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How
long does this process take from start to finish?
Why
is there such a variation in the prices of natural stone?
What
is the difference between 2cm and 3cm countertops?
Does
all stone actually come from Italy?
Why
should we approve our natural stone slabs before you fabricate them?
Do
you handle tearing out my old countertops, or do I need another
contractor to do this?
Do I
need to hire a plumber to disconnect my sink?
Can
I re-use my existing sink?
How
do I maintain my granite countertops?
Do I
need to use a cutting board on my granite countertop?
What
happens if I scratch my solid surface countertop?
Why
is it so important to seal my natural stone countertops?
How long does this process take from start to finish?
Due to the
variations in the rooms where we work, all jobs are unique.
One of the biggest impacts on the work schedule is the availability
of your chosen material. Once your material is available, we
can estimate the number of working days to complete your project.
Average slabs take
about two weeks to go through templating, fabrication and
installation. Projects including custom edges and projects
requiring more than 100 square feet of fabrication tend to take
longer. Typically, the average kitchen takes about two days to
install.
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Why is there such a variation in the prices of natural stone?
There are many
factors affecting the price of stone; mainly availability, supply
and freight. Some stones are readily accessible, while others
may exist in remote locations where transportation is difficult.
Due to weather, some natural stones are only accessible during
certain times of the year.
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What is the difference between 2cm and 3cm countertops?
These dimensions
refer to the thickness of the stone. 2cm countertops are 3/4"
thick and are typically laminated to form a 1-1/2" edge. 2cm
countertops must be installed over a sub-top support.
3cm countertops are
1-1/4 inches thick. Typically they don't have a laminated
edge. 3cm counters don't require a sub-top support unless you
choose a laminated edge. In this case, your cabinets
MUST be level.
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Does all stone actually come from Italy?
Not at all. In
the past, natural stone was processed in Italy. Upon
completion, the stone slabs were labeled, "Made in Italy."
Because of that label, consumers were fooled into believing that
natural stone originates in Italy. Natural stone is found
worldwide. Currently, Brazil is the leading exporter of
granite.
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Why should we approve our natural stone slabs before you fabricate
them?
You make an
important investment in your natural stone countertops. We
want you to be completely satisfied with your choice of material
before we fabricate and install your new countertops.
Just like wood,
natural stone is created by nature. Natural stone comes out of
the ground. Just as wood has natural grains and knots, each
slab of natural stone has unique variations in color, shading, and
texture, in addition to natural pits, dry veins, and fissures.
Due to the nature of
stone fabrication, we cannot guarantee that a specific slab, or part
of a slab, from your selected material will be used or avoided in a
particular area of your installation. The dimensions of
natural stone slabs vary. The layout of your countertop area
will determine the number of seams you will have and their
locations. All seams will be visible to the eye and to the
touch.
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Do you handle tearing out my old countertops, or do I need another
contractor to do this?
Options for tear-out
of your old materials can be discussed. If we can't handle it
directly, we have reputable contractors who can accomplish the job.
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Do I need to hire a plumber to disconnect my sink?
We'll take care of
simple work regarding disconnecting your sink. We also have
plumbing packages available. We work hand-in-hand with
plumbers so that once your countertops are installed, you have
plumbing ASAP.
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Can I re-use my existing sink?
Yes you can, but we
strongly recommend that you don't. The countertop
installation process provides the perfect opportunity to
update/replace your existing plumbing fixtures. In addition,
once the countertops are in place, it will be virtually impossible
to replace it later.
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How do I maintain my granite countertops?
Natural stone
countertops are so popular in commercial and residential
installations because they are so durable and easy to maintain.
The stone you install today will stay beautiful and functional for
generations with very little maintenance.
You SHOULD:
seal your countertops annually, clean your countertops with
ammonia-free Windex and dry them with a Terrycloth towel, buff them
with "000" steel wool to remove difficult grime, and do only light
cutting on the granite surface.
You SHOULD NOT:
use harsh or abrasive detergents, leave acidic liquids on the
surface for extended periods of time, or leave wet rags or sponges
laying directly on the surface for extended periods of time.
Please
contact us with any other care and maintenance questions.
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Do I need to use a cutting board on my granite countertop?
Although your
countertops will not be hurt, we don't advise that you do any
cutting on your granite surface. Granite is much harder than
metal, which results in the quick dulling of your kitchen knives.
Granite is an
igneous rock which makes it impervious to damage from common
household kitchen acids like vinegar, soft drinks, and citrus
drinks. Granite also stands up to heat very well.
Placing a hot pot directly from the stovetop onto your granite
counter will not hurt it.
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What happens if I scratch my solid surface countertop?
Solid surface
countertops are repairable. Our quality repairs are virtually
unnoticeable once they are complete.
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Why is it so important to seal my natural stone countertops?
Natural stone is
porous, so it is susceptible to staining. The use of a sealer
will not prevent stains, but it will provide you with reaction time
to clean the stone. All natural stone countertops that we
install are sealed before they reach our facility, once again during
the fabrication process, and a third time during the installation.
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Professional
counter top installation in the Phoenix Arizona area, including:
East Valley: Ahwatukee, Apache Junction, Chandler, Fountain Hills, Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek, Rio Verde, Scottsdale, Sun Lakes, and Tempe
West Valley: Anthem, Avondale, Buckeye, Glendale, Goodyear, Laveen, Litchfield Park, Peoria, Surprise, and Tolleson
Professional counter top installation statewide in Arizona, including: Forest Lakes, Flagstaff, Heber, Overgaard, Payson, Pinetop-Lakeside, Prescott, Show Low, Sedona, and Tucson |
