Proper surface preparation for residential installations of stone or ceramic tile is probably the most important phase of the work, but often the most overlooked. Even when it is recognized that it needs to be addressed, not enough time or resources are allocated to ensure that it is done correctly. Let's discuss what is required of surfaces to receive stone and ceramic tile.
Even though Granite Emporium of Farmingdale, NY, has only been in business for a little over a year, it is already fabricating and installing an average of six to 10 kitchen countertops a week. Before starting the company, owner Joseph Davi had been in the contracting business for eight years and had always been fascinated by stone fabrication, as he loved the end product fabricated by a natural resource of Mother Nature. After attending a stone industry-related course with Fred Hueston and Keith Graves from The National Training Center for Stone and Masonry Trades, Davi decided to open his own business.
When Gerali Custom Design of Elgin, IL, one of North America's largest solid surface fabricators, set its sights on stone, the owners knew they required a fully automated production line to meet their goals. After years of process-focused work with DuPont Corian, the company wanted efficient and effective fabrication processes for its new stone operation. And to achieve this goal, the company invested in state-of-the-art technology.
As a fabricator of Silestone countertops, Selective Surfaces Inc. was incorporated in December of 1999 with a large-scale facility in Wyandanch, NY, that now fabricates in excess of 6,000 kitchens per year. And in addition to growth in the New York operation - which is also called “Silestone of New York†- the company expanded its reach into New Jersey, with a new plant that works with the latest generation of stoneworking technology.
An example of timeless design can be found at the Mizpe Hayamim Hotel and Spa on the eastern slopes of Mount Canaan, overlooking the Golan Heights and the Sea of Galilee in Rosh Pina, Israel. The resort, which sits on 37 acres of fruit groves, vegetable gardens, an animal farm and winery and also includes walking paths, pools and streams, offers a range of health and cosmetic treatments as well as a serene environment for guests to reside. Recently, a renovation was completed at the complex, which involved replacing the original tile floor with Jerusalem Stone supplied by Jerusalem Marble of Jerusalem, Israel.
“It is difficult to give an apt description to the Emirates Palace. String together a host of superlative adjectives, and somehow you still feel that you have fallen short of the mark.†These were the words written by the publicity department at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and they are quite accurate. The project spans approximately 1 kilometer from end to end, and includes a luxury hotel, the region's largest conference center, 12 upscale restaurants, high-end retail locations, two spas and other amenities. As one might expect from such a project, the Emirates Palace is highlighted by an impressive array of stonework, including American granite on the exterior.
It was 1997 when the first kitchen from Stone Interiors, LLC left the company's loading docks. Back then the company had seven employees and 7,000 square feet in one facility. Since that time, annual sales have grown to $13 million, primarily from countertop fabrication - which includes more than 375 kitchens per month at its two locations. Today, the company's facilities in Loxley, AL, and Gaston, SC, total 42,000 square feet and employ some 115 workers.
G.M.S. - Granite & Marble Services of Bluffton, SC, recently opened its doors in April of 2005, with Gianni Cafarelli and Karen Johanson as principal owners. And the story of how the two founders met and formed a partnership is an interesting one. With different backgrounds and life experiences, the dedicated pair complement each other and share a passion to create an efficient and top-of-the-line fabricating facility.
Skilled craftsmanship is reflected in the construction of a new outdoor amphitheater on the grounds of Sigmund Stern Grove - a 33-acre public park in San Francisco's Sunset District. The 10,000-seat arena features nearly 1,800 tons of Chinese granite that was hand cut in China and shipped to the site, where some pieces were further finished by hand. The design is the creation of renowned landscape architect Lawrence Halprin, and was implemented by a team of masons from QuarryHouse of San Anselmo, CA.
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