1. As natural product, granite will vary in color and shade from slab to slab and in some instances will vary in the same piece. This provides character and uniqueness to each individual top and assures you a one of a kind kitchen.

2. Granite seams are a necessary aspect of a granite kitchen, which will be visible and can be up to 1/8" wide. We use a seaming material, which holds the two pieces together to provide a secure fit and good adhesion. We mix colors into the adhesive to get a relatively close match with the color of granite.

3. The most important facet of understanding your granite countertops is that it is porous material. Any natural stone has the characteristics and must be understood to ensure the beauty of the stone.

Porous simply means it can be penetrated by water, oils, grease, and chemicals. Holland Marble Company uses a nontoxic sealer to resist all types of stains and this must be resealed annually. Most hardware stores carry stone sealers and it simply wipes on with a soft cloth, let it dry and you are done.

It is important to clean all spills and keep unwrapped foods from being on the tops for extended periods of time as the oils and minerals can eventually work through the sealer and can stain your top. Under normal conditions this is never a problem. An example of a potential problem would be to leave for vacation with a grease spot on the granite surface.

4. Scratches on countertops are always a concern for homeowners and under normal use granite resists scratches better than any other surface on the market. Obviously if someone intended to scratch the surface it can’t be done but with normal cutting and food preparation your granite tops will last a lifetime.

5. The best aspect of granite is the resistance it has to heat. You have the freedom to take hot dishes directly out of the oven and place it on the granite without fear of damaging your countertops. No other countertop material can make that claim so enjoy the value of your solid granite countertops.