In this section we have tried to answer some of the most commonly asked questions in a short, but detailed manor. If you do not find the answer to your question please contact us , we would love the opportunity to help you. You may also like to try to find your answers by following a few of our informative links .

 

Granite and marble. How are they different?

Marble is a metamorphic rock. It was once limestone, but over time, the combination of intense heat and pressure caused the limestone to re-crystallize. Foreign substances often entered the stone during this process, creating an infinite variety of colors, asters, and veining. Marble is a lot like snowflakes, no two pieces are exactly alike.

Granite is an igneous rock, which means that at one time during its development, it was melted like volcanic lava. Unlike lava, however, this melted (or molten) rock never reached the surface. It remained trapped inside, where it slowly cooled and crystallized, resulting in a very uniform, speckled stone that ranges in color from black and gray tones to pinks, browns, and reds.

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.

We recommend the use of STONETECH Professional Products to maintain the beauty of your granite tops.

Can I cut on my granite countertops?

The only thing that will cut into or scratch granite is diamond or another piece of granite. You can rest assured that common kitchen knives and utensils are no match for the absolute hardness of a granite top. So do not worry about slicing on the countertop the only thing that can happen is you will dull your knives.

Can I set a hot pot on my granite countertops?

Granite is formed by extreme heat and pressure combined beneath the earths crust. It cannot 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.

How do you deal with sink and stove cutouts?

We have the ability to cut any sink or surface unit cutout with computer aided design files. Undermount sinks (sinks that are mounted under that countertop so as not to show any rim) are fully cut out, and then the inside of the hole is polished. Although we use machines for the initial polishing - The final polishing is all done by hand for a flawless finish.