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Granite FAQ:

Q: Does remodeling my kitchen or bathroom with a natural stone increases the value of my house?
A: Yes.  Besides customizing your home with the colors and patterns you like,  usually you can get up to 100% invested (or more) back on a kitchen remodeling. 

Q: What stone is best for a kitchen countertop, granite or marble?
A: Both are good choices, but because marble is based on calcium carbonate, which is an acid sensitive material, it can be stained by acidic products such as vinegars or juices.

Q: I want to choose and pick the granite slabs that will go on my kitchen.  What should I look for?
A: Once you pick a color it is a good idea to let your fabricator choose the slabs since he knows the layout of your kitchen and can trim out any fissures or pits that a slab my have.  But in case you want to do it, look for slabs that do not have pits or fissures around its center.  

Q: How hard is granite?
A: Granite receives a 7 on the Moh's scale of mineral hardness.  A mineral with higher grade can scratch the ones below. Check the grades for the different materials:

10   Diamond
9     Corundum
8     Topaz
7     Granite 
6     Feldspar
5.5  Knife blade
5     Apatite
4     Fluorite
3     Marble (Calcite) 
2.5  Finger nail
2    Hard plastic
2    Gypsum
1     Talc

Q: Can I cut or chop directly on a granite countertop?
A: It is not recommended. Granite is a hard material and might damage your knife, if you use the countertop as a cutting surface. Always cut and chop on a cutting board

Q: What products can be used to clean granite?
A: Any phosphate-free, biodegradable liquid dish-soap, soap flakes or powder. 

Q: Does the sample on the web site matches exactly the stone color?
A: The samples you see on the computer might differ from the real stone color, since there are variations on monitor tint, scanner settings, etc. Granite is a natural material with naturally occurring variations in color, tone, granularity, pattern, etc. These variations are expected and are the source of its natural beauty.

Q: Can granite stain?
A: Granite has very little porosity which makes harder for a fluid to go thru.  During the fabrication process, the countertop receives a layer of resin to insure its insulation.  Usage and wear can scratch the surface of the resin, so sealant application is recommended every one to two years. This article from the MIA goes into more details.

Q: Is granite affected by heat?
A: Granite can not be affected by heat from a hot pot or a frying pan.

Q: Can granite chip?
A: It can, if it receives a blow from a hammer or other heavy tool. 

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