F.A.Q.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Granite?
Granite doesn’t reach the surface like lava but solidifies deep inside the earth’s crust. The slow cooling and solidification led to crystallization with gives granite the much sought-after characteristics.
Here in Canada, the granite is sourced from the Canadian Shield that is estimated to be 3.8 billion years old. The shifting tectonic plates led to rifts and splits which forced the granite to the earth’s surface more than 570 million years ago during the Precambrian age. The Canadian Shield is well known across the world for producing the most beautiful and durable granite in the world.
How Durable is Granite?
Granite is majorly composed of feldspar and quartz which makes it have exceptional resistance to scratches. It makes it a good choice for high traffic areas and remains one of the best building materials over the years.
Does Granite Stain?
These properties make granite the stone of choice for outdoor projects such as courtyards, driveways, footpaths, patios, and steps.
In the situation that the granite slab is stained, poultice or paste is used to draw oil out of the stone.
Why Choose Granite?
The reasons why you should choose granite are:
- Granite is beautiful, hard and durable.
- Very easy to clean and to maintain.
- A wide variety of colors and edging making it suitable for any project.
- When sealed properly, no liquids will penetrate granite countertops.
- Granite is resistant to bacterial contamination.
- Granite is impervious to stains, scratches, and extreme heat.
- Granite countertops provide timeless beauty and increase the value of the home.
Synthetic Materials
Synthetic Materials
Synthetic material will require costly repairs and periodic replacement. Natural stone, on the other hand, is both affordable and resilient proving cost effective over time.
You should consider using natural stone such as granite rather than go for the Formica, Corian, concrete, porcelain and ceramic tile countertops.
Natural stone is:
- Durable,
- Long-lasting and
- Has an extensive color selection.
Natural stone has the benefits of being affordable, and its longevity proves to be cost effective. Granite and marble are the most popular among clients due to their natural beauty. The synthetic products simply mimic the qualities of granite, marble and other natural stones.
Marble vs. Granite
Both marble and granite are used for countertops, fireplace mantels, flooring, columns, vases and many more applications. However, the similarities end with the aesthetics. Each stone is better suited for specific applications.
Granite has a hard density and hardness which makes it great for kitchen countertops and outdoors since it can resist acids, stains, scratches and heat.
Marble is composed of calcite which makes it less dense. Marble is, therefore, sensitive to acidic substances and foods such as lemon, wine, ketchup, and vinegar. These substances increase the risk of staining and dulling. The durability of marble closely matches that of granite. Its best applications are mantels, vases, and crosses.
Protecting Granite
Marble and granite should be well taken care of maintain their luster and original quality. Here is what you must do to protect the natural stone:
Application of a sealer protects both marble and granite. There are the water based and the solvent based sealers which can penetrate the pores of the stone. These sealers are easy to apply and may be reapplied based on usage. The more the traffic on the surface, the more you will be required to re-apply the sealer.
The sealer will protect the stone by providing an invisible barrier that makes cleaning easy, protects from scratches and stains, and eliminates slippery conditions.
For the daily cleaning of the marble and granite surfaces, dish soap diluted with water is the best washing agent.
Edge selections
There are many edge selections to choose from for the granite countertops in order that the current décor of the home is accentuated. Here are some countertop edges to choose from:
- Name: Straight Height: 1 1/4, 3/4
- Premium Countertop Edges
- Laminated Countertop Edges
Does Granite go through a manufacturing and engineering process?
Granite is a natural stone gotten directly from the earth’s crust. However, the majority of granite goes through a manufacturing process.
The manufacturing process that granite goes through is meant to add overall strength by filling its pits and fissures with resin.
Should I be concerned if my Granite has fissures or pits?
Fissures and pits are a natural aspect of granite. During manufacturing, the pits and fissures are filled with resins, but that is not always one hundred percent possible.
How strong is Granite and does it chip?
Granite is strong and durable. It is not as strong as quartz which contains 93 percent quartz particulates compared to 20 percent quartz particulates in granite. Granite can chip just like any other natural stone.
Can chips be repaired?
Chipped granite can be repaired although it will depend on the degree of damage. Granite is repaired in the same way as quartz surfaces are repaired.
Comptoir Granite Gatineau will repair any chip on your granite surfaces ensuring that the repair work is not visible at all.
Can I put hot pots and pans directly on the Granite surface?
We do not suggest that you place hot items directly on the granite surface. The reason is that the heat will burn the resins in the granite leading to the formation of cracks. Comptoir Granite Gatineau recommends that you use a trivet or hot plate when dealing with hot material to preserve the granite surfaces.
How big are granite slabs?
Comptoir Granite Gatineau avails granite slabs in different sizes. Please visit our showroom to see the sizes and colors available.
Does Granite need to be sealed?
The answer is YES. The sealed granite surface is easy to clean and to maintain. Sealing is necessary since granite is a porous product. The sealers provide a protective coating to prevent staining.
How often do I have to re-seal?
The use of abrasive and harsh cleansers or bleach containing cleansers will lead to the thinning of the sealant. It will necessitate that a fresh coat of sealant is applied to keep the surface functional.
Comptoir Granite Gatineau applies a 25-year sealant to all of our granite slabs. You should be careful to avoid any products that degrade the sealant coating.
How do I know if my sealant is wearing off?
A simple way to test the effectiveness of a sealant is by placing a bead of water on your countertop or another granite surface. The water should be left for a few minutes before wiping it away. If that area becomes darker compared to other regions, then the surface is absorbing water indicating that the is no longer working as intended.
Can Granite be used for surfaces other than countertops?
Granites have different other applications. Granite is available in various other thicknesses such as 2cm and 3cm. Granite is also used for shower walls, fireplace surrounds and mantels, and other horizontal and vertical applications.
Can I get my Granite in a different finish?
Yes, it is possible. Contact Comptoir Granite Gatineau to enquire and learn more about the different finishes and colors available.
Should I see my slab before it is fabricated?
Since there are important variations from slab to slab, it is advisable to view the chosen granite slab prior to fabrication.
What is Quartz?
Quartz is a naturally occurring mineral in the earth’s crust. Quartz is one of the strongest and most abundant minerals. Perhaps only diamond surpasses the strength of quartz.
What is a Quartz surface made of?
Quartz slabs are composed of 93 percent quartz which makes it a natural stone. Anything that contains more than 90 percent of a natural product is considered to be natural itself.
The other 7 percent will be made up of resins and pigments which are used to bond the quartz together and give color to the stone slabs respectively.
How strong are Quartz countertop surfaces?
Quartz surfaces are the most durable in the market today. Owing to the high quartz content, the surfaces are twice as strong as granite surfaces. The surfaces are therefore two times less likely to chip, scratch or crack.
How resistant are Quartz surfaces to stains?
Quartz is a maintenance free product since it is stain resistant. You will enjoy the quartz surfaces installed in the home without having to worry about staining. Sealing is not required for quartz surfaces.
Are Quartz surfaces food-safe?
Quartz surfaces are nonporous making them safe for food preparation. They will not allow bacteria to penetrate and thrive making quartz surfaces the only natural stone products certified for use in commercial kitchens. By simply wiping down using soap and water, the quartz surface is ready for food preparation.
Can I put hot pots directly on Quartz surfaces?
Quartz is heat resistant. However, it is important to note that heat can burn the resins within the surface. Avoid placing hot pans and pots directly on the surface; instead, use a hot plate or trivet to protect your surface.
Can Quartz surfaces chip and if so, can they be repaired?
Quartz surfaces can chip as it is a natural stone, but they are easily repaired. More often than not, we can completely fix the chip, so that they are completely unnoticeable. We will always do our best to make the repair as unnoticeable as possible.
Do Quartz surfaces come with a manufacturer warranty?
High-quality quartz surfaces enjoy a warranty from the manufacturer.
How do I care for my Quartz surface?
It is quite easy and low maintenance to take care of quartz surfaces. Use warm water and mild dish soap to clean quartz surfaces.
Avoid the use of harsh and abrasive cleansers or those that contain bleach which might damage the surface.
The sticky material on the quartz surface can be scraped off with a plastic putty knife to avoid scratching.
How does the consistency of Quartz compare to that of natural stones, like granite?
Quartz has numerous color options with better color consistency. Clients find it easier to pick a color of choice for their chosen slab. Quartz slabs like any other natural stone may differ albeit slightly from the sample.
Can Quartz be used for surfaces other than countertops?
Quartz slabs are available in various thicknesses ranging from a centimeter to three centimeters which make it suitable for a variety of applications in the home. Some of the applications are fireplace surroundings and mantels, bath walls, tabletops, shower pans and other wall applications.
How big are the Quartz Slabs?
A slab of engineered quartz measures 120” x 55”. However, the available size of the slab is 119”x 54” implying that a seam will be required if your surface is larger than that.