Take a quick guess as to how many hours over the years you've invested in cleaning kitchen-tile grout. Too many to count, right?

Thankfully, new stone trends are moving towards easier-to-clean surfaces that also stand the test of time. Caesarstone, Silestone and Cambria all provide smooth, solid surfaces.

But that's not the only advantage to marble, tumbled stone, quartz and travertine.

Here are 3 reasons why this trend is here to stay:

1. The look is more homogeneous. Colors are even and consistent.

2. Seams are much less noticeable than with granite.

3. Unlike other surfaces, stains don't penetrate.

One of our clients' favorite products is Cambria. The manufacturer's industry-leading palette fuses inspired design with unbeatable performance. Cambria is a stain resistant, nonporous, natural quartz surface that is harder, safer and easier to care for than other surfaces. It's also a patriotic choice. Cambria is the only family-owned, American-made producer of natural stone surfaces.

Cambria and other stone products aren't just for kitchens. Ever drop a toothbrush on a dirty bathroom grout line? Yuck! Bathroom remodels with these stone products are very popular. We've even been asked to change out the "drop" in a bathtub deck to this solid surface material. When you tie the design in with coordinating vanity tops and shower bench seats, you're able to create a gorgeous oasis that you'll appreciate every day - even when it's time to clean!

Established in 1980, Randal G. Winter Construction Inc. is conveniently located at 28348 Constellation Road, Suite 810 in Santa Clarita. Reach them at 661-799-8089 or log on at www.RGWinter.com. CA License #395715