Granite: 

One of the hardest natural stones available and the most durable wearing natural material supplied by Lowe's. Lighter granites are more porous than the darker shades and require sealing (this only helps to prevent and does not stop staining) Our lighter shades of granite worktops are supplied with a care pack when fitted which contains a sealer, cleaner and polish. 

The manufacturers of the sealers recommend that the granite is re-sealed every few months but this tends to be forgotten about once fitted and we advise every 6 months or yearly if you remember.

Once your granite worktops have been fitted enjoy them, they also create and ideal cool surface to make pastry and bread on.

Care & Maintenance:

All the granite should require is a wipe down with soapy water and then dry the surface off, if you have got a stubborn mark on the surface then a 'Cif' or 'Mr Muscle' or specialist granite cleaner such as BrioTop can be used to help remove this. If you wish to add a bit of extra shine to your worktop then specialist polishes can be purchased or a general household polish can be used. Be aware that if these are used regularly, as they are a wax based, a layer of wax will build up on the surface of the granite. It is not advised to polish, a honed (matt finsh) worktops as over time a polish will appear on the surface.

Please always read the label on any cleaning product before using on natural stone to check that the manufacture advise for the use of the product.

Lowe's Marble and Granite supply a range of sealers, cleaners and polish specifically designed for use on natural stone surfaces for added care of your granite worktop, vanity top or hearth.

Do's & Don'ts:

As already mentioned granite is a durable, hard material and you should not encounter any problems with it but we advise that you bear the following in mind;

• If you place a hot pan from the cooker or oven directly onto the cold surface of the granite then this may cause the granite to crack due to the thermal shock. We always advise that i pan stand, cork mat or trivet is used.
• Chopping directly on to the granite work surface, may damage the work surface but will definitely blunt your knives.
• Dropping or dragging heavy or sharp items across the surface of the granite again may cause the granite to scratch or even chip. Don't panic if the granite chips it may be possible for this to be repaired, please contact us if this happens.
• If you spill anything on the granite surface, then clean it up as soon as you see it. Products that are more likely to mark are acidic and oil based, such as lemon juice, wine or butter and oils.

If you have any questions with regards the care and maintenance of your granite worktops then please do not hesitate to contact us, we have been asked everything you could imagine over the years.

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Marble, Limestone, Travertine:

These natural stones are more porous than granite and you need to be aware of the problem of possible staining.

It is essential that a sealer is used on the marble, limestone or travertine, although helping to prevent staining it will not protect against all spills and acid attack such as fruit juices.

Many general purpose household cleaners contain acid as their main ingredient. These acids will attack soft natural stones such as marble, limestone and travertine so please always check the labels and small print on any product to be used on the stone for suitability. If unsure contact the manufacture for further details or do a small test in an area that will not be seen to make sure that it is safe for use and that the product is not going to stain or damage the surface of the stone.

You also need to be aware of some everyday products that you would not expect to stain softer natural stones. These include liquid hand soaps and detergents which contain acid that will attack the stone and need to be used with caution. Again if you are unsure contact the manufacture for more details before using any products.

Natural and Man-Made Floor tiles are generally supplied honed or textured. A polished finish to a marble, limestone or travertine floor tiles can cause a slip hazard, as well as over time, foot traffic wearing away the polish to leave a dull area. This is less of an issue with granite or man-made engineered tiles which are much more durable under foot although the polished surface can still cause a slip hazard.