In this
section, we have tried to answer some of
the most commonly asked questions, in a short, but detailed manner. If you do not find the answer to your
question, please contact us. It will be
our pleasure, in assisting you.
What is the difference between Granite & Engineering Stone (Quartz)?
The main difference between Quartz and Granite, is that Quartz is an engineered product consisting of 96-98% quartzite and 2-4% of polymers. Due to the engineering of Quartz, the coloring is much more accurate and consistency from one countertop to the other. Granite is mined straight from the earth and has varied beauty differing from one slab to the next.
Quartz requires no sealers or special cleaning, mild soap is all you need. But unlike Granite, because of the same % of polymers, it cannot outstand any direct form of heat.
Cutting on Quartz (or) Granite remains the same, under normal circumstances will not scratch, but will dull your knife.
Granite and Marble, How are they different?
Marble is a metamorphic rock. It was once limestone, but over time, the combination of intense heat and pressure caused the limestone to re-crystallize. Foreign substances entering the stone during this process creates an infinite variety of colors, asters, and veining.
Granite is an igneous rock, which means that at one time during its development, it was melted like volcanic lava. Unlike lava, however, this melted (or molten) rock never reached the surface. It remained trapped below the earths surface, where it slowly cooled and crystallized, resulting in, speckled stone that varies with veining and ranges in many different colors.
Should I use Granite or Marble for my kitchen counter tops?
Although typical application of marble is for bathroom vanity tops, bath contours, shower walls, and fireplaces, it is possible to use it in the kitchen. However, we don’t recommend it due to the fact that it is easy to scratch and can be etched by acidic substances, such as vinegar solutions. The high gloss of the marble countertop can be partially lost as many chemicals etch its surface. Granite in turn is considered the second hardest stone, its polish is not subject to etching by household acids, or scratching by knives, pots and pans under normal use. It is also not affect by typical kitchen heat such as hot pans.
Is it necessary to seal stone?
Since most mineral surfaces are 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 is original luster, taking simple precautions and regular maintenance can save a lot of trouble and cost. All of our marble an granite tops are sealed immediately after they are installed. The impregnating substance penetrates the stone clogging most of its pores making it quite impervious to alcohol, juices, soft drinks, cosmetics, cleaners, coffee, food and even out. With the course of time, depending on how heavily the tops are used, the sealer gets worn 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 shoud re-seal your marble every six months and your granite every 12 to 24 months. For best results, it is recommended to use the same sealer which was used initially. You can obtain it from our company.
What is the best way to clean natural stone surfaces?
The best way to clean stone countertops is to use our company’s daily cleaner. It’s a safe and effective way of removing stubborn dirt and grime while revitalizing and sealing the surface. This cleaner can be purchased from Unique Stone Granite & Marble. An old and inexpensive method of cleaning granite tops is to use war water mixed with dish detergent. It is important though, to make sure that the surface is thoroughly rinsed afterwards, to prevent soap scum buildup.
Can I cut on my countertop?
If your countertop is made of granite, you can. Granite is extremely hard and can withstand even the sharpest knives. It’s not a good thing for you knives. They can get dull in as little as one use. We recommend using a wooden cutting board. Other stones are not as resistant to scratching and so we do not recommend cutting on them.
Can damaged piece of stone be repaired?
If any damage occurs it can usually be fixed with a mixture of epoxy an ground up chips of stone. In most cases the repair is had to spot.
Do seams show?
Because granite is a natural material and is mined from the quarry in blocks usually no more than 10ft long, you will most likely end up with seams. Also, you may want to use seams to reduce your costs, such as in bath and Jacuzzi surround fabricated with seams, as opposed to a single piece. 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.
Are some edge profiles better than others?
lthough most edge profiles have similar general characteristics, there are differences which can have an effect on daily usage. One concern is durability. Edges with smooth, rounded profiles tend to be more resistant to chipping. Another aspect of edge performance is ease of cleaning. Edge profiles which feature sharp creases, tend to collect dust and grime and are tedious to keep clean. The Full Bullnose edge, because of its roundness tends to carry spills over to the cabinet surfaces which may, over time, lead to damage to the cabinets, especially around the sink area. Also, because the bottom edge is rounded, it is not visible when viewed from above, and makes the countertop appear thinner., which is usually not a desirable effect. On the other hand, parents of small children may consider the rounded bottom edge to be safer.
Can Granite surfaces be damaged?
Like any solid surface, high impact blows can harm granite. Because of its crystalline structure, it can chip if subjected to sharp tipped hard objects. Unsealed, granite can absorb stains such as oil, which can ultimately cause dark spots or discoloration. Fortunately, under typical household use, granite is not subjected to such events. Also, heat from pots and pans or burning liquids will not affect granite under normal circumstances. P.N. HOT oil can be damaging and discolor your granite permanently.
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. We can use them to fix the countertop, so that no one will be able to tell it was ever chipped.
Does granite crack?
No, not with regular use. Granite is most susceptible to cracks during shipping and installation. Normal use will not overstress this durable material.
Does Granite stain?
Most natural stones are porous to some degreee. 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 willl then dry up and no evidence will show. Only a few colors demonstrate this trait. Our installers will seal the countertops after they are installed.
Is Granite expensive?
The cost of granite counters can vary a lot depending on the color, edge profile and custom shapes used in the layout. Our pricing is very competitive and hard to surpass when you consider the total value of our services.
Can you level my Cabinets?
Unique Stone Granite & Marble does not engage in any carpentry work, so all cabinets must be fully installed an leveled, prior to templating.
Can I buy a Slab somewhere else and have you fabricate it?
With approval from the production manager, we can fabricate slabs from outside sources, however, since we have no information on the soundness of the stone, we take NO responsibility for any problems arising during Fabrication.
How long do I have to wait until I can use my countertops after they are installed?
The countertops can be used immediately upon the completion of the installation process. The sink however, should not be used for 24 hours after the installation, to allow the epoxy which holds it to cure.
What is the difference between Granite & Engineering Stone (Quartz)?
The main difference between Quartz and Granite, is that Quartz is an engineered product consisting of 96-98% quartzite and 2-4% of polymers. Due to the engineering of Quartz, the coloring is much more accurate and consistency from one countertop to the other. Granite is mined straight from the earth and has varied beauty differing from one slab to the next.
Quartz requires no sealers or special cleaning, mild soap is all you need. But unlike Granite, because of the same % of polymers, it cannot outstand any direct form of heat.
Cutting on Quartz (or) Granite remains the same, under normal circumstances will not scratch, but will dull your knife.
Granite and Marble, How are they different?
Marble is a metamorphic rock. It was once limestone, but over time, the combination of intense heat and pressure caused the limestone to re-crystallize. Foreign substances entering the stone during this process creates an infinite variety of colors, asters, and veining.
Granite is an igneous rock, which means that at one time during its development, it was melted like volcanic lava. Unlike lava, however, this melted (or molten) rock never reached the surface. It remained trapped below the earths surface, where it slowly cooled and crystallized, resulting in, speckled stone that varies with veining and ranges in many different colors.
Should I use Granite or Marble for my kitchen counter tops?
Although typical application of marble is for bathroom vanity tops, bath contours, shower walls, and fireplaces, it is possible to use it in the kitchen. However, we don’t recommend it due to the fact that it is easy to scratch and can be etched by acidic substances, such as vinegar solutions. The high gloss of the marble countertop can be partially lost as many chemicals etch its surface. Granite in turn is considered the second hardest stone, its polish is not subject to etching by household acids, or scratching by knives, pots and pans under normal use. It is also not affect by typical kitchen heat such as hot pans.
Is it necessary to seal stone?
Since most mineral surfaces are 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 is original luster, taking simple precautions and regular maintenance can save a lot of trouble and cost. All of our marble an granite tops are sealed immediately after they are installed. The impregnating substance penetrates the stone clogging most of its pores making it quite impervious to alcohol, juices, soft drinks, cosmetics, cleaners, coffee, food and even out. With the course of time, depending on how heavily the tops are used, the sealer gets worn 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 shoud re-seal your marble every six months and your granite every 12 to 24 months. For best results, it is recommended to use the same sealer which was used initially. You can obtain it from our company.
What is the best way to clean natural stone surfaces?
The best way to clean stone countertops is to use our company’s daily cleaner. It’s a safe and effective way of removing stubborn dirt and grime while revitalizing and sealing the surface. This cleaner can be purchased from Unique Stone Granite & Marble. An old and inexpensive method of cleaning granite tops is to use war water mixed with dish detergent. It is important though, to make sure that the surface is thoroughly rinsed afterwards, to prevent soap scum buildup.
Can I cut on my countertop?
If your countertop is made of granite, you can. Granite is extremely hard and can withstand even the sharpest knives. It’s not a good thing for you knives. They can get dull in as little as one use. We recommend using a wooden cutting board. Other stones are not as resistant to scratching and so we do not recommend cutting on them.
Can damaged piece of stone be repaired?
If any damage occurs it can usually be fixed with a mixture of epoxy an ground up chips of stone. In most cases the repair is had to spot.
Do seams show?
Because granite is a natural material and is mined from the quarry in blocks usually no more than 10ft long, you will most likely end up with seams. Also, you may want to use seams to reduce your costs, such as in bath and Jacuzzi surround fabricated with seams, as opposed to a single piece. 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.
Are some edge profiles better than others?
lthough most edge profiles have similar general characteristics, there are differences which can have an effect on daily usage. One concern is durability. Edges with smooth, rounded profiles tend to be more resistant to chipping. Another aspect of edge performance is ease of cleaning. Edge profiles which feature sharp creases, tend to collect dust and grime and are tedious to keep clean. The Full Bullnose edge, because of its roundness tends to carry spills over to the cabinet surfaces which may, over time, lead to damage to the cabinets, especially around the sink area. Also, because the bottom edge is rounded, it is not visible when viewed from above, and makes the countertop appear thinner., which is usually not a desirable effect. On the other hand, parents of small children may consider the rounded bottom edge to be safer.
Can Granite surfaces be damaged?
Like any solid surface, high impact blows can harm granite. Because of its crystalline structure, it can chip if subjected to sharp tipped hard objects. Unsealed, granite can absorb stains such as oil, which can ultimately cause dark spots or discoloration. Fortunately, under typical household use, granite is not subjected to such events. Also, heat from pots and pans or burning liquids will not affect granite under normal circumstances. P.N. HOT oil can be damaging and discolor your granite permanently.
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. We can use them to fix the countertop, so that no one will be able to tell it was ever chipped.
Does granite crack?
No, not with regular use. Granite is most susceptible to cracks during shipping and installation. Normal use will not overstress this durable material.
Does Granite stain?
Most natural stones are porous to some degreee. 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 willl then dry up and no evidence will show. Only a few colors demonstrate this trait. Our installers will seal the countertops after they are installed.
Is Granite expensive?
The cost of granite counters can vary a lot depending on the color, edge profile and custom shapes used in the layout. Our pricing is very competitive and hard to surpass when you consider the total value of our services.
Can you level my Cabinets?
Unique Stone Granite & Marble does not engage in any carpentry work, so all cabinets must be fully installed an leveled, prior to templating.
Can I buy a Slab somewhere else and have you fabricate it?
With approval from the production manager, we can fabricate slabs from outside sources, however, since we have no information on the soundness of the stone, we take NO responsibility for any problems arising during Fabrication.
How long do I have to wait until I can use my countertops after they are installed?
The countertops can be used immediately upon the completion of the installation process. The sink however, should not be used for 24 hours after the installation, to allow the epoxy which holds it to cure.
