Granite FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Granite, Quartz, And Marble
Q: Are Granite Counter tops absorbent?
A: Granite qualifies as impervious to water and is actually less absorbent than some solid surface (plastic) products. Granite is commonly used as building material for high-rise buildings due to its ability to withstand gale force finds and rain.
Q: Do Counter tops stain easily?
A: Granite is resistant to stains. Generally, any liquid spilled on a granite top, if wiped up within a few minutes, will not stain. However, even water can soak into a granite counter top and leave a dark colored spot but this will evaporate in minutes. Liquids that do not evaporate, such as oils will cause stains if left to soak into the stone.
Q: Are Stains on Granite Counter tops Permanent?
A: Most stains can be removed. Even oil stains can usually be removed using a poultice or paste that will draw out the oil from the stone.
Q: Can a Granite Counter top lose its Polish over the Years?
A: While this may be true of marble, granite will shine years from now just as if it was brand new. Granite is highly scratched resistant and will not show wear from daily use.
Q. Will Heat Cause a Granite Kitchen Counter top to Chip and Crack?
A: Granite is heat resistant and can withstand the heat of hot pots and pans without damage. Impact from a heavy object may chip granite but heat from anything short of a blow torch will not affect your counter top.
Q: Aren’t Granite Counters Heavy?
A: At 16 pounds per square foot (3 cm) and the average kitchen having 65 square feet of counter top space, a kitchen full of granite would weigh over 1,000 pounds. That’s why we do the installation for you.
Q: Are Granite and Marble Essentially the Same?
A: Besides the fact they are both natural stones and can be polished, they are otherwise very different. Marble is generally a calcium stone, formed from oceanic deposits and then compressed under pressure (metamorphosed). Granite, however is an igneous rock, essentially molten magma, which is cooled and then hardened below the earth’s surface.
Q: Aren’t Granite Counter Tops Expensive?
A: Granite is usually competitively priced compared to other high-end surfacing materials. You will be amazed when you compare the price of granite to other popular famed “luxury surfaces”. Granite offers you an unmatched value with it’s natural beauty, elegance and longevity.
Q: Can I Cut On My Granite or Quartz Counter Top?
A: Only if you want to ruin your good knives. Granite and quartz are harder than steel, and you will dull knives very quickly if you use the counter top as a cutting surface. Always cut and chop on a wooden or plastic cutting board.
Q: Can I Place Hot Pots and Pans on My Granite or Quartz Counter Top?
A: Granite is nearly impervious to typical kitchen cooking temperatures, though you may wish to avoid any risk of damage by using hot-pads or trivets. Quartz surfaces such as Caesarstone and Zodiac are tolerant of heat up to 300F, so you’ll want to use more care around them with very hot cooking surfaces.
Q: Is Your Granite “Pre-Fab”? Will You be Creating a Lot of Mess in My House or Driveway?
A: JPS Marble and Granite is a custom fabricator of granite, quartz and marble counter tops. We generally work with full sized “slabs” of material (approx. 5-6 ft. high by 9-10 ft. long) and 3 cm (about 1-1/4″) thick. This means every counter top is custom-tailored specifically to your kitchen design, minimizing the amount of seams and mazimizing the beauty! We do nearly all of the “messy” fabrication work in our factory , with the exception of small finishing work on-site to make your counters just right. You are guaranteed professional results from the initial design through fabrication and final installation.
Q: Why Do You Specialize in Using 3 cm Slabs? What is the Advantage of 3 cm vs 2 cm?
A: Using 3 cm slabs of granite and quartz allows us to produce an attractive edge profile without the process of “laminating”, or gluing an extra piece on the edges, which creates a seam, and adds significantly to the labor costs. 3 cm slabs can also cantilever (overhang) farther than 2 cm without requiring plywood or other support.
Q: Will My Counter Top have visible seams?
A: Most kitchen counter top installations will require at least one or more joints called seams. During layout and design, JPS Marble and Granite will always try to minimize the number of seams required, and to locate seams in places which make them less conspicuous. JPS Marble and Granite Installers are trained to color-match the joint filler material to enhance their appearance. Seams are created with a permanent, maintenance-free epoxy material, NOT like the tile grout in any way!
Q: Are There Special Cleaning Requirements for Granite and Quartz?
A: Maintenance of granite and quartz surfaces is easy. For daily cleaning, a non-abrasive dish washing liquid is recommended. Although granite is very solid and nearly non-porous, spills left on the surfaces for an extended time period may leave some residual staining – even if sealed properly. Most stains usually dissipate over time on their own. Quartz surfaces such as Caesarstone and Zodiac are billed as “maintenance-free” and do not require sealing – otherwise they feature the same ease of daily cleaning as granite. Marble, because of its mineral makeup, reuires a bit more care and maintenance, although in a bathroom which is where we typically install marble surfaces, there are few issues.
Q: How Often Do I Need to Re-Apply Stone Sealer to Granite?
A: We applied sealer on your counter tops before we install them and it is guaranteed for (5) years. After then we recommend you to buy our sealer then apply it to your counter top by simply spraying it on, let it soak in for about 5 – 10 minutes and wipe it away with a clean towel. Quartz surfaces do not require any sealing.
