Granite is a natural stone and quartz is a man-made product. Granite, and other natural stones such as marble and quartzite, need to be sealed at least once a year due to their porous nature. Quartz, on the other hand, does not need to be sealed, but it does need extra care when coming into contact with heat. If you set a hot pot or pan straight out of the oven or off the stovetop directly onto your quartz, you can burn the resin it’s made with and discolor the countertop. Always use potholders, trivets, or other heat protection with your quartz counters!

That is called a fissure! Fissures occur naturally in many stone types and are a visible separation along inter-crystalline boundaries that can start and stop within the face of the stone or extend through an edge. This is not the same as a crack as it is a naturally occurring feature of the stone and all granites contain some degree of fissure. Please note that we will not replace a countertop due to the presence of fissures, as fissures are not considered a flaw of the stone in the industry.

Sealing your granite is like waxing a car. You should seal your granite and other natural stone countertops at least once a year. Be sure to use the sealer on clean and dry countertops and to ventilate properly. Using a clean paper towel (or microfiber cloth), you can rub in the sealer on your countertops. A little goes a long way, so you don’t need much to get the job done. The product fully cures after about 2-3 hours and is food-safe once the product has hardened. We sell sealer in our showroom, and it should last you at least five years.

Marble and dolomite are very similar natural stones composed of limestone and they share a lot of similarities. They are both susceptible to etching with acids, vinegars, and harsh chemicals, as well as both are more prone to scratching and chipping than other natural stones. Marble is a metamorphic rock formed most commonly from limestone and dolomite rock. Marble is composed of an interlocking mosaic of carbonate crystals, usually calcite or dolomite. Dolomite is a sedimentary carbonate rock composed primarily of the mineral dolomite (more than 50%). Dolomite can be scratched easily with metals. The mineral calcite is what causes these stones to be prone to etching, as when calcite interacts with an acid, it causes a chemical reaction where the surface of the stone is heated up and burns the top layer. This creates a dull spot on the surface of the stone, with stronger acids etching deeper.

Quartz is an engineered man-made product, created by mixing ground quartz mineral with a resin system, which means it is very durable but does not boast the same heat resistance as natural stone. Typically, the composition is 90% ground up quartz mineral and 10% resin, polymers, and pigments. Because of this, quartz is typically non-porous and boasts less maintenance than natural stone since it does not need to be sealed. The stone is durable and dense like granite. Quartz is UV-sensitive, so it is not a good choice for outdoor spaces. If you place a hot pan or pot directly on the countertop without any protection, it will scorch the resin system and discolor the quartz. Similarly, if a quartz countertop is deeply scratched or has excessive wear, it may not be possible to get the surface of the countertop back to its original factory condition as the temperature of heat required to do so in a high end polish is hot enough to melt the resin system.

Quartzite is not the same as quartz; in fact, it’s a completely different stone! Quartzite has a lot of similarities to granite, but it is a harder stone since it is composed of at least 80% quartz. With heat and pressure, quartz sandstone over time develops into quartzite, making it a metamorphic rock. This stone is more scratch resistant than granite. Quartzite is almost completely composed of silica, which forms into tightly interlocked and roughly equal in size quartz grains. These grains being tightly interlocked results in more fractures in the stone when it is broken, and quartzite tends to absorb moisture more than other natural stones so it needs time to dry out before installation.

Soapstone is a natural stone that is typically treated with a food grade mineral oil to speed up the natural darkening (or aging) process. Soapstone is a metamorphic rock composed of mostly magnesium-rich talc and schist. Soapstone is relatively soft, but its softness is dependent on the amount of talc present in the soapstone. Most architectural grade soapstones have as little as 30% talc. The stone is durable and very heat resistant with a high heat storage capacity, which makes it a great choice for hearths. Soapstone is very non-porous (some soapstones are porous and do require sealing) and scratches made in the stone can be buffed out with sandpaper or covered by mineral oil, depending on the severity.

We work with a variety of distributors in Charlotte, NC and you can call them to make an appointment to view their showrooms. Our list of distributors includes, but is not limited to, Stone Basyx, Cosmos Granite & Marble, Marva Marble, Cambria, AGM Imports, Spectrum Quartz, Easy Stones, MS International, OHM, and others. If you are unsure if we work with a specific distributor, please call or email us to check.

We can get Viatera, Silestone, Hanstone, and Cambria, among many others. We have a variety of sample towers in our showroom showcasing the quartz we can bring in for you. If you are unsure if we have a specific brand, please call or email us to check.

We do not. However, some of our distributors do. If you see a stone you like on their websites, simply call or email us with the color name and stone type, as well as the Lot/Block number if available, and we will be able to have that brought in. Stone Basyx, Cosmos, and MSI all have inventories viewable online.

We do have a large selection of sinks and faucets that you can purchase through us. We mostly sell undermount stainless steel sinks, but we do also have vanity undermount sinks, vanity vessel sinks, quartz composite undermount sinks, granite composite undermount sinks, prep station undermount sinks, and apron sinks. All of our faucets are a stainless steel finish.

Yes. We charge to remove your existing countertops, but we can remove formica/laminate, granite, tile, or other solid surface counters. We also offer tile backsplash removal for an additional fee.

We offer eased edge, pencil edge, demi bullnose edge, ogee edge, and a chiseled edge. For the pricing of each specific edge, please call or email us. 

Yes! For your template session to go smoothly, we need:

• your faucet information
• range information
• sink information (if not purchased through us), and
• for your cabinets to be installed in place and secured to the wall before we arrive.

We will call you to confirm when we’re on the way, and the template could take 1-2 hours, more or less, depending on the size of your project. We template using a digital laser system. It is helpful but not necessary to clear your countertops off. We ask that someone be present for the template session so that any questions, whether on our side or yours, can be addressed.

Yes! All plumbing fixtures must be disconnected prior to us arriving at your home to install your countertops. We request that you have your plumber shut water off at the main the morning of your installation and then turn the water back on 24 hours after installation. The silicone we use in installation needs that time to cure. Installation will happen in one day, unless the size of your project requires additional time. If you have scheduled a tear out as well, it typically happens a few business days beforehand so that cabinets can be ensured to be level and ready for countertops.

Cleaning your countertops should be done at least once a week. However, if you have a spill on your countertops you should clean it as soon as possible.

When cleaning your countertop, it is important to ONLY use approved stone cleaner, or soap and water.

Never use any bleach, vinegar, ammonia, or any cleaner that contains high levels of acid. Also, do not use any abrasive cleaning material such as steel wool, Scotch-Brite, or other materials like these to clean your countertops.