FAQ

Q?How should I maintain my new countertop?

For granite, be sure to apply a high quality sealer about once a year. Avoid harsh substances and keep countertops clean for best longevity. Refer to our care guide for more information.

Q?How do you make the cutout for my sink or drop-in cook top?

Most cutouts are done at our workshop using cutting edge CNC saws and routers. Measurements for these cutouts are needed before the cutting process begins. If you do not have the measurements for your sink, range top, etc., you will need to contact the manufacturer to obtain these measurements. Cutout measurements for these products are usually found in the literature accompanying the appliance or sink or on the manufacturer’s website.

Top-mount sinks or drop-in style cook tops are typically cut out on site by the installer. The sink/cooktop/etc must be on site as well to ensure a proper fit.

Q?Will granite chip or burn?

Granite is a strong, natural product that is very resistant to heat. In most cases, granite should be next to impossible to burn with regular household kitchen appliances.

Under normal circumstances, granite will not chip or crack, but a sudden, strong impact on a small corner or edge can result in a chip. In most cases, these chips can be repaired by filling the space with a color matched epoxy and polished smooth to match the stone. Should you ever encounter a chip in your stone, please contact Nature’s Stone to assess the damage and discuss repair options.

Q?Can I use my kitchen knives directly on the granite surface or will it scratch?

Granite is a very hard material, because of this, conventional blades are not likely to damage the surface of granite countertops. It is still not advisable to cut directly on granite countertops. While you may not scratch the stone using an ordinary kitchen knife, you will almost certainly dull and damage the knife itself.*

*Specialty knives that contain diamond chips or tungsten blades are especially strong, and may be able to scratch granite.

Q?What is granite?

Granite is an igneous rock. This means that at one time during its development, it was melted like volcanic lava. Unlike lava, however, this melted rock never reached the surface. It remained trapped inside, where it slowly cooled and crystallized, resulting in a very uniform, speckled stone that ranges in color from blacks and grays to pinks, browns, and reds. Polished granite is a very durable stone, much harder than marble. Granite has been popularly used for commercial purposes for many years. Granite can often be found on building exteriors, interior walls, and “high-traffic” floors. Granite will withstand almost any element including heat and cold.

Q?How do I clean my granite top?

We use a silicone impregnator/sealer on all our natural stone products. This insures long-lasting life and beauty. Polished granite should be cleaned regularly using a mild phosphate-free, biodegradable liquid dish-soap followed by a rinse. Soap flakes or powders, which contain no aromatics, may also be used. A thorough drying with a cotton-flannel cloth or a chamois should follow cleaning.

Please refer to our granite care guide for more information.

Q?Will granite stain?

Contrary to what you may have heard or read, granite will stain if it is not properly sealed. Should the surface become stained before it has been sealed, several applications of a poultice powder cleanser will remove the stain. To protect your new granite, we provide a very high quality sealer with your countertop order at no additional charge.

Please refer to our granite care guide for more information.