1. How many different textures are available in Natural stone? Polished: This is a shiny smooth finish. Honed: Semi-polished to a matte finish, but still completely smooth. Leather Finish: Brushed to a varied textured. 2. Can you use marble for a kitchen counter? Yes, however marble is a softer material than granite & needs more maintenance. It can be etched by acids. Since it is more porous than granite it is more susceptible to stains if not sealed on a regular basis. It is can also be scratched. These markings are what give the marble a worn used look. 3. What are the differences between 3/4″ and 1 1/4″ slab material for countertops? There is very little difference in the durability of one thickness over the other. The cost of the ¾” material is less, but the labor cost is more since most of the edges require lamination to build it up to 1 ½” thickness. The cost for 1 ½” material is more, but the labor cost is less since there is no need to laminate the edge. 4. What happens if I don’t need a whole slab? In most cases you still have to buy a whole slab but check with us as we may have off cuts-remnants which will be a less expensive alternative. 5. How often should my stone be resealed? Your stone should be re-sealed anywhere from every six months to a year. If water is making the stone darker, you need to re-seal the stone. Recommended sealers are available at our store. 6. What should I use to clean my stone? Warm water or a pH neutral cleaner. Acid or alkaline products can seriously damage some stones & is not recommended. We sell a non toxic organic sealer. 7. What is the difference between natural stone and quartz-based countertop material? Engineered stone popularly known as quartz is harder than granite and is made by mixing and compressing natural quartz derived from granite and epoxy resins to create a hard wearing and stain-impervious surface. Granite is an igneous rock, hard and tough, however as it is porous and needs to be periodically sealed. 8. Why is there mesh on the back of some slabs? Does this mean those slabs aren’t good quality or does it make them cheaper? Some slabs have a mesh glued to the back so that during shipping and fabrication they don’t break. Once they are installed, they are perfectly fine 9. What makes one material more expensive than another? Some of the factors that go into establishing the costs are transportation, labor and conditions of how the material was quarried. Some material contains precious or semi-precious stones and is typically more expensive. 10. Do granite countertops have seams? Seams are necessary at times based on the size of the slab. However what sets us apart from other fabricators is how well we join the pieces together. They are very tight & color matched designed in a manner that minimizes their visibility.
