FAQ
What type of sink do you recommend?
The most popular sinks are the undermount sinks, used mainly in the kitchen. But we work with any type of sinks.
What warranty do you offer?
We offer a 5 year warranty on the products that were bought, manufactured and installed to the customer.
We will take care of any repairs that might be needed once we determine that damage was caused by either the manufacturing or installation free of charge. If the surface suffers damage through normal wear and tear, through physical contact or chemical contact, the warranty will not be valid.
Is installation included in the price?
Yes!
What type of payments do you accept?
We accept checks, cash, money orders and all major credit cards. American Express and Discover are subject to a 3% charge.
Do I need to schedule an appointment before visiting your showroom?
No. Our showroom is open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 10am-4pm. Stop by whenever it’s convenient.
What is the maximum length of an overhang without the need of support?
The maximum length of an overhang for any countertop over 24” is 12” without any need of support. However, never stand or sit on the overhang.
Tell me about seams.
When two pieces of granite are joined using matching epoxy a seam is created. Once the pieces are joined, excess material is removed using razors, leaving your countertop smooth.
Seams will be more or less visible depending on color and pattern. The more uniform a color is, the less visible the seam will be.
We try to do the seams (when necessary) in the middle of the sink this way there will be a small 3.5 inch strip in front of the sink where the seam will be less visible compared to doing it on the full length of the countertop.
Can granite chip or crack?*
A hard blow with a blunt object such as a hammer may chip your countertop. Chips can be fixed by filling them with epoxy glue and granite dust or the piece that was chipped out.
Can I set a hot pan on my granite countertop?*
Yes. Granite is formed at extremely high temperatures, meaning heat from a hot pan will not cause damage to your countertop.
Does granite stain?
While almost all stones have a degree of porosity, granite has very little. This means granite is hard to stain. However, liquids that are left on the countertop without being wiped away, such as water, will cause the granite to show a dark spot once cleaned. This is more noticeable with bright colors. Once the water dries up, the spot goes away. Oil and other liquids such as liquid soap,wine or coffee should be wiped away as soon as the spill happens, if left on the surface for too long they could impregnate the stone and could cause the stone to stain. It is possible to get stains out if staining ever occurs on your granite countertops but may not always work.The best way to avoid staining is to prevent it from happening by regularly sealing your countertops.
What is the best way to clean my granite countertop?
While granite is much harder than marble, the best way to go, like with marble, is to use lukewarm water to clean and a cotton rag to dry. As an alternative, you can use window cleaner and a dry paper towel will do the job, but be careful to clean right away as to not let the cleaner sit on the stone surface. As mentioned before, all our countertops are treated with silicone sealer to protect your surface.
Why are there pits on granite surfaces?
Since granite consists mainly of crystalline minerals, tiny spaces between those minerals will occur, forming these pits. Not all granite has pits but there are definitely colors that do. Pits are not defects. They are perfectly normal and are one of the main characteristics that makes granite such a unique, natural surface for your kitchen. When picking out a slab, look at it across the light to see the pitting of the stone.
What damage can my granite countertop suffer?
Unsealed granite can sometimes absorb oil, leaving stains or discoloration. Also, hard hits with blunt objects may chip or harm your surface. Vinegar, lemon juice and other acid-based liquids can damage the surface.
Do not stand or sit on granite countertops. Normal use will not cause any damage to your countertop.
Can I cut on my granite countertop?*
Yes, but it’s not something that we recommend. Since granite is harder than the blade, it will ruin your knife and dull the blade. We suggest you do your cutting on a cutting board.
Do you do stove and sink cutouts?
Yes. For undermount sinks we cut out the piece where the sink would go and polish the inside rim. Our CNC machine enables us to cut any surface cutout with great computer precision.
What is the best way to clean my marble countertop?
For marble countertops we recommend sealing them at least once every 3 months due to their higher porosity. Stay away from cleansers and abrasive pads. Use lukewarm water (with handsoap if you wish) to clean and a cotton rag to dry. Cleaning products designed for natural stone are also recommended. They can be found at home stores and some grocery stores
Is it recommended to seal stone?
Yes. Usually, granite is a non-porous material while other stones will absorb a small amount of liquid which can cause discoloring or staining. We seal all countertops for our customers before installation. The silicone sealer infiltrates into the stone, making it impenetrable to liquids like sodas, juices, oil, milk, alcohol, and others. Over time, the sealer wears out and we highly recommended you seal your countertop regularly.
Granite Countertops – every 6 months
Marble Countertops – every 3 months
Should granite or marble be used for my kitchen countertop?
Granite is usually the preferred stone for kitchen countertops. It’s a very hard stone that cannot be scratched by knives, pots, pans, cutting boards or other kitchen utensils. It’s also very resistant to typical heat from hot pans or appliances.
While marble is more commonly used for bathroom vanity tops, Jacuzzis and fireplaces it can also be used in the kitchen. Keep in mind that it’s susceptible to scratching and acidic substances such as vinegar.
What is the difference between granite and marble?
Granite is a very hard stone, made of crystalized materials and formed at extremely high temperatures forming a large part of Earth’s continental crust.
Marble is formed at the bottom of bodies of water. It’s composed of carbonate minerals, such as limestone and dolomite rock.
What should I keep in mind when looking at granite/marble?
Granite and marble are natural stones. Both have unique characteristics that customers and designers appreciate to the fullest. Keep in mind that samples you see in our showroom, pictures you see on our website or anywhere else, will never be identical to the stone that is ordered. While samples show how the quarry’s product will appear, the quarried material will vary in color and veining. This makes your granite or marble countertop truly different than any other.
E-mail: info@michiganquartz.com