No, there are several different finishes you can order; the highly polished finish is just the most popular. There is a process called “honing” that gives the stone a more matte finish yet retains its smooth feel.

Yes. It is our policy to seal every stone surface we install and we recommend the application of a sealer every six months to assure protection against any oils or water that may have sat on the surface of the stone for any length of time.

Very little. Prices are more affected by the supply and demand placed upon the quarry. You”ll find that red and blue tones are a bit higher priced than other colors due to their lack of abundance.

There is no set rule on how often to seal your natural stone. Sealing can be as frequent as six months for higher traffic areas on marble, slate, travertine, and limestone or every couple of years for granite countertops. Also some sealers provide for only a single application every ten years. Please review the guidelines for each individual sealer.

Sometimes called “grain in the stone,” “movement” is veins that swirl and change irregularly in granite due to the massive forces at work on it beneath the surface of the earth during the eons it took to form. “Movement” is also affected by trace amounts of other minerals such as hornblende, magnetite, hematite, pyrite, zircon, garnet and corundum. Many people find this flow of blending colors to be the most attractive and compelling quality about granite.

Chipping and scratching can occasionally occur. Scratches can happen when a harder material such as another piece of stone or soil from a plant that contains sand rubs across the surface of the counter. Chipping can occur, especially on finer edges (i.e. cove dupont, ogee) if they are struck with a hard object. While we cannot warranty the material against damage, we can send out a member of our team to inspect the damage and repair fine scratches and small chips. If you know when the chipping occurred and can save the piece that comes out, it is helpful.

Yes. Even if you cut directly down upon it in the coarse of normal, daily use, you will not mar the finish of your granite countertop.

Not at all. In fact, you’ll wish everything were this easy. Just use a common non-abrasive commercial product, such as a glass cleaner, to wipe it down to keep its finish shining.

Please click on the following link to find the answers to this question from different perspectives: NATURAL STONE COUNTERTOPS AND RADON

Granite is an organic substance and just as no two people are exactly alike, no two samples of granite will be either. The composition of minerals and the deposit it was quarried from all play a part in the appearance of granite. At United Granite, after selecting a sample, our customers then select the exact block of stone from which we fabricate their surface.

A sealer that penetrates and protects natural stone and tile can be purchased at any home improvement or hardware store.

Impregnator sealer consists of microscopic balls of silicone that attach themselves to crevices inside the stone. These balls become a permanent part of the stone, and act as a waterproof shield.

Granite is the most durable architectural building stone. This igneous rock is comprised mainly of quartz, graphite, mica and other minerals. The increasing popularity of this stone is a testament to its beauty, versatility and consistency. Used in a wide array of commercial and residential applications, granite is ideal for tile floors, walls and countertops, as well as exterior applications such as pavers and wall cladding. Granite is quarried worldwide, with the most exotic colors coming from Brazil, India, Finland, North America, China and Southern Africa. New quarries are discovered each year further enhancing color choices and keeping prices in check.

A drop-in sink sits on top of the cutout in your granite counter while an undermount sink sits beneath the cutout. There is generally an extra polishing charge required in preparing a granite countertop for an undermount sink.

Granite has become today’s countertop of choice for architects, cabinetmakers, kitchen designers and contractors. A granite counter top is virtually impervious to abrasions, stains and extreme heat. Additionally, the inherent qualities of granite — its color, patterns and shades— compliment any decor.

All natural stone including marble and granite, must be properly sealed to protect against staining. Without proper and regular sealing, granite and other natural stones are porous and can absorb spilled substances and leave unsightly stains and marks.

Probably not since granite is quarried all over the world, including Africa, Brazil, Egypt, India, Italy, Norway and Spain, to name a few. There are also some very lovely veins of granite mined in the United States and Canada as well.