FAQs
Granites & other Stones…
Is granite porous?
Yes, and no. Granite is polished. This creates a barrier and makes your counter top virtually impenetrable once it is sealed.
Will granite scratch or burn?
If you are really trying to scratch granite, you probably can, but in day to day usage, the answer is not. Granite can be used as a cutting board and still not scratch. You can place a hot pan directly from the oven placed on it without burning or cracking.
What makes granite the hardest building stone?
Granite is formed by solidification of liquid magma (molten rock) under the pressure of earth’s crust. It is composed of Feldspar, Quartz, Mica, and other minerals, making it one of the hardest stones in the world. It has been used for building and decorative purposes for centuries. Granite resists wear-and-tear applications remarkably well, making it ideal for interior or exterior flooring. When used outdoors, granite’s mineralogical structure is not influenced by freeze-thaw cycles. Granite tiles and slabs come in different thicknesses. The weight per square foot for each thickness is as follows:
- 3/4″(20mm) thick slab: 12.8 lbs. sq. ft.
- 1 1/4″(30mm) thick slab: 18 lbs sq. ft.
What is the difference between granite and marble?
The main difference between granite and marble is that granite is a highly dense material composed deep inside the earth is core while marble is formed from sediments under the seabed. Both solidify into stone after millions of years but the mineral composition of the two stones makes marble and granite react differently to various chemicals and household cleaners.
What is the difference between Granite, Corion, Zodiac?
Granite is natural stone, while Corion and Zodiac are manmade.
Why granite? Should I consider corian or silestone instead?
No. Corian and silestones are imitations of granite. Granite is a natural stone, while corian and silestones are man-made. Some silestone and corian salespeople discourage customers from getting granite claiming that the granite needs to be sealed frequently. This is untrue! Good quality granite does not need to be sealed more than once every three to five years and it takes less than ten minutes to reseal an average size kitchen. Moreover, most expensive houses have granite, not silestone or corian.
Where is granite found?
Granite is quarried from the earth with specialized equipment and machinery. It is found all over the world. A few parts of the world where granite is quarried: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, Finland, India, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Ukraine, USA, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Will granite burn?
Not usually. Granite can withstand heat up to 1200F.
What is a “high-movement” stone?
Different granites have different patterns or veining. Some stones rarely change in their tight quartz-like appearance, while others have veins that swirl and change irregularly. Since samples cannot give a good overall picture of a high-movement stone, it is wise to see the section prior to fabrication. For some, the unique pattern is intriguing and adds to the beauty of the stone. For others the effect can seem somewhat chaotic.
Will my granite have visible seams?
Most granite installations will require at least one or more joints called seams. During layout and design at Stone City, we will try to minimize the number of seams required. Additionally, the factory-machined edges fit together very tightly to help lessen the appearance of visible seams.
Do Granite seams show?
Because granite is a natural material and is mined from the quarry in blocks usually no more than 10? long, you will most likely end up with seams. Also, because granite is sold in rectangular pieces, you may want to use seams to reduce your costs, such as in an “L” shaped corner. 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 (Platinum) will be less apparent than a light color (Imperial White). A dramatic pattern with swaths of color (Kinawa, Paradiso) will show more seams than a uniform pattern (Dakota Mahogany). Most customers have found that the beauty of natural granite outweighs the concern of seams.
Are you a member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB)?
Yes, we have been a member of BBB since 2004 and have no customer complaints to-date and have received Gold Star Award from BBB.
What are your business hours?
Our showroom is opened Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM, 10 AM to 5 PM on Saturday. Stone City understands that some customers may not have time to visit us during normal business hours; therefore, we frequently open our showroom by appointment after hours or on weekends. Please do not hesitate to call us if you cannot visit us during normal business hours.
Do I need an appointment to come down to Stone City?
No appointment is necessary. We are open from Monday through Friday from 9AM to 6PM and on Saturday from 10AM to 5PM. For enquiries and estimates, please feel free to call us at 303 242 8856 / 303 872 7537 / 303 872 5107. You can also contact us at sales@stonecityllc.com
Can you describe the process of ordering with your Company?
The whole process is designed for quality and speed. First, the client picks a stone, we then give an estimate based on their specific project. After that an order can be placed with us for a template. From the time the template is made, our clients can decide on the installation date with a quick turnaround time.
Is your granite real and why is it so inexpensive?
All the granite products sold by Stone City are genuine granite, produced from the natural rock and are first quality. We are able to sell at such low prices because we ship directly from the production site, in addition to cost reductions owing to our huge volumes in shipping.
I am planning to purchase a counter top for my kitchen. Is it expensive?
Excellent choice! The cost of granite counters is comparable to Corian, even less, sometimes while offering more benefits. With Stone City Top quality granite counter tops start at $35/sq.ft and this includes installation.
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; in all sense it’s the material of the future. Aside from the practical aspect, granite is very versatile in the design field. It comes in various colors and structural compositions, our yard stocks more than 75 colors to choose from on site. All stones are not exactly the same, each lot will have unique characteristics attributed to the specific granite.
How long will the granite counter top last?
New counter tops will last virtually forever. The granite in your counter top is about a million years old.
Do I need to buy the whole sheet/slab for the counter top?
Not at all. We will determine how much material is needed for your counter tops. We dont charge you the price of full slabs. You pay for what is required to fabricate your tops.
Why are granite slabs priced so differently?
Price depends on rarity as well as the degree of difficulty in quarrying…and shipping, of course.
What are the benefits for using the granite as a counter top?
Granite is a product of nature and has an earthy beauty not seen in manufactured products. It has a wonderful textured appearance and requires little maintenance. Matching granite splash backs provide a stunning impact. Granite maximizes the “look” of your kitchen and home.
Why is granite an excellent material for kitchen countertops?
Next to diamond, sapphire, and ruby, granite is the hardest natural product on earth. Once polished, natural granite will maintain its high gloss virtually forever. Normal use of kitchen knives, cutlery, and cookware leaves no scratches. Heat has almost no effect on natural granite, making it much safer than synthetic surfaces with polyesters and resins. Pots and pans heated to 900 degrees Fahrenheit will not dull natural granite’s lustrous finish, but the use of trivets is recommended to keep your granite counter clean.
Can granite cantilever?
You can cantilever granite up to 14″ with sufficient support on the fixed end and with a large enough piece. Never cantilever unsupported granite where it might receive excessive stress like someone sitting on a counter or stepping on a counter to change a light bulb. You must have support underneath for these situations.
What is the difference between an under mount sink and a drop-in sink?
A drop-in sink sits on top of the cutout and adds no additional cost to your project. Those that are more cost conscious may opt for this choice. An under mount sink sits beneath the polished rim of the cutout. The benefit to this option is that it provides an attractive, smooth surface from counter to sink and makes cleanup much easier. Because there is additional polishing is involved, there is an additional charge for under mount sink cutouts.
Do you do backsplashes in kitchen?
Yes, Stone City Granites does backsplashes using granite slabs, which gives the kitchen a very rich look. However if the customer wants to make his/her backsplash using tiles, we will do that too.
Are there other finishes for granite besides the high polished surface?
There are several finishes that you can have with granite. The highly polished surface is the most popular. There is a process called “honing” that gives the stone a smooth feel but a more matte finish. You can also oil a honed finish prior to sealing to bring out more intensity in the colors.
Why doesn’t my granite look exactly like the sample?
Our samples are generally indicative of the coloring and pattern (also known as veining) of each stone. As the granite is quarried, differences in the stone’s shading and pattern will appear. While we try to remain aware of the current tendencies of each stone, sometimes even we are caught by surprise. Since granite is a natural material and subject to such changes, we recommend that customers view the slab prior to fabrication to ensure complete satisfaction. You may personally select the slab of granite to be used for your counter tops if you wish.
How thick is the granite used for counter tops?
The granite we use is 3CM (1 1/4 inches) thick.
Will my granite look like the online sample?
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.
Is your granite Kerosene cut?
No, it is not. Stone City ensures that all its granites are cut by using water as coolant and guarantees the quality. Some manufacturers use petroleum by-products in the coolant to aid the cutting process and reduce processing costs. The granite is later soaked in water and washed to remove the chemical smell, but the damage is done the moment the chemical comes into contact with the ferric content in the stone. Within a couple of years, rust marks will appear.
How do I know Stone City’s granite is high quality?
Stone City supplies only first quality material. The quality of the material is determined by measuring different parameters of a granite product through the entire production process:
- Mining – Stone City’s granites are mined utilizing modern methods. Some mines still use dynamite or blasting methods to reduce cost, but this also damages the granite. The shock wave created by the blast will cause invisible hairline cracks which will result in the stone cracking at some later time.
- Cutting – Stone City’s granites are cut by using water as coolant to ensure a lifetime guarantee on the quality of the product.
- Dimensions – Product dimensions are controlled within the stipulated limits in ASTM standards. Tiles are calibrated to ensure their thickness is uniform. Gauging is done to ensure the tiles are square. Beveling is done to produce a smooth edge on the tiles
- Inspection – Inspection is done at different stages of the manufacturing process and the products are segregated for unusual patches, major color variation, cracks, dimensions, surface finish, and other quality issues. They are then categorized as first, second, and commercial quality. Stone City supplies only first quality material.
How do I know that I am buying high quality granite?
High quality granite should not show the pattern found on the front in areas that have not been polished, such as the back of the slab or on the sides. The polished side should be uniform and not have flake-like textures.
Should I see my stone before ordering it?
It’s not mandatory but it’s wise. Each and every piece of granite is unique. The color tones may be lighter or darker from one slab to the next, the patterns vary, and the dimensions differ. Each piece is unique.
Granite Maintenance…
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 granite every year, at least.
How often does granite need to be sealed and how difficult is it to seal it?
Granite needs to be sealed once a year. To seal a granite, pour the sealer on a soft cloth and wipe the counter enough, so that the sealer beads. Lightly buff the counter top with a dry cloth.
Does granite need to be polished and sanded every year?
No, the shine of the granite is the natural sheen and does not need to be sanded.
My little sample of granite has pits on the surface ? will I have these on my kitchen counters?
Granite, which is crystalline in its structure, always has tiny pits spaces between the various mineral crystals. You don’t see them on a larger piece because the overall appearance is polished and mirror-like. Granite sometimes has natural fissures as well, which may look like cracks, but are not structural defects and are a naturally occurring result of the immense heat and pressure which formed the granite many million years ago. These characteristics are part of the natural beauty of stone and will not impair the function or durability of the material. A product of nature cannot be expected to look manmade.
Does granite hold bacteria?
No! The FDA would not let us sell granite if it harbor bacteria.
How do I care for my granite counter top?
Soap and water works just fine, as well as mild commercial products. Do not use glass cleaners or vinegar based products.
How well is granite rated for clean up after food preparation?
Granite was rated number one for the clean up of bacteria by the Marble Institute of America. You should use a disinfectant, however for proper food safety.
Do I need to use special, expensive cleaners for the counter tops?
No. The best way to clean your granite is with very mild dish soap. If by a chance a water trail is left, just go over it with a dry cloth. You can degrade sealers and damage stone surface if you clean with most general purpose cleaners, acidic and alkaline solutions, abrasives, ammonia or bleach. If you have done that, or someone else has done that, then you should use a pH-balanced cleaner for use on all types of stone. This will make it easier to add protective sealer when the time arrives.
Will my granite stain?
Some granites are more susceptible to stain (lighter colors), but we do put a sealer on them to help prevent staining.
If my granite does stain, how can I get it out?
Even if you don’t do a thing yourself to try to get the stain out, it will eventually dissipate thru the stone, but there are stain removers out there that would be able to get it out.
Can I cut on my Granite countertop?
Only if you want to ruin your good knives. Granite is harder than your knife blades and will dull them very quickly, if you use the countertop as a cutting surface. Always cut and chop on a wooden or plastic cutting board.
What is etching?
Etching is surface damage. When acids from items such as lemons, alcohols, and even some cleaning products come into contact with ‘certain minerals’ in your stone, they leave dull spots or rings. Sometimes an etch can be felt… it feels rougher. Other times, you cannot feel a difference but you’ll see a dull looking area.
What is the difference between marble and granite countertops?
The look, the maintenance and the care of the stones. Marble is a softer stone, and will scratch & etch easier. It’s a more delicate natural stone when compared to granite.
Will my granite countertop break?
With heavy abuse it could. With normal every day wear and tear, no.
