Common Questions about Granite Countertops
Understanding the origin of granite and marble enhances an appreciation of its beauty. The earth began as a giant body of gas and liquid minerals that eventually cooled and hardened to form a solid core. Pressure from the earth’s outer crust, combined with intense heat from its inner core, pushed solid minerals toward the earth’s surface into massive granite and marble beds.
During the millions of years it took to form these rock beds, the stones were made from and infused with various types of crystals, minerals, organic matter (such as seashells), and magma from volcanoes.
Explore the links on this page to learn more about the kinds of granite available. The following are answers to common questions about stone:
Q: Will my granite look like the samples?
A: Since stone is a natural product it will vary in color, tone, granularity, pattern, etc. These variations are expected and are one of the sources of its natural beauty. We strongly advise that you select your own slabs from our yard or from one of the local vendors. We request 24-hour advance notice from you so that we have the slabs ready for viewing. Please call our Des Moines office at (515) 222.9600. Once at our showroom, you can also check out actual samples of the stone you are considering.
Q: Where does natural stone come from?
A: Granite and marble comes from around the world. Various types of stone, in myriad colors and textures, are found in different countries. Much of our granite comes from Brazilian, Indian and Chinese quarries. Marble is mostly from Italy, Spain and Mexico. Slate is imported from Brazil, India and China, while travertine and limestone come from Spain, Portugal and Mexico.
Q: Can natural stone be used on the exteriors of commercial buildings and houses in the Midwest?
A: Yes. Most natural stones (with the exception of filled travertine and some marble) can be used for exterior wall cladding even in extreme temperatures. For flooring, we recommend natural Brazilian slates or flamed granite pavers.
Q: What are the differences between 2 cm and 3 cm granite for countertops?
A: Slabs, large pieces of stone, come in 2 cm and 3 cm thickness. For the most part there is no difference in durability or usage. The choice depends on the type of edging you want. You can see a variety of edge samples in our showroom.
Q: Can I get tiles to match my countertop or vanity top?
A: Many, though not all, of our stones are available in both tiles and slabs. We offer tiles in standard 12” and 16” sizes, as well as mosaic borders and some tumbled materials in 6”, 4”, 2”, and 1” sizes. Keep in mind that tile and slab materials vary, so we recommend that you view both before making your final decision.
Q: How are sinks installed in granite countertops?
A: Sinks are either self-rimming (overmount) or undermount. In the case of undermount, we will handle the installation through a combination of the use of specialized clips and silicone caulking.
Q: Will seams show?
A: Because stone is a natural material and is mined from the quarry in blocks usually no more than 10 feet long, you may end up with seams. Also, because stone is sold in rectangular pieces, you may want to use seams to reduce your costs, such as an “L” shaped corner. The visibility of seams will depend on the granularity, color and pattern of the stone.
Most customers find that the beauty of natural stone outweighs the concern of seams.
Q: Do granite countertops overhang the cabinets?
A: Most counters overhang by one inch, which is standard. This may be changed for whatever reason due to cabinet configuration or personal tastes. On islands the overhang can be as much as 12”, depending on type of stone used.
