Suggestions & FAQs
Here you will find some suggestions, explanations, and frequently asked questions(FAQs) to educate and help you with your decision making process. You will also find resources for cleaning and preserving your stone surfaces and an explanation of the construction process.
Ricciardi Marble & Granite - Surface Comparison Chart
Easy to maintain
Clean up with house hold cleaners, no sealing or maintenance required. Spills will not stain or etch surface.
Medium maintainience
Clean up with light cleaners or mild dish soap, re-sealing or maintenance required. Try not to let spills sit for extended time, may stain.
Hard to maintain
Clean up with water or mild dish soap only, re-sealing or maintenance required. Don’t let spill sit. Apply extra sealing or anti-etching coatings.
|
SURFACE CONDITION |
+ HEAT |
* STAINS |
# ETCHING |
^ CLEANER |
NOTES |
|
Marble |
✔ |
X |
X |
|
Special sealants & anti-etching coatings protect KITCHENS, BATHROOMS, FIREPLACES, ENTRYWAYS |
|
Granite |
✔ |
X |
X |
|
Seal surfaces to protect. Can acquire light colors KITCHENS, BATHROOMS, FIREPLACES, ENTRYWAYS |
|
Quartz |
|
|
|
✔ |
Resist to staining, comes in many varieties KITCHENS, BATHROOMS, ENTRYWAYS |
|
Porcelain |
✔ |
|
|
✔ |
Resist to staining and heat, comes in many varieties KITCHENS, BATHROOMS, FIREPLACES, ENTRYWAYS |
|
Soapstone |
✔ |
X |
|
|
Seal surfaces to protect. KITCHENS, BATHROOMS, FIREPLACES |
|
Limestone |
✔ |
X |
X |
|
Seal surfaces to protect. KITCHENS, BATHROOMS, FIREPLACES |
+ HEAT – Accepts heat and hot items without discoloration and is less likely to crack, especially in high-heat situations like fireplaces.
* STAINS – Can stain easily, especially if colors are vivid, the surface is unsealed, and the spilled material stays without cleanup or is often introduced to the surface.
# ETCHING – Can etch easily, especially if the spilled substances are acidic, the surface is unsealed, and the spilled material remains without cleanup or is frequently introduced to the surface.
^ CLEANER – Can use regular household cleaners. no need for light cleaners or water only applications
Stone Sealing & Stone Care
Typically, new granite and marble tops are sealed on or before installation. We offer various options for your countertops during the manufacturing process, from special sealants to anti-etch coatings. In all cases, it’s crucial to promptly address spills to prevent them from penetrating the surface, especially on newly installed natural stone surfaces.
For routine cleaning on natural stone, use a mild and neutral cleaning solution or mild dishwashing liquid mixed with warm water. Rinse the surface and dry it with a clean, soft cloth to maintain the polished shine. Avoid products containing lemon, vinegar, or other acids on marble or limestone, as well as abrasive cleaners, including dry cleansers, soft cleansers, or scouring powders, as these can mar the surface polish. Strong detergents or corrosive liquids may also dull the surface.
Quartz and Porcelain surfaces are not subject to these cleaning limitations. You can use most cleaners on these surfaces, with the exception of abrasive cleaners. Despite their usually high tolerance for scratching, you should avoid abrasive cleaners on these surfaces if possible to prevent a dulling effect.
Stain removal depends on the type of stain. For most stains, create a thick paste by mixing 1 cup of ordinary flour, 1-2 teaspoons of dishwashing liquid, and warm water. Apply the paste to the stain, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it sit overnight. In the morning, remove the paste with a wooden utensil and rinse clean.
If the stain is oil-based, such as milk, grease, or oil, substitute hydrogen peroxide for dishwashing liquid. For organic stains like coffee, tea, or fruit, try a solution of 12% hydrogen peroxide with a few drops of ammonia.
On dark granite, lacquer thinner or acetone is effective for ink or marker stains, while on lighter stones, hydrogen peroxide works well. Reseal your stones every 1 to 2 years for regular maintenance. If you’ve had to remove a stain, reseal the treated area immediately.
Water Test
Here is a test that provides a simple yet effective method to assess your stone’s sealant. Create small puddles of water (approximately two or three inches in diameter) in different areas of your countertop, focusing on spots that encounter heavy traffic and use. Allow these puddles to sit undisturbed for 30 minutes. Upon your return, if you observe a darker spot or ring forming in or around any of these areas, it indicates water penetration into the stone. In such cases, it serves as an indication that it’s time to consider resealing.
Ricciardi Marble & Granite - FAQs
We work with Marble, Granite, Soapstone, Limestone, Slate(though it prone to cracking during the manufacturing process), Travertine, Terrazzo, Quartz, Quartzite, Porcelain substrates and other natural and engineered stone surfaces.
No. Our regular hours are Monday thru Friday 9am to 4pm.
That’s a good question. What do you prefer — light colors or dark, natural stone, or engineered stone? Start by asking yourself, what is the application? If it’s a fireplace surround, anything other than natural stone or porcelain might crack. For kitchen countertops that require easy cleaning, Quartz or Porcelain may be excellent choices. If you are looking to live in the lap of luxury, marble is always a beautiful investment, but remember it can be high maintenance. Some may appreciate the look and feel of soapstone. Many people are driven by color, some by practicality, and others by application. Come in, browse our selection, or check out some options in the products section of our website. We will be happy to help you make the right choice!
Please call, email capecodcountertops AT gmail dot com or use the online contact form to reach out. Please have the rough project measurements to get a faster project estimate.
The price of stone depends mostly on the rarity of the stone you are trying to acquire. The universe is making more marble, but the share on earth is finite. A manmade stone might be cheaper, especially if it is in great abundance. If a stone is rare or luxurious the cost per slab will pay will increase. Quality of the stone closely dictates price as well. A beautiful, rare and clean stone will certainly command more money.
That depends on the size of the slab VS square feet of the installation surface. Slabs are typically 6 feet by 10 feet, sometimes bigger and some times a little smaller. During the process you only pay for the square footage you use. Porcelain surfaces may require overage due it fact that they may crack during the cutting process.
Yes. We have a yard stocked full of in-stock slabs and remnants.
The best surfaces for hots are natural stone or porcelain. Quartz may crack or discolor when hot items are repeatedly placed on surface without protection or when used in hot applications, like fireplace surrounds.
That mostly depends on factors like the overall size of the piece VS the size of the whole slabs we can acquire. Also, it depends on how we can access the installation area, the size of the door access, etc., for moving and installing the piece.
During the construction process the cabinets, fireplaces, rough bathroom or showers structures, and other surround structures are installed to accept the stone surfaces, by general contractors or other contractors.
Immediately after this stage Ricciardi comes in to measure or template the job with a laser measuring tool.
Take a look at the full construction process below.
We need your sink for the template/measuring process. We sell sinks!
Yes, we sell inset stainless steel and porcelain sinks.
Honed stone is like a matte finish and polished is shinny.
From the EPA website: “Building materials, such as brick, marble and granite, contain very low-levels of naturally-occurring radioactivity. However, these materials can emit radon as the materials decay, which can elevate the indoor radon levels in your home. It’s important to test your home for radon and to correct elevated levels.”
The Building Process & How We Fit In
When it comes to a new construction project or a remodel, there are several stages to the process, and it is important to know when to engage various contractors. If you hire a general contractor or a designer, please inform them that you are using Ricciardi Marble and Granite for the stone installation. Here is a general flow of how the process works from beginning to end:
1. Typically, a homeowner has an idea to remodel or create a new construction project. They reach out to a general contractor, architect, or designer.
2. A construction plan is drafted, and permitting is requested.
3. The plans are approved and contractor informs the customer that it will take two weeks (LOL :-D).
4. Rough construction and/or demolition is started by the general contractor or another contractor.
5. Cabinets, fireplaces, rough bathroom or shower structures, and other surround structures are installed to accept the stone surfaces, by the general contractor or another contractor.
6. Immediately after this stage, Ricciardi comes in to measure or template the job with a laser measuring tool.
7. A stone product is chosen anytime, from the beginning of the process until now. The stone is acquired, and pictures of the final template with the stone selection are sent for approval.
8. After customer approval, the stone cutting, polishing, and manufacturing begin. Sinks are typically installed during the manufacturing process. Surfaces are usually sealed and coated with special treatments during this step.
9. The final surfaces are shipped to the location and installed.
10. The customer inspects the job and is impressed by the craftsmanship, quality, and attention to detail.