Why Marble is not as Good as Granite for Kitchen Countertops

Marble is often mentioned in the same breath as granite when discussing countertops but there are significant differences. Marble was used to make countertops by many countertop fabricator because it is easier to cut than granite. However, as better cutting and polishing tools became available granite became more common.

Marble is generally softer that granite and while beautiful is generally considered not as good a material for kitchen countertops. Marble is particularly acid including acids in foods such as lemons. Marble is also more susceptible to stains from food products such as red wine. If you choose marble for your kitchen work surface you should understand that it will require more maintenance than granite.

Here are some pictures of problems that can occur.

dark-stain-on-marble-countertop-21315060 DSC_8166-900x596 stained_marble.jpg water stains marble blueberry-counter-stain-in- cleaning-marble-lemon-juice-stains-21315269 CSR_pol_white_marble_vanity_stain_before

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The high cost of cheap granite countertops

As the price of granite drops we are seeing more fabricators cutting corners to save money on fabrication including using mismatched slabs, rushing and not installing workmanlike seams, bad bracing and second quality granite. Here are a few examples of what you might get with your cheap granite countertop. ANO has an employee who had granite coutertops installed in their kitchen a year before they came to work for ANO. Recently they had a granite bar and granite vanity top installed in their basement. They came to work the day after the second project complaining not about the new project but the first. This employee used a fabricator recommended by ANO for the second job and they had not realized how bad the first project was until they saw how good the second was.

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A Different Faucet from ANO

3033 3031If you are looking for a contemporary faucet that does not appear in any sales literature then consider the unnamed faucet in the picture. ANO has a very limited supply of these faucets available.

This faucet includes the body of a KPS3030 Sabastopol and a head that switches from spray to flow. this picture was taken at the Eclipse booth at the recent International Surfaces Event in Miami Beach.

See you countertop contractor for availability and pricing.

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New Very Small Radius Sink from Eclipse

Eclipse is introducing three new size Very Small Radius (VSR) sinks. Here are the line drawings on the new VSR703VSR700, VSR 703, VSR1515, VSR2318 Very Small Radius sink.

VSR-702-32

VSR-2318 VSR-1515

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Very Small Radius Sinks (VSR) from Eclipse Stainless

ANO VSR3219Eclipse Stainless is introducing the Very Small Radius (VSR)sinks to replace the Zero Radius (ZR) sinks. ANO is now stocking the VSR 3219 and VSR 1919.

ANO is now stocking the VSR3219 and VSR1919 single bowls.

See our previous post for the benefits of the Very Small Radius sinks.

 

 

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Eclipse Stainless Very Small Radius Sink Replacing Zero Radius

VSR 3219 Corner VSR 3219-1 smallZero Radius sinks have become increasingly popular in the last few years. They offer a different and dramatic alternative to the tradition drawn bowl.

There were, however, several issues with Zero Radius sinks including the openings in the counter top are more difficult to cut (read as more expensive,) the sharp corner in stone tops after fabrication create a cracking point, the sinks are more difficult to clean particularly in the corner where two sides meet the bottom and they can be noisier than drawn bowls because the large sheet metal bottom may “oil can” when the water is running.

Eclipse has developed the Very Small Radius (VSR) sink shown in the pictures. The VSR sinks have the dramatic look of the Zero radius but not the issues.  VSR sinks have a small radius in the corners between the sides and between the sides and bottom. This radius makes cutting the countertop opening easier particularly for fabricators with CNC (computer operated fabrication) machines, the sinks are easier to clean and the curved corners stiffen the sink bottoms and sides making it quieter when the water is running.

Currently ANO has VSR3219 single bowl and VSR1919 single bowl in stock and is shipping the ZR700, ZRD701 and ZRS3331A from the California warehouse so the delivery is 5 to 7 days. (Oct 8, 2014)

In our next article we will present the line drawings for the new sinks.

 

 

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Change Cartridge on Eclipse Atlantic, Pacifica and Sabastopol

Pole handleEclipse Stainless faucets with pole type handles including the KP2030 Atlantic, the KPS3033 Sebastopol, the KPS3032 Pacifica and KPS3031 Niagara have a different procedure for changing the cartridge than the other Eclipse faucets. The F7A Tara is similar but the cartridge is different in that it is a cold water only faucet.

Here is a flyer showing the process for these faucets:

Change cartridge 2930

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Deerfield Faucet from ANO

191-7720 191-7721

 

 

 

 

The Deerfield faucet from ANO is manufactured by Freendo who has been manufacturing faucets for over twenty years.

deerfield 2deerfield 2

 

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The Brookfield Three Hole faucet from ANO and Freendo

201-7714201-7715

 

 

 

 

The Brookfield three hole Lav faucet from ANO and Freendo.

 

BrookfieldBrookfield BN

 

 

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How to Maintain an Eclipse Stainless Steel Soap Dispenser

These are the instruction for maintaining your Eclipse stainless steel soap dispenser.

Soap dispenser maintenance

 

 

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