Frequently Asked Questions
Some answers to your burning questions
About
Does anyone recommend you?
We are a Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited business and hold an A Rating on Angi.com. We are happy to provide information from satisfied customers.
What is the Artisan Group?
The <a href="https://artisan-counters.com/">Artisan Group</a> is an elite member organization of stone fabricators throughout North America. Our products are certified by the <a href="https://www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/">Natural Stone Institute</a> and the Marble Institute of America.
How long have you been in business?
Since 1979.
Why choose Rocksolid Surfaces?
We have enjoyed an impeccable reputation locally and nationally. We are the first stone fabricator in the state of Ohio to be accredited by the <a href="https://www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/">Natural Stone Institute</a> (NSI), a highly significant quality indicator of our business practices and fabrication and installation standards.
Design and Consultation
What can I expect from a Design Consultation?
Rocksolid’s design and consulting team are experienced, creative, organized and they listen to you. We design your countertops and other projects with your taste, your style and your functionality needs in mind.
How much does a design consultation cost?
Nothing. Our consultation and design are free.
What steps do I need to take prior to templating and/or installation?
Prior to the date of the template, we recommend you remove all items sitting on your countertops. This includes coffee makers, toaster oven, decorative pieces, etc. You DO NOT need to remove your sink and/or cooktop for the template.
Do my old countertops need to be removed before templating?
Unlike other countertop providers, we can produce your template directly on your existing countertops. This means your current countertops do not need to be removed for the templating process, greatly reducing disruption in your home.
Do you come out to my home to discuss my project?
Yes, we offer in-home consultations. One of our consultants will visit you to discuss the details, design ideas and overall process to create your project. Call 216.251.5509 for free consultation. Or <a href="https://rocksolid-surfaces.com/contact/">online contact page</a>. Cleveland <a href="https://rocksolid-surfaces.com/contact/">location</a> near I-90, I-71 and I-480.
Installation
Will showroom samples look like actual granite slabs?
Showroom samples give you an idea of what the material looks like and can vary from the actual stone that arrives from the quarry. Marble and granite, for example, are susceptible to wide variations in color, texture, spotting and veining. Because they are natural elements and the variations that can occur within the quarry, showroom sample pieces may vary in appearance from actual quarried slabs.
What is templating?
Before your countertops are fabricated, a visit to your home will be scheduled to make a template or pattern that will be used to fabricate your project. All sinks, appliances and plumbing products either need to be on-site or decided on before templating. It is also recommended that you are present during the templating process to ensure the final product will be built the way you want it and to avoid delays and miscommunication.
Do you remove and haul away my current countertops?
Yes, on request. Check with us regarding any possible costs associated with dismantle and removal.
How long will it take for installation once my countertops are fabricated?
Depending on the project and how ready the area is for installation, it usually takes our highly professional installers approximately 2-4 hours. Time can vary if the project is more extensive or dismantle and removal of old counters is required. But all of this can typically be done on the same day.
Will you provide service after installation?
Yes. We provide continuous customer service, personalized visits and any necessary repairs after your project is installed.
Does Rocksolid Surfaces handle all of the fabrication and installation?
Yes, we handle the entire process with our own trained and skilled staff. We also have honest partnerships with a select few contactors who bring years of experience to offer the best service possible.
Materials
What is an acrylic surface – such as Corian?
An acrylic material such as DuPont Corian is a made from natural products with acrylic polymers and resins and produced in a factory. Each manufacturer varies their formula, heating reaction times and additives to achieve their proprietary blend.. During manufacturing, colorants and particulates are added to achieve the vast array of colors and styles in the solid surfacing market.
Why is quartz sold as a stone product if it’s man made?
Quartz is a stone surface because quartz surfaces are manufactured using at least 90 to 95% quartz aggregate. Quartz surfaces have advantages. Because quartz countertops are man-made, there is total flexibility and control with styles, colors and patterns during manufacturing with consistent colors and patterns from production process to production process. Once the manufacturing is complete, quartz surfaces are not much different from a quarried natural stone. Controlled manufacturing also gives quartz surfacing the advantage of being extremely hard, durable and non-porous. Some quartz products feature built-in antimicrobial protection. In addition, because quartz is so hard and non-porous, sealing is not required.
What’s the difference between granite/natural stone and quartz?
Granite and stones like marble and soapstone are 100% natural materials that are quarried from the ground, cut into blocks, then carved into slabs for fabrication. With all natural stones, what you see is what you get. Stone variations and color can change from slab to slab. Quartz, on the other hand, is a crystal that is mined from the ground, not quarried. Raw quartz crystals are then processed into aggregate for end-use products like countertop slabs. Quartz surfaces are produced with a man-made, engineered process, in a factory, using a resin binder or polymer with added colorants. They are then formed under intense heat and pressure to create the final substrate.
Does granite harbor bacteria?
Granite is used and approved in food and medical applications. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has never reported granite harboring bacteria nor of people becoming ill from bacteria in granite or on its surface. With regular cleaning, granite is far less likely to support bacteria than butcher block or even laminated materials with top-mounted sinks. Granite countertops should be cleaned using simple warm water and mild soap.
Does granite stain?
Yes. All stone is porous to some extent; all are unique. Some stones are harder than others. A few colors may absorb some moisture with prolonged contact. Try not to leave spills sitting for any periods of time. Wipe up acidic fruit juices, wine and carbonated beverages as soon as possible.
Can granite scratch?
Granite is one of the hardest stones in the world and is highly resistant to scratching from ordinary use. A knife blade will not scratch granite. It can only be scratched by another piece of granite or with specially sharpened tools with tungsten and diamond blades.
Can granite crack?
Not with ordinary use. Granite, a very durable material, is most susceptible to cracks during shipping and installation. Normal use does not include standing on the counter or dropping heavy objects like a hammer on the surface.
Is it necessary to seal stone?
Even granite is porous to some extent and will absorb moisture over time. So it is important to use an impregnating sealer to prevent stains from oil, wine, or other liquids from penetrating the surface. Ask the experts at Rocksolid Surfaces any questions on sealing and sealers.
Can I set hot pots and pans on granite?
Granite is quite heat resistant. We do recommend using hot pads and trivets on all kinds of granites.
Can I cut on granite?
We recommend using cutting boards. A material like marble is more porous and softer. It is much more likely to be damaged by a sharp object.
Will my stone surface have seams?
This depends on slab size and project design. Seams on a granite countertop may be necessary and are sometimes unavoidable. The visibility of seams will depend on the granularity, color and pattern of the stone.
Can granite cantilever?
With a large enough piece, we can cantilever granite up to 8" with sufficient support on the fixed end. We never cantilever granite where it might receive excessive stress during everyday use.
What are the cost differences of stone that come from other regions around the world?
Generally they are cost comparable. Granite prices can differ for a variety of reasons. Typically, prices fluctuate depending on the rarity of the stone and difficulty to obtain. Pricier, more exotic stones usually come from India, Brazil, and Italy. Stone costs can also differ depend upon quarrying and processing costs, availability, shipping and importing, complexity of fabrication, and supply and demand.
Why do granite slabs look different from showroom samples or photos on your website?
Granite is a natural substance with variations created by the earth. The composition of minerals and the quarry it comes from play a part in the appearance of granite and natural stones. Just like natural planks of wood, stone veining, patterns and color appearance can vary from slab to slab. Showroom samples and photos on our website are close depictions of the material which can vary slightly from actual stone on our premises. Our facility has raw slabs on-site so you can see and touch the actual material that will be fabricated for your project.
Where does your stone come from?
Our stone is shipped to us all over the world, from Brazil, India, Italy and throughout North America. We do not acquire stone that is fabricated into prefabricated pieces. All of our stone comes in raw quarried slabs and is fully fabricated in our facility.
