Colorado Stone Company

1635 N. Main St, • P.O. Box 1098
Longmont, Colorado 80502
Phone: 303/776-0674
Fax: 303/776-0879

GRANITE BASICS

Q: Where does the granite we see in your showroom come from?

A: Granites are quarried all over the world. In addition to the traditional sources, such as Italy, USA, and Canada, popular granite producing areas now include India, China, many African nations, much of mountainous South America, and the northern European countries.

Q: What affects the raw material price of various granites?

A: A lot of things affect price, but the primary issues are supply and demand, material consistency within the quarry itself, workability, and access to the quarry. You can expect a granite that is exquisitely figured, reflects the colors that are popular today, and is produced in a small quarry located in a remote part of a politically unstable developing country to be more expensive.

Q: How does quality affect pricing?

A: The quality of a granite is largely determined by the eye of the beholder, in that the "best" granite is the one that fills the aesthetic and practical needs most successfully. Nonetheless, granites are often compared on their luster when polished, appearance of surface porosity, and their mingling of colors. Generally, almost all granites rate very high in their ability to serve as surfacing for counters, floors, and walls. Of course there are lower quality granites, but you're not likely to find these in a reputable granite supplier's yard. Quality, therefore, can more often be judged in the workmanship rather than in the material itself.

Q: What besides material cost will affect the price of our granite project?

A: Fabrication costs can affect final price. A material as durable and hard as granite requires a lot of effort and some specialized tooling to manufacture. We cut, shape, and polish using diamond tools and extensive handwork. Generally, the more complex the shapes used in the project and particularly the shape of the finished edges, the higher the price will be. Fortunately, granite looks terrific with single thickness plain polished edges as well as the fancy double-thickness contoured edges.

Q: What prep work is necessary to prepare my cabinets for granite tops?

A: Details vary from job to job, so review the question with your design consultant. Generally though, remember that granite does not like bending or twisting forces. A strong and stable substructure is critical, particularly when large overhangs are present such as eating bars. Also, avoid materials like particle board that swell when they absorb moisture. The swelling places your granite under stress, and particle board loses strength after being damp.

Q: What about the risk of burns or scratches?

A: Granites are not affected by temperatures found in our normal environment, such as temperatures reached by cooking pans. Granites are also typically harder than the items in a home that might scratch them, such as cutlery steel. Even without reasonable care, granites are some of the most scratch resistant materials in the home. As a precaution, though, remember that any material can be scratched and can be stained. Let reasonable expectations and common sense prevail.

Q: What objects or situations are harmful to granite?

A: Properly installed, granite is very durable. However, it is wise to avoid a couple of things. First, granite can be chipped or cracked if a sharp blow is struck with a heavy object, so don't hammer on your granite or use it for a carpenter work bench. Second, granite does not like twisting or bending force. If you're going to dance on your countertops, do so only where the granite is completely supported by proper structures. Harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners will dull the surface over time.

Q: Should we seal our granite, particularly in food preparation areas?

A: We believe stone work should be sealed, particularly around food preparation areas, but it is important to use the right materials, applied correctly. First, the installation materials used to install the granite must be allowed to cure completely so that no moisture or solvent is trapped. One to two weeks after installation is usually sufficient. Second, the correct sealers should be used. For polished granite, we recommend a silicone impregnator made for natural stone. This is a room temperature curing material that fills the pores in stone, rather than being a coating on top of stone. Only impregnators that are semi-permeable are acceptable. Impregnators do not cover up the natural beauty of the stone and do not wear off like a surface coating. Allow to cure completely before using. Our office sells these products.

Q: What normal maintenance will I have to include?

A: When properly installed and sealed, most granites are virtually maintenance free. However, you can improve on the already terrific performance of granite by regular use of a "No Rinse" soap specially formulated for stone. The stone soap conditions the granite surface and acts as a "release agent" for spills and splatters. Clean up is a snap.

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