Q: Are Granite countertops sanitary?(Back to Top) A:Once
upon a time . . there was a report circulating that granite countertops
were unsafe, harbor bacteria and can produce disease. This is absolutely
FALSE, NIOSH and the CDC have no reports of granite or any other
stone used as a countertop as being unsanitary. These rumors are circulated
by the Solid Surface Industry in an attempt to compete with the Stone
Industry.
Q: Do I have to buy the whole sheet/slab?(Back to Top) A:Slabs are always sold
intact. Buying random slabs is similar to buying fabric. Like a seamstress
or tailor, your fabricator buys the raw material and sells you a completed
installation. In the price is included the cost of transporting the
material, making field measurements and templates, cutting, polishing,
bringing the pieces to your job site and fitting them into place. How
much material he needs is determined by the layout and the amount of
waste. The 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.
Q: Will my countertops have
seams? (Back to Top) A:
Due to the limitation of slab size, seams on a granite countertop are
necessary and sometimes unavoidable. A good place to incorporate seams
is near sinks or cook tops. This will help to cover most of the seam-leaving
a minimum amount in view. You may also want to consider putting seams
where cabinets change direction or using forty-five or ninety-degree
angles. This application often works well because the human eye has
to adjust to the change in direction making the seem less noticeable.
The visibility of seams will depend on the granularity, color and pattern.
But relax. Our sales associates will help to explain the seam process
in further detail to you. Also for clarification, take a look at the
kitchen displays we have throughout the showroom. Most contain seams
and most of these are close to unnoticeable.
Granite
Q: What
is granite?(Back to Top) A: The term "granite" is
used to cover a group of related stones, all of which have their origin
deep in the earth's molten mantle. As this extremely hot liquid material
rises and cools, it forms a crystalline, granular structure, hence the
term granite. Granite and other granite-like stones are formed of hard
minerals such as quarts, feldspar and mica, which are fused together
into a very hard stone ideal for kitchen counters because its polish
is resistant to household acids such as citrus and vinegar and is hard
enough to resist scratching from knives and pots and pans.
Q: How should I care for my marble or granite?(Back to Top) A:
Daily and weekly maintenance is the most important factor to keep your
natural stone looking its best. A good rule of thumb is never use anything
that you wouldn't use on your hands. Simply follow the instructions
below:
Blot
spills immediately.
Clean
with a pH-balanced cleaner and clean cloth. The term "pH" refers to
the potential of Hydrogen, and is used to measure the acidity or alkalinity
of a solution. A pH balanced cleaner will be a neutral solution, meaning
that it will measure a 7 on the pH scale of 0-14.
You
may also use a stone cleaner (available at most hardware stores) or
a small amount of ordinary dish soap (white or clear) and water to
wipe down your surface. Diluted window cleaner (50% water, 50% cleaner)
also works well. Do not use old kitchen sponges, they may contain
oil from your dishes and leave a film on your surface.
Squeegee
shower walls daily.
Wipe
down shower walls weekly with pH-balance cleaning solution.
Q: What is the difference between "honed" and "polished"
granite?(Back to Top) A:
"Honed" and "Polished" refer to the finish of the granite. The finish
of honed granite will range from flat to a low sheen gloss, which gives
the stone a softer look. Polished granite refers to the glossy, highly
reflective appearance, giving it a smooth, sleek look.
Q: Can I cut on my granite
countertop?(Back to Top) A: 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. Hardness is measured on a MOH
scale of 1 to 10, with ten being the hardest, and granite is a seven
a stainless steel knife blade is around a six, so you cannot scratch
granite with it.
Q: What’s the difference between
marble and granite?(Back to Top) A: Although
both are stones and both are 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, and is a very hard, resistant stone made of crystallized
minerals. The marble family - limestone, travertine, marble, and onyx
- starts out as sediment - animal skeletons and shells, plant matter,
silt - at the bottom of bodies of water. After millions of years this
solidifies into stone. Because its main component is calcium, acids
such as vinegar and citrus beverages can affect it.
Q: Why is granite good for
kitchen counters?(Back to Top) A: Granite adds elegance and style to kitchens,
baths and other areas of the home with a richness that cannot be duplicated
in synthetic materials. Granite is highly resistant to scratching, cracking
and staining. Impervious to heat: daily kitchen activities pose no problem
and it can take a hot pot without the use of a trivet. Because granite is very
hard stone that's formed at very high temperatures deep in the earth,
its polish is not subject to etching by household acids, or scratching
by knives and pots and pans. Thus, making granite an ideal choice
for countertops.
Q: Can granite be damaged?(Back to Top) A: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. A
chip can be filled with a granite dust and epoxy mixture.
Q: What is flamed granite?(Back to Top) A:Granite is flamed by
applying blowtorch-strength heat to the surface of the stone. This causes
the surface to melt and some of the crystals to shatter, leaving a highly
textured surface which is ideal for exterior paving or wet areas where
optimum non-slipperiness is required.
Q: What is honed granite?(Back to Top) A:Strictly speaking, 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. Cold Spring uses a special process called "Velvet" which
enhances and deepens the colors as well. Some fabricators can hone polished
granite if they have special equipment to remove the polished surface,
but this can sometimes result in wheel marks from the polishing head.
Q: Granite samples sometimes look pitted and cracked,
will I have these on my kitchen counters?(Back to Top) A: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
that 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.
Q: Can granite crack?(Back to Top) A: 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 tops.
Q: Can you scratch granite?(Back to Top) A: Granite
is one of the hardest stones in the world. It is highly resistant to
scratching in ordinary use. A knife blade will not scratch granite.
It can only be scratched by another piece of granite or with specially
sharpened tools designed to work with granite like tungsten and diamond
blades.
Q: Does Granite stain?(Back to Top) A: In general,
no. All stone, however, is porous to some extent, but Granite has very
little porosity. A few colors may absorb some moisture with prolonged
contact compared to others. For example, a puddle of water left on the
counter, for some colors, may show a dark spot when the water is wiped
away. Usually, no evidence remains once the liquid is removed and the
granite dries. A stone sealer is highly recommended for all granite
after installation.
Q: Does granite burn?(Back to Top) A:
No. You can't burn granite with ordinary use. It is perfectly OK to
set hot pots or pans directly from the stove or oven onto granite.
Q: Will my granite look
like the sample?(Back to Top) A:
The samples you see on the computer may not be absolutely correct due
to variations in computer systems, monitors and software compression.
Marble and granite are natural stones created by the forces of nature.
They are composed of various minerals and are susceptible to wide variations
in color, texture, spotting, veining and cracking. These variations
are expected and are the source of its natural beauty.
Q: Can granite cantilever?
(Back to Top) A: You
can cantilever granite up to 12" 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
Q: What is marble?(Back to Top) A:True geological marble
is limestone that has been subjected to great pressure and heat, which
has changed its structure to a crystalline, sugary texture. It is generally
white or whitish, sometimes translucent, with some veining or color
provided by other minerals present at its formation. White Carrara,
Thassos, Colorado Yule and Bianco Rosa are true marbles. Commercially,
the term "marble" applies to any compact limestone that will take a
polish, which includes most of the colored marbles, except some of the
greens.
Q: Can I use marble on my
kitchen counters?(Back to Top) A:
We do not recommend the use of marble as kitchen counters because marbles
(and limestone and travertine) are calcium carbonate, and their 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.
Additionally, marble and limestone can be scratched more easily than
harder stones such as granite. Marble is, however, sometimes used in
the kitchen as a pastry slab; its perfectly smooth, cool surface is
ideal for rolling out dough and pie crusts.
Q: Does green marble require special treatment?(Back to Top) A:Some green stones, such
as the "jades" from Taiwan, are not truly marble, but a different material
called serpentinite. Serpentinites, or serpentines, as they are sometimes
called, do not etch or react to acids the way limestone and marble do,
and are somewhat harder. Green tiles of this family must always be installed
with an epoxy adhesive to prevent the curling that can take place if
a water-based setting material is used.
Q: What is honed marble or limestone and where is
can it be used?(Back to Top) A: Marble, travertine,
or limestone that is honed has a matte or satin finish, rather than
a high reflective polish. This is achieved at the factory by stopping
just short of the last stage of polishing. Some fabricators have special
equipment and can hone marble in their shops by removing the factory
polish. One feature of honed marble is that it doesn’t show etching
as readily, or wear patterns on floors. It is preferred by some because
it has a less formal, softer appearance than polished stone.
Q: What is etching?(Back to Top) A:
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.
Green marbles, such as the "jades" from China are resistant to etching,
and granite is impervious to any common household acids.
Q: What's the best way to
clean marble and other stones?(Back to Top) A:
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 stone.
Even "soft scrub" type cleaners contain pumice, which is powdered volcanic
stone, and might damage your stone countertops or floors. Never use
any product which is acidic; this includes substances like ammonia or
many common liquid cleaners such as Windex™.
You should always use sealers and cleaning products designed specifically
for natural stone
Q: How do I clean my marble?(Back to Top) A:
Daily and weekly maintenance is the most important factor to keep your
natural stone looking its best. A good rule of thumb is never use anything
that you wouldn't use on your hands. Simply follow the instructions
below:
Blot
spills immediately.
Clean
with a pH-balanced cleaner and clean cloth. . The term "pH" refers
to the potential of Hydrogen, and is used to measure the acidity or
alkalinity of a solution. A pH balanced cleaner will be a neutral
solution, meaning that it will measure a 7 on the pH scale of 0-14.
Use
a stone cleaner (available at most hardware stores) or a small amount
of ordinary dish soap (white or clear) and water to wipe down your
surface
Squeegee
shower walls daily.
Wipe
down shower walls weekly with pH-balance cleaning solution.
Never
use cleaning products containing harsh chemicals such as ammonia,
bleach or vinegar.
Marble
is very sensitive to acidic chemicals. The acid will "etch" the stone,
leaving it dull. Some common acidic materials are tomatoes, citrus
fruits, coffee, wine, fruit juice and vinegar.
Limestone/Travertine
Q: What is limestone?(Back to Top) A:
Limestone is sedimentary rock consisting mostly of organic material
such as skeletons and shells of marine creatures and sediments. It is
formed by material that settles to the bottom of bodies of water, and
over millions of years, solidifies into solid rock. Earth movements
over extremely long periods of earth’s history can lift limestone miles
into the air. The summit of Mount Everest is limestone that started
out on an ocean floor.
Q: What
is travertine? Is travertine the same as limestone?(Back to Top) A:Travertine is limestone,
in a sense. It is formed by geysers, like Old Faithful, when the extremely
hot underground water dissolves the underlying limestone and carries
it upwards with the geyser water. When the water falls to the ground
and evaporates, it leaves behind the dissolved limestone which re-hardens
into stone. Like Calistoga™ or
Perrier™ waters,
the new stone is full of gas bubbles, which give travertine its characteristic
appearance. When it is manufactured as tiles or slabs, travertine is
generally filled with cement and polished or honed.
Q: How do I clean my limestone or travertine ?(Back to Top) A:
Daily and weekly maintenance is the most important factor to keep your
natural stone looking its best. A good rule of thumb is never use anything
that you wouldn't use on your hands. Simply follow the instructions
below:
Blot
spills immediately.
Clean
with a pH-balanced cleaner and clean cloth. . The term "pH" refers
to the potential of Hydrogen, and is used to measure the acidity or
alkalinity of a solution. A pH balanced cleaner will be a neutral
solution, meaning that it will measure a 7 on the pH scale of 0-14.
Use
a stone cleaner (available at most hardware stores) or a small amount
of ordinary dish soap (white or clear) and water to wipe down your
surface
Squeegee
shower walls daily.
Wipe
down shower walls weekly with pH-balance cleaning solution.
Never
use cleaning products containing harsh chemicals such as ammonia,
bleach or vinegar.
Travertine
and limestone are very sensitive to acidic chemicals. The acid will
"etch" the stone, leaving it dull. Some common acidic materials are
tomatoes, citrus fruits, coffee, wine, fruit juice and vinegar.
Dust
mop (use a non-oil residue treated mop) or vacuum surface frequently.
Wet
mop floors by flooding a small section at a time with pH-balanced
cleaner and water. Allow to soak for several minutes then wipe with
a clean mop. Do not use a sponge mop, it will push dirty water into
the grout. Use a string mop and make sure to change the water frequently.
Q: Is limestone soft and chalky?(Back to Top) A:No, not at all. There
are some limestones such as Beauharnais that are very hard and dense,
nearly as hard and resistant as granite, and extremely non-porous. Keep
in mind, though, that these very hard limestones are still calcium-based
and, if polished, are subject to damage from household acids.
Q: What is onyx?(Back to Top) A:Onyx, like travertine,
is the result of water dissolving existing limestone and re-depositing
it as a new kind of stone, sometimes called sinter. In limestone caves,
onyx is formed by drip water, as stalagmites and stalactites. It is
a very soft stone, and somewhat brittle, and needs to be installed where
it will not be subject to hard wear. This beautiful stone is characterized
by its translucence, and can actually be backlit for striking, dramatic
effects.
Q: What
does "crosscut" mean?(Back to Top) A:"Crosscut"
refers to a particular way of slicing a block of stone. The traditional
way of cutting layered material such as Travertine is the "vein cut,"
similar to cutting with the grain of a piece of wood, so that the layers
of material appear as parallel stripes or layers. If the block is cut
across the grain, it yields a very different look, like cutting across
the grain of a piece of wood.
Q: To what does fleuri or fiorito refer?(Back to Top) A:Fleuri and fiorito are
the French and Italian words for "flowered," and refer to a way of slicing
blocks of some kinds of stone. It is sometimes used to mean the same
thing as "crosscut," because of the "flowers" that appear as the end
of veins. Technically, with bedded or layered material, a fleuri or
fiorito cut is with the bed, per the diagram, and the "flowers"
are the high and low spots of the beds.
Q: Is it necessary to seal
stone?(Back to Top) A:All stone, even granite, is porous to some
degree, and will absorb moisture over time. Some stones are more porous
than others, so it is important to use a penetrating sealer to prevent
stains from oil, wine, or other liquids from soaking into the surface.
Q: What is "tumbled" stone?(Back to Top) A:
Tumbled stone refers to the "distressed" texture achieved by tumbling
natural stones, giving the stone a worn, aged look
Q: What is “honed" stone?(Back to Top) A: Granite, Marble, or limestone that is honed
has a matte or satin finish, rather than a high reflective polish. A&S
Sales has special equipment and can hone all types of stone in our shops
by removing the factory polish. One feature of honed marble is that
it doesn't show etching as readily, or wear patterns on floors. It is
preferred by some because “honed" stone has a less formal, softer appearance
than polished stone.
Q: Can I use limestone in
my kitchen?(Back to Top) A: Like marble, we recommend avoiding the use
of limestone in kitchens. Polished limestone is highly susceptible to
surface changes or damage from kitchen acids including citrus juices,
vinegars, mustards, and so forth. Unsealed, some of the more porous
limestone can be subject to stains. If the limestone is polished or
semi-polished, you will see a rough spot where the substance sat on
the stone.
General
