Q: I'm interested in granite countertops. What's my first step?
A: Bring in or fax a drawing, even a hand-drawn sketch,
of your new or existing kitchen with countertop measurements.
We will ask many questions and let you view full slabs
of stone appropriate for your job. We can then give you
an accurate quote. Q: Other companies sell granite from small samples. Why
don't you?
A: Natural stone has many variations, and a small square
of stone can never tell the story that a full slab can.
We want you to love your stone, not be surprised by a
color or pattern that wasn't seen in the original sample.
Our
investment in a large inventory of full slabs makes it
possible for you to select from many colors and patterns. Q: What if you don't have the color I want?
A: There are over 400 colors of granite, but no supplier
carries all the colors. We have two suppliers with
three locations in Bridgeport, Novi, and Farmington
Hills,
Michigan, as well as two suppliers in the Chicago area.
You are always
welcome to visit those suppliers and tag the slabs
of your choice. It is recommended that you call
ahead to
schedule
a visit. We can provide you with visitor cards, which
include hours of operation and maps to their facilities. Q: I don't think I can afford an entire kitchen full
of granite. What are my options?
A: Many people create a dramatic look by using granite
on an island piece. Consider that your island is
a gathering place, and that granite will make a bold
statement no
matter what's on top of the other cabinets. Other
options
include
using less-expensive granite or omitting granite
backsplashes or other details, which add to the total
cost. Granite
has become more affordable over the years, and can
be less expensive than manufactured solid surfaces. Q: What about caring for my granite? Should it be
repolished once in a while?
A: Granite never needs to be repolished. The granite
shine is ground on with diamond-encrusted polishing
pads. Maintenance
depends on how much you use your granite. Typically,
granite used daily will need to be chemically cleaned
and resealed
once every year. It is a simple process to clean
and reseal, and is usually performed by the homeowner.
Everyday cleaning
is done with ordinary dishwashing soap, glass cleaner,
or diluted stone cleaner. Q: I like the look of marble and am considering
using it in my kitchen, but I've heard it's not
a good
idea. Why
not?
A: Marble is softer and more porous than granite,
making it easier to scratch and stain. Marble
will etch from
ordinary products like ammonia-based glass cleaner,
anti-bacterial soap, lemon juice and vinegar.
Marble is not recommended
for use as kitchen countertops, but can be used
for fireplace surrounds, hearths, tabletops,
and vanities. Q: I'd like to use natural stone on my chimney
but can't fortify my foundation. Is there a
natural stone
that's
as thin as Cultured Stone?
A. Buechel Stone Corporation's Natural Thin
Veneer (NTV) is a natural stone, not manufactured,
that's
as thin
as Cultured Stone but more durable. It comes
in dozens of
colors and patterns, and lays as easily as
manufactured veneers. The cost is comparable
to Cultured Stone.
Visit Buechel's website at www.buechelstone.com,
or stop in
for a full color brochure. We stock small quantities
of NTV,
and most special orders take less than two
weeks to procure. Q: I want to build a flagstone patio, but I
don't know how much stone to buy.
A. Measure the square footage of your patio
area (length x width). Depending on the type
of flagstone
you choose,
we can tell you how much you need based on
the square foot coverage of each stone. The
same
holds true
for crushed
stone, retaining wall and walkway stone. Q: Do you accept credit cards?
A: Yes - MasterCard, Visa, and Discover,
as well as personal checks and cash. |
