Finding
a Stone Dealer for Granite and Granite Slabs – Some Tips
How do you find a granite supplier in Ontario? Start in
Toronto! Toronto is one of the biggest importers of granite and granite slabs,
and as such can provide the best material and value for you when looking to
purchase granite and granite slabs. Although the internet and yellow pages are
full of stone dealers, and there are even some big box retailers, with their
own inventories you may be wondering where to turn.
Adding the beauty and durability of granite
to your home is an investment. It is a luxury stone and its purchase should not
be entrusted to a dealer whose chief business is not stone. So write off those big box dealers. Any possible savings
you might make with them are more than made up by the help and expertise you
will get from a dealer who specializes in granite, and from the quality of the
pieces you are getting.
Find an independent dealer who has a good
selection of granite on hand, so you can have the advantage – and fun – of
choosing among the incredible diverse shades of this stone. Furthermore, find a
dealer for whom stone is a vocation and not a job. The difference will show in
the quality of advice you receive. Granite tiles and flooring are a lifetime
investment and buying them shouldn’t be hurried.
Installation
of Your Floor
Another reason to find a Toronto granite supplier in Ontario with whom you
can trust and have an extended relationship is the installation of the granite.
It’s not a do-it-yourself project, and you are going to need the active
assistance of the dealer, or a trusted contractor. It is important to add in the
cost of the installation when you calculate your granite purchase, because any
or all of the following factors may enter into the equation:
- furniture removal and or
replacement;
- demolition, removal, and
disposal of the old floor covering;
- preparation of a subfloor;
- delivery of the product;
- the actual installation,
including materials needed in it; and
- financing options.
In the long term, the dealer may also be your choice to
supervise the maintenance of your new floor or countertop. Granite is tough and
durable, but it does require professional resealing once every year or two.
Granite is porous and, although a bit of discoloration will add character to
the stone, there is always that notorious "big spill”…
Cleaning
Granite
In addition to the periodic resealing of
your granite floor, there are care steps to be taken. You may discover that the
granite – especially if it has been highly polished – is actually slippery.
This could be a hazard in a kitchen or bathroom environment where there is
water spillage. The solution is to have the surface "honed” or roughened up.
Natural stone can be stained by spills.
They should be wiped up with soap. Abrasive or ammonia based cleaners will dull
the floor’s lustre.
On a more frequent basis, it is necessary
to clean the stone both daily and weekly. Use a clean microfiber cloth. Warm
water can be used to wash away any residue and, for soap, use dish or hand
soap. Your trusted, Toronto independent granite supplier in Ontario may recommend
a stone cleaner, which again can be used once a week.