22195 Fisher Hollow Road
Damascus, VA 24236
(276) 475-5774
fax (276) 475-6568

Granite

Why Choose Granite?

  

Granite FAQ

  

Stone Care Recommendations

  

Why choose Granite?

Beauty

Granite transforms every day bathrooms and kitchens into one-of-a-kind elegant spaces with timeless beauty.  The wide varieties of colors make granite extremely versatile, allowing it to blend easily with many different cabinet options and other building materials. 

Durability

Granite provides lifelong durability that will continue to shine brilliantly throughout the life of the house. 

Granite is fade, stain, scratch, and burn resistant and will not harbor bacteria. 

Value

Granite countertops will never need to be replaced because of their amazing durability.  When you consider the initial investment, the easy maintenance, and the durability of the product, the cost of granite is reasonable.  Granite also enhances the value and resale value of your home.

Depending on color choice, edge detail, and other options chosen, granite countertops are comfortably priced in a range from 10% lower to 10% higher than other solid surface materials. 

Easy Maintenance

Granite retains its natural beauty and is easier to maintain than most other solid surfaces. Plan-it Granite Cleaner is recommended for cleaning countertops, however for daily cleaning, polished granite is easily cleaned with mild, non-abrasive, pH balanced soap and water.  Plan-it Granite and Marble also recommends sealing and polishing your stone countertop on a regular basis.  Plan-it Sealant and Plan-it Polish are available for purchase at Plan-it Granite and Marble.

Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing Granite 

Granite is a beautiful stone that is functional and durable.  However, it is important to keep in mind that the stone is all natural so patterns (veining) and color may vary.

Granite also contains natural pits and fissures although it varies from stone to stone.   These pits and fissures can be filled with a special product. 

Seams on large countertops are necessary and unavoidable.  Seams are generally 1/16” to 1/8” wide and are filled with a moisture proof silicone caulk.  Incorporating a seam near sinks and cook tops is a good idea because it minimizes the amount of seam that is seen.  Our sales associates will help you choose the best places for your seams. 

Most of the cutting and polishing of your stone will happen at our shop, however for larger jobs some fabrication may have to be completed in your home.

What is granite?

Granite is coarse or medium grain igneous rock with an abundance of quartz and feldspar. Granite is the most generally available plutonic rock of the Earth's crust.

How is granite formed?

Granite develops by the cooling of magma (silicate melt) at depth.

Why choose granite for your countertops?

Granite is the most durable substance for counter tops. Unlike laminates and solid-surface materials, granite easily resists scratches, flames, and heat. Because of its timeless elegance and endurance, granite will increase the value and satisfaction of your home.

Where else in my home can I use granite?

Because of its functional durability, granite is ideal for worktops, islands, bar tops and dining tables.

How durable is granite?

Granite has a hardness that is second only to a diamond, which gives this substance its unmatched durability.

Is granite a challenge to take care of?

Not at all. In fact, granite is the simplest of all countertop surfaces to keep clean. Warm, soapy water and a soft cloth is all the cleaning power you will need. Granite is difficult to stain if it has been treated with a good quality sealant at the time of installation. To maintain the effectiveness of the sealant, you should be sure to re-seal your granite about every ten years.

Is granite comparable in price to other materials?

Most granites are less expensive than comparable manufactured products when factoring in granite's longevity. Moreover, granite offers natural beauty and color variety unmatched by synthetic products.

What should I know before choosing granite?

It is recommended that cutting boards be used when slicing bread, meats, or vegetables to protect your knifes from becoming dull.

1.     Natural stone and grout should be sealed with Stone Guard or Aquapel to help prevent staining.

2.     When cleaning the stone, always use clean rayon mops, sponge mops, towels, or rags.

3.     Make sure to use a fresh cleaning product

4.     Make sure to remove any loose debris from surface of the stone to help prevent scratching.

5.     If a spill occurs, clean it immediately to prevent staining.

6.     Always use coasters under drinks to help prevent glass rings.

7.     If there is an obvious stain in the stone, it can be removed with a SCI stain removing powder.

8.     Keep entranceways and mats swept and clean to prevent scratching.

9.     When mopping stone, change the water often because dirty water will stain the surface.

10. Be sure to keep stone floor surfaces dusted.

Caring for your Stone Installation

The natural stone your have purchased for your home or office is an investment that will give you many years of beautiful services. Stone is a natural product and simple care and maintenance will keep it looking beautiful. Here are some recommendations for routine care and cleaning.

Precautions

·         Use coasters under all glasses, particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juices. Many common foods and drinks contain acids that will etch or dull the stone surface

·         Do not place hot items directly on the stone surface. Use trivets or mats under hot dishes and placemats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that can scratch the surface.

Cleaning Procedures & Recommendations

Floor Surfaces

Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. Sand dirt and grit do the most damage to natural stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness. Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize the sand, dirt and grit that will scratch the stone floor. Be sure that the underside of the mat or rug is a non-slip surface. Normally, it will take a person about eight steps on a floor surface to remove sand or dirt from the bottom of their shoes. Do not use vacuum cleaners that are worn. The metal or plastic attachments or the wheels may scratch the surface.

Other Surfaces

Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap (available at hardware stores or from your stone dealer) or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Use a clean rag mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently. Do not use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.

Bath and Other Wet Areas

In the bath or other wet areas, using a squeegee after each use can minimize soap scum. To remove soap scum, use a non-acidic soap scum remover or a solution of ammonia and water (about 1/2 cup ammonia to a gallon of water). Frequent or over-use of an ammonia solution may eventually dull the surface of the stone.

Vanity Top Surfaces

Vanity tops may need to have a penetrating sealer applied. Check with your installer for recommendations. A good quality marble wax or non-yellowing automobile paste wax can be applied to minimize water spotting.

Food Preparation Areas

In food preparation areas, the stone may need to have a penetrating sealer applied. Check with your installer for recommendations. If a sealer is applied, be sure that it is non-toxic and safe for use on food preparation surfaces. If there are questions, check with the sealer manufacturer.

Outdoor Pool & Patio Areas

In outdoor pool, patio or hot tub areas, flush with clear water and use a mild bleach solution to remove algae or moss.

Do's and Don'ts

·         Do dust mop floors frequently

·         Do clean surfaces with mild detergent or stone soap

·         Do thoroughly rinse and dry the surface after washing

·         Do blot up spills immediately

·         Do protect floor surfaces with non-slip mats or area rugs and countertop surfaces with coasters, trivets or placemats

·         Don't use vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners containing acids on marble, limestone, travertine or onyx surfaces

·         Don't use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub & tile cleaners

·         Don't use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers

·         Don't mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas

Call your professional stone supplier, installer or restoration specialist for problems that appear too difficult to treat.

Most commonly asked questions about care and cleaning of natural stone.

·         Question: Should the natural stone we have selected for our home or workspace be sealed?

·         Answer: Yes, all natural stone should be sealed. This includes granite, marble, limestone, sandstone, slate, travertine, and onyx

·         Question: What should stone be sealed with?

·         Answer: There are basically two kinds of sealers. Impregnating sealers are absorbed, leaving an invisible barrier of silicone in the pores of the material making it difficult to stain. Stone Protect made by Stone Medic is easy to apply and is a high quality impregnator. Color enhancing sealer can be used on textured stones (i.e. slate, tumbled stone, sandstone, etc.). The enhancer will deepen the color of the material, making it look wet but with a matte finish. SIM Enhancer is easy to apply and maintain.

·         Question: How is sealer applied?

·         Answer: Application is simple, when using Impregnators, a white cotton cloth or lambs wool applicator should be moistened with the sealer and wiped evenly over the surface. Streaks or puddles are an indication that the product is too heavy and should be spread over a larger area. SIM Color Enhancer is best applied with a disposable paintbrush to allow proper coverage over the textured surface. For best results, two coats should be applied (three on limestone) and spaced ten minutes apart. After the final application, the entire area should be buffed with a clean dry cloth to remove any excess product from the surface.

·         Question: What cleaning product should be used on natural stone?

·         Answer: Stone Soap (manufactured by Stone Medic) is the best general purpose cleaner available. It is a liquid concentrate and can be used to damp mop a floor or spray and wipe a counter top or wall.

·         Question: How often should sealer be reapplied?

·         Answer: Stone Protect will provide about four years protection if stone soap is the only cleaning product used.

The Marble Institute of America offers a brochure that includes information on treating spills and stains on natural stone surfaces. For a copy, please send $1.00US along with a self-addressed, stamped business size envelope (37 cents) to the Marble Institute of America, 28901 Clemens Road, Suite 100, Cleveland, Ohio 44145 USA.