Granite is an igneous rock, which 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 is slowly cooled and crystallized, resulting in a very uniform, speckled stone that ranges in color from black and gray tones to pinks, browns, and reds.

Why should I choose granite rather than one of the new synthetics?
Because even the finest synthetics can't match natural stones':

• Beautiful range of colors and textures
• Versatility
• Durability
• Lasting value

How do I clean my granite top?
Polished granite is a very durable stone, 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 floor 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 our natural stone products. This will insure lasting life and beauty. Polished Granite should receive cleaning care, using a mild phosphate-free, biodegradable liquid dish-soap, soap flakes or powders which contain no aromatics, followed by a through rinsing and drying with cotton-flannel or chamois.

Will granite stain?
Despite what you may have heard or read elsewhere, granite will stain if it is not properly sealed. After testing numerous stone sealers, we have selected the very best and we provide this sealer to you with your countertop order at no additional charge. Should the surface become stained before it has been sealed, several applications of a poultice powder cleanser will remove the stain.

Can I use my kitchen knives directly on the granite surface or will it scratch? Granite is one of the hardest materials on earth, ranking close to that of quartz and diamonds. You will not scratch the countertop using an ordinary kitchen knife, however, you will ruin the knife. Generally it is not advisable to use granite as a cutting board. There are some specialty knives on the market which can scratch granite as well. They are made with diamond chip or tungsten blades.

Will granite chip or burn?
Granite will not burn. Under normal circumstances, granite will not chip or crack either. It would require excessive impact to chip a granite surface. If you were to chip the surface, it can be filled with a granite stone dust epoxy.

What about my sink? How do we make the cut-out?
We do it for you. Any cut-outs that are required are done at our factory before shipping the countertop, including drop-in range tops. If you do not have the measurements for your sink, range top, etc., you will need to contact the manufacturer. Cut-out measurements for these products are usually found in the accompanying brochure.

How can I protect my granite countertops?
For best maintenance, we suggest you put Tile Lab Surfacegard sealer (www.custombuildingproducts.com) on the light color and black countertops twice a year. Tile Lab Surfacegard sealer is also available at any home improvement store.