Quartz
Quartz is a manmade stone that is non-porous. Some types of quartz you may recognize include Silestone, Cambria, and LG Viatera. Quartz is a perfect countertop for a busy household. It never requires more than a daily wipe-down for cleaning and maintenance, and never requires sealing. Quartz is an extremely stain and scratch resistant stone that has become increasingly popular.
≡ Quartz Care & Maintenance Instructions
Cleaning quartz is extremely easy — all you need is a sponge and warm water and a mild soap, if desired. You will never need polish to maintain its high shine.
- Don't expose to any abrasive, strong alkaline, acid, free radical or oxidizers (whether high, neutral, or low PH) cleaners. Various chemicals are corrosive and erosive to quartz.
- Don't expose quartz to products containing bleach, oven cleaners, Comet, SoftScrub, SOS, products with pumice, batteries, paint removers, furniture strippers, tarnish, silver cleaners, or the like.
- Don't use abrasive or harsh scrub pads.
- Don't apply any sealers, penetrants, or topical treatments under any circumstances. Such products will wear off and cause the gloss to appear dull or inconsistent.
- Don't place hot-pots and pans, fry pans, and some crock pots directly on the quartz as it may not be able to withstand the sudden rapid change of temperature.
- Do be careful, as all stone can be damaged by force and no stone is chip proof. Objects hitting edges especially cause chipping to occur.
- Do use a cutting board, as no stone is scratch proof.
- Don't expose to any abrasive, strong alkaline, acid, free radical or oxidizers (whether high, neutral, or low PH) cleaners. Various chemicals are corrosive and erosive to quartz.
- Don't expose quartz to products containing bleach, oven cleaners, Comet, SoftScrub, SOS, products with pumice, batteries, paint removers, furniture strippers, tarnish, silver cleaners, or the like.
- Don't use abrasive or harsh scrub pads.
- Don't apply any sealers, penetrants, or topical treatments under any circumstances. Such products will wear off and cause the gloss to appear dull or inconsistent.
- Don't place hot-pots and pans, fry pans, and some crock pots directly on the quartz as it may not be able to withstand the sudden rapid change of temperature.
- Do be careful, as all stone can be damaged by force and no stone is chip proof. Objects hitting edges especially cause chipping to occur.
- Do use a cutting board, as no stone is scratch proof.
Granite
Granite is an all natural stone that comes in a wide variety of colors. Within recent years, the price of granite has fallen drastically, making it much more affordable. As it is a porous material, which we seal upon installation, Granite should be sealed every couple of years thereafter, especially in high traffic areas. Sealing is not difficult; it’s similar to waxing a car, and takes about one to two hours for most standard-sized kitchens. We have 29 granite specials that include a sink and a choice of 4 free edges (pencil, ⅜ radius, bevel, and half bull nose).
≡ Granite Care & Maintenance Instructions
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 to 2 years. After that, you should reseal the stone, particularly in heavy use areas, such as around the sink and stove.
- Don't use cleaners that contain acid, such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub and tile cleaners.
- Don't use vinegar, bleach, amonia or other general purpose cleaners on your grainte.
- Don't cut directly on countertops.
- Do not place hot dieshed or pans directly on stone.
- 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 spills as they happen.
- Do use warm water or a neutral PH cleanser. Never use an acid-based cleaner, chemicals or abrasive on your stone.
- Do avoid waxing the stone surface since wax attracts and holds 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 than can scratch the surface.
- Don't use cleaners that contain acid, such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub and tile cleaners.
- Don't use vinegar, bleach, amonia or other general purpose cleaners on your grainte.
- Don't cut directly on countertops.
- Do not place hot dieshed or pans directly on stone.
- 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 spills as they happen.
- Do use warm water or a neutral PH cleanser. Never use an acid-based cleaner, chemicals or abrasive on your stone.
- Do avoid waxing the stone surface since wax attracts and holds 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 than can scratch the surface.
Solid Surface
Solid Surface is a durable, solid acrylic countertop that is simple to clean, bacteria- and stain-resistant since it is non-porous, and has a renewable finish. Solid surface can be repaired if, over time, you feel the need to restore the original finish. We offer Solid Surface in Corian and Livingstone. It has a softer feel with a matte gloss, and some newer colors closely resemble marble or granite. An integral sink is an added bonus 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.
≡ Solid Surface Care & Maintenance Instructions
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. Your finish — matte, semi-gloss, or high gloss — will determine how you 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 procedure but with a sponge, or use white polishing compound.
- Don't place hot objects directly on the solid surface or in the sink, allow to cool before placing in sink.
- Don't expose solid surface to strong chemicals, such as paint removers, oven cleaners, etc. If contact does occur, flush with water immediately.
- Don't place hot objects directly on the solid surface or in the sink, allow to cool before placing in sink.
- Don't expose solid surface to strong chemicals, such as paint removers, oven cleaners, etc. If contact does occur, flush with water immediately.