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SHOULD I USE GRANITE OR MARBLE FOR MY KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS?
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, ketchups, citrus 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. Most granite is not subject to etching by household acids or scratching by knives and pots or pans under normal use. It is also not affected by typical kitchen heat such as hot pans. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO CLEAN GRANITE AND OTHER STONES? Granite is sealed before it is installed. This will ensure lasting life and beauty. 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. CAN I CUT ON MY GRANITE COUNTERTOP? Cutting on your Granite countertops will not harm your granite. Granite is actually harder than your knife and will quickly dull your blade. CAN MY GRANITE COUNTERTOP BE DAMAGED? Granite is a very durable stone. It is much harder than marble. Granite has been used in the past in the commercial industry and will withstand almost any element it comes up against including cold and heat. High impact blows can harm granite just like any other solid surface. Because of its crystalline structure, granite can chip if subjected to sharp hard objects. A chip can be filled with a granite dust and epoxy mixture. Granite that is not sealed properly may absorb stains such as oils, which may cause dark spots or discoloration. Heat from pots and pans or burning liquids will not harm granite under normal conditions. CAN I SET HOT POTS ON MY GRANITE COUNTERTOPS? Granite is formed by extreme heat and pressure combined beneath the earth’s crust. 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. CAN GRANITE CRACK? Not with ordinary use. Granite is most susceptible to cracks during shipping and installation. Normal use will not crack granite. WHAT DO I NEED TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A GRANITE COUNTERTOP? Granite is a natural stone. It is very hard and durable, heat and scratch resistant, as well as, easy to maintain. It is also very versatile in the design field. DOES GRANITE HARBOR BACTERIA? Granite continues to be used and approved in food and medical applications. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has no records of granite harboring bacteria, and has no reports of people becoming ill from bacteria in granite. With regular cleaning, granite is far less likely to support bacteria than butcher block or even laminated materials. WHAT IS THE APPROPRIATE THICKNESS FOR A GRANITE COUNTERTOP? Most countertops are 1 1/4″ thick. Some of those are 3/4". WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE GRANITE COUNTER TOPS OVER SYNTHETIC MATERIALS? Granite has become today’s countertop of choice for architects, cabinetmakers, kitchen designers and contractors. A granite countertop is virtually impervious to abrasions, stains and extreme heat. Additionally, the inherent qualities of granite — its color, patterns and shades — compliment any décor. CAN GRANITE BE REPAIRED? 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 the granite. WHAT IS ETCHING? Etching happens when acid in some form comes in contact with a polished marble or limestone surface. This causes a chemical reaction, which removes the polish, or roughens the surface of honed marble or limestone. Green marbles, such as the “jades” from China are resistant to etching, and granite is impervious to any common household acids. HOW ARE SEAMS MADE? Seams are made where two pieces of stone are put together. The seams are joined with an epoxy that is mixed with the color that matches the stone. Then the joined area is smoothened, leaving only a very thin line visible. IS IT NECESSARY TO SEAL STONE? 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. This 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 oils. Over time, depending on how heavily the tops are used, this sealer may wear off. It is recommended that your marble should be sealed at least once every six months and your granite should be sealed at least once a year. If the countertops are heavily used, it is recommended to seal them twice a year. HOW NOTICEABLE ARE SEAMS? If you have large glaring seams, it is a good sign of an amateur installer. Making seams look as insignificant as they do, comes with experience and planning. That being said, seams are still there, so we do an extensive job matching the seam epoxy color as close as possible, to ensure that it is the last thing people notice. Seams can be up to a 1/16″, but our work is impeccable. |
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