Saturday, March 20, 2010

What to look for in choosing a Backsplash for your new Granite Countertops

What exactly, is a backsplash? The purpose of a backsplash first and foremost is a practical one. The backsplash acts as a protective barrier that shields the wall’s surface against the splatter of cooking and the water that splashes while washing dishes. Depending on the layout of the cabinetry, the backsplash area on average comprises between 5-20% of the visible wall area in a kitchen. Typically only 18” high, the backsplash is the perfect space to showcase more costly accent pieces and specialty tiles in small quantities without breaking the bank. Backsplashes in HighPoint

 Selecting materials that complement each other and blend well is imperative for a successful backsplash design. Because natural stone has become such a prevalent choice for countertops, natural stone is a very popular choice for backsplashes as well. Backsplashes in Jacksonville

Regardless of your taste, there is a vast array of color, texture and sizes of natural stone that all function beautifully in a backsplash application. As is the case with all natural stone, the backsplash should be sealed with an impregnating sealer to ensure ease of maintenance. Backsplashes in Birmingham

 Recently accent pieces have become available that blend well with natural stone, yet add a punch of color or contrast to the space. Glass mosaics, metals in various colors and finishes, and decorative ceramics are often paired with natural stone. Backsplashes in Destin The granite that is used as the countertop can be introduced to the backsplash by using granite tiles of the same color, or by having accent pieces fabricated out of the slab material. If the decorative aspects of a patterned backsplash are not for you, the countertop material itself can be installed vertically, continuing the line of the stone from the countertop up the wall for a clean, cohesive look. Backsplashes in Savannah

 The most important part of designing a backsplash is to realize that while it does have an impact on the overall look, it is best to leave the backsplash decision as one of the last decisions to make in designing a kitchen. The cabinetry and countertop materials represent a much greater investment and are visually more substantial. Backsplashes in Knoxville The backsplash is one of the last design elements to be installed. Waiting until the cabinetry and countertops are installed prior to making a final decision on the backsplash give you one last opportunity to alter the look of the kitchen if you need to. For example, if you are concerned that the kitchen is looking darker than you thought it would, a light backsplash can brighten up the deep hues.

A backsplash can bring together all the elements of your kitchen. It can help to blend the colors, textures and patterns of the floor, cabinetry and countertops.  It is also an opportunity to personalize your home and set it apart from the other kitchens in the neighborhood. With some creativity, the walls in your kitchen will not only be protected from splatters, they will become an attractive addition to your overall kitchen design. Backsplashes in Atlanta

 

Thursday, March 18, 2010

G and L Marble Advice: The uses of Natural Stone in commercial endeavors

When you read about the uses of natural stone, the main focus has been on the residential usage of stone. We would like to take this opportunity to feature some of the many commercial uses of natural stone. If you take a moment to notice, natural stone is being used everywhere. It is all around you. From your local shopping mall, in the office building where you work, at your favorite restaurant or even in your neighborhood bank, these materials are beautiful and timeless. Have you ever wondered how these stones manage to get into all of these buildings? Limestone in Knoxville

Here's how the process works. In a commercial setting there are typically five groups of people involved in the process: The owner/client, the architect/designer, the general contractor, the sub-contractor and the supplier. All parties play an integral part in the selection and installation of the stone. 

When the owner hires an architectural firm to design a building, the owner is then considered to be the client. The client will give the architect his ideas and preferences for the project and the architect will plan the design and layout of the structure based on these ideas. Before the design has been completed, the client and architect usually have an idea of the basic material they would like to use in the building. The architect will then work in conjunction with either their in-house design department or an independent design firm on selecting the interior finishes. The interior color palette of the building is n selected for approval by the client. Limestone in Savannah

Once the color palette for the project has been approved, the supplier of the natural stone begins their involvement in the process. The architect/designer will either visit their local G & L Marble showroom or contact their architectural representative to select stone samples that will help bring the decided upon color palette to life. Having the resources to supply tiles, slabs and custom cut-to-size material allows G&L Marble Limestone in Atlanta to assist the architect and their client with many options. Because natural stone is imported from all over the world, it is not unusual for the stone on one project to come from as many as ten different countries. When all decisions have been finalized with regard to color, size and finish, the stone is now considered to be specified for the building. Limestone in Birmingham

Once the final plans are drawn and approved, the project will then go out for bid. The initial bidding process involves the selection of the general contractor. The general contracting company is responsible for all aspects of construction. From grading to granite, it is now their job to build the building. A second bid will involve the sub-contractor/stone contractor. Limestone in DestinThey will bid their portion of the work back to the general contractor. The sub-contractor/stone contractor that is awarded the job has the responsibility of measuring, purchasing and installing all of the specified stones. At this point he places the purchase order with G&L for the material needed to complete the project. Once the order has been placed, the international factories are notified of the order and the cutting of the stone begins. Upon completion of the order, the cut stone is shipped via ocean container to the United States. Limestone in Jacksonville

From start to finish, most commercial jobs take anywhere from 12-18 months to complete. Projects that are in the process of being specified today will not be ready for the actual stone for at least a year or more. So the next time you notice the various types of stone that you come into contact with everyday, consider the process involved and you will appreciate the beauty and performance of the finished product even more. Limestone in HighPoint

 

Monday, March 15, 2010

U.S. based supplier, quarrier and distributor of granite, travertine and other natural stone slabs, launches "Granite Countertop Birmingham"

Granite Countertop Birmingham is launched by G&L Marble

 

G&L Marble announces the release of new Granite Countertop marketing campaign and website in Birmingham, Alabama

 

G&L Marble, a U.S. based supplier, quarrier and distributor of granite, travertine  and other natural stone slabs, announced today the launching of the “Granite Countertop Birmingham” marketing campaign. G&L Marble is a privately owned operation located in Winston, Georgia and currently has 90,000 square feet of warehouse space that stocks granite, marble, limestone, travertine, slate and onyx imported from all over the globe. Travertine in Knoxville

With the focus on service and selection, Granite Countertop Birmingham by G&L Marble delivers the finest in natural stone for granite kitchen counters throughout Birmingham and Alabama with over two hundred varieties of granites in stock. Travertine in Birmingham

The showroom is located in Birmingham, Alabama, and is stocked with many sample slabs on display which can be viewed and immediately reserved by the customer for purchase by the fabricator of their choice. In addition to kitchen counters, the Granite Countertop Birmingham showroom has on display a variety of tiles, mosaics, and trim pieces to compliment walls, bath, or any existing or on-going project. Travertine in High Point

The Granite Countertop Birmingham campaign is a multimedia operation that will include ad placements in various media, supported by online promotions including Blogs, articles and other online strategies to market their granite countertops. 

The website, www.granitecountertopbirmingham.com is an interactive web portal that makes it easy for consumers and businesses to learn about the many options available for granite and natural stone countertops in Birmingham, Alabama. The site informs and promotes in regard to the ever-changing styles, colors, finishes, and sizes of granite and stone available. The site links directly to the G&L Marble inventory at www.GLMarble.com where visitors can search the actual company database. The site also focuses on promoting to the Birmingham and Alabama granite marketplace how the wide variety of granite offered will give unmatched and unique qualities to their kitchens and bathrooms. The campaign shows how the granite is quarried directly from the earth and how its extreme hardness and mirror like finish make it ideal for countertops and home improvements. Travertine in Savannah

The site and campaign are managed by Panorama Press, a marketing firm specializing in strategy, sponsorships and web development. “The primary objective of the Granite Countertop Birmingham campaign is to inform the public and businesses in Birmingham and throughout Alabama that the showroom in Birmingham is stocked with a vast array of natural stone including travertine, limestone, marble and granite,” said Manuel Enrique “Quique” Lopez, spokesman for Panorama Press. “We want the consumer to know that the showroom has on display a large variety of slabs, tiles, mosaics, and trim pieces for kitchen counters, walls, backsplashes and bathroom counters for all your natural stone design needs.” Travertine in Destin

In addition to their Winston, Georgia warehouse and distribution facility, G&L Marble has nine U.S. based showrooms located in: Atlanta, Alpharetta and Savannah, GA; Destin and Jacksonville, FL; High Point and Raleigh, NC; Birmingham, AL and Knoxville, TN.

G&L Marble owns and operates nine granite quarries in Namibia, Africa, along with a processing factory in South Africa. The quarries produce approximately 25 color selections that are processed into slabs and tiles at various factories and distributed throughout the United States, South Africa, and Europe. Travertine in Atlanta

The Granite Countertop Birmingham showroom is located at 4500 Fifth Avenue South, Bldg. G, Birmingham, Alabama  35222. For additional information, go to www.granitecountertopbirmingham.com, email to info@granitecountertopbirmingham.com, or call 205-588-4282. Travertine in Jacksonville

 

Sunday, March 14, 2010

G&L Marble announces the release of new Granite Countertop Jacksonville marketing campaign and website in Jacksonville, Florida

Granite Countertop Jacksonville is launched by G&L Marble

G&L Marble, a U.S. based supplier, quarrier and distributor of granite and other natural stone slabs, announced today the launch of the “Granite Countertop Jacksonville” marketing campaign. G&L Marble is a privately owned operation located in Winston, Georgia and currently has 90,000 square feet of warehouse space that stocks granite, marble, limestone, travertine, slate and onyx imported from all over the globe.

With the focus on service and selection, Granite Countertop Jacksonville by G&L Marble delivers the finest in natural stone for granite kitchen counters throughout Jacksonville and Florida with over two-hundred varieties of granite in stock.

The showroom is located in Jacksonville, Florida, and is stocked with many sample slabs on display which can be viewed and immediately reserved by the customer for purchase by the fabricator of their choice. In addition to kitchen counters, the Granite Countertop Jacksonville showroom has on display a variety of tiles, mosaics, and trim pieces to compliment walls, bath, or any existing or on-going project. Kitchen Counters in Atlanta

The “Granite Countertop Jacksonville” campaign is a multimedia operation which includes ad placements in various media, supported by online promotions including Blogs, articles, and other online strategies to market the granite countertops and slabs. Kitchen Counters in Destin

The website, www.granitecountertopjacksonville.com is an interactive web portal that makes it easy for consumers and businesses to learn about the many options available for granite and natural stone countertops in Jacksonville, Florida. The site informs and promotes in regard to the ever-changing styles, colors, finishes, and sizes of granite and stone available. The site links directly to the G&L Marble inventory at www.GLMarble.com where visitors can search the company database and full inventory. The site also focuses on promoting to the Jacksonville and Florida granite marketplace how the wide variety of granite offerings gives unmatched and unique qualities to kitchens and bathrooms. The campaign shows how the granite is quarried directly from the earth and how its extreme hardness and mirror like finish make it ideal for countertops and natural stone home improvement projects. Kitchen Counters in Knoxville

The site and campaign are managed by Panorama Press, a marketing firm specializing in strategy, sponsorships and web development. “The primary objective of the Granite Countertop Jacksonville campaign is to inform the public and businesses in Jacksonville and throughout Florida that this G&L showroom in Jacksonville is stocked with a vast array of natural stone including travertine, limestone, marble and granite,” said Manuel Enrique “Quique” Lopez, spokesman for Panorama Press. “We want the Jacksonville and Florida area web consumer to know that the Jacksonville showroom has on display a large variety of slabs, tiles, mosaics, and trim pieces for kitchen counters, walls, backsplashes and bathroom counters for all your natural stone design needs.” Kitchen Counters in Savannah

In addition to their Winston, Georgia warehouse and distribution facility, G&L Marble has nine U.S. based showrooms located in: Atlanta, Alpharetta and Savannah, GA; Destin and Jacksonville, FL; High Point and Raleigh, NC; Birmingham, AL and Knoxville, TN. Kitchen Counters in Birmingham

G&L Marble owns and operates nine granite quarries in Namibia, Africa, along with a processing factory in South Africa. The quarries produce approximately 25 color selections that are processed into slabs and tiles at various factories and distributed throughout the United States, South Africa, and Europe. Kitchen Counters in High Point

The G&L Marble showroom in Jacksonville is located at 9410 Florida Mining Blvd East, Jacksonville, Florida  32257. For additional information, go to www.granitecountertopjacksonville.com, email to info@granitecountertopjacksonville.com, or call 904-746-4343. Kitchen Counters in Jacksonville