FAQ

Typical household activities will not damage granite. Extreme weight loads or high-impact blows from very hard or sharp impacts like hammers can crack stone surfaces, but otherwise granite and stone counters can be expected to last many, many years without damage.

There is no accepted unifying international standard for naming granite, stones, and marble colors. Some types and colors of very similar stone may be quarried in different locations and may be given different names. Sometimes there may be be differences in the translations of names from the language of the country of origin into English. And still other times individual importers, distributors or sellers may use a naming system of their own creation in an attempt to make their products seem artificially distinctive or to complicate customer attempts to compare pricing with other vendors.

For the sake of clarity, Precision Stoneworks always attempts to use the most common color names. We prefer to let the quality of our workmanship speak for itself.

Precision Stoneworks uses stone from all over the world. Primary contributors include Brazil, India, Spain, and Italy, but some types of stone are quarried elsewhere in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin and South America.

While there is much naturally occurring granite within the US, much of it is of fairly flat gray in color. While this is entirely suitable for monuments, tombstones and as architectural building stone, it would make somewhat uninteresting and unremarkable countertops.

Notable exceptions are Alabama White Marble (white marble laced with veins of gray) and Vermont Verde Green Marble (a very deep bold green marble with white serpentine).

Once final measurements have been made, all options (color, edge finishes, corner radiuses etc.) have been selected, and all necessary data (sink, faucet, cooktop dimensions etc.) has been provided we can almost always install in under 10 days or less.

In cases where a remnant or slab that we already have on hand is to be used, the timetable can be even shorter.

No. Some fabricators may require the homeowner or remodeler to absorb the entire cost of a given slab of stone. This often leaves the homeowner feeling compelled to use kitchen remnants for a bathroom, or to use the same slab to refinish multiple bathrooms or such.

At Precision Stoneworks our quote is based only upon the portions of the stone that will be used for that particular project. We're glad to bear the cost and hassle of dealing with remnants and leftovers if it means we can provide the most freedom and satisfaction for our customers.

Yes! Choosing a remnant for a small project can often mean a significant cost savings. If you think a remnant might be suitable for your project, please give us a call to inquire if a particular color is available or to arrange to come and browse our ever-changing selection of remnants.

No. Owned by the state of Georgia, Stone Mountain Park is legally protected from commercial mining and quarrying operations.

Also, the popular notion that Stone Mountain is the largest exposed piece of granite in the world is something of a myth. It probably originated in embellishments in early advertisements to promote tourism in Georgia. In actuality, Stone Mountain itself contains only about 20% granite and is composed chiefly of a mineral known as quartz monzonite, though it includes some granite and granodiorite.

Granite overhangs are popular for things like breakfast bars, or to lengthen the usable surcafe of an existing island, peninsualr, countertop or bar. The amount of overhang possible will depend on the type and color of the stone surface. With darker, tighter, and more uniform patterns and colors longer overhangs can usually be accomplished that still provide the expected strength and durability of a stone countertop. But in general, depending on the color and type of stone an unsupported overhang can be anywhere between 1.5" to 8". With darker stones the longer overhang dimensions are more easily achieved; with lighter stones the maximum allowable overhang is often nearer to 1.5".

If desired, longer overhangs can often be accomplished by adding corbels to support the additional weight of an extended overhang. The number and type of corbels may vary with each individual application and installation.

Precision Stoneworks offers several lines of engineered stone from quality manufacturers including DuPont™ Zodiaq®, Cambria®, Silestone® Caesarstone®, Hanstone™ and LG Viatera® among a few others. If you don't see a specific product line you're looking for listed here please contact us to inquire.

We do not work with any solid surface products like DuPont™ Corian®.

3cm granite and stone materials that are typically used in countertops usually weigh somewhere between 19 and 28 lbs. per square foot. Darker materials like Absolute Black Granite tend to be denser and heavier; lighter colored, less dense stone materials will be lighter.

Damage is unlikely in typical household activities and usually only happens in instances of severe and direct impact with heavy, hard and/or sharp objects such as hammers or other tools. Surface chips can frequently be repaired or filled to minimize the appearance of the damage. If a chip occurs, please save the chipped pieces for the repair.

Precision Stoneworks seals all granite and stone surfaces. Properly sealed granite countertops are generally quite resistant to stains under everyday circumstances. If spills are blotted up immediately, lasting stains are very unlikely. Marble, lighter granite colors and honed finishes can be prone to showing stains more conspicuously, but even this is somewhat uncommon if reasonable precautions are taken. Claims that granite and stone are inherently and unavoidably vulnerable to staining are most often made by those selling competing countertop surface products.

In applications and environments where stains are an especially important concern, we also offer several lines of engineered stone or "quartz" that are especially resistant to stains but approximate the beauty of natural stone.

Granite, stone, and marble countertops are entirely safe for residential and commercial applications.

Some irresponsible media reports in recent years like this one have frequently relied on poor science and fear, uncertainty and doubt tactics to garner attention and draw viewership. Such reports have most typically featured “experts” attempting to promote competing countertop products or “specialists” hoping to sell unnecessary and expensive home testing products and services to frightened homeowners.

Just like all natural materials, granite and natural stone countertops may contain minor trace sources of radiation, but do not typically present more radiation than any other natural materials and do not introduce statistically amounts of radiation relative to naturally occurring background levels in the home. In fact, under testing the radiation and radon concentrations emitted from stone materials typically used in countertop applications averaged:

• 300 times lower than (or 0.3% of) levels of radon in outdoor air,
• 1,000 times below (or 0.001% of) the average concentration of radon found in
  the air of U.S. homes, and
• 3,000 times less than (or 0.00004% of) the action level for indoor air
  recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

For more information see this report about Natural Stone Countertops and Radon or visit the Marble Institute of America resource page.

You can, but you might not want to. While granite provides a naturally durable and easily cleaned surface, granite surfaces are typically far harder than the steel commonly used in cutlery. As such, cutting directly on granite surfaces will rapidly dull the edge on most any knife. A suitable cutting board that is easily cleaned will help guarantee food safety without causing any unnecessary wear to knives or countertops.

Materials like bamboo or acrylic can make much more practical cutting surfaces, at least as far as your knives are concerned.

Granite is safe for hot pots and pans and won’t scorch, melt or burn under everyday household conditions. Certain finish textures may temporarily discolor under heat or moisture exposure, but once the heat source removed the stone will typically return to its original color with time.

Granite and stone kitchen countertops are typically 3cm (about 1-1/4") thick. Bathroom vanities from some fabricators are often 2cm (about 3/4") thick but for the greatest beauty, durability, and satisfaction we usually recommend that vanities for the home should also be done 3cm (1 1/4") thick.

If desired, countertops that appear to be as thick as 4-6cm (1.5" - 2.5") can be made by permanently laminating two 3cm segments together at the visible edge. This laminated effect can create a beautiful and visually impressive top in a careful design, especially since it can allows for a combination of edge treatments for an especially complex and interesting effect.

Granite and stone countertops first became popular in Italy where the metric system is used. Much of the tooling, technology and machinery needed for working stone countertops is even still imported from Italy and Europe, and the metric measurements were adopted in the industry along with them.

In case it still seems confusing, 3cm granite works out to about 1 1/4" and 2cm granite comes in at about 3/4".

Please let us know if you should have any other questions about metric sizing; we've been doing it for years and it's second nature to us.

For day to day care and cleaning, a regular dishwashing soap diluted with water makes an entirely satisfactory cleaning agent. Simply wipe down your kitchen surfaces with a damp cloth and soapy water. While there are commercially available specialty cleaning products if you prefer, such products are seldom necessary for day-to-day care. Properly sealed granite and stone counters are a beautiful addition to any home and will last a lifetime with minimal care.

1. Blot up spills immediately before they can penetrate the surface.
2. Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap (available in hardware stores or from a stone dealer), or mild dishwashing liquid and warm water.
3. Use a clean, soft cloth to clean the granite. Rinse after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft, clean cloth.
4. Reseal the countertop every year or two years. Check with us for recommendations. Use only non-toxic sealers in food preparation areas.
5. Contact Precision Stoneworks for any problems that appear too difficult to treat.

Marble is a beautiful and increasingly popular and fashionable choice for countertops. However, the growing popularity of marble perhaps owes more to its beauty than its practicality in day-to-day usage. Homeowners should be aware that marble is softer and more porous than most granites and many other natural stones. Marble can be more vulnerable to damage, stains, and acid etching and may require more frequent maintenance. Marble can be appropriate for bathroom vanities, but in homes where the kitchen is a heavily and frequently used space granite may well be the better choice.

Honed finish marble is less likely to show scratches, but can be more vulnerable to stains and blemishes.

1. For routine cleaning of marble, wipe marble counters, vanities and surfaces with a soft damp rag. Buff dry with a chamois or microfiber cloth.
2. For tougher stains, use a neutral and non-abrasive cleaner like acetone, clear ammonia, or hydrogen peroxide.
3. After cleaning marble surfaces should be polished with a marble polish containing tin oxide.
4. To easily maintain the continued beauty of your marble surfaces, place coasters under glasses and put plastic under cosmetics.
5. Scratches of greater depth that to do not respond to the above treatments should be referred to a professional. Please contact us for help if needed.
6. Marble tops should be re-sealed at least once a year to help resist stains.