27 Main Road South, Levin | info@granitetopsltd.co.nz | 06-368 6408
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Granite Tops Ltd - Faqs

Faqs

About Granite

No, not likely! Granite fabrication is a specialised trade that requires extensive training and practice in order to produce high-quality results - not to mention the expensive diamond tooling and equipment. Granite Tops employs fabricators and installers with years of training and experience. Even a small vanity countertop can weigh over couple of hundred kilos, so safe handling is another concern that you need not worry about when buying from Granite Tops. Mistakes are inevitable with DIY projects, and when working with natural stone, small errors can be VERY costly - you can easily exceed the cost of our installed prices with just one small slip-up or miscalculation. When you choose Granite Tops, you are guaranteed professional results up to final installation.

Although both are stones and both are quarried from the earth, granite and marble (and marble's relatives – Limestone, Onyx and Travertine) are very different from each other. Granite is formed deep in the earth’s mantle at extremely high temperatures, and is a very hard, resistant stone made of crystallised minerals.

The marble family – Limestone, Travertine, Marble, Onyx – starts out as sediment – animal skeletons and shells, plant matter, silt – at the bottom of bodies of water. After millions of years this solidifies (lithifies) into stone. Because its main component is calcium, it can be affected by acids such as vinegar and citrus beverages.

Granite is a common and widely-occurring group of intrusive felsic igneous rocks that form at great depths and pressures under continents. It is coarse grained crystalline igneous rock composed primarily of quartz and feldspar. Granite is an elegant natural stone which has extraordinary range of colours and patterns. It is bacteria, scratch and heat resistant rock which needs minimal maintenance and easy to clean.

Each piece of granite displays color variations inherent in natural stone. It is difficult to reproduce the actual color and depth of granite on the printed page. We suggest that final selections be made from actual samples whenever possible.

Granite is formed by the hands of God. Obviously, no factory can replicate the Creators hands. For that very reason, no synthetic countertop can capture the beauty and character of real granite in all its complexity."

  • Naturally Beautiful with Unique Pattern and Colour
  • Heat-Resistant
  • Scratch-Resistant
  • Stain, mould and mildew-resistant with proper care and maintenance.

  • DO use Granite & Marble Sealer to protect your stone.
  • DO clean up spills immediately to minimise damage to your stone.
  • DO use trivets or mats under hot dishes and cookware.
  • DO use place mats under china, ceramics, silver and other objects that can scratch your stone's surface.
  • DO use coasters under glasses, especially if they contain alcohol or citrus juices.
  • DO clean surfaces regularly with Granite & Marble Kitchen Countertop Cleaner.
  • DO call our office for assistance.
  • DON'T wait to clean up spills on stone.
  • DON'T use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub cleaners.
  • DON'T use vinegar, bleach, ammonia or other general-purpose cleaners.
  • DON'T use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.
  • DON'T use alkaline cleaners, not specifically formulated for stone.

Bench Tops

Granite is the most popular choice for kitchen counter tops. A solid quality countertop can define a kitchen. The inclusion of a granite counter top will add class to the most modest of kitchens. Granite countertops strikes a perfect balance between function and style. Besides lending your kitchen an elegant, polished look, they are highly resistant to wear, are inhospitable to bacteria and mildew, and can take a lot of impact. Granite is exposed to extremely high pressures and temperatures during formation, making it highly resistant to heat. You can place a pot fresh out of the fire onto a granite countertop without melting or deforming the surface. Also, because of its rocky composition, granite is very compact and durable. A granite countertop will last as long as your home does, maybe longer.

Granite Tops supplies only first quality material. The quality of the material is determined by measuring different parameters of a granite product through the entire production process:

  • Mining - Granite Tops's granites are mined utilising modern methods ensuring slabs are of high quality.
  • Cutting - Granite Tops's granites are cut by using water as coolant to ensure a lifetime guarantee on the quality of the product.
  • Dimensions - Product dimensions are controlled within the stipulated limits in ASTM standards. Tiles are calibrated to ensure their thickness is uniform. Gauging is done to ensure the tiles are square. Bevelling is done to produce a smooth edge on the tiles.
  • Inspection - Inspection is done at different stages of the manufacturing process and the products are segregated for unusual patches, major colour variation, cracks, dimensions, surface finish, and other quality issues. They are then categorised as first, second, and commercial quality. Granite Tops supplies only first quality material.

Because of its non porous nature granite is compact material, granite allows no room for water to seep in. This dryness creates less vulnerable environment for bacteria to grow. Being dense material some colours of granite are porous and susceptible to stains due to spills etc. It is always good to clean the top as soon as spill occurs. Sealing the surfaces with a water based sealant can protect the surface from water patches and stains.

Granite does not crack with ordinary use. Granite is most susceptible to cracks during fabrication, shipping and installation. Granite will not flex like laminate and solid surface tops. Do not stand on or next to the sink, cooktop cutouts, or unsupported overhangs - as too much stress or weight applied to the stone may cause it to crack as it brittle in unsupported areas.

Granite is one of the hardest stones available. It is extremely difficult to scratch, but it is not a diamond.

Granite will not chip under normal use, although a heavy object hitting a square countertop edge could chip out a small bit of granite. If this should occur, the chip can be filled.

All of our Bench Tops are cut and manufactured in the NZ in our own dedicated manufacturing facility. This ensures that we maintain our high quality standards and exceptional level of customer service. Also enabling us to complete the installation of the granite worktops within 5-10 working days from templating.

The beauty & elegance of granite is a result of its natural origins, most will contain colour variations, natural surface marks and blemishes. The veining and colour may vary slightly within the same slab even though your selected slab(s) may have been cut from the same raw block. These variations are to be expected and add to the unique character and natural beauty of the installation in your home or work environment.

Our standard and expanded inventory colour selections represent the most popular design colours. Granite Tops maintains a constant inventory of our standard colors so that any project - large or small - can be fulfilled quickly from available inventory. There are new stone types being discovered and imported every month, just ask us if you need any particular so that we can try and source that for you.

Our standard finished edge profile included in all base pricing is a basic polished straight edge. The straight edge profile maximizes the bold appearance and quality of 30mm thick material. We offer other edge profiles for a nominal charge - depending on the shape and finishing time required. Our other available edge profiles are viewable by clicking the "Edge Treatments" tab on the top of the home.

Most granite installations will require at least one or more joints called seams. During layout and design, we will always try to minimise the number of seams required. Additionally, when seams are necessary, we will locate them in areas of less traffic to minimise their appearance.

The exact cost will depend on the size of your kitchen, the type of worktop you’ve chosen and the extra details such as edging and upstands. We will provide a written quotation for you to agree before we commence any work. For a rough estimate, why not contact us.

Natural stone Bench Tops are very heavy and fitting it takes skill and experience. We strongly advise you to use our professional fitting service. We employee only fully-trained, professional fitters and do not use sub-contractors

Certainly, you can call us between 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday. You can also get in touch using our contact form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Granite, which is crystalline in structure, always has tiny pits – spaces between the various mineral crystals. You don’t see them on a larger piece because the overall appearance is polished and mirror-like. Granite sometimes has natural fissures as well, which may look like cracks, but are not structural defects and are a naturally occurring result of the immense heat and pressure which formed the granite. These characteristics are part of the natural beauty of stone and will not impair the function or durability of the material. A product of nature cannot be expected to look man-made.

Once you are happy with the quote submit your details by fax your order. A member of staff will be in contact with you to confirm the order and arrange for templating.

Payment

We accept Cheques, Bankers Draft, Cash and Direct Credit. Please note the balance due on the installation day can only be paid by cheque or cash.

An Initial deposit of 50% is required once you place the order. A Further 50 % balance is due on the day we complete the installation.

Granite Engineered Stone Care

Simply wipe with warm water and soap, using a damp cloth or paper towel. There is no need to worry about grease, grime, hairspray, or messy makeup spills - Simply wipe it off! Engineered Stone is easy to care for and naturally maintains its luster for many years to come.

Use a damp, soft cloth with warm water and soap. If needed, apply common, non-abrasive, household cleaners. To avoid dulling the surface's shine, make sure to use a non-abrasive cleaner. To remove adhered material such as food, gum, nail polish or even dried paint, first scrape away the excess material with a plastic putty knife and then clean the surface with a damp cloth to remove any marks left behind and any residual dirt.

  • Engineered Stone is resistant to cracks, chips, scratches and stains. However, like most materials, excessive force and/or pressure from objects can damage the surface.
  • Engineered Stone is resistant to most stains caused by fruit juices, liquid food coloring, coffee, tea, wine, grapes and soft drinks.
  • Engineered Stone's non-porous nature provides maximum resistance to staining and fully eliminates the need for any sealing. The non-porous quality of the surface also greatly reduces the potential for bacterial growth.

No. Engineered Stone is a non-porous surface, so you will never have to apply sealer to any Engineered Stone surface.

Engineered Stone is composed 93% natural quartz, providing it with superior strength and beauty. Although your fine cutlery will not harm Engineered Stone, using a cutting board is recommended to prevent dulling the surface.

Polished: Due to its high density and non-porous qualities, normal cleaning with a damp cloth will keep your Engineered Stone surface looking like the first day it was installed. To avoid dulling the surface's shine, make sure to use a non-abrasive cleaner.

Engineered Stone is structurally more heat resistant in comparison to other stones, including granite. However, any stone material can potentially be damaged by sudden and rapid temperature changes, especially near the edges. Therefore, using inexpensive and readily available hot pads or trivets is always recommended, especially when using cooking units such as electric frying pans, crock pots, or roaster ovens. Although Engineered Stone is not affected by heat below 300°F, it is advised that hot pans not be placed directly on the material.

Avoid exposing Engineered Stone to chemicals with high alkaline or PH level, such as oven grill cleaners, floor strippers, toilet bowl cleaners, oil soaps, tarnish removers, furniture cleaners and drain products.

Engineered Stone's care-free maintenance and everlasting benefits and performance allows more time for the things that matter most to you. Whether you selected Engineered Stone to be your surface of choice for food preparation or to simply beautify your home, you can enjoy the peace of mind knowing that Engineered Stone is completely worry and care-free.