GRANITE FAQS
Can I cut on my granite countertop?
Only if you want to ruin your good knives. 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.
My little sample of granite has pits on the
surface – will I have these on my kitchen counters?
Granite, which is crystalline in structure, always has tiny pits –
spaces between the various mineral crystals. You don’t see them on a
larger piece because the overall appearance is polished and mirror-like.
Granite sometimes has natural fissures as well, which may look like
cracks, but are not structural defects and are a naturally occurring
result of the immense heat and pressure which formed the granite eons
ago. These characteristics are part of the natural beauty of stone and
will not impair the function or durability of the material. A product of
nature cannot be expected to look manmade
How do I clean my granite tops?
POLISHED GRANITE is a very durable stone. Much harder than marble.
Granite has been used in the past in the commercial industry. Some
of the obvious applications have been panels on the outside of
buildings, walls, and floors of "high-traffic" areas.
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 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 contain no aromatics. Followed by a through rinsing
and drying with cotton-flannel or chamois.
Will my granite look like the sample?
The samples you see on the computer have been scanned and saved as
digital images. The color tones may not be absolutely correct due to
variations in computer systems, monitors and compression algorithms.
Also, granite is a natural material with naturally occurring variations
in color, tone, granularity, pattern, etc. These variations are expected
and are the source of its natural beauty.
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 granite has a sealer applied at the
fabricator, however some customers prefer to apply a stone sealer
(available at tile and granite shops) after the granite is installed
Can I set hot pot on my granite countertop?
Granite is formed by extreme heat and pressure combined beneath the
earths 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?
In only cases of sever abuse with a hammer or impact tool. A chip can be
filled with a granite dust and epoxy mixture.
Can granite seams show?
Because granite is a natural material and is mined from the quarry in
blocks usually no more than 10' long, you will end up with seams. Also,
because granite is sold in rectangular pieces, you may want to use seams
to reduce your costs, such as in an 'L' shaped corner. The visibility of
seams will depend on the granularity, color and pattern. A small,
uniform grain (such as Regal Grey) will not be as apparent as a larger
varied grain (such as Deer Island). A dark color (Spring Green) will be
less apparent than a light color (Pine Green). A dramatic pattern with
swaths of color (Kinawa, Paradiso) will show more seams than a uniform
pattern (Dakota Mahogany). Most customers have found that the beauty of
natural granite outweighs the concern of seams.
How are seams made?
Seams are done where the granite joins with a smooth, straight cut
During installation, a small bead of silicone is placed along the seam
to seal it. Occasionally, in areas of stress or without sufficient
support, the seams will be joined with epoxy, which must be supported
temporarily until the epoxy cures.
Does granite stain or burn?
No. You can't burn it with ordinary use. Granite does not stain. The
only caveat is that a few colors may absorb some moisture with prolonged
contact. Usually, no evidence remains when the liquid is removed and the
granite dries, but could be a problem with dark pigmented liquids.
Although granite has a sealer applied at the fabricator, a stone sealer
is recommended for all granite after installation.
Can granite crack?
No with the ordinary use. Granite is most susceptible to cracks during
shipping and installation. Normal use will not overstress this durable
material.
Can granite cantilever?
You can cantilever granite up to 14" with sufficient support on the
fixed end and with a large enough piece. Never cantilever unsupported
granite where it might receive excessive stress like someone sitting on
a counter or stepping on a counter to change a light bulb. You must have
support underneath for these situations.
MARBLE FAQS
Can I use marble on my kitchen counters?
Yes. In fact, marbles that have a honed finish will not etch because its
surface starts out with a matte finish. Because marbles (and limestone
and travertine) are calcium carbonate, the polished surface is more
vulnerable to household acids including vinegar, mustard, catsup, citrus
and a host of other food-related products. These acidic substances cause
a chemical reaction which will remove the polish.
Is marble really appropriate to use in kitchens
o high-traffic areas?
Yes. Since ancient times, marble has been used in all areas of the
Grecian home; from furnishings to floors. These Greek marbles have
proven as durable as materials traditionally considered to be sturdier
with the added benefit of creating a warm welcoming atmosphere.
For more info on history click here