FAQs

 

Q: Where does granite come from?
A: Granite is quarried all over the world. However, most of the granite that is imported to the United States is from India, Brazil, Italy and China.

 

Q: What is granite?
A: Granite rocks are igneous rocks also known as "fire rocks" which were formed by slowly cooling pockets of magma that were trapped beneath the earth's surface.  Granite is the hardest of all building stones with a very close grain, making it almost impervious to stain and uniquely applicable for any interior use.  If polished, it's high-gloss finish will endure even in harsh environments.  These characteristics are ideal for countertops and flooring making granite a reliable stone for these applications.

 

Q: Will my granite look like the picture online?
A: The samples you see on the computer have been scanned and saved as digital images. The color tones may not be absolutely correct due to variations in computer systems, monitors and compression algorithms. Also, granite is a natural material with naturally occurring variations in color, tone, granularity, pattern, etc. These variations are expected and are the source of its natural beauty.

 

Q: Can granite crack?
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.

 

Q: Is granite repairable?
A: It is very hard to damage granite. If any damage occurs it can be sealed with a mixture of epoxy and ground up chips of granite. The Granite Shop does indeed provide granite repair services, if needed.

 

Q: What do I use to clean granite?
A: A neutral stone cleaner can be found in just about any local store or supermarket. This should be used instead of soap and water as these products help protect the seal so it lasts longer.

 

Q: Can I place hot items directly on my granite countertop?
A: Yes. Granite will tolerate temperatures in excess of 1200 degrees (F.). You can safely place items from your oven/stove top or grill directly on the granite without a trivet or hot pad. WARNING: Due to the extreme temperature differences, hot glass dishes may crack when placed on the cool surface of the granite; this is known as thermal shock. For this reason alone glass or Pyrex® dishes should be placed on a trivet or hot pad.

 

Q: I left a cold drink on my granite top and now there is a dark ring. What do I do?
A: Nothing. Just as the cold liquid inside the glass pulled water from the air to create sweat on the outside of the glass, the cold has condensed water (under the sealer) within the stone. Simply remove the glass; wipe up excess water, the condensed water with in the stone will dissipate after a few hours.

 

Q: Can I use my granite counter top as a cutting board?
A: Yes, though not recommended. Regular steel knives are no match for the hardness of granite and your knives will dull; so you’ll need to sharpen your knives much more frequently.

 

Q: Does my countertop get sealed? Is there an extra charge?
A: Every natural stone surface we install is promptly sealed following installation right at the job site. Our sealer lasts 10 years with proper maintenance and there is no extra charge for application.