Question 1

What stone types do you carry?

Accepted Answer

We carry quartz, quartzite, granite, marble, porcelain, soapstone, and travertine. Our Kent yard holds thousands of slabs across all materials — browse online or visit in person to see everything available.

Question 2

What's the difference between quartz and quartzite?

Accepted Answer

Quartz is engineered stone — 93–97% ground natural quartz crystals bound with polymer resin. It's non-porous, consistent in pattern, and never needs sealing. Quartzite is a natural metamorphic rock with dramatic veining similar to marble, but with the durability of granite. Both are excellent countertop materials for different reasons.

Question 3

What's the difference between granite and marble?

Accepted Answer

Granite is an igneous rock — extremely hard, heat-resistant, and naturally speckled. Marble is a metamorphic rock — softer, with elegant veining, but more porous and prone to etching from acids. Granite is ideal for high-traffic kitchens; marble is favored for bathrooms, fireplace surrounds, and lower-traffic surfaces.

Question 4

Do quartz countertops need sealing?

Accepted Answer

No. Quartz is non-porous and does not require sealing — ever. This is one of its biggest advantages over natural stone for busy households.

Question 5

How heat-resistant is quartz?

Accepted Answer

Quartz can tolerate brief contact with warm pots, but direct high heat can damage the resin binders and cause discoloration. Always use trivets. Natural stone like granite and quartzite handles heat better.

Question 6

Which material is best for a busy family kitchen?

Accepted Answer

Quartz or quartzite are the most practical choices for high-traffic family kitchens. Quartz requires no sealing and is highly stain-resistant. Quartzite offers natural stone character with excellent durability. Both hold up to daily cooking, spills, and heavy use.

Question 7

Where does your stone come from?

Accepted Answer

We import stone from over 30 countries worldwide, including Brazil, Italy, Spain, Portugal, India, and China — as well as domestic sources. Each slab is inspected before entering our yard.

Question 8

What does 'in-house fabrication' mean?

Accepted Answer

It means we do everything ourselves — in our Kent facility. We don't send your stone to a third party. Our team handles templating, cutting, edge profiling, sink cutouts, and all finishing work. One team, one facility, one point of accountability.

Question 9

What is laser digital templating?

Accepted Answer

Instead of measuring by hand with a tape measure, our team uses a laser scanner to capture the exact dimensions of your space — cabinets, walls, outlets, and all. These digital measurements feed directly to our CNC machines, eliminating human error between template and fabrication.

Question 10

Can you match veins across seams?

Accepted Answer

We use advanced layout software (SlabSmith) to digitally plan vein flow before cutting. This allows us to achieve the best possible vein matching across seams. Perfect alignment isn't always possible due to natural slab variation, but we show you the digital layout for approval before any cuts are made.

Question 11

What edge profiles do you offer?

Accepted Answer

We offer a comprehensive range — from simple flat polish and bevel to ogee, crescent, bullnose, cove, chiseled, mitered, and custom profiles. Visit our edges page to see the full selection, or come to the showroom to see physical samples.

Question 12

How long does a project take?

Accepted Answer

For most projects: template within 1–2 weeks of placing your order, installation 1–2 weeks after templating. Total time is typically 2–4 weeks from order to install. Complex projects or specialty materials may take longer — we'll tell you upfront.

Question 13

What happens on installation day?

Accepted Answer

Our crew arrives at the scheduled time, places and secures the stone, connects undermount sinks, applies sealant (on natural stone), and cleans up before leaving. We do a walkthrough with you before we go — the punch-list is closed before we leave the job site.

Question 14

What should I have ready before templating?

Accepted Answer

Cabinets must be installed, level, and secured to the wall. Appliances and sinks don't need to be present, but we need to know the model numbers. Plumbing rough-in should be complete. If anything isn't ready, let us know — we can often work around it.

Question 15

Do you subcontract installation?

Accepted Answer

Never. Our own crews handle every installation. No subcontractors — ever. This means consistent quality and one point of accountability if anything needs attention.

Question 16

How are remnants priced?

Accepted Answer

Remnants are priced per square foot of the actual piece size. Pricing varies by material type. Ask our team for current pricing on specific pieces.

Question 17

Do I have to buy a full slab?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. Our Square Foot Collection lets you purchase exactly the square footage you need — no full-slab requirement. We also have a remnant yard with discounted pieces perfect for smaller projects.

Question 18

How do I clean quartz countertops?

Accepted Answer

Mild dish soap and warm water work perfectly for daily cleaning. Use a soft cloth or sponge — avoid steel wool or abrasive pads. For stuck-on debris, use a plastic scraper. For tough stains, a baking soda paste applied for a few minutes usually does the trick.

Question 19

How do I clean marble?

Accepted Answer

Use pH-neutral stone cleaner or mild dish soap and water — never vinegar, lemon juice, or acidic cleaners, which will etch the surface. Wipe up spills immediately. For daily use, we recommend More™ brand stone cleaner, which we carry in our showroom.

Question 20

How often should I seal natural stone?

Accepted Answer

We seal your stone after installation at no charge. After that: granite and quartzite — every 1–2 years depending on use. Marble — every 6–12 months. To test if it's time, drip water on the surface — if it soaks in rather than beading, it's time to reseal.

Question 21

How much does stone weigh?

Accepted Answer

3cm (1¼") thick stone weighs approximately 17 lbs per square foot. 2cm (¾") thick stone weighs approximately 11 lbs per square foot. This matters for cabinet support — we'll flag any structural concerns during templating.

Question 22

What are remnants?

Accepted Answer

Remnants are leftover pieces from full-slab fabrication jobs. When we cut a countertop from a large slab, the unused portion becomes a remnant. Same quality material — smaller piece, lower price.

Question 23

Can I buy a remnant without fabrication?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can purchase raw remnants. However, we strongly recommend having us fabricate and install — our 1-year warranty only applies to installations completed by our crew.

Question 24

Where can I see remnants in person?

Accepted Answer

Our Kent yard. Visit any weekday 8:00–4:30 (Saturday by appointment). We recommend checking our online inventory before visiting to narrow down options. Remnants are stored outdoors — dress for the weather.

Question 25

Where is your showroom?

Accepted Answer

18419 E Valley Highway, Kent, WA 98032. We're open Monday–Friday 8:00–4:30, Saturday by appointment.

Question 26

Do you do in-home consultations?

Accepted Answer

Yes — free in-home consultations are available. We come to your space, measure, review material options, and give you an exact quote on the spot. No obligation.

Question 27

What areas do you serve?

Accepted Answer

We serve the greater Pacific Northwest, from Everett to Centralia — Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, Renton, Federal Way, Kirkland, Redmond, Auburn, Maple Valley, Puyallup, Kent, SeaTac, Bothell, Issaquah, Sammamish, Mercer Island, Shoreline, Woodinville, Kenmore, and Edmonds.

Question 28

Do you work with contractors and builders?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. We work with residential contractors, commercial builders, developers, and designers throughout the Pacific Northwest. Contact us to discuss contractor pricing and project scheduling.

Question 29

What warranty do you offer?

Accepted Answer

GraniteTop provides a 1-year installation warranty on all fabrication and installation work. This covers workmanship defects in our fabrication and installation.

Question 30

What does the warranty cover?

Accepted Answer

Our warranty covers defects in our fabrication and installation work — seam failures, edge profile inconsistencies, improper cutouts, and installation-related issues. It does not cover damage caused by misuse, impact, improper care, or natural stone variation (fissures and veining are natural characteristics, not defects).

Got questions? We’ve got answers.

Materials & Selection

Fabrication & Process

Timeline & Installation

Pricing & Packages

Care & Maintenance

Remnants

Showroom & Contact

Warranty

Talk to our team.

Ready to start your project?