Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

How is Granite formed?

Granite is an igneous rock of visible crystalline formation and texture, composed primarily of feldspar, quartz, and mica. Granite begins as liquid magma deep within the earth’s core, where it’s cooled and compressed over millions of years under tons of pressure. We locate fine stone sources from the world’s best quarries. Fabricators cut and polish the granite to the beautiful lustre you expect to see in fine stone.

How is Granite formed?

Granite, which is crystalline in its structure, always has tiny spaces between the various mineral crystals. 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 that formed the granite originally. 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 man-made.

How are seams made ?

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 smoothed, leaving only a very thin line visible.

Do Granite seams show ?

This specific subject comes up a lot because people are usually dissatisfied with the seams in their slabs. Because granite is a natural material and is mined from the quarry in blocks usually no more than 10 feet 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.

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 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. The homeowner is responsible for sealing tiled granite countertops. Heat from pots and pans or burning liquids will not affect granite under normal circumstances.

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. It is very important that the
homeowner seals the granite surface & grout at least every year.

Can I set a hot pot on my granite countertop ?

Granite is formed by a combination of extreme heat and pressure, and thus 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.

Can Granite chip ?

Only in cases of severe 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. They can be used to fix the countertop so that no one will be able to tell it was ever chipped.

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.
Cleaning & Maintenance

I have tried some kind of cleaner that didn’t work and there are spots. How do I clean my Granite tops ?

For regular cleaning, we recommend a specially formulated stone cleaner. For occasional cleaning or to bring back any lost luster, polish preserver is a good choice. On occasion, although granite is very solid and nearly non-porous, spills left on the surfaces for an extended period can leave some residual staining – even when sealed properly. Most stains usually dissipate over time on their own.

Is it necessary to seal Natural Stone ?

All unsealed stone, even granite, is porous to some degree and absorbs stains over time. Some stones are more porous than others, so it is important to use a penetrating sealer to prevent oil, wine, or other liquid stains from soaking into the surface. Consult with your fabricator for more information on natural stone sealers.

Sealing Natural Stone – How often ?

You should seal the stone after six months and again a year after installation. After the one year anniversary granite should be sealed once a year.

Is Natural Stone easy to seal ?

Sealing Natural Stone is easier than polishing furniture. Simply spray on the sealer and wipe it off with a soft cloth. There is no scrubbing or buffing involved and a quart of sealant will last you a lifetime.

The Beauty of Natural Stone in Your Home

 

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