Granite Warranty:
As natural stone products are just that, natural, granite counters ARE NOT backed by a product warranty. Labor/installation of your natural stone counters project are warranted however by Solid Surfaces NY for one year from the date of your natural stone project installation.
Hand Selecting Granite:
As natural stone has a greater variation from sample to slab, it is strongly requested that you see your particular slab or slab lot prior to us starting your project. Please note that hand selecting any non-stock granite will require a 50% deposit on the total job to hold for up to 60 days. For hold requests greater than 60 days, Solid Surfaces will require full payment to include material and the intended fabrication costs necessary to complete your natural stone project.
Seams:
Placement of seams is at the discretion of Solid Surfaces. Our programmers have been designing tops for many years. We typically design your counters with the most cost-effective layout in mind to reduce waste and of course to keep projects financially reasonable. Seams vary from 1/16” to 1/8” and are discernable to the eye and touch. Every effort is made to ensure that the seam is placed in the best location for structural integrity and to make the tops aesthetically pleasing. At times natural characteristics of granite make it impossible to guarantee a match in color or veining when seaming two pieces together. Color coordinated epoxy will be used to fill the seam and blend in with countertops, however it is not the actual stone, so there is always a possibility the seam may not match the stone exactly.
Seam Placement Requests:
Some homeowners request seamless islands, peninsula’s and “L”-shaped tops for aesthetic reasons. Requests such as these are dependent on several factors such as overall size, over-
hangs, installation. or material restrictions, and maneuverability of the piece or pieces being
installed. Most important is the SAFETY OF OUR INSTALLERS in setting the surfaces and of
course, the SAFETY OF YOU, THE HOMEOWNER.
Finish:
Your countertop will come with a polished finish unless otherwise specified. Irregularities in natural materials like granite are common, reflecting unique natural patterns that give each granite countertop its distinct appearance. Altered finishes such as honed, leathered, or matte can have the tendency to show fingerprints or water spots, although this is most likely to be visible only in a darker natural stone such as granite.
Staining:
Granite countertops rarely stain when properly sealed and maintained. 98% of any stains that do occur can be removed with a poultice. Although there is no product warranty on granite, fabricators will typically attempt to remove stains using poultice for a chargeable fee, Solid Surfaces NY will only perform this service if the granite tops were originally installed by us.
Sealing:
All countertops are sealed twice prior to installation and once after installation using a specially formulated stone sealer. In some rare cases there are instances in which less dense granites may require additional sealer to be applied post installation.
Regular Maintenance:
A natural stone “sealer/restorer” can be purchased at Solid Surfaces NY or at any hardware or
home improvement center and should be applied to your granite counters every couple of
weeks, aside from standard cleaning with soap and water. High traffic areas tend to require more attention than less used areas of your counters.
Sealant Test:
Purchase or repurpose a spray bottle that contains a “mist”setting on the dispenser. Fill the
bottle with water and spray a light mist on the surface of your granite. Leave this unattended for 1-2 minutes and inspect the surface. If you see that the water is still on the surface and
has not absorbed, you know that your sealer is working. If not, you should apply a natural stone “sealer/restorer,” available at Solid Surfaces NY or any home improvement store.
Cleaning:
You may use lukewarm water and a PH neutral detergent to clean your countertop. Do not use any abrasive cleaners such as Bleach, Comet, S.O.S. pads, etc.
Scratching:
Granite countertops are extremely hard surfaces and very resistant to scratching. Only diamonds, sapphires, and topaz are harder. This means granite is very durable and able to withstand scratches and long-term wear. The top should NOT be used as a cutting surface since it will dull your knives. The use of a cutting board or trivet is highly recommended.
Chips:
When fabricating countertops, chipping at the edges and corners may occur. These chips are
normally patched and are normal characteristics when dealing with natural stone. These chips
or pits are considered acceptable, provided the structural integrity of the stone is not affected
Heat:
Granite countertops are very heat resistant and unlikely to burn or scorch. However, thermal
shock or cracks may occur if the countertop is subject to extreme temperature changes. It is
recommended that you protect your countertop from extreme heat by using trivets or hot pads.
Please note that these tips and guidelines do not constitute a guarantee and are only provided
as general guidance. Please consult your sales associate for further information.
