Q. How long will Natural Stone last? If you take good care of your Natural Stone, it will outlast the construction of the home And long after the foundation has cracked and the walls have tumbled, countertop will still be as strong and beautiful as ever. Some Natural Stones are already over 2000 million years old, when quarried from the earth. You should worry more about cabinets, or the base on witch you going to lay down your natural stone. Ask your contractor (fabricator) to inspect the surface were your new natural stone will be installed.

Q. Is polished Marble, Granite (Natural Stone) too slippery to be used on a bathroom floor? Any polished surface is slippery when wet. As with any other hard surface used in a bathroom, caution should be taken when exiting the shower & tub areas, as well as any other area that is wet.

Q."Quarrying" what is that? A quarry is a type of open-pit mine from which rock or minerals are extracted. Quarries are generally used for extracting building materials, such as Granite, Marble, Sandstone, Slate. Quarries are usually shallower than other types of open-pit mines.

Q. Is Engineered Stone and Natural Stone the same? No. All Natural Stone is a product of nature. It is formed over millions of years within or on our earth's surface, through changes in heat and pressure. It is quarried from the earth in blocks of stone, and then sawn in slabs.

Engineered stone is made in a number of different ways. Most engineered stone is made by adding 5-10% resin to crushed natural stone such as quartz or Marble and then baking the mixture. Engineered stone countertops have the advantage of being non-porous, so they don’t require sealing as many types of natural stone slabs do. However, because they are a man-made stone, they don’t have the same quality of natural variations in color, texture and grain as found in quarried stone slabs.

Q. Can I use Marble in the kitchen? The short answer is yes, you can use marble in a kitchen. However, because marble is vulnerable to staining, scratching and etching, the use of marble in a kitchen requires careful consideration.

Q. Why does the texture and color vary from stone to stone, slab to slab? Natural stone is a product of nature and subject to variations. Characteristics such as veining and mineral deposits will affect each piece. Stone will not only vary from quarry to quarry, but from slab to slab. All Natural stone is unique... no two stones are alike.

Q. Where can I look at Natural Stone slabs? Find showrooms in your area for the largest selection. Some fabricators also carry tremendous amounts of stone for viewing. Ask your fabricator (contractor) what supplier they use, and visit their showroom.

Q. What special care does Natural Stone require? Apply a stone sealer if needed, and clean your stone regularly. Don't use acidic or abrasive cleaners. Choose the right sealer for you natural stone.

Q. How often do I need to seal my Granite counter tops? That depends on what type of natural stone you have, and the sealer you choose. Some sealers need to be applied every 6 months to 1 year. Others last for 4-5 years.

 Q. What is back splash? Back splash is the area behind and above your countertop. It prevents water and oil from splashing onto your walls .

Q. What is “tumbled” Marble? Tumbled marble is quite literally, marble that has been loaded into a tumbler and knocked against each other in order to achieve rough worn edges and surface.  Some materials that are referred to as ''tumbled marble'' are actually tumbled limestone or travertine, but the process is the same.

Q. Is the underside of stone polished? No, not usually. The underside of the stone isn't readily visible and would add labor and cost to the project. There are some occasion where part, or whole underside surface will be polished. Usually that stone underside surface will be visible.

Q. Are my cabinets strong enough to support heavy Granite ? Do I need additional cabinet supports? 3cm (1 1/4") granite weighs approximately 19 lbs per square foot. Typical cabinet construction plenty strong for most installations. However, large, self-standing or furniture-style islands may require additional corner bracing. It is advisable to let your cabinet installer know that you are using granite to ensure proper support.

Q. Is it true that Natural Stone harbors bacteria? According to Hospitality Institute of Technology and Management  study done by Dr. O. Peter Snyder, Granite ranked 1st in clean ability. Read the results of this study on Countertop Sanitation, E. coli and various countertop surfaces. Decide for yourself.

Q. My Marble and Granite contractor is recommending that I should choose a different stone. What should I do? Usually your contractor will only recommend a different stone, if the one you choose is unsuitable for your project, too delicate or hard to work with. So go out there and get a second opinion. It's important that you get what you like. If you absolutely love a particular stone, and could live with the maintenance or possible headaches, go with that stone. Just know what you'll have to sign off on it, or choose a different stone. Your fabricator should be able to suggest a similar stone which is better suited for your needs.

Q. Can I have arches and curves in my countertop? Yes. Round kitchen islands, arched bar tops are common in today's kitchens. In general, Natural Stone can be cut out in any shape. Just keep in mind practicality, and if the shapes are to complex, it may add cost to your project.

Q. Is granite more expensive than "man made" materials? It depends on the Granite. Availability, color, and country of origin are major factors that affect the price of granite. If the supply of a particular stone is short and demand for it is high, the price will reflect that. Given that stone is a natural product imported from all over the world, the price spectrum is wide. However, many granite colors are offered at the same price or sometimes less than man made products.

Q. How much my Granite countertop will cost? The big question (for most people). How much will it cost? The answer varies. Job is usually quoted by the square foot and the cost depends on a number of things like:

Your location.

Stone you choose.

Special edges, full back splashes, and arches or radius' may add to the cost.

Using an "under mount" sink rather than a "drop in sink" entails more polishing; therefore, this also adds to the cost.