FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS In recent years the price of granite has dropped to a level competitive or lower than man-made countertop products. As a result, man-made countertop producers are feeling competitive pressures and a few of their representatives are supplying the consumer with false information about the properties of granite. In addition to information provided here, we encourage you to perform your own research and come to your own conclusions.

Q: What is granite? Granite, from the Italian granito (meaning grained), is a type of volcanic rock containing crystallized minerals such as feldspar, quartz and mica. Formed deep within the earth's crust, the colors and patterns of granite are determined by the minerals, their varying concentrations, temperature, pressure and the rate at which the rocks cool down on their ascent to the earth's surface. It is this range of colors and patterns that make granite such an appealing and unique material to use for kitchen worktops, tiles and flooring within the home. Q: Is granite scratch and heat resistant? Yes, Granite is both scratch and heat resistant. It is recommended that you do not use knives on granite not out of concern for scratching the granite but because the hardness of the granite will dull your knives. In addition, granite is one of the most heat resistant materials you can use. You can set hot pots on your granite tops without any concern. Q: Does granite stain? It can in some instances. Generally, the darker the granite, the more stain resistant it is. Some granite can stain if the granite has not been sealed and the substance is left on the granite to soak in. If you seal the granite once a year as recommended (a 15 minute wipe on - wipe off application), you should never experience a staining problem. Q: How often do I need to re-apply stone sealer? Many so-called "experts" advise re-applying stone sealers on an annual (or more frequent) basis - they are in all likelihood just trying to get you to buy more of their expensive sealer.  Wholesale Granite Warehouse doesn't advise any preset "calendar" for re-sealing, and over-application of sealer can build up over time and cause a haze on the surface of your countertops.  The frequency for re-sealing depends on the type of stone installed and the amount of use that the countertops see.  An easy "rule of thumb" is to closely monitor the area around the sink.  If you begin notice water that does not bead up or soaks into the stone within 10-15 minutes, then it's probably time to re-seal.  Applying a sealer is easy, you can apply a liberal amount of sealer in the evening before going to bed and just let it penetrate and cure overnight.  We have sealers for sale or they can be picked up at any “big box” hardware store. Q: Does granite harbor harmful bacteria? Both the Center for Disease Control and The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health have found no evidence of such. In fact, in one study; sealed granite was shown to be second only to stainless steel for resistance to bacteria. Q: Why is granite popular as a countertop material? First and foremost, looks! Granite comes in some amazing colors, and is considered to be one of the most beautiful stones in the world.      Durability: Granite lasts the lifetime of a person's home, is resistant to chipping and scratching, and is impervious to heat. The      color and polished surface of granite does not fade over time.      Economics: With the new technology available to the miners and fabricators of granite, the cost of granite has dropped      dramatically in the last few decades. Stone prices are now competitive or lower than man-made options, and granite lasts longer      than any other surface!      Ecology: Although mining is rough on the environment, other products are far worse in several ways. Man-made products create      potentially deadly by-products which go straight to our crowded landfills. Due to granite's durability and timeless beauty it does      not need to be replaced or upgraded, whereas man-made counters are replaced several times over the life of a building, further      adding waste (both environmentally and financially). Q: How can you sell solid granite countertops for as little as $45 per square foot when most granite shops charge $60-$100? We are a direct importer of granite countertops and slabs from all around the world. This saves money on the stone itself. We are also a high volume fabricator with state of the art equipment and highly skilled artisans who can fabricate your kitchen in record time. Unlike traditional granite shops that buy large slabs locally from wholesalers and then cut, edge, polish them "in house", we have a portion of the cutting, polishing and edging done in our overseas factories where the process is much more efficient. We pass these significant savings on to you. Q: Is granite a do-it-yourself product? No, not likely!  Granite fabrication is a specialized trade that requires extensive training and practice in order to produce high-quality results - not to mention the expensive diamond tooling and equipment.  Wholesale Granite Warehouse employs fabricators and installers with years of training and experience.  Even a small vanity countertop can weigh over one hundred pounds, so safe handling is another concern that you need not worry about when buying from Wholesale Granite Warehouse .  Mistakes are inevitable with DIY projects, and when working with natural stone, small errors can be VERY costly - you can easily exceed the cost of our installed prices with just one small slip-up or miscalculation.  When you choose Wholesale Granite Warehouse , you are guaranteed professional results from the initial design through fabrication and final installation. Q: Do I have to come pick out my granite slab(s)? Wholesale Granite Warehouse stocks only premium "first-quality" stone slabs which are the most consistent in coloring, patterning, and highly polished finish.  "First quality" slabs do not contain large discolorations or strong veins and are usually treated with a resin coating that strengthens the stone and provides a surface finish free of large fissures, cracks, or pitting.  Our standard colors are very consistent in patterning and color and therefore we do not require individual approval of slabs before processing.  Other shops may require viewing in order to gain written approval of sub-standard material (that you get stuck with).  We are the stone experts - and by choosing to do business with us, you can expect only the finest of materials to arrive at your installation.  You and your customers are always welcome to visit our showroom and stockyard to view our available inventory and to get additional design ideas.  We may, however, encourage slab selection on more "exotic" stones that have a lot of movement or unique coloring and patterns. This material is very easy material to work due to its consistency.       Here is a material with a lot of movement that is not                                                                                                       consistent. The look of the finished product can vary                                                                                                       depending on the size of your project and any imperfections                                                                                                       in the material we have to stay away from during fabrication. If                                                                                                       you choose a material with this much character you will want                                                                                                       to make sure you like the whole slab. This is an example of                                                                                                       material that would not be recommended for a raised top due                                                                                                       to the lack of consistency, but would be great for a table or                                                                                                       vanity.    This material is called Durango. This is a porous material that is not polished. A great material for a fireplace or bathroom but not suitable for a kitchen. Due to the porousness of the material you could easily stain or chip this material. Due to the nature of the material, the quarry that took it from the ground put filler in it where the surface was not smooth. Be sure you know what you are getting and that it is a good material for your project.  Compare the color of these two slabs. They are the same material but vary in color. This is a good example why we recommend our customers pick their slabs. Q: Can you re-connect my electrical and plumbing connections? Wholesale Granite Warehouse is a highly trained and licensed contractor for granite countertops, but we are not licensed electricians or plumbers.  Therefore, we can not assume any liability for making electrical or plumbing connections.  We can, in most instances however, recommend reputable and licensed individuals or companies to complete these tasks for you.