FAQs
- How durable is Granite?
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Granite is one of the toughest natural stones on the planet, making it the perfect choice for any indoor or outdoor project.
A mineral with a higher number can scratch the ones below. Because granite is composed of mainly Feldspar and Quartz it has exceptional resistance to scratches.
In years gone by, corundum tipped tooling was used to cut, shape and polish granite. Nowadays diamond tipped tooling is used. A steel knife blade has a rating of 5.5 and therefore will not scratch granite, sand and grit (on bucket and garden mug bottoms!) contain corundum and can effectively etch polished granite. Minerals of equal rating can scratch each other, for this reason we strongly advise you don’t place granite chopping boards or pan stands on top of your new tops.
- Will you cut and polish granite I’ve obtained myself?
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No, unfortunately we are not in a position to so this.
- Will my kitchen cabinets take the weight of granite?
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Standard kitchen cabinets are fine, provided the have been fitted correctly. We are happy to give you all the advice we can on this.
- Does Granite ever chip or break?
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Not easily, however whilst granite is extremely hard wearing, it isn’t bomb proof. A certain degree of care needs to be taken around the sink area, for example where heavy pots and pans etc. may cause chipping if bumped into the sink edge.
Standing on your granite worktops to paint the ceiling or change light bulbs, or hitting it whilst practicing your golf swings on rainy Sundays could result in irreversible damage! - What are the opening hours of Swansea's Granite Worktops HQ?
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Monday to Friday: 8am – 5pm
Saturday: 9:30am – 2pm
However, we can usually meet you outside these times by prior arrangement. - Granite resistance to Hot or Sharp things?
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Hot Things?
In our experience, granite will not be harmed by hot pans or open flames.Sharp Things?
Granite can be used as a cutting surface although we recommend using a wooden or plastic chopping board; repeated cutting may dull the surface over time and will undoubtedly ruin you knives. - How can I obtain a quote from you?
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The easiest way is for you to provide us with a simple plan drawing of your requirements, by fax, email, post or call in to visit our showroom in Penclawdd, Swansea.
- Does Granite Stain?
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Generally speaking granite does not easily stain. Granite is very dense and its ability to absorb liquids that cause staining is hugely reduced. It is worth bearing in mind, however, that certain light colours will show a dark spot if a puddle is left on the surface for a period of 20 minutes or more.
Whilst water spills will dry up leaving no marks, liquids such as oils, red wines, beetroot vinegar or any substance with a high dye content should be wiped up as soon as possible to avoid more permanent staining. - What is your average delivery time for granite worktops?
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Templating can usually be arranged with just a couple of days notice. From templating, we can usually fit your finished worktops in 4 to 7 days.
- Does Granite have a completely smooth surface?
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No, many granites contain pits and fissures that are natural characteristics of granite and the lighting in a room can make these more or less visible. We will point out these characteristics to you prior to you deciding on a particular material.
Will my Granite look exactly the same as the samples shown on the Website?
We have taken great pains to scan high quality digital images into our website, yet despite this they will never capture the exact nature and beauty of the real thing. Many of the materials we choose to stock have a standard colour and pattern, but you should expect slight variations which make granite unique. - What granite colours do you keep in stock?
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We carry all of the popular colours in our stockyard in Penclawdd. However we can source virtually any material within 10 days.
- How thick are your Granite Worktops?
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We generally recommend using 30mm thick granite as it is much stronger and far more impact resistant than 20mm thickness.
- How do I pay for my Granite?
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We do not take deposits, but insist on payment in full on the day of fitting, our installation team will present you with our invoice on completion.
Currently our preferred method of payment is by cheque. However we are working towards taking card payments and offering finance. - Why choose Granite Worktops Ltd. as my supplier?
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The Rees family has earned a solid reputation for producing top quality granite work surfaces, combining a state of the art manufacturing facility with 40 years of experience in natural stone craftsmanship.
All of our staff are committed to getting the job done properly and promptly, from first plans through to final installation. - Will I have visible joints/seams in my granite worktops?
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Most granite installations will require one or more joints. Factors influencing the number and position of joints include weight of material, cabinet structure and support, and access to the site.
Sometimes a joint is required to reduce wastage and therefore expense to you, the customer.
During layout and design, we always try to minimise the number of joints required and locate them in places that are as unobtrusive as possible. Our installation teams are trained to colour match the jointing adhesive to help reduce their appearance.
