IMC Stone- Interceramic Marble Collection

Cleaning Granite Counters: A How-To

After installing beautiful new  granite countertops, among the last things you want to see are spots and stains marring the surface. In the video below, learn how to take care of granite counters and remove unsightly stains.

Basic granite countertop maintenance requires only a soapy sponge and clean water. For more noticeable stains like wine stains or pen stains, you may need to use a bleach paste or acetone to lift them completely. Although granite countertops are very resistant to scratching, you will want to reseal your countertops every year or two as part of a consistent care routine.

For more information about caring for your granite counters, contact IMC Stone. We offer an extensive and exclusive selection of exotic granite, marble, and natural stone. In business for over 27 years, IMC Stone is the largest importer and distributor of natural stone in the Southwest. For more information about our Dallas and Fort Worth showrooms, please visit us online or call us today at (214) 736-9522.

Natural Stone Style in the Home: Resources for Further Reading

With natural stone finishes in high demand with many homeowners, it may seem like everyone’s kitchen and bath countertops can start to look the same. With some creativity and the right stone, though, you can make a bold and individual design statement that reflects your personal style. At IMC Stone, we offer an extensive selection of unique granite, exotic stones and other exclusive offerings for your residential or commercial design project.

• White marble can add a soothing and sophisticated touch to any room, but what if you used it in a variety of applications? Get inspired with this white marble bathroom makeover and learn how one material can be used in multiple ways to create depth and texture.
• While granite countertops may seem ubiquitous, they don’t have to be boring. These granite countertop ideas can help you harness the durability and appeal of granite without sacrificing style. Consider granites with different color tones, edges and finishes for a unique look.
• In addition to its aesthetic appeal, natural stone is a popular building material for its sustainability. Learn more about sustainable natural stone, “Mother Nature’s original building material”, with this guide from the Marble Institute of America.

To order granite, marble, or exotic stone for your own design project, contact IMC Stone today. We offer an extensive and exclusive selection of exotic granite, marble, and natural stone. In business for over 27 years, IMC Stone is the largest importer and distributor of natural stone in the Southwest. For more information about our Dallas and Fort Worth showrooms, please visit us online or call us today at (214) 736-9522.

Making a Marble Decision: What to Consider

When some homeowners think of marble, they think of expensive white stone that may be a challenge to maintain. In reality, though, marble is a natural stone that is diverse in function, color and cost. Like granite, marble can make beautiful kitchen or bathroom countertops, but similarities between the stones end there. In the video below, learn more about the unique properties of marble and what to consider when selecting a slab of your own.

If you are choosing marble or deciding between marble or granite, there are a few things to consider. While both natural stones come in a variety of colors, the appearance of granite is usually of a salt and pepper variety, with many flecks in the stone. The appearance of marble, on the other hand, is characterized by patterns of veining and smaller crystalline structures. When choosing a marble, work closely with your manufacturer to get the particular pattern, color and veining you want. View the exact slab you intend to purchase in order to ensure a complementary fit with your color scheme and other design choices.

To order granite, marble, or exotic stone for your own design project, contact IMC Stone today. We offer an extensive and exclusive selection of exotic granite, marble, and natural stone. In business for over 27 years, IMC Stone is the largest importer and distributor of natural stone in the Southwest. For more information about our Dallas and Fort Worth showrooms, please visit us online or call us today at (214) 736-9522.

Lessons in Geology: How does Natural Stone Form?

The strength and durability of natural stones like granite, marble, and slate make them a natural fit in the home as kitchen countertops, bathroom surfaces, and flooring. These characteristics are often a result of the way natural stone is formed deep within the earth. Read about how natural stone is formed to learn more about the origins of your home’s surfaces.

Igneous Rock

Granite is a popular natural stone that is available in a wide variety of colors, patterns and veining. As an igneous rock, granite is formed as magma cools and compresses under the surface of the Earth over a long period of time. Depending on where and how rapidly magma and other components cool, granite may be composed largely of quartz with varying quantities of feldspar and other surrounding minerals. The different compositions of granite are what give each slab an appearance unique to its region and from granite produced in other areas.

Metamorphic Rock

Marble, quartzite, and slate are all metamorphic rocks. These stones are formed when they metamorphose, or transform their original crystal structure, to form an entirely new rock. This means that these stones actually begin as a different type of stone before they become recognizable as the marble slabs and slate samples seen in showrooms. Quartzite begins its life as sandstone before it re-crystallizes, while slate forms from shale.

Sedimentary Rock

Sedimentary rock is formed when layers of sediment are compressed under great weight and over long periods of time. An example of a sedimentary rock is limestone, which is generally formed in shallow marine waters with warm temperatures. Created from calcium carbonate deposits like those left by coral skeletons, limestone incorporates other minerals and materials in its formation. It can also go on to form travertine when found in cave formations like stalactites or stalagmites.

To order granite, marble, or exotic stone for your own design project, contact IMC Stone today. We offer an extensive and exclusive selection of exotic granite, marble, and natural stone. In business for over 27 years, IMC Stone is the largest importer and distributor of natural stone in the Southwest. For more information about our Dallas and Fort Worth showrooms, please visit us online or call us today at (214) 736-9522.

Natural Stone Countertops: Characteristics to Consider

Choosing natural stone for your bathroom or kitchen countertops can add elegance and timelessness to your home. Natural stone, like marble slabs or exotic granites, is also highly functional, and the characteristics of different stones boast both beauty and durability. If you are looking for new countertops, consider some of the following features as you select stones for the different rooms of your home.

Kitchen Countertops

Granite can be an ideal stone for the kitchen because it is durable, heat-resistant and can be easily treated to resist stains for low maintenance. When choosing a granite for your kitchen countertops, browse through a wide selection of options to find a slab that suit your tastes and needs. Granite is available in a variety of colors or shades that complements your home’s color palette, and you can choose a slab that features unique flecking or patterns for a bolder statement.

Marble Slabs

Known for its elegant appearance, marble makes for a soothing and sophisticated addition to your bath or kitchen. Whether you use it as an accent stone or throughout a marble bathroom, marble should be chosen with similar guidelines used to select other stone materials. Determine the function of your space and the necessary upkeep, but also consider your design choices. Look through marbles of different shading and veining, and examine how it will look under different lighting conditions to achieve the ambiance you want.

Other Natural Stones

There is a wide range of natural stone beyond marble and granite that can be beautiful and practical for your countertops. Limestone is sometimes “softer” in appearance than other natural stones but offers its own unique colors and patterns and holds up well as flooring. Your natural stone supplier may also offer a selection of engineered and environmentally-friendly materials that can be smart choices for both your home and the earth.

To order granite, marble, or exotic stone for your own design project, contact IMC Stone today. We offer an extensive and exclusive selection of exotic granite, marble, and natural stone. In business for over 27 years, IMC Stone is the largest importer and distributor of natural stone in the Southwest. For more information about our Dallas and Fort Worth showrooms, please visit us online or call us today at (214) 736-9522.