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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, onyx, starts out as sediment,animal skeletons and shells, plant matter and silt at the bottom of bodies of water. After millions of years this solidifies (lithifies) into stone. Because its main component is calcium, it can be affected by acids such as vinegar and citrus beverages.

Granite is formed by extreme heat and pressure combined beneath the earths crust. It can not 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 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 smoothened, leaving only a very thin line visible.

How is Granite formed?

Granite is an igneous rock of visible crystalline formation and texture. It is composed primarily of feldspar, quartz, and mica. It starts off as liquid magma deep within the earth’s core where it is cooled and compressed over millions of years under tons of pressure. It is then quarried, cut and polished. After that process it can be applied in various ways like kitchen countertops, vanity tops, fireplace surrounds as well as Jacuzzi surrounds and other custom designs.

How do I address sink and stove cutouts?

Undermounted sinks (sinks that are mounted underneath so as not to show any rim) are fully cut and polished on the inside diameter. Sink rails are then rodded for additional support during transportation. Self rimming sinks are cut on site. Stove cutouts are typically done at install with few exceptions.

Do seams show?

Because granite is a natural material and is mined from the quarry in blocks usually no more than 10’ in length, you will more often than not have at least one seam. The visibility of seams will depend on the granularity, color and pattern. A small, uniform grain (such as Uba Tuba) will not be as apparent as a larger, varied grain (such as Peacock Green). A dark color will be less apparent than a light color. A dramatic pattern with swaths of color (Kinawa White, Jupuparana Lorean) will have a more defined seam than a uniform pattern (Dakota Mahogany). Most customers have found that the beauty of natural stone outweighs the concern for seams.

How do I clean my countertop?

Granite is a very durable stone. It is also 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 special impregnator on all of our natural stone products. This will insure lasting life and beauty. Polished granite should receive the same cleaning care as polished marble, preferably using specially formulated Cleaner or using a mild phosphate-free, biodegradable liquid dish-soap, soap flakes or powder which contains no aromatics. Followed by a thorough rinsing and drying with cotton-flannel or chamois. If you are going to go with just plain soap and water, keep in mind that this can lead to soap build up. This, in turn, will dull your countertop’s finish significantly and you don’t want that. Also, plain soap and water will not bring your countertop to a beautiful shine like our daily granite cleaner will. When using a granite cleaner, let it sit for about 30 seconds and then wipe it off well using a soft cloth. This will work best.

What do I need to consider when buying marble or granite?

Because it is a natural stone, marble -and more recently granite- has been blessed with a remarkable natural beauty that has captivated humans throughout the ages. Inherent in such natural products is a certain lack of predictability that sophisticated architects and designers celebrate. Consumers who are less acquainted with the material expect the marble ordered to be identical to the picture or sample they were shown. Although sample stones are intended to be representative of the quarry’s product, the material quarried at one time may differ slightly in color and veining from the sample. Moreover, even a single marble or granite slab will possess a certain amount of color variation from one end to the other. Interior designers and architects have come to view this tendency of natural stone as an advantage. Slight irregularities can be pleasing, introducing an element of the natural into human-designed spaces, whether residential or commercial.

Is it necessary to seal stone?

Since mineral surfaces are quite porous they absorb liquids, which may result in discoloring and staining. Although there are many commercial grade products available on the market which may bring the stone to its to its original luster, taking simple precautions and regular maintenance can save a lot of trouble and cost. All marble and granite tops are sealed immediately after they are installed. The impregnating substance penetrates the stone clogging most of its pores making its quite impervious to alcohol, juices, soft drinks, cosmetics, cleaners, coffee, food and even oil. With course of time, depending on how heavily the tops are used, the sealer gets washed out. The clear indication of this happening would be the fact that the liquids are easily absorbed into the stone leaving temporary (if promptly wiped off) stains. You should seal your marble every six months and your granite every year, at least.

What is the best way to clean marble and other stones?

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.

If I fax my drawing with dimensions to you how long do I have to wait for a quote?

Proposals for free quotes that are faxed over are given a 24 hour time frame. We will either call or fax over the estimate assuming that the contact information is provided to us in the original fax.

Is installation included in the quote?

Yes. The price of the installation, fabrication, delivery, templating,, sealing of the countertop, and the stone is defined in the sub total row.