The process of fabricating granite is very difficult. It must first be extracted from a mountain in a large block form, then cut and polished with diamonds and water. Lastly, it must be packaged and delivered in the form of a bathroom vanity top, kitchen counter top, or other complete product.

Q. What is Granite?
A. Granite rocks are igneous rocks also known as "fire rocks" which were formed by slowly cooling pockets of magma that were trapped beneath the earth's surface. Granite is the hardest of all building stones with a very close grain, making it almost impervious to stain and uniquely applicable for any interior use. If polished, it's high-gloss finish will endure even in harsh environments. These characteristics are ideal for countertops and flooring making granite a reliable stone for these applications.

Q. Where does natural stone come from?
A. Natural Stone comes from around the world. Various types of stone, in myriad colors and textures, are found in different countries. Much of our granite comes from Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa. Marble is mostly from Italy, Spain and Turkey. Slate is imported from Brazil, India and China. Soapstone is imported primarily from Brazil, while limestone comes from Spain, Portugal, Mexico and Brazil.

Q. Are there additional colors available?
A. Our standard and expanded inventory color selections represent the most popular design colors. The Granite Shop maintains a constant inventory of our standard colors so that any project - large or small - can be fulfilled quickly from available inventory. Our expanded selections and other more exotic stones can be available in just a couple of days. There are new stone types being discovered and imported every month, and our strong relationships with multiple importers allows us to offer virtually any natural stone that can be found. If you are interested in a new and unique stone type – just ask us!

Q. Can you scratch or chip granite?
A. Granite is one of the hardest stones available. It cannot be scratched in ordinary use; even a knife blade will not scratch it. It can only be scratched with specially sharpened tools designed to work with granite, like tungsten and diamond tools. Granite will chip only in cases of severe abuse with a hammer or impact tool. In the unlikely event that your granite is chipped, the mark can be filled with a granite dust and epoxy mixture. Granite will not crack with ordinary use

Q. Can you stain or burn granite?
A. No. You can’t burn it with ordinary use. Granite is highly resistant to staining. 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. A problem could arise with prolonged exposure to a dark-pigmented liquid.

Q. Are there special cleaning requirements for granite?
A. Everyday household cleaners - although not likely to harm the stone itself - could lessen the effectiveness of the sealer which has been applied. For regular cleaning, we recommend a specially formulated stone cleaner. For occasional cleaning or to bring back any lost luster, polish preserver is a good choice. On occasion, although granite is very solid and nearly non-porous, spills left on the surfaces for an extended period can leave some residual staining - even when sealed properly. Most stains usually dissipate over time on their own. If immediate stain removal is desired, we can help with specialty stain-lifting poultice powders that we offer.

Q. Will my countertops be sealed by GranTops?
A. Definitely! The Project Manager in charge of your project will seal the stone in front of you in order to show how easy it is. The special Sealants used by GranTops will protect your stone for a period of 3 to 5 years. GranTops will acquaint you with Revitalizer Stone & Tile Cleanser and Protector, a daily use antimicrobial cleaner which effectively removes soils while reinforcing the original protective seal to help prevent future staining.

Q. How often do I need to re-apply stone sealer?
A. Many so-called "experts" advise re-applying stone sealers on an annual (or more frequent) basis - they are in all likelihood just trying to get you to buy more of their expensive sealer. GranTops doesn't advise any preset "calendar" for re-sealing, and over-application of sealer can build up over time and cause a haze on the surface of your countertops. The frequency for re-sealing depends on the type of stone installed and the amount of use that the countertops see. An easy "rule of thumb" is to closely monitor the area around the sink. If you begin notice water that does not bead up or soaks into the stone within 10-15 minutes, then it's probably time to re-seal. Applying a sealer is easy, you can apply a liberal amount of sealer in the evening before going to bed and just let it penetrate and cure overnight.

Q. May I use my existing sink and faucet?
A. Absolutely! It is common with natural stone counter tops to use an under-mount bowl to maximize the beauty of your countertops and provide a seamless look. Single hole faucets are also used to minimize clutter and maximize utility.

Q. Can you re-connect my electrical and plumbing connections?
A. GranTops is a highly trained and licensed contractor for granite countertops, but we are not licensed electricians or plumbers. Therefore, we can not assume any liability for making electrical or plumbing connections. We can, in most instances however, recommend reputable and licensed individuals or companies to complete these tasks for you.

Q. Is granite a do-it-yourself product?
A. No, not likely! Granite fabrication is a specialized trade that requires extensive training and practice in order to produce high-quality results - not to mention the expensive diamond tooling and equipment. GranTops employs fabricators and installers with years of training and experience. Even a small vanity countertop can weigh over one hundred pounds, so safe handling is another concern that you need not worry about when buying from GranTops. Mistakes are inevitable with do-it-yourself projects, and when working with natural stone, small errors can be VERY costly - you can easily exceed the cost of our installed prices with just one small slip-up or miscalculation. When you choose GranTops, you are guaranteed professional results from the initial design through fabrication and final installation.

Q. What do I do if I run into a problem?
A. Call us. We are very experienced in installations and can usually help you through any problem or at least suggest a course of action.

Q. Do I have to call for an appointment to come down to your place?
A. An appointment is not necessary but we recommend it. GranTops is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm and Sundays (by appointment) from 9 am to 4 pm.