Benefits of Granite Countertops
Extremely Durable
Granite is second in hardness to diamonds. With normal use, nothing in the kitchen will chip, ding, or break granite countertops.
Heat Resistant
No need for trivets!! Unlike "man made" synthetic countertops, granite can withstand a dish hot from the oven or stove right onto its surface.
Stain Resistant
By its nature, granite is extremely dense and excellent at repelling stains. As an extra precaution, every Ilkem Marble Granite granite countertop is treated with impregnating sealer to help eliminate the possibility of stains occurring.
Scratch Resistant
The finish on granite countertops is polished with diamonds and, with normal use, will never wear or fade as long as you own your home. Cutting on a granite countertop with kitchen cutlery will not scratch or damage it. Cutting on granite will, however, dull the cutlery.
The Colors
Granite is available in an amazing array of colorful and unique patterns. We have over one hundred different granite samples in our showroom to choose from. No two granite countertops are exactly alike.
Care and Maintenance
Granite is extremely easy to care for. Simply spray with a disinfecting cleaner and wipe off. That's it!! No additional polishing or refinishing will ever be required.
Help & Frequently Asked Questions
What is granite?
Granite is a coarse grained, crystalline igneous rock primarily composed of Feldspar and Quartz. It forms from slowly cooling magma that is subjected to extreme pressures deep beneath the earth’s surface.
Why choose granite counter tops over synthetic materials?
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 décor.
Does granite need to be sealed to avoid staining?
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. We provide every customer with the maintenance kit to do so.
My granite kitchen counter top doesn’t look exactly like my sample. Why?
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 Stone Surfaces of Central New Jersey, after selecting a sample, our customers then select the exact block of stone from which we fabricate their surface.
Is granite really scratch resistant?
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.
Is it true granite won’t chip, crack or ding?
Unless you’re planning on wailing away on your new granite counter top with a sledge hammer and chisel, we assure you it will not chip, crack or ding under normal use. Besides, the fabrication process is the most stressful on the stone, and if it does not break at that point, it never will under normal circumstances in your home.
Is it hard to care for a 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.
Are granite countertops competitively priced?
Most consumers perceive granite as too expensive; however, granite is in the same price range as the man-made solid surfaces that try to imitate the natural beauty of granite.
What’s the difference between a drop-in sink and an undermount sink?
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.
I’ve heard of “high movement” stone. What is it?
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.
Will I know where my granite is from?
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.
Does where my granite originate from affect the price?
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.
Ilkem Marble Granite Simulators
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Choose your own stone for your projects.
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Countertop Edge Profiles.
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See our projects photos with high quality.