| Frequently
asked Questions about Natural Stone |
| |
| Will
my stone look like the samples? |
| Since stone is a natural product
it will vary in color, tone, granularity,
pattern, etc. These variations are expected
and are one of the sources of its natural
beauty. The samples you see on the computer
have been scanned and saved with digital software.
The color tones may not be absolutely correct
due to variations in computer systems, monitors
and software compression. |
| |
| Where
does natural stone come from? |
| Stone comes from around the
world. Various types of stone, in myriad colors
and textures, are found in different countries.
Much of our granite comes from Indian quarries.
Marble is mostly from India . Slate is imported
from India, while travertine and limestone
come from India . |
| |
| What
are the differences between 3/4" (2 cm)
and 1 1/4" (3 cm) material for countertops?
|
| Slabs, large pieces of stone, come in 3/4"
(2 cm) and 1 1/4" (3 cm) . For the most
part there is no difference in durability
or usage. The choice depends on the type of
edging you want. You can see a variety of
edge samples in our showroom. |
| |
| Can I get
tiles to match my countertop or vanity top?
|
| Many, though not all, of our stones are
available in both tiles and slabs. We offer
tiles in standard 12" x 12" sizes.
Keep in mind that tile and slab materials
vary, so we recommend that you view both in
our showroom before making your final decision.
|
| |
| How are sinks
installed in natural stone countertops? |
| A cut-out can be made in the stone to accommodate
the type of sink you choose. Any sink that
you purchase will have instructions and a
template for the cut-out needed. |
| |
| Will
seams show? |
Because stone is a natural material and
is mined from the quarry in blocks usually
no more than 10 feet long, you may end up
with seams. Also, because stone is sold in
rectangular pieces, you may want to use seams
to reduce your costs, such as an "L"
shaped corner. The visibility of seams will
depend on the granularity, color and pattern
of the stone.
For instance, a seam in a slab of granite
that has a small, uniform grain (such as Carioca
Gold) will not be as apparent as in a stone
with a larger varied grain (such as Juperana
Sunset). A seam in a dark color (Impala Black)
will be less apparent than a light color (Piracema
White). A dramatic pattern (Kinawa, Paradiso)
will show more seams than a uniform pattern
(Ubatuba). We recommend that you work with
your fabricator to minimize the effect due
to pattern changes.
Most customers find that the beauty of natural
stone outweighs the concern of seams. |
| |
| How are seams
made? |
| During installation, a small bead of silicone
is placed along the seam, where two straight,
smooth cuts join together, to seal it. Occasionally,
in areas of stress or insufficient support,
the seams will be joined with epoxy. |
| |
| Do natural
stone counters overhang the cabinets?
|
| Most counters overhang by one inch, which
is standard. This may be changed for whatever
reason due to cabinet configuration or personal
tastes. On islands the overhang can be as
much as 14”. |
| |
| What is efflorescence?
|
| Efflorescence (also called effervescence)
is a common, temporary condition on new stone
installations. It is actually a mineral salt
from the stone's setting bed, and may appear
as a white, powdery residue on the surface
of the stone. The stone will continue to effloresce
until it is completely dry, from several days
to a few months. It can be buffed with a clean
polishing pad |
|
| Questions
about Specific Stones : Granite |
| Aren't granites
expensive? |
| No. In fact, granite countertops can be
less expensive than a solid surface material
such as Corian©. The price will vary
by square foot, depending on the color you
select as well as the edging detail. But remember,
your granite counter will last forever and
be completely unique to your kitchen--a truly
durable, scratch resistant and beautiful investment.
|
| |
| How do you
take care of granite? |
| Clean with ordinary window cleaner as often
as you like. |
| |
| Can you scratch
granite? |
| Granite is one of the hardest stones available.
It cannot be scratched in ordinary use; even
a knife blade will not scratch it. It can
only be scratched with specially sharpened
tools designed to work with granite, like
tungsten and diamond tools. |
| |
| Can you chip
granite? |
| Granite will chip only in cases of severe
abuse with a hammer or impact tool. In the
unlikely event that your granite is chipped,
the mark can be filled with a granite dust
and epoxy mixture. Granite will not crack
with ordinary use. It is most susceptible
to cracking during shipping. |
| |
| Does granite
stain or burn? |
No. You can't burn it with ordinary use.
Granite is highly resistant to staining. The
only caveat is that a few colors may absorb
some moisture with prolonged contact. Usually
no evidence remains when the liquid is removed
and the granite dries. A problem could arise
with prolonged exposure to a dark-pigmented
liquid.
Although the granite may have a sealer applied
at the fabricator's location, we recommend
that a stone sealer also be applied after
installation. Please consult with your fabricator
for advice. |
| |
| Can granite
cantilever (project from a wall without other
visible means of support)? |
| Yes. You can cantilever a single piece of
granite of up to 14" if there is sufficient
support on the fixed end. Never cantilever
granite where it might receive excessive stress
like someone sitting on a counter or stepping
on a counter to change a light bulb. You must
have additional support underneath for these
situations. |
|
| Marble |
| How durable
is marble? |
| Marble has been used for thousands of years.
In many cases, the statues and buildings made
of marble far outlasted the ancient cultures
that built them. A simple, regular maintenance
program will keep marble looking beautiful
for the life of your home or commercial building.
|
| |
| Can marble
be used in kitchens and bathrooms?
|
Yes. Marble is a durable material that adds
elegance to any room, including bathrooms
and kitchens. Since marble is more porous
(and therefore softer) than granite, it is
more prone to staining, etching and scratching.
We recommend that a penetrating sealant be
applied on a twice-yearly basis to help protect
the marble from damage.
Marble can even be used for kitchen countertops,
although our policy at Boston Granite Exchange
is to recommend granite as a first choice
for countertops. Green marble is the most
durable and least susceptible to staining
and scratching. With any marble, care should
be made to wipe up spills immediately and
we also recommend using a cutting board to
protect against scratching.
Marble is an excellent choice for bathrooms
and powder rooms--giving a luxurious quality
to vanities, floors, tubs and showers. |
| |
| What can be
done if marble accidentally gets stained or
scratched? |
| There are ways to repair damage that occurs.
Marble polishing powder can help remove scratches,
while poulticing liquid can penetrate marble
and help lift out stains. |
|
| Slate |
| What are the
most appropriate uses for slate?
|
| Slate is such a hard, durable stone that
it has traditionally been used as a roofing
material. However, slate's other advantages-stain
resistance and water resistance, non-skid
surfacing, and affordability-make it ideal
for almost any application, including interior
and exterior flooring, paving, stair treads,
wall cladding, tabletops, countertops, bathroom
vanities, showers, and more. Brazilian slate
is the only kind that comes in a slab big
enough to use as a kitchen counter. |
| |
| Will slate
stain, burn or scratch? |
| Slate is highly resistant to both staining
and burning. It is often used in science laboratories
and hospitals for this reason. Slate can be
scratched, however, so care must be taken
if it is used for a kitchen countertop. Scratches
can be buffed out, depending on the finish.
|
| |
| Doesn't slate
come in only one color? |
| No! Slate is available in a variety of gorgeous
colors and tones, including blues, grays,
blacks, greens, purples, roses, golds, peaches,
reds and many others. |
|
| Limestone
and Travertine |
| How are limestone
and travertine used in commercial and residential
settings? |
Both limestone and travertine (a type of
limestone formed near hot springs ) come in
light, creamy colors that impart wrmth and
subtlety to any structure. Limestone can be
used in both exteriors-including wall cladding,
benches, columns, and statuary-and interiors-including
floors, tabletops, stairs, and decorative
stonework.
In locations that are susceptible to freezing
temperatures, travertine is normally used
for interior wall cladding and decoration.
Its natural pits and holes, made by bubbles
in the hot springs where it was formed, lend
it a distinctive character. The holes are
normally filled with synthetic resins or cements
for easier maintenance. In temperate climates,
travertine is also used in exterior applications.
Unfilled travertine is ideal for exterior
use. |
| |
| What colors
are available in limestone and travertine?
|
| Travertine usually comes in creamy or reddish
colors. Limestone colors can range from creamy
whites and yellows to browns and blacks. |
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