HOW TO CLEAN YOUR STONE FIREPLACE

It's very important to seal your stone to prevent dirt build up and stains, but many people never think to seal their fireplace! If you haven't already, follow the steps below to get your fireplace in tip top shape, then call Bedrock Stone Fabrication or Rite-Loom Flooring and schedule a technician to seal that stone.

Use Salt

Regular users of their fireplace swear that salt will prevent soot stains and help clean them if you have them. Do this regularly and your spring clean up will be a breeze.

AVOID Household Cleaners

If you do have soot stains that have solidified, remember that these are carbon deposits so are full of grease. Resist the temptation to apply bleach as it may discolor your stone. Play it safe and just use some hot water and a stiff brush.

Once you have cleaned and sealed the fireplace, use a stone soap for maintenance every month. This will leave a dirt repellent layer on the surface (a little like polishing your car).

Now, go light that fire and enjoy the ambiance that only stone fireplace can evoke.

THE POWER OF A POULTICE

Poultices have been used to remove stains for centuries. Not only are many poultices natural so they are considered "green", they also work!! Basically, a poultice is a liquid cleaner mixed with a white absorbent material to form a paste. The poultice is spread over the stained area of about 1/4 inch thick, then covered in plastic and left for 24-48 hours. The poultice will draw out the stain but the process may have to be repeated a few more times.

Basic Poultice: Make a poultice of baking soda and water or soda water

DON'T USE: vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners containing acids on marble, limestone, granite, travertine or onyx

DON'T USE: cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tile cleaners

DON'T USE: abrasive cleaners

DON'T MIX: bleach and ammonia

Hard to repair stains like copper, iron or rust should be handled by a professional. And, don't forget to SEAL your stone! Daltile's innovative ProAdvanced Protection Program protects your countertops and your investment.

So....if you have a stain, make a poultice. To prevent a stain on your new countertop, ask your Bedrock designer for Daltile's ProAdvanced Protection Program.

LIMESTONE ADDS CLASSIC SUMMER STYLE

Whether you are using this traditional stone in an elaborate bathroom or the lobby of a busy commercial office building....Limestone adds a classic style that transcends time. Dating back to ancient times, Limestone fits into every design motif - from ultra modern to Renaissance. Designers today use this smooth, evenly colored natural stone with antiques because its calm, even texture complements virtually any type of wood. Use limestone for flooring, backsplashes, walls and showers. Velvety and luxurious, limestone conveys a feeling of simplicity and serenity. Also perfect for minimalist settings, Limestone is formed by the sedimentary process underground and in riverbeds. In fact, you will often find seashells and fossils embedded in its surface - bringing the ocean right into your home!

While the colors available are similar to travertine, it rarely has holes and despressions.


If you are looking for a sleek, modern feel in hues of cream, ivory, gold, sand or smoky blue - go to Bedrock Stone Fabrication or Rite-Loom Flooring and ask for LIMESTONE - it will be a graceful addition to any decor.

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS!!

Your Rite-Loom Designer has helped you select the perfect slab. Your Bedrock fabricator is creating the countertop of your dreams. You think you are finally done making decisions about your kitchen or bath update and they ask: "What type of edge detail would you like?" Don't rush through this important element! That wonderful little "detail" supplies the finishing touch that takes a pretty countertop and makes it beautiful!


From a sleak, modern flat edge to a multidimensional decorative profile - your options are as varied as the looks they represent. Ideally, you should select your profile choice based on the size of the slab you have selected (either 2 or 3 centimeters). Cost of your edge detail can escalate based on the lamination size and thickness. The most popular designs include Bullnose, Bevel and Ogee. Unique trends now include Straight Edge with Apron (perfect for Modern Designs) or the Tuscan Curve (perfect for now popular Renesance decors). Any way to cut it - your countertop edge detail is one finishing touch you should take your time making. It may be your last, but it will be one of your most important!

DON'T LIMIT YOUR IMAGINATION

Granite countertops have become the norm in today's homes. Once a luxury, they are now "expected" and homeowners are sophisticated when it comes to the material they want. But, don't let the beauty of granite stop at your kitchen or bath! There are many creative applications that can take your space from great to amazing!!



Granite Window Sills - An impressive way to add drama to your windows, granite window sills are a unique way to dress up any room. Not many fabricators can create this accessory like Bedrock, so check out the attached photos and plan them into your design.



Granite Door Molding - Imagine walking through a door that features granite molding! Talk about "wow" factor. Nothing will get your friends talking like this elegant addition.



Granite Floor Thresholds - You've seen them in hotels for a reason, floor thresholds - the material that transitions one room to the next - can take a real beating which makes Granite the perfect answer. Not only is it durable, but it's practical and elegant too.

Granite Frames - Image your favorite piece of art framed in granite. Company logos and stone collages also stand out when surrounded by stone.



Look around...Don't limit your imagination! What could Bedrock help you create?

MAKE A STATEMENT

Builders today do not consider stone countertops an upgrade. In fact, home owners EXPECT granite in kitchens and baths. While many play it safe with medium tones that are easy to design around, decorators are encouraging their clients to make a statement when it comes to the many unique stones on the market today. Because of new technology available to quarry it, there are some very interesting natural slabs available. One popular selection is onyx which is a translucent stone with dramatic veining that allows you to see light and shadows through it. Designers use this unique stone in applications that can be backlit such as bathroom vanities and bar tops. Instead of selecting your stone after you have planned your upgrade - use stone as a starting point! Bold colors of marble and granite in blue, violet, red, pink and gold can take the decor of a room from safe to sensational.

INTERESTING STONE OPTIONS

We all know the popularity of natural stone, and granite is the homecoming queen of building materials. But, there is a host of other unique and interesting stone utilized at Bedrock and the applications can be astounding! Top designers and architects are stepping into new neighborhoods of opportunity and we would like to feature some of their favorites in this blog. Let's start with.....

SLATE

Slate is a fine grained rock that is derived from sediments of clay and salt. Slate can vary in composition and durability because the alteration of minerals can sometimes be consistent. But...this is not a bad thing. This is what makes slate unique. Yes, it is just as durable as granite and marble, but it also offers unique sophistication and style options that creative designers love. Offered in dramatic colors of red, gray, blue and green, slate is a great choice for kitchen countertops because it has low porosity so it does not require sealing. Slate countertops are also low maintenance, are impervious to stains and heat, and can be kept clean with any household cleaner and a weekly application of mineral oil.

So if you're looking for a unique, high design look for your kitchen, bath or flooring - check out slate. It has style and personality that can transform your home.

BEAUTIFUL FAUCETS Complete Your Bath and Kitchen Design

Homeowners spend hours and hours selecting cabinets, counter tops and appliances, and at the end of the process they often don't consider the importance of the faucet! FUNCTION is number one when shopping for a faucet as it gets more use than any other feature. Here are a few tips before you hit the showroom:

• Decide on a budget. You'll be amazed at the range. Consider the quality and how expensive it may be to repair.
• If you are replacing an existing faucet, consider the size and choose a new faucet with the same layout as the old one.
• Pick a style: single hole has two handles and a spigot has one.
• Match the faucet style to other faucets in the room: tub, sink, bar.

• Choose the material: brass, die cast zinc alloy.
• Select the handle: Pull handle, single or double handles or knobs. Spray options are also very popular.
  
  

Your plumber is also a great source for guidence before you begin shopping. Your Bedrock Stone Fabrication or Rite-Loom Flooring designer can help from start to finish, so get them involved from day one!!