2939 Duttons Mill Road

Aston, PA  19014 

phone (610) 859-8181

fax (610) 859-8558

Can you cut on natural stone surfaces.?
Granite is an extremely tough, durable material and in most cases can be used as a cutting surface without fear of scratching the stone, although repeated cutting on granite may dull knives. Using marble as a cutting surface will result in scratches as if cutting on a piece of wood.  It is suggested that cutting boards be used on marble surfaces, as well as soapstone and sandstone surfaces to prevent damage to those stones (and also used on granite, to prevent dulling of your knives).

Can you set hot pans on natural stone surfaces?
Granite is ideal for kitchens because under normal conditions it will not burn and it will not be harmed by hot pans or open flames. Marble should not be used in kitchens as excessive heat can cause damage and potentially leave scars or burn marks. Soapstone and sandstone, though not as prone to damage as marble, should also be protected from direct contact with heat.  None of these material are flammable.

Does natural stone chip or scratch?
Granite is a very dense material and under normal conditions it is chip and scratch resistant.  Marble can be chipped and scratched under normal use and therefore, should be used in low traffic areas and should always be treated like a piece of fine wood. Soapstone and sandstone are between these two stones, in terms of durability and resistance to chipping and scratching.  Though not as fragile as marble, care should be taken to prevent chipping and scratching in soapstone and sandstone.

Will natural stone stain?
All natural stones are porous materials and therefore, are subject to staining if not maintained properly. In granite, the same porosity that allows for staining also allows for easy stain removal. In most cases, stains can be prevented by quickly wiping the spill. If a spill is left overnight, especially if the liquid is grease, oil, coffee, or wine the granite will usually darken. To remove the stain, a poultice should be applied, which may pull out the stain from the granite. Marble can be stained and etched by acidic or oil-based products. Soapstone and sandstone will be more subject to staining than granite, but not quite as easily stained as marble.  If you try to remove a stain yourself and are unsuccessful, please contact Majesty Marble and Granite, Inc. for assistance.

Should natural stone surfaces be sealed?

The most effective method of protecting your natural stone surface is not sealing. Instead, Majesty Marble and Granite, Inc. applies a stone impregnator, which penetrates the stone and keeps dirt, liquids, and food from easily absorbing into the stone, giving a good window of time for proper clean up. The stone impregnating material does not change the color of the stone, as some sealing materials may. It penetrates the stone and will help prevent staining. However, it will not stop the penetration of moisture entirely. When a liquid that might cause staining spills on the top, it should be cleaned up as soon as possible.

How can you limit the staining of natural stone?
Majesty Marble and Granite, Inc. impregnates all material to help reduce the chance of staining. To further prevent staining you should wipe up spills on natural stone surfaces as quickly as possible, and avoid using acidic or oil-based products on marble.

Can natural stone be repaired?
While it is more difficult to damage granite than other types of stone.  If some damage does occur to your natural stone surface or edge, it usually can be repaired by a mix of epoxy and ground-up chips of stone.  Contact Majesty Marble and Granite, Inc. if you are in need of stone repair.

Is natural stone a completely smooth surface like other Solid Surface Materials?
No. Many natural stone slabs contain pits and fissures that are natural characteristics of stone. Some types of stone exhibit these characteristics more than others, and the lighting of the room can make these marks more or less visible. Ask the professionals at Majesty Marble and Granite, Inc. about the characteristics of the material you are considering for your project.

What is the difference between 2 cm and 3 cm, and what is the most appropriate thickness for various applications?
The 2 cm thick stone is approximately 3/4" thick, ranging from 5/8" to 7/8" in thickness. The 3 cm is approximately 1 3/16", and can range from 1 1/16" to 1 5/16" thick. We recommend using the 3 cm granite for kitchen countertops for both aesthetic reasons and structural reasons, while 2 cm is recommended for bathroom vanity tops and tub surrounds, shower jams and any other applications that involve cladding of surfaces (e.g. windowsills, pie shelves in showers).  Many of these materials, depending upon the application, can be laminated to increase thickness of the edge.

What kind of edges are available?
Majesty Marble and Granite, Inc. offers the straight edge, eased edge, half and full bullnose, bevel and ogee edges. If you are interested in other edge profiles, please discuss your options with a Majesty Marble and Granite, Inc. sales associate. To view these edges, please visit the Edge Profiles page of our website.

Why do I have to have seams in my countertop and what do they look like?
Slab size may not be large enough for the entire run of a countertop. The weight of the material may dictate that seams are inserted so that the structural integrity of the material is not jeopardized. The cabinet structure, placement of cooktops, or other cutouts may require seams. Access to the job or layout of the countertops may be limited and/or difficult to work with. The type of material may require seams to maintain the structural integrity of the material. Tightness of seam will not  exceed 1/16"-1/8" width. Seams are sealed with a color-matched epoxy to minimize visibility.  Majesty Marble and Granite, Inc. professionals have the skill to ensure that seams are kept to a minimum and are discreetly placed, while still maintaining the structural integrity of the stone.

What affects the pricing of natural stone?
There are several variables that affect the pricing of natural stone. The material is priced by the square foot and these costs are dependent on the product's standard availability and the origin of the material. A more expensive stone is not necessarily a better stone.  Price is primarily a function of supply and demand.  A stone that can be sourced from a very limited number of quarries will command the highest price.  Majesty Marble and Granite, Inc. directly imports from many quarries, around the world, ensuring our customers of the best prices.  Our on-the-ground representatives at the quarries hand-select each slab to ensure highest quality stone.  The edge profile is priced by the linear foot. Additional costs, such as cooktop or sink cutouts, fabrication costs, and special requests are priced separately.

Are the names of natural stone varieties standardized?

Many varieties of stone do have standard names established, either by region or color.  For example, 'Blue Bahia' is a cobalt-blue stone from the Bahia region of Brazil.  Majesty Marble and Granite, Inc. adheres to the commonly used names as much as possible.  There is no assurance that every importer or fabricator will use the same name for the same stone.  In fact, some companies have been known to purposely use unique naming conventions just to confuse buyers, making it difficult for customers to source stone.  Majesty Marble and Granite, Inc. sales associates are very familiar with the market and, if given a sample or description of a stone, can typically identify and source a stone, even if it has a unique name.

How does natural stone compare to other solid surface countertops?
Granite is one of the most durable, maintenance-free countertop materials available. Granite is a natural material made of very hard igneous rock that is second only in hardness and compacted strength to diamonds. As a result of its geological composition, granite is stain, scratch, and burn resistant. Easy to care for and much desired for its natural beauty, granite is an investment that amortizes over time, retaining its original appearance long after initial installation. In most cases, granite countertops fall within the same price range as other high-end engineered materials.  Other natural stone surfaces, like Marble, Soapstone and Sandstone, are also comparable in price, but offer varying degrees of durability and heat and stain resistance.  Ask a Majesty Marble and Granite, Inc.  sales associate for specific comparative information about the natural stone you are considering for your project.

What should you be paying for when buying natural stone?
Not all natural stone varieties are the same.  Consumers must be careful when they are comparing the same stone with different vendors. Quality stone includes clear crystals, a smooth surface with even polish, and a good polish without swirl marks from the polisher. The quality of the installation is just as important as the quality of the material. An excellent installation consists of a job that fits well as a result of accurate templating and good installation, highly polished, straight edges, and a timely installation, with no hassles and a quick response to all situations.  Because Majesty Marble and Granite, Inc. imports its own stone, strict standards are applied for quality, slab size, and consistency.  We also ensure that the material is gauged properly so that thickness of the stone is consistent throughout the slab.   We personally inspect each slab to ensure that every aspect of your job gets the highest quality of service and material in the industry.

Can a customer choose the natural stone slab that will be used for their project?
Majesty Marble and Granite, Inc. strongly suggests that customers visit our Aston, Pennsylvania Fabrication Facilities to hand select their material. Customers will be shown slabs from different "lots" of the same stone and the customer can select which lot they prefer.  After selection, the chosen slabs will be identified with their name and job identifier and placed in a special holding area to await fabrication.  The customer is assured that their selected slabs will be used for their job.

Should you have any other questions regarding the use of natural stone for your commercial or residential application, contact us at Majesty Marble and Granite, Inc.  We would be happy to answer your questions.