Galaxy Granite & Marble Company is
pleased to provide answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) on a wide variety of our
Counter Top and stone surfacing products. If your questions are not answered on these
pages, or you simply wish to speak with a Customer Service Representative, our customers
can contact us at 1-586-0088 or by email at Sales@GalaxyGraniteTops.com
APPEARANCE / USE
Q.
What makes granite the hardest building stone?
A. Granite is formed by solidification of liquid magma (molten rock) under
the pressure of earth's crust. It is composed of Feldspar, Quartz, Mica, and other
minerals, making it one of the hardest stones in the world. It has been used for building
and decorative purposes for centuries. Granite resists wear-and-tear applications
remarkably well, making it ideal for interior or exterior flooring. When used
outdoors, granite's mineralogical structure is not influenced by freeze-thaw cycles.
Q.
What do the finished surfaces of granite look like?
A. Granite can have four main finishes: polished (shiny), honed
(matte), flamed or brushed (textured). The polished and honed surfaces are flat and
smooth. The flamed and brushed surfaces are flat and textured. The polished surface is
shiniest, while the brushed surface reflects the least amount of light. The back and sides
have a sawn finish. Return to Top
Q.
What applications are recommended for these granite finishes?
A. Granite finishes are suitable for different Home and commercial
applications. For example:
 |
Polished surface – low traffic indoor
flooring, wall cladding, counter tops, vanity tops & decorative items, fireplace
facings, restaurant and checkout counters
|
|
Honed surface – high traffic
indoor/outdoor commercial flooring, wash rooms, side walks.
|
|
Flamed or Brushed surface – external
flooring, decks, pavements, side walks, curb stones, garden benches, patio tables, decor
facings
|
|
The following sizes of tiles are available
as standard products. 12”x 12"x 3/8" or 16”x 16"x 3/8" or
18”x 18"x 1/2" or 24”x 24"x 1/2"
Return to Top
|
Q.
Why is granite an excellent material for kitchen countertops?
A. Next to diamond, sapphire, and ruby, granite is the hardest natural
product on earth. Once polished, natural granite will maintain its high gloss virtually
forever. Normal use of kitchen knives, cutlery, and cookware leaves no scratches.
Heat has almost no effect on natural granite, making it much safer than synthetic surfaces
with polyesters and resins. Pots and pans heated to 900 degrees Fahrenheit will not
dull natural granite's lustrous finish, but the use of trivets is recommended to keep your
granite counter clean. Return to Top
Q.
Can granite get stained and do I need to seal it?
A. Granite is a highly dense material and relatively porous so it can get
stained if a spill is not cleaned quickly. Sealing the surface with a water-based sealant
is therefore recommended to protect the granite from water patches and stains. Sealing can
be done once a year or once every two years depending on the usage of the surface. Our
installers also can perform annual sealant and cleaning serices. Return to
Top
Q. Can
I use granite tile for bathroom flooring?
A. Like any other smooth surface floor, the polished surface of a granite
bathroom floor can be slippery if it gets a lot of water and is walked on with improper
footwear. A honed granite surface is therefore recommended for bathrooms. Return
to Top
Q. Can I use
granite tile for counter tops?
A. Granite tiles can be used for a counter top surface even though solid
gratite cuctom cut counter surfaces are seamless. It is recommended to use a
3/4"sub-board with waterproof membrane to support the tiles. It is also essential to
seal the tiles after installation to avoid staining. Return to Top
Q. Can I use
granite tiles on shower walls or fireplaces?
A. Granite tiles can be used on shower walls and fireplaces. It is
recommended for bathroom applications to use cement backer board or hardy board with a
waterproof membrane to avoid transfer of moisture. It is also recommended to seal the
granite after installation to avoid water absorption and mildew formation. Granite
surfaces are impervious to heat and make a practicl and great looking fireplace surfacing
material. Granite tile floors appear the best when the tiles are butted. However, it is
important to make sure the tiles are matched for pattern and thickness before setting on
thinset adhesives. Return to Top
Q. How much does
granite weigh?
A. Granite tiles and slabs come in different thicknesses and it's
important the thickness is uniform prior to installation. Granite is a very dense natural
material so weight factors into the supporting material the tops mount upon. The weight
per square foot for each thickness is as follows:
|
3/8"(10mm) thick tile: 5.5 lbs sq. ft.
|
|
1/2"(12mm) thick tile: 6.5 lbs.
sq. ft.
|
|
3/4"(20mm) thick slab: 12.8 lbs. sq.
ft.
|
|
1 1/4"(30mm) thick slab: 18 lbs sq. ft.
|
Granite is heavy and will require proper equipment or labour to accept
goods on delivery. Please check weight of goods before they are delivered so you are
properly prepared. Other than the standard products such as tiles, slabs, counter tops,
and vanity tops, we take custom orders on granite products for your specific size and cut
requirements. Custom orders can be made for products such as kitchen counter tops,
vanity tops, stair treads and risers, window sills, checkout stands, restaurant counters,
fire place surrounds, and columns. Return to Top
 
1st QUALITY GRANITE GUARANTY from GALAXY Galaxy &
Marble Co.
Q.
Is your granite real and is it competitively priced?
A. All the granite products sold by Galaxy Granite are 100% genuine
granite, produced from the natural rock and are of the first quality grade. We are able to
sell at such reasonable prices low prices because we ship directly from the production
site, in addition to cost reductions owing to our huge volumes in shipping. Return
to Top
Q. Is your granite
Kerosene cut or water infusion cut?
A. No, it is not. Galaxy Granite ensures that all its granites are cut by
using water as coolant and gives a 1 year guarantee of the quality products used in
each project. Some manufacturers use petroleum by-products in the coolant to aid the
cutting process and reduce processing costs. The granite is later soaked in water and
washed to remove the chemical smell, but the damage is done the moment the chemical comes
into contact with the ferric content in the stone. Within a couple of years, rust marks
will appear. This is especially prevelent in Marble slabs and tiles. Return
to Top
Q.
How do I know your granite is high quality?
A. Our family of stone masons experience, over the years, shows there are
no short cuts to supplying customers only first quality materials on any job we under
take. The quality and cost of the stone material is determined by measuring different
parameters of a granite product through the entire production process:
 |
Mining – granites
mined utilizing modern methods are more costly. Some mines still use dynamite or blasting
methods to reduce cost, but this also damages the granite. The shock wave created by the
blast will cause invisible hairline cracks which will result in the stone cracking at some
later time.
|
|
Cutting – Galaxy
Granites are cut by using water as coolant to ensure a lifetime guarantee on the
quality of the product. We custom cut in our own workshop using the latest CAD/CAM
equipment and edging systems.
|
|
Dimensions – We use
only product dimensions that are controlled within the stipulated limits in ASTM
standards. Tiles and slabs are calibrated to ensure their thickness is uniform. Gauging is
done to ensure the tiles are square before transported to any jobsite. Different types of
beveling is done to produce a smooth edge on the tiles and counter surfaces.
|
|
Inspection: Quality inspection is done at
different stages of the granite top manufacturing process and the products are discarded
for unusual patches, major color variation, cracks, dimensions, surface finish, and other
quality issues. Our family has beens stone cutters for generations and Galaxy Granite
& Marble supplies only first quality material. |
Granite Slabs used in Galaxy Custom Cut Projects
Q.What are granite slabs and
how are they used?
A.Granite Slabs are produced by cutting large granite blocks into
3/4" or 1-1/4" sheets. When cut, these slabs are inspected, cleaned and then
polished using specialty stone cutting and finishing machinery. See our Company profile page for some samples of shop equipment used to cut
granite slabs into curved, polished and beveled counter tops....Return to
Top
Q.What
are the standard dimensions of Granite slabs and how are they prepared for shipping?
A. Usually, the minimum average sizes of granite slabs are 105" x
54". Thickness can also be 3/4" or 1-1/4". The granite slabs we purchase
are packed in bundles of approximately 400 to 450 square feet, each bundle including
approx. 8 to 10 granite slabs. Each bundle weighs 2.6 tons, or 5,700 pounds. Every slab is
protected by a thin plastic sheet placed between slabs. A piece of wood is placed beneath
the slabs. The information that is printed on the labels attached to each bundle includes
matching block #'s and quary name and country or origin. Return to
Top
Q.How are granite slabs
sealed?
A. Slabs are treated with resin most commonly in one of two
varieties:
.1. Resination with hydro-repellent, a treatment which covers most of
small fissures, and helps to brighten the color of the granite. This is the more common
variety of sealant.
2. Resination with epoxy: This treatment fills up larger holes and open veins. This
variety is generally used with Brazilian stone. Return to Top
Just to set things straight regarding FALSE granite surface claims:
1. Granite is absorbent. Granite qualifies as impervious to water and is
actually less absorbent than some solid surface (plastic) products. Granite is commonly
used as building material for high-rise buildings due to its ability to withstand gale
force winds and rain.
2. Granite stains easily. Granite is resistant to stains. Generally, any
liquid spilled on a granite top, if wiped up within a few minutes, will not stain.
However, even water can soak into a granite countertop and leave a dark colored spot but
this will evaporate in minutes. Liquids that do not evaporate, such as oils will cause
stains if left to soak into the stone.
3. Stains in granite are permanent. Most stains can be removed. Even oil
stains can usually be removed using a poultice or paste that will draw out the oil from
the stone.
4. Granite will lose its polish over the years. While this may be true of
marble, granite will shine years from now just as if it was brand new. Granite is highly
scratch resistant and will not show wear from daily use.
5. Granite requires a lot of maintenance. Routine cleaning with mild soap
and water is all that is generally required. Once a year, a re-application of a
penetrating sealer should be performed, which only takes about 15 minutes less time than
scouring a solid surface countertop with a cleanser to remove scratches.
6. Heat will cause granite to chip and crack. Granite is heat resistant
and can withstand the heat of hot pots and pans without damage. Impact from a heavy object
may chip granite but heat from anything short of a blowtorch will not affect your
countertop.
7. Dark colored granites are harder than light colored granites. Granites
are composed of a variety of minerals, each of which has specific performance properties.
The hardest mineral commonly found in granite is quartz, which is normally a somewhat
translucent, white to grey colored mineral.
8. Granite’s tiny pores and fissures harbor bacteria. Bacteria are
found everywhere. If it is on a granite top, then it can also be found on a laminate or
solid surface top. Use an anti-bacterial soap to wash your countertop if you are
concerned.
9. Granite and marble are essentially the same. Besides the fact that
they are both natural stones and can be polished, they are otherwise very different.
Marble is generally a calcious stone, formed from oceanic deposits and then compressed
under pressure (metamorphosed). Granite, however, is an igneous rock, essentially molten
magma, which is cooled and then hardened below the earth’s surface.
10. Granite is expensive. Granite is usually competitively priced
compared to other high-end surfacing materials. You will be amazed when you compare the
price of granite to other popularly famed luxury surfaces. Granite offers you an unmatched
value with its natural beauty, elegance and longevity. |
Staff
