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Bloomday Granite and Marble Logo Winston Salem NC

FAQ'S

Frequently Asked Questions

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336-724-0300

  • Sealing Natural Stone Countertops

    All Natural Stone countertops are sealed prior to installation in a home. We provide one aerosol can for resealing (3-in-1 Cleaner/Polisher/Protector) for each job. We recommend that Natural Stone countertops be resealed at minimum at least once a year with the 3-in-1 Cleaner/Polisher/Protector. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT AN EVERYDAY CLEANER - DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY. Re-sealing is just like waxing your car. Make sure the counter is clean and dry. Spray on the sealer and let it sit for a few minutes. Rub it in, and then wipe off the excess.

  • Caring for your Natural Stone

    Clean natural stone surfaces with a neutral cleaner or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water; Rinse when done and dry with a towel. Don't use bleach, vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners containing acids. The Marble Institute of America has approved 409's new product Natural Stone Cleaner, which is safe to use on granite and marble. http://marble-institute.com/consumers/care.cfm

    Please visit the Natural Stone Institute's website for more info if needed. https://www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/


    Granite is ranked # 1 in cleaning ability when compared to six other countertop surfaces including stainless steel.

  • Is Granite Scratch Proof?

    No surface is 100% scratch proof. With normal use and everyday "wear and tear", Granite is one of the most durable surfaces you can put in your home.

  • Can you place hot pots on Granite?

    Granite is able to withstand heat, the use of trivets or mats is still recommended.

  • How much overhang can you have without support?

    The Natural Stone Institute states that any overhang of granite over 10 inches, must be supported. Most Quartz products can have 12 inches without a support.

  • How much does Natural Stone weigh?

    On average, Granite weighs between 18-25 Lbs. per Square Foot.

  • Do my older cabinets need more support added to accommodate the weight of Granite countertops?

    Most cabinets do not need any additional support added to them. Upon templating for countertops, our crew will look at the cabinets to see if any further action needs to be taken.

Natural Stone vs. Quartz


There is no countertop that is scratch proof!

Natural Stone


Granite is a product of nature and has its own unique qualities that distinguish it from quartz surface materials. There are so many different patterns, color variations, and other unique characteristics to choose from when you look for natural stone to use in your home. There are hundreds of different patterns to choose from. You can hand select the material that goes into your home, leaving out any guess work on what your finished product will look like.

Granite is low maintenance, often only requiring warm water & mild dishwashing liquid to maintain it's beauty. The cleaner brand 409 has recently come out with a great natural stone cleaner. It has Natural Stone Institute of America's stamp of approval on it.

Before the natural stone leaves our fabrication facility, it is sealed to help prevent staining and water infiltration into the stone. We recommend to our customers that they seal their tops annually with a sealer that we can provide. It is like waxing your car. Just clean your countertops thoroughly, and then apply the sealer to the stone. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then wipe off the excess. In other words, resealing your granite tops is no big deal. You don't even have to put on gloves.


Granite does NOT emit dangerous levels of radon. Consumers do not have to worry about radon exposure stemming from natural stone in their home. For more info on the studies on this issue please visit: http://marble-institute.com/consumers/granite_radoninfo.cfm

Granite can scratch, but only from a material that is harder than granite. Granite will burn up to a certain temperature. In most cases it will not. We recommend having a cutting board and trivet for hot plates.

Quartz


Quartz material is another great option for countertops offering beauty and durability. Quartz is a man-made material that is composed of natural quartz with resin and epoxy. The resin that makes up the pigments for coloration and the epoxy that binds the materials together may react to heat. Trivets are recommended for hot items. Consumers should use caution with hot plates, pans, and crock pots.

Quartz offers the same fabrication details as natural stone. Edge profiles, sink cut outs, and custom details can be accomplished to design the countertop that you have always dreamed about. It does not need to be sealed as it is a non-porous substance- no maintenance! It is easy to clean and it will not harbor bacteria when cleaned with the appropriate cleaners. Do not use bleach products or harsh chemical cleaners on quartz. Soap and water is still the best day to day maintenance. Some manufactures of quartz also offer special anti-bacteria components in their quartz lines.
Quartz materials usually come in a couple standard sizes which should be considered when designing your space. Large size islands, L- shapes, and unique layouts will need to be evaluated for seam placement depending on the size of the quartz material- usually 55"x120" or 63"x120".

Several companies manufacture quartz material and offer a wide variety of patterns and color tones. Some of them have done a great job mimicking the look of marble. This allows for the marble look without its' special care and consideration. Manufactures have also started to produce colors that look like granite. Quartz offers a variety of styles from contemporary to classic with a wide selection of colors tones, patterns, and overall looks.

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