Congratulations on
Your Kitchen Renovation!

Is granite stain resistant? Staining is possible on all porous countertops but your countertops are treated with Stoneguard HD Sealer to make the granite more stain resistant. This technology, combined with decades of experience, allows an unprecedented free 15-year limited warranty for food and beverage stains and material integrity.

What should I avoid with my countertops? We suggest that spills of wine/alcohol, mustard, oils and acidic products should be wiped up immediately. Please see the care and maintenance section for full details.

What happens if my granite stains? In the rare occasion that your granite is stained by a food or beverage, The Home Depot’s installers will work with you to remove the stain and reseal your granite to preserve and protect it. In order for your 15-Year Limited Warranty to remain in effect, you must carefully follow these care and use guidelines.

Is it easy to maintain a granite countertop? Yes, normal use and regular cleaning with approved products (like SCI products specially formulated for granite and offered through The Home Depot), will ensure that your countertop maintains its natural beauty for many years. Abrasive or acidic household cleaners are to be avoided. It is recommended you reseal your granite countertops once a year to maintain the material’s integrity.

How do I clean my countertop? We recommend SCI’s Granite and Stone Daily Cleaner Spray for daily use. Other SCI products can be used to either maintain or polish the finish. Abrasive or acidic cleaners including lemon juice, vinegar and bleach should not be used. Any spills should be wiped up as soon as possible.

Will granite maintain its polished gloss? Yes. Regular cleaning, with recommended products and normal use, will ensure that your granite countertop never loses its gloss. If you like a heightened level of gloss, use SCI’s Granite and Stone Polish with a microfiber cloth.

Is granite scratch resistant? Yes. Granite is scratch resistant. Composed primarily of quartz, granite is one of the hardest natural materials on Earth.

What will happen if I put a hot saucepan on my granite countertop? Your granite is heat resistant. However, placing a hot saucepan directly from the stove onto any countertop is not recommended.

Will my granite crack if I sit or stand on it? We do not recommend sitting or standing on your granite countertop.

Does granite chip? Granite is not indestructible and we recommend being especially careful with heavy pots and saucepans around the edges of the countertop and the sink cutout.

Can I cut food on my granite countertop? While granite is scratch resistant, we do not recommend cutting food directly on your granite countertop mainly to avoid your cutting knives becoming blunt.

Are all granites alike? No, your slab is hand selected by our worldwide team of certified inspectors. Any slabs that do not conform to our highest quality standards are rejected. Our slabs are premium grade, with guaranteed quarry-to customer quality. In addition, each countertop has the added protection of Stoneguard HD — a process that makes granite food and beverage stain-resistant and virtually maintenance free. Backed by a 15-year warranty for stain resistance and material integrity, and surprisingly affordable, there is simply no better choice.

What is natural stone? Natural stones are classified as igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary based on their geological formation. There are many different types of natural stones including granite, marble, limestone, sand stone, soapstone and schists. Granite is the most common and most suitable natural stone for countertops.

What is the difference between granite and a man-made countertop? Granite is a 100% natural surface and its beauty cannot be duplicated. Granite is also fire proof and will not burn. Man-made surfaces (also known as engineered stone) are bound with resins that will burn.

Is it easy to maintain a quartz countertop? Yes, normal use and regular cleaning will ensure that your countertop maintains its natural beauty for years. Quartz does not require any additional sealing to protect the integrity of the material.

Are there any chemicals or cleaners to avoid on quartz? We recommend cleaning your quartz countertops with warm, soapy water and a soft non-abrasive cloth. Abrasive or acidic cleaners including lemon juice, vinegar and bleach should not be used. Any spills should be wiped up as soon as possible.

Is quartz scratch resistant? Yes. Quartz is scratch resistant under normal usage. Quartz is one of the hardest natural materials on Earth.

What will happen if I put a hot saucepan on my quartz countertop? Quartz is not as heat resistant as granite or other stone countertops and additional care should be used. Hot pads and trivets should be used for hot pots or pans to ensure the resin used to bind the quartz does not become vulnerable to heat.

Does quartz chip? Quartz is not an indestructible material but is less likely to crack or chip compared to granite or marble due to its composition.

Is quartz stain resistant? The materials used to manufacture quartz cause the countertops to be nonporous and stain resistant. Because they are a nonporous material, substances will not settle into small pores and cause discoloration.

Can I cut food on my quartz countertop? While quartz is scratch resistant, we do not recommend cutting food directly on your quartz countertop to maintain the luster and shine of the material and to avoid your cutting knives becoming blunt. Because of the material’s nonporous nature, the countertop will not harbor any bacteria, making it more hygienic for food preparation than other countertop surfaces.

What is quartz? Quartz countertops are man-made engineered stone countertops manufactured by combining ground quartz with resins to bind the material together. Quartz is a naturally occurring mineral mined from quarries all over the world. Countertops made from this mineral are extremely durable as it is one of the hardest minerals on Earth. Because quartz countertops are engineered they can be made in a variety of appearances and colors.

Are quartz countertops seamless? Quartz slabs come in certain maximum sizes and will potentially require seaming to join to larger sections together. During installation the seam is matched as closely as possible.

How are quartz countertops produced? The primary ingredient in this type of countertop is ground quartz which is combined with resins to bind it together and pigments to give it color. Quartz is an attractive look in kitchens and some designs even incorporate small amounts of recycled glass or metallic flecks to add dimension.

Is it easy to maintain a solid surface countertop? Yes, normal use and regular cleaning will ensure that your countertop maintains its quality for years. Solid surface does not require any additional sealing to protect the integrity of the material.

Are there any chemicals or cleaners to avoid on solid surface? Your solid surface can be cleaned using soapy water and a mild ammonia-based cleaner on a daily bases. More abrasive cleaners can be used to remove stains in the material but extra caution must be taken to prevent any damage. Any spills should be wiped up as soon as possible with mild soap and water.

Is solid surface scratch resistant? Solid surface countertops are not scratch resistant; however, small scratches and cuts can be buffed away. For deeper cuts and gouges, a fabricator may be able to repair the damage with special tooling and expertise. It is recommended not to use knives directly on the countertop surface and to use a cutting board.

What will happen if I put a hot saucepan on my solid surface countertop? With prolonged or extreme heat your solid surface countertop can have yellowing and damage to the surface. Placing a hot saucepan directly onto any countertop is not recommended. Using a hot pad or trivet will prevent the possibility of damage to the surface. Do not put any heat-generating appliances directly on the countertop.

Does solid surface chip? Solid surface is an impact resistant countertop that is very durable and resistant to chips, cracks, or loose ends.

Is solid surface stain resistant? The materials used to manufacture solid surface cause the countertops to be nonporous and stain resistant. Because they are a nonporous material, substances will not settle into small pores and cause discoloration.

Can I place food on my solid surface countertop? Because of the material’s nonporous nature, the countertop will not promote the growth of mold, mildew, or bacteria making the material food safe.

What is solid surface? Solid surface countertops are engineered using acrylic and stone bound together by resins. The material is fabricated by heating the mixture at a high temperature to form countertop sheets. Because solid surface countertops are engineered they can be made in a variety of appearances and colors.

Are solid surface countertops seamless? While solid surface countertops are not seamless, the seams are virtually invisible and are less apparent than other countertops.

Is it easy to maintain an exterior laminate countertop?
Yes, using a soft cloth with mild dishwashing liquid to wipe down surfaces will ensure that your countertop maintains its quality for years.

Are there any chemicals or cleaners to avoid on an exterior laminate surface?
Oceanfront environments with salt air, sea spray will require regular maintenance to prevent rust on handles, hinges, legs, and drawer runners. We recommend cleaning your stainless-steel surfaces several times a month.