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| Installation
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| Warranty
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| PermaShield
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| Maintenance
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| Staining
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| Material
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1. Q. Who will install my
Stonemark™ granite countertop?
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When
you order your Stonemark countertop at your local Home Depot®, you
will be given the contact information of a certified fabricator in your
area.
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2. Q. Will my Stonemark™
granite countertop have visible seams?
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Due
to the layout of some kitchens, seams are sometimes necessary. The certified
fabricator will make every effort to limit the amount of seams based on kitchen
layout, support needed and material usage. |
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3.
Q. Do my cabinets have to be level? |
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Yes,
to ensure the best possible installation, it is necessary for cabinets to be
level and securely fastened at time of installation. |
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1.
Q. What is the warranty on my granite countertop?
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offers a
15-year limited warranty against staining and a 15-year limited
warranty for material integrity. Please refer to the warranty information for
further details. |
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2.
Q. What do I need to do when the 15-year limited warranty is over? |
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After
the 15-year limited warranty period is over, continued regular care and
maintenance is recommended. By following this guideline you will get a lifetime
of enjoyment from your Stonemark granite.
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3. Q. Is the marble
covered by the same 15-year limited warranty against staining? |
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Stonemark
granite is inherently much more stain- and etch-resistant than any marble. For
this reason, marble does not carry the same 15-year limited warranty as the
Stonemark granite.
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1.
Q. What is PermaShield? |
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is
a penetrating technology that has been scientifically engineered to provide the
best protection for granite surfaces. Every Stonemark granite slab is
engineered with Innovative Stone's proprietary PermaShield technology. This
anti-staining technology, combined with decades of experience, allows Stonemark
by Innovative Stone to provide an unprecedented free 15-year limited warranty
against staining.
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2.
Q. How long will PermaShield provide protection for my granite countertop? |
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The process
is a combination of decades of experience and a production process that has
been scientifically engineered to provide the best protection for granite
against staining. PermaShield will provide stain protection for at least
15-years.
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3.
Q. How does PermaShield affect the look of granite? |
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has
been scientifically engineered so that it does not, in any way, affect the
natural beauty of the stone.
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4.
Q. Will certain cleaning agents break down PermaShield ? |
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When
cleaning your countertop, in order to provide 15-year stain protection,
abrasive or acidic household cleaners are to be avoided. Please see the care
and maintenance section for full details.
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5.
Q. Can PermaShield be used on existing countertops? |
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No. In order to provide 15-year protection, granite slabs must
be selected for the process
at Innovative Stone’s state-of-the-art facilities.
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1.
Q. Is it easy to maintain a Stonemark granite countertop? |
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Yes,
especially since Stonemark by countertops do not require sealing for 15 years after
installation. Normal use and regular cleaning with approved products will
ensure that your countertop maintains its natural beauty for many years.
Abrasive or acidic household cleaners are to be avoided. Any spills should be
wiped up as soon as possible. Details about the Countertop Care Program will be
provided with your purchase of a Stonemark by Innovative Stone countertop.
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2.
Q. How do I clean my countertop? |
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We
recommend the use of a special stone cleaner or warm water and light dish soap.
Abrasive or acidic household cleaners should not be used. Any spills should be
wiped up as soon as possible.
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3.
Q. Do I need to seal my Stonemark countertop? |
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No. Every Stonemark granite slab is treated by Innovative
Stone's proprietary anti-staining technology,
which protects granite from staining for 15 years subject to the terms and
conditions of the limited warranty.
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4.
Q. Will granite maintain its polished gloss? |
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Yes.
Regular cleaning, with recommended products and normal use, will ensure that
your granite countertop never loses its gloss.
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1.
Q. Is Stonemark granite stain resistant?
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Yes. Every Stonemark granite slab is treated by Innovative
Stone's proprietary anti-staining technology. This technology, combined with decades of
experience, allows Stonemark by Innovative Stone to provide an unprecedented
15-year limited warranty against staining.
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2.
Q. What should I avoid with my countertops? |
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We
suggest that spills of wine, mustard, oils and acidic products should be wiped
up immediately. Please see the care and maintenance section for full
details.
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3.
Q. What happens if my granite stains? |
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In
the rare occasion that your granite does stain, Innovative Stone will work with
you to help remove the stain.
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1.
Q. Is Stonemark granite scratch resistant? |
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Yes.
Stonemark granite is scratch resistant. Composed primarily of quartz, granite
is one of the hardest natural materials on Earth.
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2.
Q. What will happen if I put a hot saucepan on my Stonemark granite
countertop? |
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Your
Stonemark granite with
by Innovative Stone is heat resistant. However, placing a hot saucepan directly
from the stove onto any countertop is not recommended.
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3.
Q. Will my granite crack if I sit or stand on it? |
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We
do not recommend sitting or standing on your granite countertop.
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4.
Q. Does granite chip? |
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Granite
is not indestructible and we recommend being especially careful with heavy pots
and saucepans around the edges of the countertop and the sink cutout.
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5.
Q. Can I cut food on my top? |
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While
granite is scratch resistant, we do not recommend cutting food directly on your
granite countertop mainly to avoid your cutting knives becoming blunt.
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1.
Q. Are all granites alike? |
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No,
your slab is hand selected by our worldwide team of certified inspectors. Any
slabs that do not conform to our highest quality standards are rejected. Our
slabs are premium grade, with guaranteed quarry-to-customer quality. In
addition, each Stonemark countertop has the added protection of – a process that makes Stonemark stain resistant and
virtually maintenance free. Backed by a free 15-year limited warranty, and
surprisingly affordable, there is simply no other stone like Stonemark.
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2.
Q. Should I view my Stonemark granite slab prior to fabrication?
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All
Stonemark granite is rated with the Innovative Stone Classification System.
Please refer to the
for details.
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3.
Q. Does the quality of stone matter? |
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All Stonemark materials are carefully selected and inspected
prior to installation in your home. Only the highest quality of stone will be
used to ensure years of use and enjoyment of your stone countertop.
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4.
Q. What is Natural Stone?
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are classified as igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary based on
their geological formation. There are many different types of natural stones
including granite, marble, limestone, sandstone, soapstone and schists. Granite
is the most common and most suitable natural stone for countertops. Please
refer to the section on Natural Stone Information for more detailed
information.
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5.
Q. What is the difference between Granite and Marble? |
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In
broad geological terms, granite is an “igneous” rock formed by intense heat,
which liquefies rock deep in the Earth and which solidifies upon cooling.
Marble is a "metamorphic" rock resulting from the re-crystallization of
limestone under intense pressure and high temperatures within the Earth. Stones
falling within the same geological class share the behavioral characteristics,
which determine the appropriate application. In general, granites are much
harder and less porous than marbles, which makes them more suitable for kitchen
countertops.
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6.
Q. Can I use marble on my kitchen counters? |
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Marble
may be used for kitchen counters but they require special maintenance and care,
and they are not covered by the Stonemark warranty.
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7. Q. Where does my
stone come from? |
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Our
Stonemark stones come from quarries all over the world. Details of country of
origin and other information on each stone is available in the
of this website.
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8.
Q. What is the difference between granite and a man-made countertop? |
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Granite
is a 100% natural surface and its beauty cannot be duplicated. Granite is also
fire proof and will not burn. Man-made surfaces (also known as engineered
stone) are bound with resins that will burn.
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9.
Q. Can it be used outdoors? |
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Yes granites can be used for outdoor applications, the warranty will not
apply to these installations.
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10. |
Q. What is the weight of Stonemark per sq. foot? Does the weight vary depending
on the type of stone? |
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The
weight of natural stone will vary depending on the stone you choose. For
example, light colored marbles like Carrabianco will weight less than darker
colored granites like Luna Nero. The difference will usually be 1-2 lbs per
square ft. The list below will show you the difference in weight of a 12 x 12"
tile by thickness.
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3/8" x 12x12 Granite tile: 4.5-5.5 lbs sq. ft.
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1/2" x 12x12 Granite tile: 5.5-6.5 lbs. sq. ft.
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3/4" x 12x12 Granite slab: 11-12 lbs. sq. ft.
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1 1/4"x12x12 Granite slab: 16-18 lbs sq. ft.
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