What do I need to consider when buying marble or granite?
Being natural stones, marble and granite have been blessed with remarkable characteristics that have captivated humans throughout the ages. Inherent in such natural products is a certain lack of predictability that architects and designers celebrate. Consumers who are less acquainted with the material expect the stone ordered to be identical to a picture or sample they were shown. Although sample stones are intended to be representative of the quarry’s product, the material quarried at one time may differ slightly in color and veining from the sample. Moreover, even a single marble or granite slab will possess a certain amount of color variation from one end to the other. Interior designers and architects have come to view this tendency of natural stone as an advantage. Slight irregularities can be pleasing, introducing an element of the natural into human-designed spaces, whether residential or commercial.
What is the difference between granite and marble?
Although both are stones and quarried from the earth, granite and marble (and marble’s relatives –limestone, onyx and travertine) are very different from each other. Granite is formed deep in the earth’s mantle at extremely high temperatures. It is a very hard, resistant stone made of crystallized minerals. The marble family –limestone, travertine, marble, onyx – start out as sediment – animal skeletons and shells, plant matter, silt – at the bottom of bodies of water. After millions of years this solidifies (lithifies) into stone. Because its main component is calcium, it can be affected by acids such as vinegar and citrus.
Can granite crack?
Not with ordinary use. Granite is most susceptible to cracks during shipping and installation. Normal use will not overstress this durable material. Normal use does not include standing on the counter or dropping heavy objects like a hammer on the surface.
Is it necessary to seal stone?
All stone, even granite is porous to some extent and will absorb moisture over time. Some stones are more porous than others, so it is important to use an impregnating sealer to prevent stains from oil, wine, or other liquids from penetrating into the surface. We seal all our stone tops with a commercial sealer before they are delivered. We also have a 15 year warranty sealer that can be applied for additional cost.
How long will it take for installation once my countertops are fabricated?
This depends on the project and how ready the area is for installation, but generally for a typical kitchen the length of install time is approximately 2-4 hours. Time can vary if the project is more extensive or dismantle and removal of old counters is required.
Where does your stone come from?
Our stone is shipped to us from regions all over the world. Our stone can come from Brazil, India, Italy and throughout North America. All of our stone comes in raw slabs from the quarry and fully fabricated in our facility.
Do I have to buy the whole sheet/slab?
Slabs are usually only available to purchase as a whole and are not bought piecemeal. Although you can select your preferred slab at a local distributor, your fabricator is the one who buys the material and then sells you a completed installation. The fabricator’s price includes the cost of transport, visiting the site to take measurements, cutting the slab with professional machinery and then polishing it. Your fabricator is also responsible for delivering the pieces to your job site and fitting them into place. An excellent fabricator will lay out your job in a way that will minimize the amount of waste material while maximizing the natural beauty of veining and pattern.
What is the best way to clean marble and other stones?
The old rule of thumb is never to use anything you wouldn’t use on your hands. Never use powdered cleansers or abrasive pads to clean your natural stone countertop. Even “soft scrub” type cleaners contain pumice, which is powdered volcanic stone, and might damage your stone. Clean your stone with lukewarm water and dry with a cotton rag.
Can my Granite countertop be damaged?
Like any solid surface, high impact blows can harm granite. Because of its crystalline structure, it can chip if subjected to hard blows with sharp hard objects. You should not stand or sit on your granite countertop. Heat from pots and pans or burning liquids will not affect granite under normal circumstances.
What is honed granite?
Granite is called “honed” when the polishing process is halted just before a reflective shiny surface is achieved. This gives a softer, matte appearance to the stone. We can have the capability to hone existing polished granite.
What is etching?
Etching happens when acid in some form comes in contact with a polished marble or limestone surface. This causes a chemical reaction which removes the polish, or roughens the surface of honed marble or limestone.
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.
Do my old countertops need to be removed before templating?
Unlike other fabricators, we can produce the template directly on your existing countertops. This means your current countertops do not need to be removed for the templating process which greatly reduces disruption in your home.
Does granite harbor bacteria?
Granite continues to be used and approved in food and medical applications. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has no reports of granite harboring bacteria, and has no reports of people becoming ill from bacteria in granite or harbored on its surface. With regular cleaning, granite is far less likely to support bacteria than butcher block or even laminated materials with top-mounted sinks. Granite countertops should be cleaned using simple warm water and mild soap.
Why do granite slabs look different from showroom samples or photos on your website?
Granite is a natural substance with variations created by the earth. The composition of minerals and the quarry it comes from play a part in the appearance of granite and natural stones. Just like natural planks of wood, stone veining, patterns and color appearance can vary from slab to slab.
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