Frequently Asked Questions

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What is granite?

Granite is a coarse grained crystalline igneous rock composed primarily of quartz and feldspar. It forms from slowly cooling magma that is subjected to extreme pressures deep beneath the earth’s surface.

Where is granite found?

Granite is quarried from the earth with specialized equipment and machinery. It is found all over the world. A few parts of the world where granite is quarried: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, Finland, India, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Ukraine, USA, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

What is the difference between marble and granite countertops?

The look first and foremost. The maintenance and care of the stones will also vary. Marble colors is a softer stone, and it will etch easier. It is a more delicate natural stone when compared to granite.

How strong is granite?

Granite is a very strong and durable natural stone. The actual strength of a specific piece of granite will vary depending on the stone and where it was quarried from.

Will my granite countertop break?

YES it will with heavy abuse. NO it will not with normal every day wear and tear.

Do I need to seal my granite countertops?

There are a lot of different sealer brand names on the market; some of them give one year protection promise some others up to 5-6 years. As an expert our recommendations put sealer on your countertop once a year. It is hassle free easy application and takes less than ten minutes. You need to put sealer once year for better protection of countertop This depends on the granite you choose. As a rule of thumb, the lighter stones need to be sealed and the darker ones don’t.

What is etching?

Etching is when acids from items such as lemons, alcohols, and even some cleaning products leave dull spots or rings on a stone. Etching is an issue for marble countertops not for granites.

Will my granite etch?

It shouldn’t. Granite is a siliceous natural stone and not highly reactive to acids like a marble or a limestone. If your granite is sealed, the sealer may etch.

Can I cut on my granite countertops?

Yes you can. Granite is very hard and will dull your knives. Little slivers of the knife may become embedded in your countertop. This is very noticeable with darker granites.

Will granite chip?

It can. If it chips, it is usually around the sink or near an edge. The chip is usually small and not visible, but, you can feel it. This is easy to repair. A colored epoxy is used to fill in the small area. If you did get a larger chip, save the chip so it can be used to repair your countertop.

Will granite scratch?

No, not usually. the only things that may scratch it are diamonds, other pieces of granite, and some green kitchen scrub pads. Granite can only be scratched by materials which are harder than granite.

Will granite burn?

No, it can withstand heat up to 1200F. You can set hot pots on your granite countertop without worrying about charring or scorching your granite.

What are seams and do I need them?

Seams are joints where two pieces of stone meet or join together. Granite slabs are very big but larger kitchens may need a seam or two. If you have curves, arches, or really long spans of granite you will usually need seams.

What do you use to make the seam?

We use a two part epoxy called Akemi, mixed with a hardener, with added color to match your granite.Once the epoxy is inserted into the seam, we use a vacuum seaming tool to assure a level surface and a tight seam. The Akemi does have an odor, however once it is dry, it becomes odorless. The odor is non-toxic and completely harmless unless directly inhaled for long periods of time. Troy Granite, Inc. suggests to ventilate the area if sensitivity to the odor occurs. Ventilation time should only be approximately two hours.

How much does granite weigh?

The weight of granite depends on its density. The average 3/4″ thick granite weighs 13 pounds per square foot, 1 1/4″ thick granite weighs around 18 to 20 pounds per square foot, and 2″ thick granite weighs about 30 pounds per square foot. The darker stones are usually heavier than the lighter stones.

What is the thickness of a granite countertop?

2cm =3/4″, 3cm =1 1/4″, 3cm is the preferred thickness for granite countertops. Troy Granite use 3cm thickness granite for countertops project.

Will my cabinets support granite countertops?

Most cabinets will as long as they’re sturdy. Granite spreads its weight out like a waterbed does. Your cabinets may need to be reinforced if they are not sturdy enough. Troy Granite experts check your cabinets strength.

Do I need underlayment?

Not with 1 1/4″ granite. If you plan to use 3/4″, you may

What are some of the uses of granite?

It is used on exteriors and interiors of homes and commercial buildings. The most common uses are for headstones and kitchen countertops. Some other examples include: fireplaces, bars, vanities, sinks, cabinet handles, outlet switch plate covers, tables, walls, benches, fountains, shower surrounds, flooring… If you can imagine it, you can use granite

What is the granite installation time frame?

99% of Troy Granite’s countertop installation takes a day. Very rarely and depending on the size of your job might takes two. Troy Granite’s regular turnaround time is a 10 days. Preparations before installation, such as cutting, polishing and getting your stone to the shop can take anywhere from a week to a month or so.

How do I clean granite countertops?

A mild dish soap and water will work. But, a soap build up may occur over time if you don’t rinse your countertops well.

What are some of the granite countertop colors?

There are hundreds of granite colors and color combinations. The “groups” of colors are white, black/gray, brown, blue, green, red, pink, yellow, and violet.

How much does a granite countertop cost?

Granite countertop costs will vary depending on your region and also the type of granite colors you choose. Exotics, hard to finds, and blues are usually more expensive. Sink cut outs, outlet holes, arches and curves, as well as special edgings and tear outs of old countertops add to the cost. Troy Granite has most reasonable prices wit best service quality.

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*Maryland, New Jersey, & Chester County residents use Delaware location*

Newark Troy Granite

(302) 292 1750
711 Interchange Blvd. Newark, DE 19711

Open 7 Days

M - F: 9:00 am –  5:00 pm
Sat: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sun: By Appointment Only (Call Ahead of time, please)

 

 

Pittsburgh Troy Granite

(412) 446 1060
484 Lowries Run Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15237

M – F: 8:30am – 6:00pm
Sat: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Sun: Closed

 

 

Harrisburg Troy Granite

(717) 918 3315
3617 Simpson Ferry Rd. Camp HILL, PA 17011

M – F: 8:30am – 6:00pm
Sat: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Sun: Closed