What is granite?
A common, coarse-grained, light-colored, hard igneous rock consisting mainly of quartz, orthoclase or microcline, and mica. Granite is a suitable rock for cutting and polishing and comes in a variety of colors.
Is Granite harmful?
No it is not. To further research information on the radon issue refer to this link. Marble Institute of America - Radon Information
How durable is granite?
Granite is one of the longest lasting and toughest natural stones on the market.
Does granite stain?
Because granite is dense and not very porous its ability to absorb liquids that cause stains is highly reduced.
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 end up with seams. Most customers have found that the beauty of natural stone overweighs the concern of seams.
Can granite chip?
Only in cases of severe abuse with a hammer or impact tool. A chip can be filled so do not throw away the chipped pieces. They can be used to fix the countertop so that no one can tell it chipped.
Can granite crack?
No, not with regular use. Granite is most susceptive to cracks during shipping and installation.
What is the difference between marble and granite?
The main difference between granite and marble is that granite is a highly dense material composed deap inside the earth's core while marble is formed from sediments under the sea bed.
How do I clean my granite countertops?
Abrasive cleaners should not be used under any circumstances. If it is necessary to use a cleaner use a neutral (pH-7) non-fat mild detergant without fragrances. We will provide you with a packet on the care, cleaning and maintenance of your granite and marble.
What is a sealer, impregnator and penetrating sealer? How do they differ?
In the stone industry a sealer is defined as a coating.
- Impregnator: To impregnate means to be filled, imbued, permeated or saturated. Impregnators penetrate below the surface of the stone and protect from within. There is no coating or film formed on the surface of the stone.
- Penetrating Sealer: A penetrating sealer is really a type of oxymoron by the pure definition of each term.
How do impregnators work?
Impregnators work by reducing the pore size of the stone by filling those pores with a resin.
Why is breathability necessary?
All stones must transpire vapor. If a stone's pores are totally blocked, vapor will condense within the stone and the stone will be saturated with moisture. This can lead to numerous problems such as spalling, iron oxidationn, ect.
What types of impregnators are there?
Impregnators can be broken down into several categories. They can be water-or solvent- based.
Are sealers safe for food handling areas?
Generally, once the impregnator has dried and cured it should be safe for most food handling situations. However, to be sure, check with the product's manufacturer.
Does all stone need to be sealed?
This is an ongoing debate in the industry. There are those who say that all stone needs to be sealed and others who say that all stone needs to be sealed and others who say that only porous stones need sealing.
Are sealers and impregnators UV-resistant?
Again, this wil depend on the type of stone. In general, because thet work below the surface, most will be UV-resistant. Remember that UV light is very powerful and will eventually have an effect on any sealer or impregnator. Most typical sealers, however, are not UV-resistant and will discolor over time.
