More people are buying homes as property values decline, but many of these affordable foreclosed homes have become fixer-uppers even if they are only a few years old. That’s where Francisco Ordaz comes in.

The owner of Ordaz Cultured Marble & Onyx, Inc. knows how a resurfaced counter top or new shower walls can transform a room and help a house become a home.

“The houses have become cheaper, but a lot of the houses need some remodeling,” Ordaz explained. “There may be cracks in the shower or in the bathroom counters, and those surfaces need to be repaired to prevent further water damage.

“Remodeling is also worthwhile because it allows the customer to make the house the way they want it. You can choose the style and the color. We help make the room the way they envision it.”

Ordaz and his team of 20 employees make the cultured marble on site at their 33,000 square-foot Antioch factory, so customers can customize the marble based on color and design. The marble (which is made of crushed limestone, granite or other stone mixed with resin) is cast and molded at the factory and ready for installation within a week. Ordaz designs everything from showers with seats and shelves, to bathtubs, sinks and kitchen counters. He also makes designs with quartz that he imports from Minnesota, so everything is American made.

Ordaz uses a special protective gel when creating the slabs of marble to create a permanent seal so that the finished product is stain resistant and easy to clean. Customers only have to use a little soap and water to keep it looking like new. The seal also helps strengthen the already dense material so that it is heat- and chip-resistant as well, making it a worthy investment.

“We offer marble, onyx, granite and quartz, and while it can get expensive depending on what you want, the end result is a quality, low-maintenance product. This is an especially nice feature to have in kitchens and in bathrooms where spills are common.”

Ordaz said marble, onyx, granite and quartz are also popular now because most of the surfaces have natural earth tones, and the natural textures of the rock provide a stimulating design that adds character to any room. While the natural stone colors are popular, Ordaz can customize any color. After being in the business for more than 25 years, he’s created more than 100 custom colors.

Ordaz designs marble for homes and businesses. Some of his more recent work can be found at Steeltown Coffee & Tea in Pittsburg. His product is so valued that he’s shipped his marble across the world to Korea and Peru as well as Mexico and Canada.

Ordaz first opened his business in Concord in 1991, but the neighbors didn’t like the noise and smells that go along with creating cultured marble. So when he found the large Antioch location, he moved the production operation while keeping a showroom in Concord. The Antioch location has a modest display of showers, baths, sinks and bathroom countertops. But Ordaz likes to have customers go to the Concord location, which has more samples and a less industrial atmosphere.

For those willing to brave the fumes, Ordaz has dozens of color and style samples at the Antioch location to help potential customers figure out what they want. He doesn’t employ any salespeople and prefers to help customers one on one.

“Some people come in and only want to look around to get ideas, and that’s fine,” Ordaz said. “Some people want to take pictures to take home to figure out what they want, and that’s fine too. But if they need me, I’m here. I also like to go to the locations during installation to make sure that everything is done right. I want customers to have the best service. This is for their home and they deserve the best.”

Ordaz Cultured Marble & Onyx, Inc. is located at 2601 W. 10th St. in Antioch. For more information, call 925-755-9625 or visit www.ordazmarble.us.