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Does Counter Top Solutions have a large inventory of granite remnants?

Yes, we have one of the largest inventory of granite remnants around! We also have remnants and half slabs of Engineered stone, marble, limestone, onyx and of course granite and many other types of stone remnants.

What is Granite?

Granite is normally a coarse grained igneous rock that is comprised of quartz, feldspars and micas. The quartz will be be the lighter color minerals with the remaining consisting of feldspars and muscovite. The dark minerals are hornblende or biotite. Granite is by far the most common rock found in the outer crust of the planet. Granite is formed by the cooling of magma in the ground.

What is Marble?

Marble is metamorphosed sedimentary carbonate rock. Limestone or dolomite (carbonate rocks) are the typical base minerals. The recrystallization of the carbonate minerals result in Marble. Often the original structure of the carbonate rocks are modified during the metamorphism to render the marble unrecognizable from its original state. The swirling and veins in marble often result from mineral impurities which are in layers in the original limestone or dolomite.

What is Mercantile Granite?

In our industry the term “Granite” is used to describe many stone slabs that are in fact not granite by a geological definition. What does this mean to you? Well not  much as long as your countertop does not etch from common acids or scratch from a knife. It really is a simple test. Simply take a lemon and cut it in half, leave in the stone in question for ten minutes or so. Remove the lemon and look for etching of the surface. If the lemon had no effect, you have passed the first half of this simple test to determine if the stone is acid resistant. The next test is to take a knife and drag it across the stone. Does the stone readily scratch? If not you, are dealing with a Mercantile Granite that is suitable for the abuse that is common in a kitchen. Marbles, Limestones, Onyx, Travertines will not pass the test which is why those materials are more suitable in areas that don’t involve cooking.

What is “Resined” Granite or Marble?

Around eight years ago the granite slab Fabrication industry began to resin granite, marble, limestone and other stone slabs. The process is incredibly important as it helps seal and strengthen the stone. Resining granite is done after the slabs are cut from the granite blocks. The slabs are pressure washed to remove slurry and open any pores or natural fissures in the stone. The slabs are then dried in an oven. As the slabs leave the oven the slaps are sprayed with a penetrating resin which soaks into the slabs consolidating any fissures and filling the microscopic pores in the stone. The resin is then ground off the face of the slabs leaving the resin in the pores and fissures. The slab is left with a glass like finish that is resistant to stains. Be sure to ask for resined granite slabs when you starting looking for material. Reputable companies only purchase resined granite and marble slabs. Resined slabs are the true engineered stones of the industry.

Is Granite Green?

We like to think so. Unfortunately, it is not actually classified in a way the allows it to get LEEDS points. The two biggest criteria are 1. Does the countertop use recycled material and is it a renewable resource? 2. Was it made within 500 miles from where it was installed? That’s a layman’s version of LEEDS as it relates to countertops. Let’s discuss some other factors that make granite one of the “greenest” choices available to you. First and foremost is countertop life cycle. A properly installed granite countertop will last as long as your home and never needs replacing….it will look as amazing today as it does in twenty years. Second consideration is carbon foot print. The amount of Co2 produced in the extraction of granite is actually very low when compared with man made countertops. Couple that with a product that lasts a life time and you have one very green product. We wont run out of granite any time soon….it’s what the crust of the planet is made of.

What is “Engineered Stone?

As the name implies it is a countertop product that is made of quartz and resins. Before granite slabs were resined Engineered Stone had one major advantage over its natural counterpart, it was difficult to stain. Now with the advent of resined slabs that advantage is gone. The primary difference is the appearance. Man made products come in a large range of consistent color which do not occur naturally in nature. You often see engineered stone being used in commercial setting or contemporary ones. At the end of the day you have to decide which look is best for your countertops, price may also be a factor. Note: Engineered does not hold up to heat as well as granite.

How often do I need to seal my granite?

In most cases the answer is never…..or years and years after it is installed. Sealers are solids that have been emulsified in a solvent. They are designed to penetrate the stone taking the solids with them. When the solvent evaporates (think paint) the molecules lock into the stone and seal it. Combine one good coat of a quality sealer (which we will do for you in our shop) with the resin applied by the factory you will have a very stain resistant top that will be virtually maintenance free. Rarely, if ever will you need to seal granite that has been resined and properly sealed. Over time, in the unlikely you do see some water absorb then simply reseal. We can help you with this in the unlikely event your countertops need to be resealed. Remember, companies that sell sealers would love you to seal your counters every couple weeks….think about it.

Does the price of the stone have any bearing on the quality?

Often people make the mistake of assuming that if it is more expensive then the slab is better quality. Often in our industry stone cost has more to do with availability, competitive quarries…in other words; Does color come from multiple locations creating a price competitive market? So the simple answer is: No….the cost has nothing to do with the structural quality. The more complex answer is Yes. For example; Santa Cecilia Granite is available from many sources so the base price of the granite is fairly low. In that group there: First Choice Material, which is has nicest even looking coloring and movement. Then there is Second Choice Material: This will look close to first choice but have minor color variations which make it slightly less expensive then the first choice. The final classification is Commercial Grade Material: This class of stone will have things that make it look less then desirable, spots/eggs of color that do not match the “Norm” for that material. This is the lowest cost. These ratings are subjective and have to do with what the granite looks like. At the end of the day all three classification will perform perfectly in your kitchen but the “quality” is based on the subjective appearance. The best way to think about it is AKC registered dogs. Just because the dog has a white foot does not effect the performance….it does effect the subjective quality rating.

About Granite, Marble and Engineered Stone.

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