Although both stones are quarried from the earth and can be polished, they are very different from one another. Granite is an igneous rock formed deep in the earth’s surface at extremely high temperatures. It is a very hard and resistant stone comprised of crystallized minerals. Marble begins as sediment formed from oceanic deposits solidifying after millions of years into stone. Its main component is calcium, which makes it vulnerable to acids such as vinegar and citrus.

It is not difficult to measure your own countertops for an estimate. This measurement will help us give you an estimated price for your natural stone countertop over the phone or via fax. A rough sketch of the floor plan of your kitchen helps us to visualize the floor plan of your kitchen. h Make rough sketches of the floor plan of your kitchen. This does not have to be accurate as the exact measurements will be determined when field measurements are completed. An easy way to measure your counter top is to use a tapemeasure to measure the length and the width of your countertops. Please give all measurements in "inches". Measure to the edge of your appliances unless the appliance goes under the countertop completely, such as the dishwasher.

TO CALCULATE SQUARE FOOTAGE: TAKE LENGTH X WIDTH AND DIVIDE BY 144, ADD SQUARE FOOTAGE FOR EACH SECTION OF YOUR COUNTERTOP, THEN ADD ALL TOTALS TO GET THE FINAL SQUARE FOOTAGE OF YOUR COUNTERTOP.

Most kitchen countertops require seams since granite is usually sold in slabs no more than 9 ft long (approx.). The placement of seams is determined at the time of templating. ROCK enCOUNTERS strives to design the countertops to have the least amount of seams possible.

A drop-in sink sits on top of the cutout in your granite counter while an under-mount sink sits beneath the cutout. There is generally an extra polishing charge required in preparing a granite countertop for an under-mount sink.

A routine cleaning with mild soap and water is all that is necessary to maintain your countertop.

Most stains can be removed. Even oil stains can usually be removed using a poultice or paste that will draw out the oil from the stone. No matter how careful you are, spills are going to happen. A quick response and the right solutions can keep spills from damaging stone or the sealer. Does Granite breed more mold than other countertops?No. Proper washing and rinsing should prevent bacteria and mold from developing.

With proper care and maintenance, granite will shine years for years just as if it was brand new. Granite is highly scratch resistant and will not show wear from daily use.

Granite is heat resistant. It can resist the heat of hot pots and pans without damage.

Granite is a very hard stone, only a diamond will cut or scratch granite. Granite countertops cannot be cut or scratched by kitchen knives and utensils.

The samples you see on the website or in person may not look exactly the same, this is due to the fact that it is a natural stone and no two slabs are alike. Marble and granite are natural stones created in nature. They are composed of various minerals and are susceptible to wide variations in color, texture, spotting, veining and cracking. These variations are expected and are the source of its natural beauty.

Granite, which is crystalline in structure, always has tiny pits - spaces between the various mineral crystals. Granite is a natural stone and will have variations and fissures. Sometimes the natural fissures may look like cracks, but they are not. These are structural defects and are a naturally occurring result of the immense heat and pressure that formed the granite in the earth. These characteristics are part of the natural beauty of the stone and will not damage the durability of the material. A natural product is not perfect and cannot be expected to look manmade.