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Frequently Asked Questions

Quartz & Natural Stone

About the Stone

What is the percentage of Quartz in manufactured Quartz?

Short answer: 90 to 96 % Long answer: All manufactures follow basically the same "recipe" the things that chanfges are the dyes, oxides, and others. The Top brands tend to use more quartz in their products which is 95 to 96%, and as for the other brands they have a bit less 90 to 94%. We have worked worked with many different brands throughout the years and we now carry only the brands that are tried and true for both fabrication and post installation.



What is the maximum overhang I can have?

The Marble Institute of America allows 8 inches of overhang on ¾ inch thick stone, and 12 inches of overhang on 1 ¼ inch thick stone. Depending on the exact stone type, there are some exceptions to this rule, talk to our staff for more specific information. Quartz allows for 14 to 16 inches of overhang, depending on the manufacturer, after which it requires a support every 24 to 36 inches. Overhangs are never to exceed 1/3rd the width of the counter



Are all stones the same?

No stone is the same. Stone is comprised of all different kinds of accessory minerals forming different patterns in each slab. Which is part of what makes natural stone products so unique and beautiful. Even with manufactured quartz, batches change based on the exact humidity and quartz color the manufacturer uses.



Will my natural stone be perfectly smooth?

Many stones have a resin coating that smooth out the surface, but even with this resin coating, minerals can cause pits, fissures and resin fills. These are all perfectly normal for natural countertops. In order to know what to expect, we invite you to inspect your stone before purchasing. adjusted in the settings tab of the App Settings. You can also remove the title by unchecking its checkbox in the settings tab.



Why does my stone have an inconsistent surface?

Stone is not perfectly flat. The stone slab can warp over time, during shipping and long term storage. This can make seams impossible to align perfectly. Depending on how the template is laid out on the stone, different pieces can end up having opposite curvatures. This means that at seams, we could potentially be trying to join a high spot and a low spot. However, on a properly installed seam there should be no more than a 3/32” difference in height between the slabs - This is a maximum and in most cases a smaller lip than this is achieved. For further information, talk to a member of our staff.



How large is a typical slab?

Slabs of natural material range between around 68" x 110" to around 90" x 135". Some materials only come in half slabs, which are approximately 50" x 90". Quartz slabs start around 55" x 120", with certain colors available in jumbo sizes of 63" x 130". Different manufacturers have different exact sizes, but these would be a good starting point for estimates



Use

Can I prepare food directly on the counter surface?

This is not advised. When preparing food directly on the counter surface it becomes incredibly easy to scratch the stone. On top of that, because stone is porous, it is likely that juices and moisture from the food will seep into the stone and become a breeding ground for bacteria in your home.



Can I put hot pots and pans on my stone counter?

We do not recommend this for several reasons. The drastic temperature change can cause any moisture in the stone to rapidly turn to gas and expand, potentially damaging the texture of the surface. On top of that, placeing pots and pans directly on the surface can easily leave marks and scratches. For these reasons, we always recommend using some kind of pot holder.



How do I clean broken glass off my counters?

Always use a vacuum. Do not wipe the surface with a cloth as this can leave scratches in the stone surface.



Care

How often should I seal my Granite?

This all depends on porosity of your particular stone. Generally speaking, darker stones are less porous and can be sealed less often. Even so, most stones should be sealed at least once a year. Refer to our care section for more information.



Can I use vinegar to clean my countertops?

It is not advised to use vinegar or any acidic cleaner on your countertop. Hot water and mild soap or a pH balanced cleaner is the safest way to clean your countertop. Anything else can break down the minerals in the stone, see our care page for more information.



Will sealing prevent all stains and etching?

No it will not. Sealing will increase the amount of time before the stain sets in, but not stop it entirely. No sealer will protect against etching.



Repairs

Can a chip be repaired?

Yes, in most cases the chip can be glued back in and polished. In some cases the chip must be filled in entirely with resin. The Granite Guys offer chip repair services.



Can a crack be fixed?

Many cracks can be improved. However, you always take a risk that you will forever change the surface reflection of the surface by polishing out a crack. Be sure to always hire someone who knows about the specific stone and proper polishing technique. Some surfaces can not be polished.