Q: Do you manufacture and install granite, marble & quartz?

Q: What area do you service?

Q: Can we come to your showroom & select slabs for our kitchen and bathroom counters?

Q: How much does a counter top cost?

Q: Can I buy directly from you or do I have to purchase through a dealer?

Q: How do I get a quote for my counter top?

Q: Can I cut on Granite?

Q: Can I put hot pots on it?

Q: Does granite and marble need sealing?

Q: Why is 3 cm (1 ¼”) thickness being used for counter tops recently?

Q: Will granite chip, scratch or burn?

Q: What are joints or seams?

Q: Will my cabinets support stone counters?

Q: How heavy is Granite?

Q: Am I able to pick my slabs?

Q: How do I clean my counter top?

Q: How long will it be before I have my counter top?

Q: How much is it going to cost?

Q: How do I get a price?

Q: Do you do anything other than counter tops?

Q: Do I need to use a cutting board?

Q: How much of an overhang can go unsupported?

Q: Do you manufacture and install granite, marble & quartz?

A: Yes and we also work with limestone, sandstone and slate.

Q: What area do you service?

A: We typically measure/template, fabricate and install in an area from the Niagara peninsula north to Muskoka/Parry Sound/Owen Sound, east to Trenton/Belleville and west to Kitchener/Waterloo.

Q: Can we come to your showroom & select slabs for our kitchen and bathroom counters?

A: Yes, you are welcome to come to our showroom located at 2 Sheffield St., Toronto (1 block south of Lawrence, 1 block east of Keele) but please call for an appointment so we can be sure that someone will be available to serve you. Call 416-235-0161

Q: How much does a counter top cost?

A: This is a very difficult question to answer because different types and colours of stone cost different amounts. Typically marble costs less than granite, quartz is about the price of mid-range granite and granite cover a huge range of costs from relatively low to very, very expensive. They are all premium products that will last a life time with proper care and maintenance.

Q: Can I buy directly from you or do I have to purchase through a dealer?

A: We feel it makes the most sense to purchase the whole package through your kitchen dealer but if your dealer does not carry one of our quartz products or you want to purchase directly from us, we will be pleased to work with you.

Q: How do I get a quote for my counter top?

A: You can either make an appointment to come in with your kitchen drawing, pick the material you want to use and then get a quote or, if you know what you want in material, edge, etc., you can fax it in and receive a quote by return fax. Fax number 416-235-1247

Q: Can I cut on Granite?

A: The quick answer is no but the long answer is that making the assumption that you can cut on it may lead you to damaging your counter top. Although the granite is harder than the steel in a knife, a very sharp knife with heavy pressure, while dulling your blade, may leave a cut mark on your granite because if the extreme pressure concentrated on a fine point. So don’t make a habit of cutting on it but when the kids cut a sandwich on it, don’t panic.

Q: Can I put hot pots on it?

A: Again the short answer is no. It is tempting to put hot pots on you granite counter because some people who want to sell granite try to get customer to believe it is indestructible but, although it can handle heat fairly well, it can crack or spail under extreme heat. A skillet off the stove is your greatest risk because it can be 800 to 1000 degrees F. and the heat shock can cause damage.

Q: Does granite and marble need sealing?

A: Yes, over time it is recommended that they be sealed periodically. The original sealer will last for several years unless it is damaged by heat or abuse and it is recommended that a sealer be applied every year or so for the life of your kitchen.

Q: Why is 3 cm (1 ¼”) thickness being used for counter tops recently?

A: 3 cm is common in Europe and the trend is picking up in North America. One of the advantages is that there is no joint in the outside edges.

Q: Will granite chip, scratch or burn?

A: Under normal use granite doesn’t chip, scratch or burn, but is most susceptible to chipping on edges and cutouts if impacted by heavy objects such as cast iron frying pan. It can only be scratched by something as hard as it is which includes sandy grit that might be on the bottom of a heavy box put on the counter. Although granite can’t burn, it can be damaged by high heat especially along the edges or near a joint. Care should be taken to use a trivet when removing hot items from the stove or oven.

Q: What are joints or seams?

A: A joint is where two pieces of stone are epoxied together. These typically exist on edges, on long runs of counter or where the counter turns a corner.

Q: Will my cabinets support stone counters?

A: Most cabinets are sturdy enough. Only very poor quality, old cabinets or cabinets that have been cut so that they lose their integrity are of any concern.

Q: How heavy is Granite?

A: ¾” thick granite weighs approximately 12 to 15 lbs per sq. ft. and 1 ¼” weighs approximately 16 to 22 lbs per sq. ft.

Q: Am I able to pick my slabs?

A: Yes, we have a large warehouse you can visit by appointment and choose the perfect slab(s) for your project.

Q: How do I clean my counter top?

A: When your stone is installed, we provide you with a bottle of cleaner, but you can also use dish soap and water for everyday use.

Q: How long will it be before I have my counter top?

A: Generally the process takes about 2 to 3 weeks after your counter has been measured.

Q: How much is it going to cost?

A: Stone is a high end product and the price varies depending on your design and selection of stone.

Q: How do I get a price?

A: You can submit a rough drawing by email or fax to our office and one of our representatives will contact you.

Q: Do you do anything other than counter tops?

A: Yes, we do a variety of stone applications including floors, fireplace surrounds, vanities, tub enclosures, shower walls etc.

Q: Do I need to use a cutting board?

A: On marble surfaces yes, on granite surfaces, we recommend you do. Not only does it protect your counter surface but also prolongs the life of your knife.

Q: How much of an overhang can go unsupported?

A: With ¾” material you can have up to 6” without any support, up to 12” with a ¾” plywood substrate underneath. Anything over that would need to have legs, corbels or brackets installed to support the weight of the stone and additional weigh of a person leaning on the counter.