THINKING ABOUT GRANITE ?

Questions and answers

Granite vs. Other Countertop choices

Granite is the most durable countertop available. It will retain its beauty and hold its value longer than any other countertops. No man-made product can match the natural beauty of real stone – the colors are extremely vivid and the look is very rich. The shine of natural stone is not the result of an applied finish – it comes from polishing with diamond abrasives and polished granite will keep its high gloss virtually forever. Although pricing on the higher end of the countertop market, the durability of granite makes it a more “cost effective” option.

Care and Maintenance

Granite is the most durable, long lasting, natural material suitable for countertops due to its hardness, heat and scratch resistances, and minimal absorption which will provide you with many years of use with very little aging in the appearance and feel of your countertops. Under normal use such as general cutting in food preparation, granite resists scratching better than any other surface. You may also place hot dishes directly out of the oven onto the countertops without the fear of damaging your granite countertops. It is recommended you have your granite sealed yearly to maintain quality and durability.

Can I cut on my Granite countertop?

Granite is harder than your knife blades and will dull them very quickly, if you use the countertop as a cutting surface. Always cut and chop on a wooden or plastic cutting board.

Can my granite top be damaged?

Like any solid surface, high impact blows can harm granite. Because of its crystalline structure, it can chip if subjected to sharp hard objects. Unsealed, granite can absorb stains such as oil, which can ultimately cause dark spots or discoloration. Heat from pots and pans or burning liquids will not affect granite under normal circumstances.

Can Granite scratch?

Granite is one of the hardest stones available. It is extremely difficult to scratch.

How do I clean my granite tops?

Granite is a very durable stone. It is also much harder than marble. Granite will withstand almost any element it comes up against including heat and cold. Granite itself is approximately 95-98% stain resistant but we use a silicone impregnator on all of our natural stone products. This will insure lasting life and beauty. Polished granite should receive the same cleaning care as polished marble, using a mild phosphate-free, biodegradable liquid dish-soap, soap flakes or powder which contains no aromatics. Followed by a thorough rinsing and drying with cotton-flannel or chamois.

Does granite stain?

In general, no. All stone, however, is porous to some extent, but Granite has very little porosity. Most colors will never show any moisture. A few colors may show some moisture if exposed for a period of time. For example, a puddle of water left on the counter for 30 minutes for some colors, may show a dark spot when the water is wiped away. This spot will then dry up and no evidence will show. Only a few colors demonstrate this trait. Our installers will seal the countertops after they are installed.

Can I set hot pot on my granite countertop?

Granite is formed by extreme heat and pressure combined beneath the earth’s crust. It can not be affected by heat from a cook top or frying pan. A lit flame placed under the granite will have no melting effect and will not leave any burned or scarred marks.

Can granite chip?

Granite will not chip under normal use. Only in cases of sever abuse with a hammer or impact tool. A chip can be filled with a granite dust and epoxy mixture. If a chip occurs on your countertop, do not throw out the chipped pieces. We can use them to fix the countertop, so that no one will be able to tell it was ever chipped.

How are seams made and will seams show?

The visibility of seams will vary depending on the coloration of the stone. Granites with sweeping color movements will have more visible seams. Seams are done where the two pieces of stone are put together. The seams are joined with epoxy that is mixed with the color that matches the stone. Then the joined area is smoothened, leaving only a very thin line visible.

Can granite crack?

No, not with regular use. Granite is most susceptible to cracks during fabrication, shipping and installation. Granite will not flex like laminate and solid surface tops. Do not stand on or next to the sink, cook-top, cutouts or unsupported overhangs as too much weight applied to the stone may cause it to crack. Normal use will not overstress this durable material.

What is the difference between granite and marble?

The main difference between granite and marble is that granite is a highly dense material composed deep inside the earth’s core while marble is formed from sediments under the seabed. Both solidify into stone after millions of years but the mineral composition of the two stones makes marble and granite react differently to various chemicals and household cleaners

What is the appropriate thickness for a granite countertop?

A kitchen countertop should be an inch and a quarter thick for structural reasons. Bathroom vanity tops can be thinner.

Does granite have any pits or fissures?

Yes granite has natural pits and fissures that are part of the stones natural structure. Some types of granite have more of such characteristics than other types, and applying sealer to the surface of the counter can minimize pits.

Can granite be repaired?

It is very hard to damage granite. If any damage occurs it can be sealed with a mixture of epoxy and ground up chips of granite.

CHOOSING GRANITE COUNTERTOPS

Research your Granite company Insure previous customers speak highly of their work, professionalism and customer service

Quotes Get quotes from other Granite companies to compare price, quality, availability, time and customer service. To receive an accurate quote, you need to supply plans and choose a stone.

Where does the Granite Company put their joints? Why is this important? Joints are inevitable in many cases, however, skilled at knowing where the joints should be will give a seamless look to your granite.

Plumbing fixtures Do not buy your plumbing fixtures until after you have spoken to your Granite and Cabinet experts. This could save you money and time.  You need to insure that your sink choice fits the cabinet size and allows room for the mounting hardware.  You need to insure you have the physical room for the faucet, soap dispenser and hardware.  Does your sink come with a template and mounting hardware? If no, there will be an extra charge to make a template and supply mounting hardware.

Choosing Granite for your kitchen Is your kitchen a high traffic area? Some stones are not conducive to high traffic. Select granite on your own individual needs.

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