Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between quartz and natural stone?

Quartz is an engineered material made by grinding natural quartz into a powder and mixing it with resin and other materials. The mixture is then pressed into slabs, cooled, polished, and trimmed. Quartz has little variation in pattern, color, or texture. Marble, granite, and quartzite are naturally occurring stones. Natural materials will have variations in pattern, color, texture and veining. See our products page for more information.

What determines the price of a stone?

For natural stones, availability is a considerable factor in pricing. The more rare the material, the more expensive. For other materials, thickness, pattern intricacies, and brand play a role.

Which stone is the most durable?

Durability can be determined in a few ways. A common consensus is that quartz is the most durable material for interior applications. It is also the easiest to maintain as it is non-porous.

Quartzite is generally considered the hardest material. It is an extremely hard natural stone that requires a diamond blade to cut.

For outdoor applications, granite is considered the most durable material as it withstands freezing temperatures and can handle direct sunlight and other harsh weather while staying true to its color and form.

What is the timeframe from template to installation?

Template to installation typically takes between 10-15 business days.

Do you disconnect and reconnect the plumbing or electrical?

Plumbing and electrical are not included in our services. Prior to installation, customers are responsible for disconnecting and reconnecting plumbing, electrical, and/or gas.

Do I need to seal my countertops? How often should my countertops be sealed?

Due to the porous nature of natural stone, granite, marble, and quartzite countertops typically need to be sealed. The frequency depends on the type of stone and how often the countertop is used. See our product page and select the desired stone for more information.

Do you carry full slabs in stock?

Yes, we have a variety of in-stock colors in granite, marble, and quartz. See our product page and select the desired material for specific colors. For size enquiries, please call our showroom office at (919) 363-6990.

Can I provide my own sink?

Yes, we kindly ask that under-mount customer-provided sinks be delivered at the sink check-in in front of our Raleigh facility. Please note we do not install farmhouse sinks; farmhouse sinks are recommended to be installed with cabinetry before countertop template.