Quality Stone Austin

Can granite or marble be used in food preparation areas?
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.
Can you cut on granite or marble?
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.
Can you set hot pans on granite or marble?
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.
Does granite or marble chip or scratch?
Granite is a very dense material and under normal conditions it is chip and scratch resistant. 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.
Will granite or marble stain?
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.
How can you limit the staining of granite or marble?
We impregnate all material with a quality penetrating impregnator to help reduce the chance of staining. To further prevent staining you should wipe up spills on marble and granite as quickly as possible, and avoid using acidic or oil-based products on marble.
Should granite be sealed?
The most effective method of protecting your granite is not sealing. Instead, we apply a stone impregnator, which penetrates the granite and keeps dirt, liquids, and food from easily absorbing into the stone, giving a good window of time for proper clean up. The stone impregnating material does not change the color of the stone, as some sealing materials may. It penetrates the stone and will help prevent staining. However, it will not stop the penetration of moisture entirely. When a liquid that might cause staining spills on the top, it should be cleaned up as soon as possible.
Can granite be repaired?
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.
Is granite a completely smooth surface like other Solid Surface Materials?
No. Many granites 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.
What is the difference between 2 cm and 3 cm? And what is the most appropriate thickness for the tops?
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.
What kind of edges are available for granite countertops?
We can fabricate the straight edge, pencil round, half and full bullnose, bevel and ogee edges. If you are interested in other edge profiles, please discuss your options with us during your estimate.
Are your countertops backed by a warranty?
Yes, all standard granite countertops are supported by a 10 year warranty.
Why do I have to have seams in my countertop and what do they look like?
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 cooktops, 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. The seam is sealed with a moisture-proof epoxy/plastic that is color-matched to the material to minimize visibility. However no seam is 100% invisible.
What affects pricing of granite and marble?
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 cooktop or sink cutouts, fabrication costs, and special requests are priced separately.
How do granite and marble compare to other solid surface countertops?
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.
What should you be paying for when buying granite?
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.
Can a customer choose the granite slab that will be used for their countertops.
We can bring small samples to you that will give you an idea of the granite color, but we recommend that customers visit AG&M North or South to hand select their material. Customers will be shown different "lots" of the same granite and the customer can select which lot they prefer.