Common questions about stone | Engineered Stone

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Common questions about stone.

Question: How about stain resistence, durability, and care?

Answer: Because granite and marble are natural products, they exhibit a wide range of stain resistance. Marble is more porous than granite. Certain marbles can stain quite readily. Common household liquids such as orange juice, nail polish remover, shampoo, and even water can cause serious stains in certain marbles. Granite, on the other hand, is very stain resistant. Professional installers recommend the use of neutral pH breathable sealers for both marble and granite, once they have been installed. These sealers need to be reapplied on a regular basis, depending upon how much use or foot traffic that the marble or granite is exposed to.

Question: How hot is too hot for granite countertops?

Answer: Normally, if the pot contains liquid other than cooking oil (fat, butter, etc.) it may be placed on the stone without causing heat damage. Frying pans that have accumulated large quantities of cooking oil along with other liquid, or pans used for frying should be allowed to cool away from the granite countertop. Hot oil is very viscous and may stain the stone, as well as the pot or pan being too hot for the stone.

Advantages and disadvantages of different countertop materials.

Countertop type: Manmade Acrylic and/or Polyester Plastics (Corian, Etc.) Unlike laminates, acrylic and/or polyester plastics are homogenous throughout the material. Available in thickness of 1/2" and 3/4", these materials come in numerous colors. They can be polished but are often seen with a matte finish. They can be expensive and in many cases, more expensive than granite (hint!)
Advantages -Non-porous and stain resistant -Abrasive cleaners can be used on unpolished finishes -Easy to clean and refinish -Many colors available -Seamless -Scratches can be repaired	Disadvantages -Scratches easily -Hot Pots will melt finish -Expensive -Plastic unnatural appearance
Countertop type: Granite. Granite is an excellent choice for countertops. Granite is available in polished and matte finishes. While granite may be more expensive than some other materials, its longevity adds immeasurable value. The fact that Corian tries to make their product look like granite speaks volumes as to which product is the most beautiful. For pure aesthetic beauty, Corian does not come close to the richness, the depth, the polish, the power and the naturally organic quality that is granite. The beauty of granite will always sell itself.
Advantages Scratch resistant -Hot plates can be placed directly on the surface. -Durable -Natural product -Wide selection of colors -Beauty, beauty, beauty	Disadvantages -Requires proper sealing to prevent staining -Expensive
Countertop type: Manmade quartz based surfaces. (Zodiac, Silestone, etc.) Typically 90% or more quartz based with other polymers and additives.
Advantages -Scratch resistent -Heat resistent -Durable -Offers unoformity of color across surface -Stain resistent	Disadvantages -Not a natural product -A defined set of colors available -More expensive than granite -Harder to process from fabrication standpoint

A study was performed on the reduction of e coli on various countertop surfaces. The results of that study showed that granite was far more superior in the reduction of e coli. To read the article click here

Common questions about stone | Engineered Stone