Stone FAQ:
Q1. What is the difference between Granite, Marble, and Travertine?
Q2. Is Granite sanitary?
Q3. Will Granite stain?
Q4. Will Granite scratch, chip, or burn?
Q5. Do Granite Countertops have seams?
Tile FAQ:
Q1. What is the difference between ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles?
Q2. What is the difference between glazed and full-body tiles?
Q3. Should a sealer be used on ceramic tile?
Q4. Where can tile be used and what is a PEI rating?
Q5. How much breakage should I expect with an order?
Stone FAQ
Q1. What is the difference between Granite, Marble, and Travertine?
Granite:
Granites are composed of quartz, feldspars and micas and traces of a wide variety of other minerals. Granite is formed by hardening of these molten components when they cool in the earth's crust. The color and texture of the various granites are influenced by the presence of trace minerals present in the stone. The crystal size evident in the granite is partially determined by cooling rate. A slow cooling process results in larger crystal size and faster cooling produces finer grained granites.
Granite can be obtained with polished, honed, or flamed surfaces. Polished granite has a shiny, mirror-like surface. Honed granite has a matte or satin finish. Flamed granite is produced by applying very high heat to the surface. The heat fractures some of the crystals and creates a deeply textured surface. Due to its coarser surface, flamed granite is useful outdoors and can also be as an accent material in a polished granite floor.
A huge selection of patterns and colors makes granite one of the most versatile, durable, and low maintenance of all stones. Granite is one of the hardest and densest substances on earth, making it ideal for kitchen countertops.
Marble:
True marbles are formed from limestone or dolomite that has undergone a metamorphosis through intense heat and pressure into a crystalline structure. True marbles are generally whitish or sometimes translucent. Veining or color is provided by other minerals present during the metamorphosis process.
Marble is usually polished to a mirror-like shine and colors range from white to light tans to browns to rich reds and greens. Breccias, or brecciated marbles, are stones that have been broken up by earth movement and re-cemented with dissolved minerals such as silicates. Most available green marbles are technically not marble, but serpentinites, or more commonly, serpentines.
Travertine:
Travertine is a layered and porous limestone produced by precipitation of calcium carbonate from solution. Formed by underground rivers, springs and other types of subterranean moisture, travertine is a smooth and porous stone characterized by a rich creamy hue. Travertine falls somewhere between marble and limestone for hardness and porosity and is often characterized by a pitted surface which is sometimes filled with grout.
Travertine comes in many different colors including ivory, beige, walnut, noce, and gold. The color of travertine is the result of iron compounds or other organic impurities. Travertine comes in a range of finishes including: polished (shiny), honed (matte), and tumbled (textured surfaces). Travertine is used for flooring, cladding on buildings, showers, wall coverings and counter tops.
Q2. Is Granite sanitary?
Like any other countertop material, if cleaned regularly and properly, granite poses no health or sanitation problems. In fact, some studies have shown Granite is second only to stainless steel in lowest bacteria counts when used as a countertop material.
Q3. Will Granite stain?
Marble and granite are porous materials and therefore, are subject to staining if not maintained properly. Granite is very dense and resistant to stains if spills are removed relatively quickly. If a spill is left overnight, especially if the liquid is grease, oil, coffee, or wine, the granite will usually darken. Stains usually can be removed by use of a poultice. A sealer is applied during the fabrication process with further reduces the chance of staining.
Marble is less dense than granite and is more susceptible to staining and etching by acidic or oil-based products. Marble is usually not recommended for use in kitchen countertops.
Q4. Will Granite scratch, chip, or burn?
Granite is a very dense material and under normal usage is extremely chip and scratch resistant. As granite is one of the hardest materials on earth, scratches are very unlikely. Chips can occur if the surface or edges are abused with very heavy objects, such as dropping a heavy cast iron frying pan, but are unlikely is reasonable care is used. Granite is unaffected by temperature ranges typically found in a kitchen. Hot pots and pans can be placed directly on it without damage.
Q5. Do Granite Countertops have seams?
Granite slabs are limited in size by practicality. Quarrying, shipping, and handling issues place finite limits on the workable size of a slab. Often the raw slabs may not be large enough for the entire run of the countertop. Additionally, transportation and installation issues at the jobsite may limit finished piece size. As a result seams in the material are necessary. However, seams are very tight and filled with a clear or colored epoxy and are designed in a manner that minimizes (but may not eliminate) their visibility.
Tile FAQ
Q1. What is the difference between ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles?
Ceramic tiles are generally made from red or white clay fired in a kiln. They are almost always finished with a durable glaze which carries the color and pattern. These tiles are used in both wall tile and floor tile applications, are softer and easier to cut than porcelain, and usually carry a PEI 0 to 3 rating. Non-porcelain ceramic tiles are usually suitable for very light to moderate traffic and generally have a relatively high water absorption rating making them less frost resistant and they are more prone to wear and chipping than porcelain tiles.
Porcelain tile is a tile that is generally made by the dust pressed method from porcelain clays which result in a tile that is dense, impervious, fine grained and smooth, with a sharply formed face. Porcelain tiles usually have a much lower water absorption rate (less than 0.5%) than non-porcelain tiles making them frost resistant or frost-proof. Glazed porcelain tiles are much harder and more wear and damage resistant than non-porcelain ceramic tiles, making them suitable for any application from light traffic to the heaviest residential and light commercial traffic. Full body porcelain tiles carry the color and pattern through the entire thickness of the tile making them virtually impervious to wear and are suitable for any application from residential to the highest traffic commercial or industrial applications. Porcelain tiles are available in matte, unglazed or a high polished finish.
Q2. What is the difference between glazed and full-body tiles?
Glazed tiles are coated with a liquid glass, which is then baked into the surface of the clay. The glaze provides an unlimited array of colors and designs as well as protects the tile from staining. The unglazed tiles are pretty much the same as the glazed tile, except that their surface is not coated. Full-body porcelain tiles do not show wear because their color extends throughout the tile, making them ideal for commercial applications.
Q3. Should a sealer be used on ceramic tile?
A glazed tile is already stain proof, so using sealers are unnecessary. A penetrating sealer may be used on your unglazed tile or your grout joints. The penetrating sealer is an invisible, stain resistant shield that is absorbed into the surface.
Q4. Where can tile be used and what is a PEI rating?
The Porcelain Enamel Institute or PEI rating is a scale that indicates a manufacturer's recommended area of use for each tile. PEI classes range from 0 to 5. The PEI rating is not a measurement of quality. For example, a PEI 2 tile has been designed for areas where very low traffic and soiling is anticipated. In most cases the aesthetic detailing of these tiles is of prime consideration. You will often find high gloss levels, vibrant colorations and metallic elements in this group of tile. Conversely, a PEI 5 tile has been designed for abusive extra heavy foot traffic.
Class 0 - No Foot Traffic: Wall tile only and should not be used on floors.
Class 2 - Light Traffic: Slipper or soft-soled shoes. Second level main bathroom areas, bedrooms.
Class 3 - Light to Moderate Traffic: Any residential area with the possible exception of some entries and kitchens if extremely heavy or abrasive traffic is anticipated.
Class 4 - Moderate to Heavy Traffic: High foot traffic, areas where abrasive or outside dirt could be tracked. Residential entry, kitchen, balcony, and countertop.
Class 5 - Heavy Traffic: Ceramic tile suggested for residential, commercial and institutional floor subjected to heavy traffic.
Q5. How much breakage should I expect with an order?
It is not unusual to have 2% - 3% of the tile broken to some degree. Broken tiles up to 10% may be considered acceptable. Damaged tiles can be used for the cuts will need to be made. If breakage is above 10%, or if a large number of broken tiles are unusable for cuts it should be documented and returned. Please make a claim with us within 10 days of receiving the order.
