Frequently Asked Questions

Q: SOME GRANITE IS ADVERTISED AT VERY INEXPENSIVE PRICES- WHY IS THIS?

A: A $40,000 1-carat diamond is not of the same quality as a $4,000 1-carat diamond, likewise $35 per sq. ft. granite is not the same as $50 per sq. foot granite. All granite is not created equal! PRECISION SURFACES offers high quality material, fabrication & installation that exceeds industry standards. We NEVER settle for a job completed “good enough”, our work ethic is impeccable & we treat every job (No matter how large or small) as if it were being installed in our own home. REMEMBER: LOWEST PRICE ISN’T ALWAYS HIGHEST QUALITY- YOU TYPICALLY GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!

Q: WHAT IS INVOLVED IN PRICING GRANITE OR QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS?

A: There are many factors involved in pricing countertops: material cost, quantity & size of slabs, design & edge profiling are primary considerations. Once you have chosen a particular stone, we will need either an acurate drawing or a field visit in order to clarify all the details. We will then provide you with a finished installed price.

Q: ARE THERE EXTRA HIDDEN COSTS AFTER I ACCEPT YOUR ESTIMATE?

A: Many times companies tack on extra charges for cut-outs, sinks, cook-tops, electrical outlets, faucet holes, radius corners, under polish, top polished seams, delivery and /or installation. The most priceless gift we can offer our customers is PEACE OF MIND- Precision Surfaces estimates are “all inclusive” & many of our standards are upgrades elsewhere. We offer impeccable value to our customers because we want you to show & tell your friends & family about your wonderful experience with us!

Q: IS GRANITE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN MAN MADE MATERIALS?

A: It depends on the granite. Availability, color & country of origin are major factors that will affect the price of granite. If the supply of a particular stone is short & the demand is high, the price will reflect that. Given that stone is a natural product imported from all over the world, the price spectrum is wide. However, many granite colors are offered at the same price or sometimes less than man made products.

Q: WILL THERE BE SEAMS IN MY COUNTERTOPS?

A: Almost all kitchens will require some seams, however the last thing you want is a seam where you did not expect one. Our professional fabricators will be able to tell you this when they measure or template your cabinets. At PRECISION SURFACES, we do everything we can to reasonably minimize the number of seams. We also top polish all granite seams to visually minimize the seam further. Many times the cheapest quote may also contain the most seams, so make sure you understand the options.

Q: WHAT SLAB THICKNESS SHOULD I USE?

A: For many years fabricators have used two cenimeter (2cm) granite or quartz & then glue-laminate the edge to give it a thicker appearance. This usually requires special cabinet reinforcement for support- typically a layer of plywood. 2cm is more likely to crack in the future & will not withstand the test of time as your home settles. Also, the laminated edge will contain a visible seam & depending on the skill of the fabricator, this can be quite unattractive. Even a “perfect” seam is visible because the seams cut a straight line through the grains of the stone & the human eye can pick up these linear features. At PRECISION SURFACES, we work with 3 cm (about 1 1/4 inch thick) which provides a more harmonious appearance, is much stronger than 2cm & doesn’t require any plywood support.

Q: WHAT QUALIFIES AS DEFECTS OR BAD PARTS OF A GRANITE SLAB & WHAT ABOUT COLOR VARIATIONS & VEINING?

A: Cracks & filled areas are obvious faults unlless the stone is one where that is normal & present on every slab quarried. Variations & veining all depend upon you, the customer & what you like. One customer may regard a vein or variation as the highlight feature of a slab. When we receive slabs at PRECISION SURFACES we always conduct a thorough quality inspection of each slab, if we see color variations & veins in stones which do not normally occur we call the customer to have them take a second look at the slab to make sure it is what they want before cutting into the slab. We also encourage our customers to be a part of the stone selection process by choosing the actual slabs to be used on your project at one of our suppliers.

Q: I’M BUILDING A HOUSE, WHEN SHOULD I SELECT MY STONE?

A: Because natural stone has variations, it is not a good idea to select a stone too early. Colorations can vary & veining from one shipment to the next can can be quite different. Once cabinets are 3-4 weeks away from being installed it is a good idea to finalize your selection based upon current inventory.

Q: WILL GRANITE WEIGH TOO MUCH FOR MY CABINETRY? DO I NEED ADDITIONAL CABINET SUPPORTS?

A: 3cm granite weighs approx. 19 lbs. per square foot. Typical cabinet construction is more than adequate for most installations. However, large, self-standing or furniture style islands may require additional corner bracing. It is advisable to let your cabinet installer know that you are using granite (or quartz) to ensure proper support.

Q: HOW FAR CAN GRANITE OR QUARTZ EXTEND BEYOND THE CABINETRY WITHOUT ADDITIONAL SUPPORT?

A: According to the Marble Institute of America, corbels or structured support should be used when an overhang exceeds 10” for 3cm material or 6” for 2cm material.

Q: IS IT OK TO MIX DIFFERENT COLORS OF STONE?

A: Absolutely! It is not uncommon to mix colors or types of stone within a room. When mixing stones, it is a good idea to consider which material will be the most practical for the space. For example, when mixing granite with marble, the granite would be best suited for the area around the range since it is the most durable. The marble could be used on the island or as a dining table.

Q: Can I install my own countertops?

A: The cutting, polishing of natural or man made stone not only requires specific tools and machinery, it also requires extinsive product knowledge. Fabricating and or installing countertops are not "do it yourself" projects.

Q: WILL BACTERIA GROW ON MY COUNTERTOPS?

A: Bacteria, like any other living organism needs something to eat in order to live. Bacteria cannot grow on granite, quartz, solid surface or cultured marble. Unclean, unkempt countertops can harbor bacteria regardless of what the countertop is made of. Granite has performed extremely well in testing; performing second only to stainless steel in it’s ability to resist bacteria growth.

Q: IS GRANITE SAFE FROM RADON/ RADIATION?

A: The Marble Institue of America has offered the following advice in their brochure “The Truth About Granite & Radon/ Radiation”: “Recent media reports have called into question the safety of granite countertops. Feuled by manufacturers of competing synthetic products, these misleading & inaccurate reports have made granite & radon a confusing & emotional issue for consumers, many of whom are now concerned about installing granite in their homes or worried about the countertops they already have. The scope of these concerns is unfounded. As two leading authorities on indoor environmental exposures, Dr. John McCarthy of Environmental Health & Engineering, & Dr. John Spengler, of The Harvard School of Public Health, recently concluded: ”A considerable amount of research has been published in peer-reviewed scientific literature & all of it comes to the same conclusion: The levels of radon coming off a granite countertop are not excessive & not showing any risk for the population in their homes.” In fact, noted authorities on granite, radon & risk recently confirmed what independant scientific studies conducted over the years have found: “Granite countertops are not known to pose a health risk to consumers.”

 For more information please visit the Marble Institute of America’s website at:

http://www.marble-institute.com/industryresources/countertops_radon_wp.pdf

Q: HOW OFTEN DO YOU SEAL GRANITE?

A: Traditionally, homeowners have been told to seal their granite annually. However, with the advancements that have been made in sealing products, some sealers only need to be reapplied every 3-5 years & some extremely hard granites may never need re-sealed. If you notice water absorbtion into the countertop or darker areas around the sink that is an indicator it is time to re-seal.

Q: WILL THE SEALER WIPE OFF WHEN CLEANED OR SCRATCH OFF WITH WEAR?

A: No. The sealer is not a coating on top of the stone, it is an impregnator, which is absorbed by the stone & fills the pores in order to repel food & liquid. Over time, cleaners fo reduce the effectiveness of the sealer, requiring re-sealing of the stone. Resealing depends upon the material & the sealer used. In order to increase the life of your sealer, use cleaners that are intended for natural stone. PRECISION SURFACES supplies our homewowners with a complimentary can of cleaner/ polisher/ protector after installation of your countertops.

Q: WHAT IS ANTIQUED AND HONED GRANITE?

A: Instead of the normal process of polishing granite, the polishing bricks are replaced with abrasive brushes which leaves a satin textured “antiqued” finish. Honed is granite that has not been polished to a shine. It is a smooth matte finish. Honed is lighter in color appearance than polished granite however, the color can be deepened with a color-enhancing sealer. Some finishing techniques can slightly change the porosity of the stone. However, use of the proper sealer will prevent any additional staining that might occur due to the finish.