Q1:  What is granite?  
Granite, from the Italian granito (meaning grained), is a type of volcanic rock containing crystallized minerals such as feldspar, quartz and mica. Formed deep within the earth's crust, the colors and patterns of granite are determined by the minerals, their varying concentrations, temperature, pressure and the rate at which the rocks cool down on their ascent to the earth's surface. It is this range of colors and patterns that make granite such an appealing and unique material to use for kitchen work tops, tiles and flooring within the home.  BACK TO FAQ

Q2:  Why is granite popular as a countertop material?  First and foremost, looks! Granite comes in some amazing colors, and is considered to be one of the most beautiful stones in the world.
Durability: Granite lasts the lifetime of a person's home, is resistant to chipping and scratching, and is impervious to heat. The color and polished surface of granite does not fade over time.
Economics: With the new technology available to the miners and fabricators of granite, the cost of granite has dropped dramatically in the last few decades. Stone prices are now competitive or lower than man-made options, and granite lasts longer than any other surface!
Ecology: Although mining is rough on the environment, other products are far worse in several ways. Man-made products create potentially deadly by-products which go straight to our crowded landfills. Due to granite's durability and timeless beauty it does not need to be replaced or upgraded, whereas man-made counters are replaced several times over the life of a building, further adding waste (both environmentally and financially).  BACK TO FAQ

Q3:  Is granite expensive?  

Q4: Is granite scratch and heat resistant?
Yes, Granite is both scratch and heat resistant. It is recommended that you do not use knives on granite not out of concern for scratching the granite but because the hardness of the granite will dull your knives. In addition, granite is one of the most heat resistant materials you can use. You can set hot pots on your granite tops without any concern.  Anything short of a blowtorch will not affect your countertop.   BACK TO FAQ

Q5:  Is granite 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.  BACK TO FAQ

Q6:: Does granite stain?
It can in some instances. Generally, the darker the granite, the more stain resistant it is. Some granite can stain if the granite has not been sealed and the substance is left on the granite to soak in. If you seal the granite regularly (see Q7), you should never experience a staining problem.  If, however, yearly sealing has been put on “the back burner”, staining can occur.  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. Oil stains can usually be removed using a poultice or paste that will draw out the oil from the stone.   BACK TO FAQ

Q7:   How often do I need to re-apply stone sealer?
Many so-called "experts" advise re-applying stone sealers on an annual (or more frequent) basis - they are in all likelihood just trying to get you to buy more of their expensive sealer. Kasco Stone doesn't advise any preset "calendar" for re-sealing, and over-application of sealer can build up over time and cause a haze on the surface of your countertops. The frequency for re-sealing depends on the type of stone installed and the amount of use that the countertops see. An easy "rule of thumb" is to closely monitor the area around the sink. If you begin notice water that does not bead up or soaks into the stone within 10-15 minutes, then it's probably time to re-seal. Applying a sealer is easy, you can apply a liberal amount of sealer in the evening before going to bed and just let it penetrate and cure overnight. We have sealers for sale or they can be picked up at any “big box” hardware store.  BACK TO FAQ

Q8 Does granite harbor harmful bacteria?
Both the Center for Disease Control and The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health have found no evidence of such. In fact, in one study; sealed granite was shown to be second only to stainless steel for resistance to bacteria.  BACK TO FAQ

Q9:  Will granite lose it’s 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.   BACK TO FAQ

Q10:  Does granite require a lot of maintenance?
Routine cleaning with mild soap and water is all that is generally required. About 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.   BACK TO FAQ

Q11:  Are granite and marble 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 callous 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.   BACK TO FAQ

Q12:   How can you sell solid granite countertops for as little as $39 per square foot when most granite shops charge $60-$100?
The majority of the price of a granite countertop is in the labor, not the granite itself. We are a traditional granite shop that buys large slabs locally from wholesalers at cost and then cuts, edges, and polishes them "in house".  We pass these significant savings on to you.  BACK TO FAQ

Q13:  What  if I want a granite color that is not one of your "stock" countertops or I need an unusual shape?
While we have a ”stock" granite to fit just about any color scheme, we can fabricate any granite color you desire. We have a full service fabrication facility in-house in Oldsmar, Florida. We have access to a huge variety of granite or marble slabs that we can fabricate for any application. Prices are a little higher than "stock" countertops but still considerably less than you would pay elsewhere. Our expanded selections and other more exotic stones can be available in just a couple of days. There are new stone types being discovered and imported every month, and our strong relationships with multiple importers allows us to offer virtually any natural stone that can be found. If you are interested in a new and unique stone type - just ask us!  BACK TO FAQ

Q14  Do I have to come pick out my granite slab(s)or can I just tell you what color I want?
Kasco Stone stocks some pre-fabricated to premium "first-quality" stone slabs. "First quality" slabs do not contain large discolorations or strong veins and are usually treated with a resin coating that strengthens the stone and provides a surface finish free of large fissures, cracks, or pitting. Our standard colors are very consistent in patterning and color, however, we do recommend that individuals have approved of slabs before processing.  Variations give granite its natural beauty but, these same variations could cause disenchantment if you're looking for something that is going to be exactly the same throughout every piece.  BACK TO FAQ

Q15 Is granite a do-it-yourself product?
No, not likely! Granite fabrication is a specialized trade that requires extensive training and practice in order to produce high-quality results - not to mention the expensive diamond tooling and equipment. Kasco Stone owner, Scott McGourley, personally trains all fabricators and installers and over-sees all details of the granite process.  Even a small vanity countertop can weigh over one hundred pounds, so safe handling is another concern that you need not worry about when buying from Kasco Stone. Mistakes are inevitable with DIY projects, and when working with natural stone, small errors can be VERY costly - you can easily exceed the cost of our installed prices with just one small slip-up or miscalculation. When you choose Kasco Stone, you are guaranteed professional results from the initial design through fabrication and final installation.  BACK TO FAQ

Q16  Can you re-connect my electrical and plumbing connections?
Kasco Stone  is a highly trained and licensed contractor for granite countertops, but we are not licensed electricians or plumbers. Therefore, we cannot assume any liability for making electrical or plumbing connections. We can, in most instances however, recommend reputable and licensed individuals or companies to complete these tasks for you.  BACK TO FAQ