Our Products
Discover the beauty of natural stones products.
Granite
Granite is—quite literally—as old as the earth.
It is formed from liquid magma, the molten rock still found at the core of the planet, cooled slowly to form a substance approaching the hardness and durability of diamond. Granite is an igneous rock, the name reflecting its fiery beginnings. The chemical composition of granite is similar to that of lava. However, granite owes its hardness and density to the fact that it has been solidified deep within the earth, under extreme pressure.
Over the eons, seismic activity has changed the crust of the planet, forcing veins of granite to the surface. Glaciers scraped off layers of dirt, sand and rock to expose granite formations. Typically revealed by outcrops, the deposits have been discovered on all the continents. Custom granite countertops are one of the most common and popular choices for the kitchen.
Marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock, composed of metamorphosized limestone. In its purest form, marble is crystalline white calcite. Most marbles, however, are infused with impurities such as dolomite, silica or clay, providing variations in color and significant movement. The base colours of marble range from white to black with a broad range of hues. Marble is significantly softer than granite and therefore subject to greater wear and weathering. Custom Granite offers beautiful marble countertops and marble tub surrounds for the bathroom.
Quartz
Quartz is a naturally occurring substance, and in ground-up form it is combined with resins to form a hard surface much like engineered granite. Most quartz countertops are well over 90% quartz, which gives it the hardness and lack of porosity needed for the heavy demands of cooking. Some manufacturers also combine antibacterial substances. Custom Granite has a variety of quartz options for countertops, fireplace surrounds and more.
Onyx
Onyx is becoming a hot selection for kitchen countertops nowadays. It is a natural stone that is considered to be semi precious. Onyx is available in a colour range from white to deep green and has a translucent appearance. It is being used widely in kitchen backsplashes as well as in free standing structures such as sinks, wash basins and tiles.
Onyx was used historically in the creation of alters and other places of worship. It is quite a soft stone similar to limestone and will scratch and stain easily. Use a sealant as you would with most natural stones. Onyx is very expensive and luxurious. Onyx can be used for many kitchen options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, granite is extremely heat resistant and cookware can be put directly on the surface without damage. You can’t burn granite with ordinary use. Granite conducts heat and is widely used for open flame baking and barbecuing.
Granite is one of the hardest stones available . It cannot be scratched in ordinary use. A knife blade will not scratch it. It can only be scratched with specially sharpened tools designed to work with this rock like tungsten and diamond tools.
Stone soap, which is specially formulated for marble and granite is recommended for cleaning on a regular basis. Household cleaners such as Windex, Fantastic and 409 do not rinse and will leave a build up or film so the surface appears streaked. Granite countertops have a sealer applied at the time of fabrication which offers deep penetrating protection against stains (oils, wine, etc). We recommend that you re-seal it one to two times a year. Granite Sealer and user friendly Natural Stone Soap are available at our show room.
Only in cases of severe abuse with a hammer or impact tool will granite chip. If this does happen, the chip can be filled with granite dust and epoxy mixture. Normal use will not cause stress to this durable material.
Seams are avoided as much as possible but because granite is mined from a quarry in blocks usually no more than 10′ long, they are often necessary. The visibility of seams depends on the granularity, color and pattern in the granite. Where possible, Custom Granite Works prefers to place seams at the center of cooktops or sinks. This creates a 3” seam rather than a full depth seam.
Sinks are either drop-in or under mount. A cutout needs to be made in the granite to accommodate the sink. The sink hole must be precisely templated and cut out to ensure a perfect fit. Drop in sinks are installed in the rough cut, whereas, under mount must be cut and polished as the depth of the granite is exposed. A minimum of 3” of granite is required between the sink and edge of countertop for structural integrity.
Most countertops overhang by 1 3/4” but may be changed due to cabinet configuration or personal taste.
Countertop prices are based on granite type, choice of face profile, sink & cook top variables and quantity of linear footage to be profiled.
Contact Us Or Request a Quote
To learn more about our products contact us or stop by our showroom. For information on pricing, request a quote today.