John Dolan’s Guide to Choosing a Countertop

At John Dolan Flooring, Kitchens & Baths, we carry three types of kitchen countertops: Quartz, Solid Surface, and
Granite. We also carry Marble and other stones for bathroom vanities and Jacuzzi decks, but are not recommended
for kitchens because of the staining and scratching issue.

Quartz
Quartz is a manmade stone that is non-porous. Some names you may recognize will be Ceasarstone, Silestone, and Zodiaq. We carry all of these but we also have a newer line called CambriaUSA that is our best selling line. It is made in the USA, therefore readily available, and all colors are the same price. Quartz is a great countertop for a busy household, as it never requires any maintenance beyond a daily wipe down and never requires sealing (see below for care and cleaning). Quartz countertop has come down in price drastically in the past 5 years or so.

Solid Surface
Solid Surface is a durable, solid Acrylic countertop that is easy to clean, bacterial and stain resistant because it is non-porous, and has a renewable finish.  Solid surface is one of the only surfaces that can be repaired if over time you feel the need to restore the original finish (see Care and Maintenance below).  Some brands that we carry for Solid Surface are Corian and Staron.  It has a softer feel with a matte gloss, although some newer colors are high gloss, more closely resembling granite.  An integral sink is an added benefit of the solid surface: it is a sink made of the same material in a white, bone or beige tone, that is completely seamless, making it a breeze to clean up.

Granite
Granite stone is an extremely scratch and heat resistant stone that has become increasingly popular, therefore making it, in some colors, one of the most affordable countertop after laminate.  As  it is a porous material, it should be sealed upon installation, and then should be sealed every year, especially in the high traffic areas.  Sealing is not difficult, and is similar to waxing a car, taking about 1-2 hours for most kitchens. (See care and maintenance below.) We have 10 granite specials that include a free sink and choice of 4 free edges (pencil, 3/8 radius, bevel, and half bull nose):

Care and Maintenance

Quartz
Cleaning of quartz is extremely easy, just a sponge and warm water, with a mild soap if desired. No polish will ever be necessary to maintain the high shine. 

• DO NOT expose quartz to any abrasive or strong alkaline or acid or free radical or oxidizers (whether high, neutral or low PH) cleaners.  Various chemical are corrosive and erosive. 
• DO NOT expose quartz to products containing bleach, oven cleaners, Comet, Soft Scrub, SOS, products with pumice, batteries, paint removers, furniture strippers tarnish or silver cleaners or the like.
• DO NOT use abrasive or harsh scrub pads
• DO NOT apply any sealers, penetrants or topical treatments under any circumstances.  Such products will wear off and cause the gloss to appear dull or inconsistent. 
• DO NOT place hot pots and pans, fry pans or some crock pots directly on the quartz as it may not be able to withstand the sudden or rapid change of temperature.
• DO be careful as all stone can be damaged by force and no stone is chip proof.  Objects hitting edges, particularly at sinks and edges may cause chips.
• DO use a cutting board as no stone is scratch proof.

Solid Surface
Soapy water or ammonia based cleaners will clean most dirt and residue from solid surfaces.  To disinfect countertops, wipe surface with diluted household bleach (1 part water/1 part bleach).  Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry.

Depending on your finish, matte, semi-gloss or high gloss, depends on how you will clean a difficult stain.  (Most sinks have a matte finish).  To remove a difficult stain on a matte finish, use SoftScrub and a green Scotch-Brite pad in a circular motion.  For a  semi-gloss surface, use SoftScrub and a white Scotch-Brite pad.  On a high gloss surface, use the same same procedure, but with a sponge, or use white polishing compound.

• DO NOT place hot objects directly on the solid surface or in the sink, allow to cool before placing in sink.
• DO NOT expose solid surface to strong chemicals, such as paint removers, oven cleaners, etc.  If contact occurs, flush with water immediately.
• DO run your faucet while pouring boiling water into your solid surface sink
• DO use a cutting board as not to scratch the surface

Granite
Most natural stones are considered very low maintenance, but not maintenance-free.  Unless the stone is sealed and maintained properly, some staining may occur.  When the stone is installed, we will seal it with a penetrating sealer, which should last 1-2 years.  After that, you should reseal the stone, particularly in heavy use areas, such as around the sink and stove.

• DO clean up spills immediately.  Acid-based spills such as lemon juice, orange juice, etc. tend to “eat” through the sealant
• DO use coasters to prevent temporary darkening of the stone and blot up sills as they happen
• DO use warm water or a neutral PH cleanser.  Never use an acid-based cleanser, chemicals or abrasive on your stone
• DO avoid waxing the stone surface since wax attracts and hold dirt
• DO exercise caution with perfumes, toothpaste, mouthwash, and saline solution as they may contain acids which can damage your stone
• DO use mats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that can scratch the surface.
• DO NOT use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub and tile cleaners
• DO NOT use vinegar, bleach, ammonia or other general  purpose cleaners
• DO NOT cut directly on countertops
• DO NOT place hot  dishes or pans directly on stone

To assist you in retaining the quality and condition of your countertop, John Dolan’s offers cleansers and preservers which are available for purchase. There is one particular spray, called Daily Stone and Tile Cleaner which works great.  All these products are designed specifically for natural stone.  You can also view their website for further maintenance and cleaning information at www.stonetechpro.com.