Granite Counter Tops In Jax
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Most Often Asked Questions
and Answers About Granite Countertops
Questions about Granite in Your Kitchen & Bath
Can I cut on my Granite countertop?
Only if you want to ruin your good knives. Granite is harder than your knife blades and will dull them very quickly, if you use the countertop as a cutting surface. Always cut and chop on a wooden or plastic cutting board.
Can my granite top be damaged?
Like any solid surface, high impact blows can harm granite. Because of its crystalline structure, it can chip if subjected to sharp hard objects. Unsealed, granite can absorb stains such as oil, which can ultimately cause dark spots or discoloration. Heat from pots and pans or burning liquids will not affect granite under normal circumstances.
My little sample of granite has pits on the surface – will I have
these on my kitchen counters?
Granite, which is crystalline in its structure, always has tiny pits, spaces between the various mineral crystals. You don't see them on a larger piece because the overall appearance is polished and mirror-like. Granite sometimes has natural fissures as well, which may look like cracks, but are not structural defects and are a naturally occurring result of the immense heat and pressure which formed the granite eons ago. These characteristics are part of the natural beauty of stone and will not impair the function or durability of the material. A product of nature cannot be expected to look man-made.
How do I clean my granite tops?
Granite is a very durable stone. It is also much harder than marble. Granite has been used in the past in the commercial industry. Some of the obvious applications have been panels on the outside of buildings, walls, and floors of "high-traffic" areas. Granite will withstand almost any element it comes up against including heat and cold. Granite itself is approximately 95-98% stain resistant but, we use a silicone impregnator on all of our natural stone products. This will insure lasting life and beauty. Polished granite should receive the same cleaning care as polished marble, using a mild phosphate-free, biodegradable liquid dish-soap, soap flakes or powder which contains no aromatics. Followed by a thorough rinsing and drying with cotton-flannel or chamois.
Will my granite look like the online sample?
The samples you see on the computer have been scanned and saved as digital images. The color tones may not be absolutely correct due to variations in computer systems, monitors and compression algorithms. Also, granite is a natural material with naturally occurring variations in color, tone, granularity, pattern, etc. These variations are expected and are the source of its natural beauty.
Does granite stain?
In general, no. All stone, however, is porous to some extent, but Granite has very little porosity. Most colors will never show any moisture. A few colors may show some moisture if exposed for a period of time. For example, a puddle of water left on the counter for 30 minutes for some colors, may show a dark spot when the water is wiped away. This spot will then dry up and no evidence will show. Only a few colors demonstrate this trait. Our installers will seal the countertops after they are installed.
Can I set hot pot on my granite countertop?
Granite is formed by extreme heat and pressure combined beneath the earths crust. It can not be affected by heat from a cook top or frying pan. A lit flame placed under the granite will have no melting effect and will not leave any burned or scarred marks.
Can granite chip?
Only in cases of sever abuse with a hammer or impact tool. A chip can be filled with a granite dust and epoxy mixture. If a chip occurs on your countertop, do not throw out the chipped pieces. We can use them to fix the countertop, so that no one will be able to tell it was ever chipped.
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 most likely end up with seams. Also, because granite is sold in rectangular pieces, you may want to use seams to reduce your costs, such as in an ?L? shaped corner. The visibility of seams will depend on the granularity, color and pattern. A small, uniform grain (such as Uba Tuba) will not be as apparent as a larger varied grain (such as Peacock Green). A dark color (Platinum) will be less apparent than a light color (Imperial White). A dramatic pattern with swaths of color (Kinawa, Paradiso) will show more seams than a uniform pattern (Dakota Mahogany). Most customers have found that the beauty of natural granite outweighs the concern of seams.
How are seams made?
Seams are done where the two pieces of stone are put together. The seams are joined with epoxy that is mixed with the color that matches the stone. Then the joined area is smoothened, leaving only a very thin line visible.
Does granite stain or burn?
No. You can’t burn it with ordinary use. Granite does not stain. The only caveat is that a few colors may absorb some moisture with prolonged contact. Usually, no evidence remains when the liquid is removed and the granite dries, but could be a problem with dark pigmented liquids. Although granite has a sealer applied at the fabricator, a stone sealer is recommended for all granite after installation.
Can granite crack?
No, not with regular use. Granite is most susceptible to cracks during shipping and installation. Normal use will not overstress this durable material.
Can granite cantilever?
You can cantilever granite up to 14" with sufficient support on the fixed end and with a large enough piece. Never cantilever unsupported granite where it might receive excessive stress like someone sitting on a counter or stepping on a counter to change a light bulb. You must have support underneath for these situations.
What is the difference between granite and marble?
The main difference between granite and marble is that granite is a highly dense material composed deep inside the earth?s core while marble is formed from sediments under the seabed. Both solidify into stone after millions of years but the mineral composition of the two stones makes marble and granite react differently to various chemicals and household cleaners.
What is the appropriate thickness for a granite countertop?
A kitchen countertop should be an inch and a quarter thick for structural reasons. Bathroom vanity tops can be thinner.
Does granite have any pits or fissures?
Yes granite has natural pits and fissures that are part of the stones natural structure. Some types of granite have more of such characteristics than other types, and pits can be minimized by applying sealer to the surface of the counter.
Can granite be repaired?
It is very hard to damage granite. If any damage occurs it can be sealed with a mixture of epoxy and ground up chips of granite.
How is Granite formed?
Granite is an igneous rock of visible crystalline formation and texture. It is composed primarily of feldspar, quartz, and mica. It starts off as liquid magma deep within the earth?s core where it is cooled and compressed over millions of years under tons of pressure. It is then quarried, cut and polished. After that process it can be applied in various ways like kitchen countertops, vanity tops, fireplace surrounds as well as Jacuzzi surrounds and other custom designs.
What about sealer?
There are a lot of sealer’s on the market and we are always testing them to make sure we use the best. Currently, we are using a sealer that when properly installed it can last up to 5 years for an additional small fee, or you can do it yourself every 6 months to a year. We also have an annual program available.
Will I be able to have a working kitchen during the fabrication process?
YES! We will leave plywood tops, when necessary, your sink and your stove in tact until the countertops are ready for install.
For a free no obligation estimate call Buddy at (904) 249-1860 OR Request For Free Estimate
Why Granite Countertops Are Today's Top Choice by Buddy Harrell, Platinum Author The heart of any home is the kitchen. It comes as no surprise that people would choose the best materials when the idea of remodeling it comes up. And when you think of your kitchen, you have to think of the best material for your countertop. From the very many choices out there, you cannot go wrong with granite countertops! Granite is the material of choice during these times when not only durability is a key quality but also beauty. Advantages abound in making granite your choice for your kitchen countertop and your bathroom as well. Not to mention its practicality. Granite is a kind of rock formed from the cooling of magma in the pockets of magma trapped under the earth's surface. These rocks come in different colors and patterns a homeowner can choose from. In ancient times, granite was used as pyramid surfaces. In modern times, they were mostly used for monuments because they lasted longer than marble. Recent times have seen more uses for granite. Kitchen or bathroom countertops are often exposed to different wear and tear situations and so durability is very important. You would not want the hassle of constantly having your countertop repaired or reconstructed. To begin the list of several advantages of having a granite countertop, durability comes first. Granite is so durable that only another piece of granite or diamonds can cut it. That means it is one piece that cannot be scratched by anyone or anything else! In fact, granite is often used for building high-rise structures because it can even withstand rain and gale force winds. Besides being durable, granite also has another excellent quality - natural beauty. A granite countertop's color will never change. It will always look as vibrant as when it was first installed in your kitchen. Even more, granite slabs are all unique and thus have their own look and beauty. That is why you often are asked to choose from actual samples. These countertops increase the aesthetic appeal of your home. They make any kitchen look elegant and polished. Imported from Europe, Brazil, Africa and other areas rich in natural stone, they are quite striking to look at. In fact, granite is used not only as kitchen countertops but also as flooring for homes because of its raw natural beauty. They add warmth and color to any home. There has been a boom in the demand for granite countertops in the past five years. The use of these is not only limited to upscale homes, but has since become available to modern-income families. Many may think that granite countertops may be too expensive. This is not always true. Although they may be rather pricey for many, there are several factors to be considered. The transportation, polishing and installation are included in pricing a granite countertop. But then again at the end of the day, these stone countertops are competitively-priced. Compare them to other high-end surfaces and you'll be surprised. It may sound all too good to be true, but actually granite countertops are a good investment. Just like any investment choice you have to make, careful thought and analysis must be applied in selecting the perfect countertop for your perfect home.
The Beauty of Natural Granite Countertops by Buddy Harrell, Platinum Author Are you building a house, updating the look of your kitchen and bathroom countertop, Jacuzzi surrounds, your vanity tops or even your fireplace and bar tops? Or would you like to upgrade your home’s wall and floor panels? Nowadays home builders have many things to offer from plain rocks or cobblestones to igneous rock, or highly polished crystalline stones. One good alternative is to use granite to create a beautiful granite countertop, polished to a faultless sheen in myriads of colors to choose from. Granite is found worldwide, classified as an igneous rock, developed from magma, cooled over millions of years, and compressed under great pressure. Although granite forms major parts of the continental crust of the earth, it is found mostly in Brazil, Canada, Finland, India, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Southern Africa, Sweden, and the United States where quarries are common. The Yosemite National Park in Merced, California and Stawamus Chief in British Columbia are examples of naturally occurring monolithic granite formations. This rock is quarried, cut into shapes and polished to bring out its inherent beauty. Composed primarily of quartz, mica and feldspar, it gives a fine crystalline texture. Carvings of animal monuments in burial and Hindu temples in India are made of granite. The beautiful color ranges of granite are hues of black, red, blue, brown, green, orange, and even white mixed with other naturally occurring matching colors. This creates a delicious mosaic like painting effect. Individual pieces are unique like pieces of art giving a timeless appearance but can fit any kind of décor because it occurs in a variety of natural colors and hues. Apart from its beautiful and colorful patina, granite is superior to marble in strength, durability and longevity; and it’s resistant to stains including strong chemical cleaners and high temperature. Home builders recommend it for surfaces where everyday wear and tear occurs. It is ideally used as flooring because of this quality of durability and strength. Granite countertops are common for kitchen, bar, bathroom and table countertops because it is hygienic aside from its aesthetic qualities. Care should be taken because like any stone material it can be scratched. However, granite countertops are easy to care and maintain. Upgrading your home with granite countertops is easy. Many home builders offer a variety of packaged deal which does not break your budget. Showrooms are often easy to access in the Internet which reveal in 2D or even 3D images of pre-cut granite countertops. You can easily choose the color that matches your kitchen décor and color. It is advisable to contact a professional with good workmanship to install and calculate the exact dimensions so as to fashion a template and customize your order. Available technology and machines can easily cut and fabricate the stone and ship the product. Additionally, care of granite countertops are provided and at times warranties are part of the deal. Companies in the granite business have a customer care page for after sales transaction. So if you have additional concerns you can access it easily. And it is assured that every time you set your eyes on that beautiful piece of art, the effort and money spent was well worth it.
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