Natural Stone - Granite and Marble, Countertops and Vanity Tops

Next to diamond, sapphire, and ruby, granite is the hardest natural product on earth. Once polished, natural granite will maintain its high gloss virtually forever. Normal use of kitchen knives, cutlery, and cookware leaves no scratches. Heat has almost no effect on natural granite, making it much safer than synthetic surfaces with polyesters and resins. Pots and pans heated to 900 degrees Fahrenheit will not dull natural granite's lustrous finish, but the use of trivets is recommended to keep your granite counter clean.

Granite is formed by solidification of liquid magma (molten rock) under the pressure of earth's crust. It is composed of Feldspar, Quartz, Mica, and other minerals, making it one of the hardest stones in the world. It has been used for building and decorative purposes for centuries. Granite resists wear-and-tear applications remarkably well, making it ideal for interior or exterior flooring. When used outdoors, granite's mineralogical structure is not influenced by freeze-thaw cycles.

There are numerous advantages to using natural stone such as granite and marble in place of synthetic materials such as Corian, Formica, porcelain, concrete or ceramic tile. Natural stone is durable, long-lasting and color selection is generally far more extensive. Most people consider natural stone more expensive than it actually is. Not only can natural stone be affordable but its resilience proves cost effective over time. On the other hand, synthetic material requires periodic replacement and costly repairs. At All Granite And Marble Corp. we pride ourselves on the ability to offer quality granite and marble products at affordable prices that are often lower than those of synthetic products.

Marble and granite products alike add a polished sophistication and enhance any room. Both can be used for countertops, tile flooring, fireplace mantels, columns, vases and much more. However, even though marble and granite have a similar aesthetic, they can also be better suited for specific purposes.

Marble lasts as long as granite but is typically best used for items such as vases, crosses, and mantels. Subtle color choices and veining patterns that marble offers can create more unique and exquisite designs in bathrooms. Physically, marble is less dense and is often the preferred choice for fireplace mantels because more detailed designs can be carved. Largely composed of calcite, marble is sensitive to acidic foods which include ketchup, lemon, vinegar and wine. In exposing marble to these acids there is a risk of staining and dulling the polished finish.

Greater density and hardness help make granite resistant to scratches, acids, stains and heat. That makes granite a popular choice for kitchen countertops and outdoor pieces, including headstones and monuments because it is the most durable natural stone and stand up well to weather changes. Granite is long-lasting and creates a beautiful, unique ambiance in any environment.

Granite is one of the most durable, maintenance-free countertop materials available. Granite is a natural material made of very hard igneous rock that is second only in hardness and compacted strength to diamonds. As a result of its geological composition, granite is stain, scratch, and burn resistant. Easy to care for and much desired for its natural beauty, granite is an investment that amortizes over time, retaining its original appearance long after initial installation. In most cases, granite countertops fall within the same price range as other high-end surfacing materials.

The granite in our yard comes from quarries all over the world such as Brazil, Italy, Norway, China, Finland, and India

3 cm (about 1 ¼ of an inch) or 2 cm (about ¾). Thickness of countertops with laminated edges will double (2 ½” or 1 ½“).

From 1 ½ to 2 inches.

Regrettably no, this is not possible.

Yes. All natural stone products should be initially sealed and periodically resealed. Any natural stone sealer for granite counters may be used. We recommend to reapply sealer at least once a year. All Granite And Marble applies sealer on every application we are installing.

Granite tiles and slabs come in different thicknesses. The weight per square foot for each thickness is as follows:

• 3/4"(20mm) thick slab: 12.8 lbs. sq. ft.
• 1 1/4"(30mm) thick slab: 18 lbs sq. ft.

While it is difficult to permanently repair granite, it is also very difficult to damage it. However, if some damage does occur, granite usually can be repaired by a mix of epoxy and ground-up chips of granite.

No. Many types of granite contain pits and fissures that are natural characteristics of granite. Some granites exhibit these characteristics more than others, and the lighting of the room can make these marks more or less visible. These characteristics should be pointed out to the client prior to deciding on a particular material.

The 2 cm thick stone is approximately 3/4" thick, ranging from 5/8" to 7/8" in thickness. The 3 cm is approximately 1 3/16", and can range from 1 1/16" to 1 5/16" thick. We recommend using the 3 cm granite for kitchen countertops for both aesthetic reasons and structural reasons.

Slab size may not be large enough for the entire run of the countertop. The weight of the material may dictate that seams are inserted so that the structural integrity of the material is not jeopardized. The cabinet structure, placement of cook tops, or other cutouts may require seams. Access to the job or layout of the countertops may be limited and/or difficult to work with. The type of material may require seams to maintain the structural integrity of the material. Tightness of seam will not to exceed 1/16"-1/8" width. Seam is sealed with a moisture-proof silicone/plastic caulk that is color-matched to the material to minimize visibility.

All Granite And Marble Corp. recommends that customers visit one of our locations to hand select their material. Customers will be shown different "lots" of the same granite and the customer can select which lot they prefer.

A template is a pattern made of your future countertops that will be used to produce your countertop to your specifications.

Stone countertops can weigh up to 30 pounds a square foot. At the time of template, our installation team will make sure your cabinets are structurally sound to handle the weight of your new countertops. 

From the order through installation the process usually takes about 2-3 business days.

We try extremely hard to avoid seams if possible, but the reality is that the majority of countertops will have a seam no matter how hard we try.

Seams are determined by All Granite And Marble Corp. depending on countertop layout, support needed, and material usage.

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. All Granite and Marble Corp. 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 counter top. Mistakes are inevitable with natural stone projects, and even small errors can be VERY costly - you can easily exceed the cost of our installed prices with just one small slip-up or miscalculation.

All Granite And Marble Corp. 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.

There are several variables that affect the pricing of granite and marble. The material is priced by the square foot and these costs are dependent on the product's standard availability and the origin of material. The edge profile is priced by the linear foot. Additional costs, such as cook top or sink cutouts, fabrication costs, and special requests are priced separately.

Not all granites are the same and consumers must be careful when they are comparing the same granites with different vendors. Quality stone includes clear crystals, a smooth surface with even polish, and a good polish without swirl marks from the polisher. The quality of the installation is just as important as the quality of the material. An excellent installation consists of a job that fits well as a result of accurate templating and good installation, highly polished, straight edges, and a timely installation, with no hassles and a quick response to all situations

Granite is a highly dense material and relatively porous so it can get stained if a spill is not cleaned quickly. Sealing the surface with a water-based sealant is therefore recommended to protect the granite from water patches and stains. Sealing can be done once a year or once every two years depending on the usage of the surface.

One method you can use to check if your granite needs to be resealed is to sprinkle some water on your countertops. If the water soaks into the stone and does not bead up, then we would recommend resealing your granite. Most kitchens need to be resealed about once a year.

Granite is an excellent product for use in kitchens and other food preparation areas. Under normal conditions it is stain, chip, scratch, and burn resistant. Like any other countertop material, if cleaned regularly and properly granite poses no health or sanitation problems. Marble is not recommended for use in the kitchen because of its tendency to stain and scratch.

Granite is an extremely tough, durable material and in most cases can be used as a cutting surface without fear of scratching the stone, although repeated cutting on granite may dull knives. Using marble as a cutting surface will result in scratches as if cutting on a piece of wood.

Granite is ideal for kitchens because under normal conditions it will not burn and it will not be harmed by hot pans or open flames. Marble should not be used in kitchens as excessive heat can cause damage and potentially leave scars or burn marks. Neither material is flammable.

Granite is a very dense material and under normal conditions it is chip and scratch resistant. However, we do not recommend a straight edge polish for countertops, especially around a sink because pots, pans, and other heavy objects may chip the sharp edge of a straight edge finish. Several other edge options are available that will look beautiful and reduce the chance of chipping. Marble can be chipped and scratched under normal use and therefore, should be used in low traffic areas and should always be treated like a piece of fine wood.

Marble and granite are porous materials and therefore, are subject to staining if not maintained properly. In granite, the same porosity that allows for staining also allows for easy stain removal. In most cases, stains can be prevented by quickly wiping the spill. If a spill is left overnight, especially if the liquid is grease, oil, coffee, or wine the granite will usually darken. To remove the stain, a poultice should be applied, which may pull out the stain from the granite. Marble can be stained and etched by acidic or oil-based products.

If you'd like, you may purchase a special stone cleaner. However, warm water and light colored dish soap will also work well. Be sure to avoid using any abrasive cleaners that will break down your seal quicker.