Padilla Granite FAQs

Be sure to avoid leaving hot pans sitting on your kitchen countertops for prolonged periods of time, especially in the winter months. Extreme temperature changes for long periods of time could cause damage to your countertops. Instead, use mats or pot holders under any hot objects if you intend on leaving extremely hot objects on the counter.

Contrary to popular belief, stone surfaces are actually very easy to maintain. Quartz, marble, and granite countertops can be easily cleaned with warm soapy water. You can wipe off any sticky solutions with vinegar and water. If you neglect your countertop for long periods of time, you will need to use a heavy-duty stone degreaser to remove all grease and grime. Every three to five years, you should also re-seal your stone countertop. Padilla Granite can help you with recommendations for the right cleaning processes for your stone countertops.

As technology advances, Padilla Granite is able to process stone in a more cost-effective manner. A myriad of stone is available for the same price as many man-made surfacing materials. Stone surfaces, like quartz countertops, offer more unique patterns and natural colors to choose from over artificial or manufactured surfaces for the same price. In fact, according to Statista, 42% of homeowners favored countertops made out of engineered quartz for their current or planned kitchen renovation in 2021 and 2022.

Natural stone is perfect for kitchen countertops, bathroom vanity tops, wet bars, and utility rooms. Using stone in businesses for conference tables and reception tops is also a great way to improve the look of your office area. Granite is a better option for outdoor areas. It is not recommended to use quartz for uncovered exterior purposes as too much exposure to ultraviolet light can discolor it.

Although both are stones and quarried from around the world, granite and marble, as well as marble’s relatives, limestone, onyx, and travertine, are very different from each other. Granite used to make granite countertops is formed deep in the earth's mantle at extremely high temperatures. It is a very hard, resistant stone made of crystallized minerals. Marble stone, such as limestone, travertine, marble, and onyx, starts out as sediment, like animal skeletons, shells, plant matter, and silt, at the bottom of bodies of water. After millions of years, this solidifies or lithifies into stone. Because its main component is calcium, it can be affected by acids such as vinegar and citrus.

Use a pH-neutral cleaner to clean any type of natural stone, such as quartz countertops. Be careful not to use bleach or abrasive products on any natural stone countertops, as these can cause permanent damage. Many household cleaners are highly acidic and can cause damage to calcareous stones, like marble, limestone, travertine, and onyx, and to the sealers protecting them. Read the labels carefully to see if they are natural stone safe. Padilla Granite will always recommend the best way to clean your specific stone. See more on our website!

The life of the sealer will depend upon the type and finish of the stone and the amount of use over time. Padilla Granite recommends impregnating sealers over topical sealers because they increase both the longevity and quality of the protective layer on your stone countertop. A simple test to determine if your stone needs to be resealed is to sprinkle it with water. If the water beads up tightly, then the stone has maintained its seal. If the water soaks in or darkens the stone, then it’s time to reseal. Padilla Granite will recommend the right sealer for your stone when we install your kitchen countertops, but we are always available to answer questions.

Natural stone kitchen countertops will last a lifetime with proper care. However, because they are so dense and strong, they can be chipped or broken if something sharp or heavy is dropped on them. Granite and natural stone are highly resistant to heat and should not be damaged by hot pans. However, we never recommend placing hot items directly onto cold countertops as the thermal shock could damage the stone.

Cabinets should be cleared out with drawers removed and placed outside the work area. Since kitchen countertops are very heavy and may cause serious injury if dropped, we ask that you keep clear of the install areas and accesses so no one gets hurt. During the installation, a substantial number of trips will be made from the installation areas to an outside work area, so please clear a path for our technicians to use.

The number of hours required varies greatly with the specifics of each project, but usually, the installation of kitchen countertops can be completed in one day. Depending upon the amount of stone ordered, the types of projects and stone, and the availability of the supporting cabinets to place the stone on, Padilla Granite will create a schedule to work with you or your contractor to make sure we are as timely as possible.