Granite is a natural substance mined
all over the world. It is a coarse grained crystalline igneous rock composed
primarily of quartz and feldspar. With Granite being a natural product, each
kitchen will have a unique look with possible pattern or color variation
throughout the slab.
Extremely
Durable
Granite is second in hardness to diamonds. With normal use, nothing in the
kitchen will chip, ding, or break granite. Heat Resistant
No need for trivets! Unlike "man made" synthetic countertops, granite
can withstand a dish hot from the oven or stove right onto it's surface. Stain Resistant
By its nature, granite is extremely dense and excellent at repelling stains. As
an extra precaution, every CounterttopStop Granite is treated with sealer to
help eliminate the possibility of stains occurring. Scratch Resistant
The finish on granite is polished with diamonds and, with normal use, will
never wear or fade as long as you own your home. Cutting on a granite top with
kitchen cutlery will not scratch or damage it. The Colors
Granite is available in an amazing array of colorful and unique patterns. No
two granite tops are exactly the same.
What is the difference between granite and marble?
Soap and warm water, or household
cleaners like glass cleaner. Granite is very low maintenance. DO NOT USE 409
(over time it can dull your countertop.)
Countertop Stop doesn't advise any
preset "calendar" for re-sealing, and over-application of sealer can
build up over time and cause a haze on the surface of your countertops. The
frequency for re-sealing depends on the type of stone installed and the amount
of use that the countertops see. An easy "rule of thumb" is to
closely monitor the area around the sink. If you begin notice water that does
not bead up or soaks into the stone within 10-15 minutes, then it's probably
time to re-seal. Applying a sealer is easy, you can apply a liberal amount of
sealer in the evening before going to bed and just let it penetrate and cure
overnight. Does granite
stain?
It can in some instances. Generally, the
darker the granite, the more stain resistant it is.
If you seal the granite as recommended see (Does granite stain? In this Q&A), you should never experience a staining problem. Removing
stains from granite and marble can prove difficult. There are, however, several precautionary measures you can take:
Any spill should be cleaned as soon as possible. Blot spills with a paper towel
or clean rag. At this stage, it is important only to blot; wiping a spill may
spread it over a larger area, making a larger mess. Use only cold water and
stone soap or a neutral cleaner. Rinse the area several times. If a stain is
still present, a chemical poultice may have to be applied.
(click here to learn how to remove a stain)
Granite is one of the hardest stones
available. It cannot be scratched in ordinary use. A knife blade will not
scratch it. It can only be scratched with specially sharpened tools designed to
work with granite like tungsten and diamond tools. With normal daily use, you
will not dull the finish of your countertop. Unlike any other surface, granite
will not dull.
Our granites are segregated for unusual
patches, major color variation, cracks, dimensions, surface finish, and other
quality issues. They are then categorized as first, second, and commercial
quality.
When you get an estimate from Countertop Stop it is based on first quality
material only.
Normal use will not overstress this
durable material. In only cases of severe abuse with a hammer or impact tool. A
chip can be filled with a granite dust and epoxy mixture. Usually most flaws in
stone are detected during transit of the slab. If it can withstand the
fabrication process, it will never break under normal conditions.
Warning: There is one acid that will
severely etch, pit and dull a polished granite surface. This acid is known as
Hydrofluoric acid (HF) and is found in many rust removers. If you have
experienced etching on granite surfaces, and you are using such a product, you
may want to check the label and see if it contains Hydrofluoric acid. If it
does, the granite may need to be repaired.
Unlike laminates and solid-surface
materials, a hot frying pan has little if no effect on granite's
mirror-like finish. The hardness of granite makes it almost impervious to
abrasions, stains, and extreme heat.
Yes. For residential applications,
there is a 10-year, limited installed warranty against defects during
installation. Click
here for Granite Certified by Countertop Stop Warranty.
There is usually no granite left over from a
sink cutout. The granite for the cutouts is generally destroyed in the process
of creating the cutout. Large diameter drills are used together with diagonal
saw cuts to remove the cutout.
Yes granite has natural pits and fissures. Some
types of granite have more of such characteristics than other types, and pits
can be minimized by applying sealer to the surface of the counter.
Because granite is a natural material and is
mined from the quarry in blocks usually no more than 10? long, you will most
likely 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 will not be as apparent as a larger varied
grain. A dark color will be less apparent than a light color. A dramatic
pattern with swaths of color will show more seams than a uniform pattern. Most
customers have found that the beauty of natural granite outweighs the concern
of seams.
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 sea bed. Both solidify
into stone after millions of years but the mineral composition of the two
stones makes marble and granite react different to various chemicals and
household cleaners.
No, marble is not a good choice for a kitchen
countertop. Although it can be sealed, it is not as dense as granite and
therefore it is more porous and susceptible to being stained in a highly used
area like a kitchen. It is much softer and it will chip and crack under
frequent use.
