Frequently Asked Questions

Generally, granite is made up of plutonic rock which is predominantly composed up of 35% Quartz, 45% Feldspar / Potassium and is incredibly dense. There are many different quarries on every continent around the world and this gives the variety of colours. Much of the granite available today was formed about anywhere from a few million years to over a billion years ago – prior to life on the planet. It makes up over 70% of the earth’s crust. It typically measures 6 to 6.5 on the Hardness Scale of rock. Diamonds measure 10 on the same scale.

Marble is crystallised limestone, made up primarily of calcium and dolomite. It measures 3 on the hardness scale of rock. Care needs to be taken with marble benches as they can mark or etch with acids such as lemon juice

Both Granite and Quartzite are very hard, but on the Moh’s Scale of Hardness (with 10 being the hardest), quartzite has the slight edge. It measure around 7 – 8 where granite is around 6 to 6.5. While quartzite is slightly harder than granite, it’s important to understand that it’s not bullet proof.

One of the main features that sets quartzite apart from granite is that quartzite slabs are denser. This density gives quartzite slabs an unmatched durability when comparing natural stone benchtops to one another.

Quartz (also known as Engineered stone) is made from 91-95% natural quartz chips and fillers, with a 5-9% resin binder. These are combined together and “cast” and then cured to produce sheets of stone. Several different trading names are used, and the stone supplier will have detailed specifications of testing. The main advantage of engineered stone is that it has a more uniform look, especially in lighter colours and Replica’s of the Marble look are becoming amazingly accurate.

Stones may be finished in polished, honed or leathered finishes. All are professionally sealed with the latest specification sealers for maximum durability and stain resistance.

Honed provides a matt low sheen finish. Reduces reflections & easy to maintain.

Polished surfaces are smooth, emphasising the brilliant colours and grains of natural stone.

Leathered enhances it’s natural movement. Reduces reflection as per honed.

We choose the best quality granites from around the world.

There are a variety of edge types. The most popular and cost-effective is the Pencil Arris. All showing edges are polished.

Once your quote is confirmed and template booked in, it will generally take around 10 days from templating to installation. In some cases we can do a quicker turnaround.

You can use mostly hot soapy water or household glass and surface cleaners (Spray & Wipe).

Standard slabs are 20mm and 30mm thick. Not all types of stone are available in both 20mm and 30mm.

This is when two pieces of stone are cut on an angle and joined together. Very thick edges can be achieved by laminating or mitre-laminating along the front edges of the bench top. In this way, drop-apron fronts of 40-200m deep bench edges can be achieved, giving the appearance of a much thicker block

Our showroom Opening hours are:

Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm

Saturday – 9am to 3pm

Sunday – closed

No. Standard kitchen joinery will support a stone bench top. However, special support maybe needed for overhangs of more than 300mm.