Guide to
Selecting Natural Stone will be a useful tool for you. Please use
the knowledge of our experienced staff to guide you through your
selection.
Before you start looking for the right stone make sure that you
have selected your stone fabricator. A stone fabricator is the
person or company who will purchase the natural stone from us in
the form of slabs and then cut, shape and craft the stone, as well
as install the finished product. MGSI as a wholesale supplier
quotes slab prices to your fabricator. Your fabricator quotes the
job to you and can advise you on the details of your fabrication
such as: edgework, how many slabs you need, what thickness of
material you need, what is the most appropriate finish, how to care
for the finished product. If you are working with a designer or
contractor, they can usually provide you with a reference to a
natural stone fabricator.
So, now you have a stone fabricator… how do you select the right
stone?
Selecting the Right Type of NATURAL Stone
What do you look for when choosing natural stone? More than
anything make sure that the stone is suitable for your application.
Our showroom stocks a variety of stone - Marble, Granite, Onyx,
Limestone, Travertine, Soapstone, etc. How do you know which stone
is the best stone? While marble and onyx are quite beautiful with
their passionate colors, bright whites, and intense swirls and
markings, think twice if you are putting in kitchen countertops. If
you love to cook or have children, this isn't the best of
combination. These stones, as well as travertine are best saved for
lighter trafficked areas.
Granite Soapstone and Quartzite on the other hand are very
durable natural stones and work wonderful for kitchen countertops.
These stones will last many life times with heavy use in your
kitchen.
Marble, Granite or Limestone? Consider carefully what your stone
will be used for. Find more about the various types of natural
stone in the Natural Stone Information section of our Resource
Center to help you decide which type of natural stone may work best
for you. Browse through these FAQ's on using natural stone in your
home.
Consider Care & Maintenance. Once your project is completed,
you will have to live with it. Browse these useful Stone Care
FAQ's
If you are still uncertain, let our knowledgeable staff help you.
Contact Us
Selecting the Right Color
Color is important in your project. You will look at it every
day. Narrow down your color preferences. How do you choose a color
or narrow it down? Look at color charts and granite samples to get
a feel for what you like. What colors make you feel good? When
you're out and about, pay attention to what others have done with
color.
Do you like darker stones? The darker stones tend to be heavier
with less chance of staining or discoloring. They also need to be
sealed less frequently. But, they tend to show fingerprints and
dust more readily. If you have a smaller kitchen, a dark stone may
make your kitchen appear smaller.
If you love the look of lighter colored natural stones, they
will expand a small room and make it seem larger. Dust and
fingerprints aren't so apparent. But, lighter stones are more apt
to stain and they need to be sealed more frequently.
Look at the different patterns... solids, swirls, dots. There
are so many to choose from, you're bound to find one that's totally
you. Go with the look and color you love.
Visit our showroom and look at our extensive collection of
natural stone. You may find it helpful to bring samples of other
materials from your project, such as kitchen cabinet samples or
floor tiles - it may help you to narrow down your final selection.
If you need to borrow a cabinet sample during your visit, we have a
limited selection available.
Selecting the Right Stone Finish
Selecting the right stone finish for your application will has
aesthetic as well as care and maintenance implications.
This is how the surface of your stone is going to look - shiny,
matted or textured.
MGSI stocks natural stone in a variety of finishes: polished,
honed, as well as a range of textured finishes, varying from the
very subtle "vellutato" finish, to the more coarse "flamed" finish.
Ask your natural stone fabricator or designer about the pros and
cons of the different finishes for your project before heading out
to look at stone. Then, make the appropriate selection.
Budget Considerations
If the budget is a concern, understand the cost of the stone
before making final selection. While we can quote slab prices only
to your fabricator, we can advise you about the price range of the
various materials. Ask your fabricator what range you should be
selecting from if you would like to keep your project within
certain budget. If your project involves tiles we would be happy to
quote tile prices, and sell tiles directly to you.
Slab Selection
So you have decided which stone and finish will best suit your
project. Next you will need to select the actual slabs to be used
in the fabrication of your project. We recommend that you visit our
warehouse to physically select the slabs. Why?
Stone is a natural material, extracted from the earth as an
identifiable type, but with significant variation in color and
pattern. Also, some materials are called different names by
different vendors. Even materials with the same name differ from
lot to lot.
Once you select the slabs in our warehouse, we will reserve
("tag") them for you. We are reserving the selected material under
the name of your fabricator and communicate your selection
respectively. If a stone fabricator is specified, we will hold the
material for 30 days. If no fabricator is named and you are still
searching for one, we will reserve the material for 7 days. It is
your responsibility to contact us with the name of your selected
fabricator. If we do not hear from you within 7 days, we will
remove the "tag" and proceed to sell the material.
Selecting the Finer Details
Selecting a proper edge adds beauty to your project and
integrates the stone into the overall design. Check with your
fabricator to learn about the various edge treatments. Communicate
any specific requirements in the stone fabrication and stone
treatment to your fabricator. He can advise you on how to best
integrate the various aspects of your project.
Sealers
Most Natural Stone needs to be sealed. Sealers can provide
insurance against most staining agents. Ask your fabricator whether
your stone needs sealing, which is the most appropriate sealer for
your project, and how to maintain the surface and integrity of your
stone after the finished product is installed.
Caring for Your Natural Stone
It is essential that natural stone is properly cared and
maintained after the installation, to ensure long term
satisfaction. Please take the time to review information provided
in the Care
& Maintenance section and establish a proper maintenance
program for your stone. Natural stone is easier to maintain than
you would expect. With proper care, it will last for
generations.
We want your project to be a success and have the knowledge and
expertise to help you. Please do not hesitate to call us with
questions.
