FAQs & Helpful Tips

Granite Frequently Asked Questions:

Is granite a completely smooth surface like other Solid Surface Materials?

No, many 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.

What is the difference between 2 cm and 3 cm? 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. Either one of the thicknesses can be used in your home. It will come down to preference of the home owner. Most kitchens are done with 3cm or 2cm that has a laminated edge that makes it 1 ½" think that is equivalent to Formica counter tops. In bathrooms, both 2 and 3cm are used equally.

What kind of edges are available for granite countertops?

Soulliere Stone City offers the straight edge, half and full bull nose, bevel and ogee edges. If you are interested in other edge profiles, please discuss your options with a Soulliere Stone City sales associate.

Are your countertops backed by a warranty?

Yes, all standard granite countertops are supported by a 1 year labor 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 materials is not jeopardized. The cabinet structure, placement of the 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.Soulliere Stone City project managers will work with the Dealer and the client in every way possible to ensure that seams are kept to a minimum and are discreetly placed, while still maintaining the structural integrity of the stone.

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. Additional costs, such as cook top or sink cutouts, fabrication costs, and special requests are priced separately.

How does granite 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.

Can a customer choose the granite slab that will be used for their countertops?

Soulliere Stone City recommends that customers visit our fabrication shop to hand select their material. Customers will be shown different 'lots' of the same granite and the customer can select which lot they prefer for their project.

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 always recommended for use in the kitchen because of its tendency to stain and scratch. However, marble can be used as long as the customer understands the differences between the two. Marble, because of its unparalleled beauty and classic look, can make an excellent choice for vanities, wet bars, and especially fireplace surrounds.

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. If using marble, 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.

How can you limit the staining of granite or marble?

Soulliere Stone City impregnates all material 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?

Soulliere Stone City recommends sealing your stone once every year. We will seal your counter tops in our facility before they are brought out to your home for installation. Every year after the install you should apply another coat of seal on the surface. There are many sealers to choose from but we recommend Stone Tech. This seal has been around a long time and has proven that their product works. You can purchase Stone Tech sealers at our showroom or you can contact our office for further questions.

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. Depending on the area and severity of the damage additional products may be needed.

end faq

Helpful Hints to Make Your Stone Purchases Go More Smoothly:

Determine all areas that will require stone prior to ordering.
Determine which areas will require more durable types of stone.
Keep in mind, clients who choose limestone, marble, or honed granite for kitchen countertops need to realize that these exquisite stones frequently scratch and stain much more than polished granite; thus these stones require additional care.
Stone countertops are not maintenance free and do need to be maintained properly. Maintenance may require sealing the stone and using the recommended stone surface cleaner.
Stone samples are representative of that product and show only the type of material found within that particular range of stone. Variation is expected and we cannot guarantee to exactly match any stone sample.
Certain decisions and details need to be taken care of prior to on-site measuring. Here are some examples:
- All cabinets must be fastened in their permanent position and not removed.
- Any cabinet work that can affect our dimensions must be complete before we measure.
- All cabinets must be level and flat to the specifications referenced in the MIA Dimension Stone Design Manual, Version VII.
- All sinks, faucets, cook tops/ranges, soap dispensers, etc must be at the jobsite for measuring.
- The layout needs to be determined for the faucet, sprayer, soap dispenser, instant hot water, etc.
- Any receptacles that need to be cut into the stone must be installed.
Keep in mind, if we are required to make an additional trip to the jobsite because of a for-seeable lack of preparedness there will be additional charges.
Any changes made after field measuring may not only change the price, but also cause an extended delay in fabrication and installation.
To insure that your project will run smoothly, please keep a job file with all documents and keep a line of communication open.