FAQ Page - Queen of the Tile - Houston Granite Countertops - Residential & Commercial - Kitchens - Bath Vanity - Fireplaces - Home

Queen of the Tile Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to seal my granite countertops?
All natural stone must be sealed. When you purchase your countertops from Queen of the Tile, our installation includes cleaning and sealing your granite which should last 2 to 3 years.
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How do I clean my granite countertops?
On a daily basis, we recommend warm water and dishwashing soap. For a deeper cleaning, we recommend "Revitalizer" by Stone Tech www.stonetechpro.com. It is an anti-bacterial cleaner and sealer, so every time you use it, you are cleaning and resealing your granite. If you use products not made for natural stone, they will break down the sealer quicker.
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Can I stand on my granite countertops?
I would never stand on my granite around my sink or cooktop areas. Large areas with no cut-outs should be okay, as long as you chose the decking option and have supported your bar overhangs well.
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Why should I choose the plywood decking option?
We always recommend plywood decking, especially in your kitchen where most homes have bar or island overhangs. We use 5/8" plywood in case your cabinets are not exactly level, we have 1/8" room for shimming if required. If you choose to use 3cm granite, plywood is not required. Also, using Silestone, Cambria or another quartz product does not require plywood support but may be required so your countertop edges do not interfere with opening your drawers.
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How far can I overhang my bar or island granite countertop?
We do not recommend going further than 6" to 8" without additional supports such as corbels or L-brackets.
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What is the difference between using natural stone or a man-made quartz product for your countertops?
There are pros and cons to both products, but we believe the differences are not great enough to recommend one over the other. We feel you should find a color you like the best and go with it because all the cons are easily handled.
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Can I use pre-fabricated granite pieces for my kitchen countertops?
We do not recommend pre-fabs because instead of us choosing where your seams will be, the pre-fabs limit us to where your seams will be. In an average kitchen we usually end up with only 1 seam. Using pre-fabs, you will probably end up with 2 or 3 seams in your kitchen installation.
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Where will the seams end up in my kitchen installation?
This answer depends on the size of slabs you have chosen and the layout of your kitchen, but whenever possible, we prefer to put the seam at your sink or cooktop since you will only see about 4" in front and 3" or 4" in back instead of 25 1/2" along the depth of your countertop.
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Can I select my own granite slabs?
Yes, in fact we prefer that you do make your own granite slab selection. Since granite is a natural product, the slabs may not perfectly match any samples you have seen. Also, most samples are too small to really give you a good idea of the movement that occurs in some granites. Please refer to our list of prefered suppliers for names and addresses of quality slab yards in the Houston area.
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Can you cut around cracks or stains in the granite slabs I have chosen?
Although we try our best not to, we cannot guarantee this won't happen. Anything you see in your slabs may show up in your countertops. Please remember that granite is a natural product made by God and small blemishes or imperfections are part of what makes your countertops unique and beautiful. We also prefer to not use any slabs that are cracked as this often makes our job more difficult and unsafe.
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If the granite slabs I choose have pitting or dull spots, can you buff these out?
The slabs you see at the slab yards come already polished from the production facilities in Brazil, India, China, etc. These facilities use very large equipment running at very high rpm's. As a fabricator, we only cut to size, shape and polish your edges to fit your kitchen installation. We almost never touch the surface since it is very difficult to match the shine from the production facility, especially in darker granites. So, please choose your natural stone slabs carefully.
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What is a resin treated granite slab and how will it affect my granite installation?
Some granite production facilities are using a resin coating on slabs prior to polishing to fill in small pits and cracks on the surface. This technique makes the colors in the slab much richer looking. But if you look at the side of the slab you will see that the resin only penetrates the slab 1/16" to 1/8". Once we start fabricating your edge profile, you will see a difference of lighter, duller colors on the edge. This problem is handled using an enhancer/sealer on your edges after cleaning the granite. The difference is barely noticeable, but we prefer letting you know about this prior to starting your job.
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Can I have the left over pieces from my granite slabs?
Because we only charge by the square feet that go into your kitchen, the left over material belongs to us. But you are welcome to your sink and cooktop cut outs if you notify us ahead of time. (The undermount sink cut out usually ends up breaking on the shop floor if we are not notified). Should you choose to keep your left over pieces, they will not have polished edges. This would be an extra charge.
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Should I use a drop-in or undermount sink for my granite installation?
Most of our customers prefer to the undermount sink option since you have a cleaner, more elegant look, but it is really personal preference. Be sure to check out our Sink Page for different sink options.
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