Questions
Everything people ask before they buy stone.
Twenty years of the same good questions, answered plainly. If yours is not here, call us — we would rather talk it through than have you guess.
Materials & durability
Does granite harbor bacteria?
No. There are no records from the CDC of granite harboring bacteria or causing illness. A regularly cleaned granite countertop is less hospitable to bacteria than butcher block or laminate, because there is no seam or scored surface for anything to settle into.
Is granite more expensive than solid-surface materials?
Not anymore. Granite is now available at prices comparable to man-made solid surfaces, and it brings natural variety that no manufactured surface can reproduce.
Can granite be repaired?
Yes. Granite can be refinished, and chips or breaks are repaired with color-matched epoxies that take a polish — in most cases the repair is very hard to find afterwards.
What should I consider when choosing a stone?
Three things: use — where it is going and how hard it works; color — there are hundreds of options, and the room decides more than the catalog does; and cost, which is now competitive with lesser materials. Bring your cabinet door and a paint sample to the showroom and it gets much easier.
What is the difference between quartz and quartzite?
Quartz is engineered — natural quartz bound with resin, non-porous, consistent, never needs sealing. Quartzite is a natural stone, harder than granite, with marble-like veining, and it does need periodic sealing.
Pricing & estimates
How does the estimate work?
It is free and carries no obligation. We can do it in either showroom, over the phone, or at your home. What you get back is an All-Inclusive Value Price — everything you need from the start, with no surprises later.
What does "all-inclusive" actually include?
The scope we quote — material, fabrication, standard edge, cutouts, tear-out where it applies, and installation — is priced together up front, so the number you approve is the number you pay.
Do you offer specials?
Yes — we run weekly specials on installed granite countertops. Call (630) 966-9666 or email sales@mygranite.com to hear what is running this week.
Care & maintenance
Is granite hard to maintain?
No. Clean it with neutral soap and water, use a vinegar-and-water mix if soap film builds up, and re-seal roughly every one to five years depending on how hard the surface works.
How do I care for granite or marble day to day?
A soft cloth and a neutral cleaner is all it takes. Wipe spills promptly — especially acidic ones like wine, citrus and vinegar on marble — and avoid abrasive or acid-based cleaners. Reseal every one to four years.
Does quartz need sealing?
Never. Engineered quartz is non-porous, so there is nothing for a sealer to do. Just keep hot pans on a trivet.
The process
How long does it take from template to installation?
We confirm your installation date at templating, once we have measured the actual space and know the material is in hand. Ask at your consultation and we will tell you what the schedule looks like that week.
Do you replace countertops without redoing the cabinets?
Yes. Tear-out and replacement over existing cabinets is routine work, provided the cabinets are sound and level.
What needs to be ready before you template?
Cabinets fully installed, all appliances on site, and the sink on location. Templating is a measurement of the real room, so everything that touches the countertop needs to be there.
Do you do tile, backsplashes, fireplaces and outdoor kitchens?
Yes — all of it, plus commercial work. Each has its own page under Services with what is included.
How is payment handled?
A 50% deposit by card or check starts fabrication after templating, and the balance is due on completion of the installation.
Ready to love your countertops?
Get a free estimate — no surprises, all-inclusive value price from the start.