Stone Countertops 101

Granite Countertops 101

“Granite” Countertops

 Not every stone that is labeled "granite" is actually Granite. There is such a thing in the building industry as "commercial granite," or hard, dense stones that contain quartz, mica and feldspar, which are labeled as Granite. True Granite is an igneous rock formed of molten lava. Other stones include Gabbros, or what are known commercially as "black granites" and stones known as "Marrinace," which are actually cut from the bottoms of riverbeds. Not every commercial Granite is equal in porosity and strength; darker stones tend to be denser and need less sealing than lighter stones.

Granite Will Have Variation

Whether the stone you choose is a true granite or a commercial granite, it will have variation. All-natural stone products are produced in nature, which can lead to fluctuation in color, pattern, veining and fissures. Let’s say after you visit our Plaistow showroom that you have 100% made up your mind on the color stone, we will still ask you to go to a distributor and choose the exact slab as they may vary slightly in color. Trust us, you may thank us once you see the whole slab. Expect color to vary from bundle to bundle and even slab to slab. Always inspect the stone you are purchasing for color; never go off of a sample, as what you receive may look different. Our Plaistow showroom is only a starting point and intended to get you going in the right direction.

Granite is Porous

All-natural stone is porous to some degree. Some dark granites such as Absolute Black absorb extremely small amounts of liquid, while some light-colored stones like Juparana Columbo absorb a large amount. To prevent Granite from absorbing any liquid, which can potentially discolor it or remove its finish, sealing is a must, so the very last step of the installation process will involve sealing the Granite. We will seal the Granite for you with DuPont's Bulletproof Sealer. In the future, we ask you to test your Granite regularly by leaving a small amount of water on it for an hour, then wiping it away. If the stone darkened where the water sat, seal it right away. If the stone did not darken, it did not absorb liquid, and it does not require sealing at this time. Natural Stone Plus offers several types of sealers. Ask us about how often you would need to seal your stone, each stone varies.

Basic Maintenance

  In addition to sealing your Granite, be prepared to care for it regularly. Wipe up spills as soon as they are seen. Lemon juice or tomatoes can eat away at the surface of the stone if left too long. Never use vinegar or cleaners that contain acids or alkaline on your Granite. Natural Stone Plus Inc. offers a LIFETIME supply of GranQuartz Daily cleaner and conditioner, which is a PH balanced cleaner that will not harm or strip the sealer. You may also use plain water with gentle soap to clean. Disinfecting granite wipes are available at our Plaistow location to safely maintain your stone; do not use harsh cleaners at any time. Granite countertops are also bacteria resistant!

What's the Best Part?

Granite countertops are affordable, elegant, and can add as much as 10% to the value of your home! Granite countertops are a beautiful way to give one's kitchen or bath a makeover. With a little patience and planning, a great looking room is not too far away. Natural Stone Plus installs and never contracts the installation to others. We take pride in our workmanship, always have and always will.

Granite Countertop — Haverhill, MA — Natural Stone Plus Inc

Installation Guide

Installing new countertops is a very exciting process not only for fabricators like us but for you, the homeowner as well. In order to help guide you along the way, here are the steps we take along the entire process in order to make sure your countertop comes out looking beautiful.   


Steps to Purchasing and Installing new countertops

  • 1. Calculate the square footage of your job.

    Calculate the square footage of your job. Some customers have drawings of the kitchen, some don't, we can come to your house for no charge to measure.

  • 2. Pick a color Granite, Marble, Soapstone, Quartz product, etc.

    Pick a color Granite, Marble, Soapstone, Quartz product, etc.  We have many samples in our Haverhill showroom, and customers are welcome to take them home.  If choosing Granite, or Marble it's very important to pick the exact slab of stone to be used in your home, we

  • 3. Pick a sink.

    Pick a sink.  We have many to choose from in our showroom/warehouse.

  • 7. Schedule a time to do a template.

    The next step is to schedule a time to do a template. A template is when we visit your home and make an exact template or replica of your kitchen, which we use to cut your Granite.

  • 6. Check your estimate.

    At this point the customer will be presented with an estimate for review.

  • 5. Removal of your old counter (optional).

    Removal of your old counter (optional).  We charge $200.00 for most Formica counters, this includes the removal and disposal of the countertop.

  • 4. Pick your finish edge.

    Pick your finish edge.  We give customers 3 edges at no additional cost, 1/4 Radius, Pencil, or 1/4 Bevel, we have Ogee, Double Ogee, Cove, Full Bullnose, Half Bullnose, Waterfall, and others available for additional cost.

  • 8. Installation.

    Installation is next.  This normally takes place 5-6 working days after the template day, the average installation takes 3 hrs. or less.  Note: You will never be left without a countertop.  We remove your old countertop and install the new countertop the same day.

  • 9. Seal your granite or marble.

    At the end of the installation we will seal your granite/marble and put a bead of silicone between the sink and the stone, which will need several hours to set before any plumbing can be done.  The silicone does not allow any water to seep between the sink and the Granite, making sure you are protected from any water damage.

  • 10. Enjoy your new Countertops.

    At the end of the installation we will seal your granite/marble and put a bead of silicone between the sink and the stone, which will need several hours to set before any plumbing can be done.  The silicone does not allow any water to seep between the sink and the Granite, making sure you are protected from any water damage.

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