FAQ’s

Can I have the left-over stone from my sink or cooktop cutout?
There is usually very little stone left over from a cutout – the piece(s) that are left are irregularly shaped and would need to be cut and polished. There may be scraps available that may be more suitable for something like a small cutting board, however, there is a charge to fabricate these pieces to make them suitable for use; there is also a charge for these leftover pieces without further fabrication. Beware: these pieces are heavy and can also scratch your new tops.

Can I cut on the granite?
Knives can be used to cut on granite. Please keep in mind that granite will dull your knives and use of knives on granite can possibly dull your countertops as well. It is always best to use a cutting board.

Can granite crack?
Granite does not crack with ordinary use. Granite is most susceptible to cracks during fabrication, shipping and installation. Granite will not flex like laminate and solid surface tops. Do not stand on or next to the sink, cooktop cutouts, or overhangs – as too much stress or weight applied to the stone may cause it to crack.

Can granite scratch?
Granite is one of the hardest stones available. It is extremely difficult to scratch, but it is not a diamond.

Does granite stain?
Generally, granite does not stain. All stone is porous to some extent, but granite has very little porosity. A few colors may absorb some moisture with prolonged contact, which may cause the stone to appear darker. Usually, no evidence remains when the liquid is removed and the granite dries. Granite products are sealed prior to or during installation to help prevent staining – however, this process does not make the stone impervious to liquid.
Please refer to our Care & Cleaning handout(s) for more information.

Can granite chip?
Granite will not chip under normal use, although a heavy object hitting a square countertop edge could chip out a small bit of granite. If this should occur, the chip can be filled.

Will my granite look like the sample?
Samples are not true representations of the entire slab. We recommend selecting your actual slab(s) at the stone importer’s warehouse; if desired, a Crafted team member can accompany you during this appointment. The slab(s) will then be shipped to our location. It should be noted that one end of the slab may be lighter or darker than the other, which may result in seams that do not perfectly match. However, this is part of natural stone’s inherent beauty, and it is our goal to match the seams as well as possible to make the best match.

Will seams show?
The visibility of seams will vary depending on the coloration of the stone. Granite(s) with sweeping color movements will have more visible seams. In addition, stone thickness may vary slightly, which can result in seams that are not perfectly flat. Our goal is to minimize seams, maximize use of material, and create a well-balanced “piece of art”.

How are seams made?
Seams are made using mostly epoxy or sometimes silicone, depending on the situation. Epoxy will hold up better but does not flex. When new homes settle, the epoxy may crack. Silicone will flex but is not as durable as epoxy. Please be sure to Contact Us if you need to schedule a service call.