Granite and marble are creations of nature that have a unique natural beauty that have been used in architecture throughout the ages. Each piece is unique and matchless. Even a single granite or marble slab will possess a certain amount of color variation from one end to the other. These slight irregularities are what will make your project unique and different from any other.
Marble is typically used for bathroom vanity tops, Jacuzzi tops and fireplaces. It is not usually recommended for kitchen countertops due to the fact that it is easy to scratch and acidic substances such as vinegars, beverages, etc. can affect it. Also, the high-gloss of the marble countertop may be partially lost as many chemicals etch its surface.Granite, however, is considered the second hardest stone. It is also not affected by typical kitchen heat such as hot pans.
Since stone surfaces are quite porous they will absorb liquids, which may result in discoloring and staining. Although there are many commercial grade products available on the market that may bring the stone back to its original luster, taking simple precautions and regular maintenance can save a lot of trouble and cost. All granite and marble countertops are sealed during fabrication. The sealer penetrates the stone clogging most of its pores making it any liquid difficult to penetrate through the surface. It is recommended that your marble should be sealed once a year and your granite should be sealed once every couple of years. If the countertops are heavily used, it is recommended that you seal more often.
Granite may be cleaned with a mild phosphate-free, biodegradable liquid dish soap, soap flakes or powder, which contains aromatics. Granite should always be cleaned and sealed with cleaning products specifically designed for natural stone. No harsh detergents or chlorine should be used while cleaning the stone.
It is not recommended to cut directly on the surface but cutting on your Granite countertops will not harm your granite. The only thing that cuts granite is diamonds.
Granite is a very durable stone. Granite is the most widely used stone for counters in the present and the past from commercial and residential. It will withstand almost any element it comes up against including cold and heat. Because of its crystalline structure, granite can chip if subjected to sharp hard objects. A chip can be filled with epoxy mixture. Heat from pots and pans or burning liquids will not harm granite under normal conditions.
Granite is formed by extreme heat and pressure over millions of years. It cannot be affected by heat from a cook top or frying pan. Granite will not burn with ordinary use. It is perfectly ok to set hot pots or pans directly from the stove or oven onto granite.
In general, no. All stone, however, is porous to some extent, but granite has very little porosity. Our granite is sealed before installation and with proper maintenance staining should not be a problem.
The usual length of a slab of granite is around 10 feet long so you may have a seam. It is extremely important that the installers are experienced when making a seam. Creating a seam with the appropriate color scheme comes with experience as well as excellent craftsmanship.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has no records of granite absorbing bacteria. With a regular cleaning, granite is far less likely to support bacteria than butcher block or even laminated materials.
The standard thickness is 1 ¼” but it is available in ¾”. For kitchens, the recommended thickness is 1 ¼”.
Investing in natural stone countertops was considered a luxury but with improved stone-working technology, granite countertops a very affordable compared with manmade hard surface materials. Natural stone surfaces also add value to your home if resold.