Frequent Questions

Can I specify that there be no grout joints between tiles?

A. We believe that you should not. In order to be able to install stone tiles without a grout joint, there have to be three perfect conditions: a perfectly flat floor, a perfectly square tile and a perfect installer. Since all three, for all intents and purposes, are rarely perfect, you cannot get a floor without grout joints. However, in a perfect world; in other words, a project without a budget, you can have all three, but be prepared to spend lots of additional money.

Why are certain stones more practical as kitchen counters than others?

A. We must answer this question more often than any other. The answer lies in the true and purest difference between the basic stone groups we sell. If we can impart an understanding of these differences we can increase the chance that the end user will be happy with the stone selected - and more than anything else, that's the key to our success.

The two most important words we need to remember are "carbonate" and "silicate". Simply stated, the important difference is that a carbonate is acid sensitive and a silicate is not. A silicate, like granite, for example, does not react to acid. If we take a lemon (citric acid), something found regularly in our kitchens, and squeeze the juice onto the stone, nothing happens. If we take the same lemon and squeeze the juice onto a carbonate, such as marble, the stone starts to dissolve immediately. Like Tums, also a calcium carbonate, the stone neutralizes the acid quickly so the damage is not deep. Unfortunately though, the damage will be the loss of the smooth finished surface. Acids will do more damage to a polished stone then a honed or matte finish. Both etch equally, but it's just more noticeable on polished stones. Try this test yourself. A little experimentation works wonders - but do not use your cocktail table. Remember one of the great things about stone is that we can usually restore the stone to its original beauty.