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.

What is the difference between marble and granite countertops?
The look first and foremost. The maintenance and care of the stones will also vary. Marble is a softer stone, and it will etch easier. It is a more delicate natural stone when compared to granite.

What is the strength of granite?
Granite is a very strong and durable natural stone. The actual strength of a specific piece of granite will vary depending on the stone and where it was quarried from.

Will my granite countertop break?
With heavy abuse. With normal every day wear and tear, no.

Do I need to seal my granite countertops?
This depends on the granite you choose. As a rule of thumb, "The lighter stones need to be sealed and the darker ones don't". Consult with your fabricator while choosing your stone.

What is etching?
Etching is when acids from items such as lemons, alcohols, and even some cleaning products leave dull spots or rings on a stone.

Will my granite etch?
It shouldn't. Granite is a siliceous natural stone and not highly reactive to acids like a marble or a limestone. If your granite is sealed, the sealer may etch.

Can I cut on my granite countertops?
Yes you can. Granite is very hard and will dull your knives. Little slivers of the knife may become embedded in your countertop. This is very noticeable with darker granites.

Will granite chip?
It can. If it chips, it is usually around the sink or near an edge. The chip is usually small and not visible, but, you can feel it. This is easy to repair. A colored epoxy is used to fill in the small area. If you did get a larger chip, save the chip so it can be used to repair your countertop.

Will granite scratch?
No, not usually. the only things that may scratch it are diamonds, other pieces of granite, and some green kitchen scrub pads. Granite can only be scratched by materials which are harder than granite.

Will granite burn?
No, it can withstand heat up to 1200F. You can set hot pots on your granite countertop without worrying about charring or scorching your granite. It is not recommended to place hot pots near seams or joints.

What are seams and do I need them?
Seams are joints where two pieces of stone meet or join together. Granite slabs are very big but larger kitchens may need a seam or two. If you have curves, arches, or really long spans of granite you will usually need seams. They are located in out of the way places. Hire a good fabricator and the seams are barely noticeable.

What is the weight of granite?
The weight of granite depends on its density. The average 3/4" thick granite weighs 13 pounds per square foot, 1 1/4" thick granite weighs around 18 to 20 pounds per square foot, and 2" thick granite weighs about 30 pounds per square foot. The darker stones are usually heavier than the lighter stones.

What is the thickness of a granite countertop?
2cm =3/4", 3cm =1 1/4", 3cm is the prefered thickness for granite countertops.

Will my cabinets support granite countertops?
Most cabinets will as long as they're sturdy. Granite spreads its weight out like a waterbed does. Your cabinets may need to be reinforced if they are not sturdy enough.

Do I need underlayment?
Not with 1 1/4" granite. If you plan to use 3/4", you may. It depends on the type of granite you choose.

What are some of the uses of granite?
It is used on exteriors and interiors of homes and commercial buildings. The most common uses are for headstones and kitchen countertops. Some other examples include: fireplaces, bars, vanities, sinks, cabinet handles, outlet switch plate covers, tables, walls, benches, fountains, shower surrounds, flooring.... If you can imagine it, you can use granite.

What is a fabricator?
This is the "granite or stone guy" who measures, cuts, shapes, and polishes the edges of your stone. He should also be able to answer any of your questions on specific granites and help you locate your stone of choice. You can Find a Contractor here.

Where do I go to look at granite?
This web site is a great starting point for getting a feel for the colors and patterns. Your fabricator will either send you to a stone yard or have stone at his shop for you to view.

Is it necessary to see the stone before ordering it?
This isn't mandatory but it is wise. Each and every piece of granite is unique. The color tones may be lighter or darker from one slab to the next. The pattern of the stone will also vary. It's actually pretty fun to go to the "stone yard" and pick out your stone. You never know, another one may catch your eye.

Will the marble and granite contractor tear out my old countertops?
Some of them will and some of them won't. You need to ask.

How much is it to tear out the old countertops?
This will depend on how much there is to tear out and the company you hire.

What is the granite installation time frame?
The actual granite installation usually takes a day or two depending on the size of your job. Preparations before installation, such as cutting, polishing and getting your stone to the shop can take anywhere from a week to a month or so. This will depend on the company you hire.

What are granite remnants?
A great way to save money! These are smaller pieces of stone, usually under four feet long. You can't special order remnants. What you see at your fabricator's place of business are your choices. These remnants work great if you need a bathroom vanity and you are not set on a specific granite. Think shelves, laundry room, small desks or tables...

What are granite color charts?
Granite color charts are small pieces of stone in a booklet form or on a large piece of board. You can use these color charts to compare many colors and patterns at one time.

What are granite samples?
Granite samples are small tiles used to compare colors and patterns.(similar to a color chart except the stone tiles are larger) Small pieces of granite which are left over from your job can also be referred to as samples. You could take a sample piece with you shopping to help match curtains, knobs, rugs, or whatever else you can think of to your granite countertop.

Can you match granite countertops with cabinets?
If you're unsure of how well your granite countertop will match your cabinets, use granite color charts or samples. Look at the stone samples in different lighting and in different areas of your kitchen. To see how others have matched their cabinets and countertops, check out our online
Picture Gallery.

How do I clean granite countertops?
A mild dish soap and water will work. But, a soap build up may occur over time if you don't rinse your countertops well. It's best to use products made specifically for stone. You can find Granite Counter Top Care products here. These cleaners, polishes, and disinfectants are all stone friendly.

What are some of the granite countertop colors?
There are hundreds of colors and color combinations. The "groups" of colors are white, black/gray, brown, blue, green, red, pink, yellow, and violet.

How much does a granite countertop cost?
Granite countertop costs will vary depending on your region and also the type of granite you choose. Exotics, hard to finds, and blues are usually more expensive. Sink cut outs, outlet holes, arches and curves, as well as special edgings and tear outs of old countertops add to the cost.