Many of the same questions come up time and time again with new granite countertop buyers.
- Should granite be sealed?
- How do I know if I need my granite resealed?
- Does granite stain?
- Does granite chip or scratch?
- Can I cut right on my granite countertop?
- Can I set hot pans straight on my granite surface?
Find your answers below and get yourself a little closer to making the final decision on your classy new granite countertops.
Should granite be sealed?
YES, granite should be sealed to protect your stone from staining.
The sealer Rock With Us uses, is a penetrating product that absorbs into the stone without impacting the colour of the granite. It preserves the colour of your granite over the long term.
In your kitchen, something like curry or beet juice could soak into the stone and leave a permanent stain, so the sealer fills in those pourous spaces in the granite and leaves nowhere for other staining agents to go.
It isn’t an impenetrable barrier against moisture, so any staining liquids should still be cleaned up. But it’s the best way to keep your granite as attractive after 10 years in your kitchen as today.
How do I know if I need my granite sealed?
You don’t need to be a geologist to know when your granite sealing is wearing off.
Check your granite sealing by spraying some water across the surface. If the water beads up, your sealer is good. If the water soaks in, it’s a good indicator your granite isn’t protected any longer.
Prevention is always the best defense. Reseal your countertops every year to prevent staining and water damage.
Does granite stain?
When we say granite is pourous, we mean it is very, very slightly pourous.
Granite is about 95% stain resistant and requires almost no maintenance to keep that clean, natural look.
Staining comes from absorbing liquids, and most liquids can’t penetrate the surface of granite.
This is why it is the stone material of choice for outdoor projects.
If your granite ever shows a stain, it can usually be removed using a poultice or paste that will draw the oil from the stone.
Does granite chip or scratch?
Granite is a very dense material, and not very brittle even in cold conditions.
All granite countertops are chip and scratch resistant, but they aren’t invincible.
With the right application of bad luck, heavy objects may chip the edges around your sink or countertop ledge. To reduce the chances of chipping, you can choose from several edge profiles engineered to handle heavy hits and pressure.
Can I cut right on my granite countertop?
Yes!
Granite is an extremely tough, durable material and in most cases can be used as a cutting surface without fear of scratching the stone.
Of course, because it’s so tough, your knives might not stand up well to scraping along the surface.
We also don’t recommend cutting certain meats (like raw chicken) straight on the granite surface because of the small chance of salmonella penetrating the surface and contaminating other food.
Can I set hot pots and pans straight on the granite surface?
This is yet another reason granite has proliferated as a kitchen countertop material.
Granite will not burn or scorch in the face of hot pans, pots and even an open flame.
Your granite countertop makes your kitchen more functional and attractive, and right now we have a huge selection of beautiful granite countertops in stock. Whenever something becomes available, we immediately update our colour samples here.
If it’s on the website, it’s available.
You have more questions and we have more answers. Find your perfect colour and call us for a quote today.
