FAQ
Browse a list of frequently asked questions about buying a countertop for your home

Yes, it can. All natural stones have a minute level of porosity and can stain and etch, including granites. Sealers DO NOT totally prevent staining as they are a moisture barrier only, yet they will help to give you a fair amount of time to wipe up spills. Serious stains can be almost completely removed and any etching can be resurfaced if either is truly bothersome to you.

It can with heavy abuse. Small chips can occur around the sink or near an edge and can be easily repaired. A colored epoxy with small pieces of stone aggregate is used to fill in small areas. If you get a larger chip, save the piece so it can be used to repair the damaged area.

>Etching is surface damage. When acids from liquids such as fruit juices, alcohols, and even some cleaning products come into contact with certain minerals in your stone, they leave dull spots or rings. Sometimes an etch can be felt (it feels rougher). Other times, you cannot feel a difference but you’ll see a dull looking area.

Yes. If minor damage does occur, natural stone usually can be repaired using a mix of epoxy and ground-up chips of stone. If your countertop is severely damaged or cracked, it may need to be replaced. Consult your stone installer regarding repairs.

Seams are joints where two pieces of stone meet or join together. Although stone slabs are very big, most countertop applications require a seam. If you have curves, arches, or long spans of countertop space, usually a seam is required. Hire a good fabricator and seams are barely noticeable.

No. Natural stone and even solid surfaces will not fade in sunlight.

A good countertop fabricator will be able to provide you with a wide variety of edge options to choose from. They typically own a large selection of router bits with different profiles to achieve the style you’re looking for. A good fabricator can also produce custom edges to your liking using specialized fabrication techniques.

Yes. Stone surfaces in your home will always add more resale value than any other surfacing material. Stone and quartz countertops are very desirable to homebuyers, especially throughout the kitchen. Stone countertops will last a lifetime, which means that after the cost of the initial installation (with proper maintenance and care) they never need to be replaced.

Prices of natural stone can differ for a wide variety of reasons. Typically the more expensive the stone, the more rare it is or difficult to obtain. Pricier, more exotic stones usually come from India, Brazil, and Italy. Other reasons stone pricing can differ can depend on quarrying and processing costs, availability, shipping and importing, complexity of fabrication, and its popularity with buyers.

No. Removing carpet will not reduce the number of airborne allergens that produce allergic reactions; in fact, removal of carpet may actually increase the amount of airborne allergen, because other surfaces do not offer the capability of holding allergen. Removing allergen materials from a carpet is as easy as regular vacuuming and routine cleaning.

Natural stone surfaces can be finished in a variety of ways but polished, honed and leathered are the most popular.

Honed finishes are gradually becoming more popular for stone countertops. This finish is smooth but less shiny than polished finishes and gives your home a more natural, casual feel. One drawback of honed surfaces is that they are known to show stains more than others. But, don’t let this deter you from choosing a honed finish.

A polished surface is the most common and desirable. Polished surfaces have a great appearance and are easy to keep clean and maintain. In addition, a polished surface has a high luster and sheen bringing out the dramatic colors and rocky patterns of the stone.

A leathered finish begins with a honed surface; then it is swept with diamond tipped brushes. The process brings back the color and closes pores on the surface. The result is between polished and honed. It has more sheen and is less porous than a honed finish.

Yes. Outdoor countertops add a beautiful complement to pool areas, decks, and patios but require more maintenance; especially in regions with seasonal changes. When considering natural stone for outdoor countertops, be sure to select a hard stone. Some types of stone are softer than others and will weather and stain easier. Talk to your designer or fabricator to make sure you are selecting an appropriate stone for your outdoor application and climate.

Hardwood floors are not recommended for high moisture areas such as a bathroom with a shower or tub.

Remnants are smaller pieces of stone or smaller sections of slabs remaining from another project. Most fabricators and suppliers sell remnants and sometimes offer price discounts on leftover pieces. You cannot special order remnants – what you see is what you get. Remnants work great if you only need a small portion of stone for a bathroom vanity, shelving, a laundry room, or for small desks and tables.

Yes. The minerals present in natural stone are toxic to most bacteria. Coupled with a good sealer, natural stone countertops are very hygiene-friendly.