Question: What is the difference between types of stone?

Natural fissures, cracks, chips, and pits in the face of the stone. These are normally small and can be filled with colored or clear epoxy and smoothed out so you can barely feel them. They typically will blend in with the stone, but probably will be seen if examined closely.

Variations in color, shade, and veining from one slab to another, or even from one end of the slab to the other end. This is sometimes more apparent at seams where two pieces come together, especially in heavily veined materials. When fabricating heavily veined materials, we do our best to keep the direction of the grain consistent; however, this is not always possible.

Seam layout will be determined by the size and soundness of the raw material slabs available, and the fragility of the piece with regard to cutouts, angles, and adjacent walls. We will always do our best to put your seams in the best possible places with respect to your job layout. We have always taken pride in our seam layout verses our competitors.

Granite:
Granite is by far the hardest and most durable natural stone. It is an ideal kitchen countertop material that is virtually indestructible. It is hard to scratch or stain, and like other natural stones, it is heat resistant. You can place hot pots and pans on it, you can roll dough on it, and you can cut on it (although it will dull your knives). We will seal your granite before it leaves our shop to protect it from any potential stains. Although granite is very hard to stain (especially sealed), grease, oil, juice, etc. can possibly stain some granite if it is not wiped up, and left for a long period of time. Please wipe up spills within a few minutes to assure your granite will not stain. If it does stain, we can probably remove it, if necessary.

Marble:
Marble has wide variations in color and markings (veining, etc.) that sets it apart from any other stone. No two pieces or slabs of marble will look the same. It gives a very luminous and unique look to any home. Marble is suitable for bathroom vanities, tabletops, and floors, when cared for properly, and not abused. Marble is a very soft and porous stone and is known more for its beauty than its durability. Marble must be sealed after installation, and from time to time, especially in traffic or highly used areas. Some colors and varieties of marble can be fairly sound in makeup, while others can be very unsound or brittle. Years ago, the Marble Institute of America established industry standards for recognized the soundness of marble, and what is permissible in repairing it during fabrication and/or installation:

• Group A: Sound marbles and stones, with uniform and favorable working qualities.
  
• Group B: Marbles and stones similar in character to the preceding group. but working qualities somewhat less favorable; occasional natural faults; a limited amount of waxing and filling necessary.
  
• Group C: Marbles and stones with some variations in working qualities; geological flaws, voids, veins and lines of separation are common; it is standard shop practice to repair these variations by sticking, waxing, and filling; liners and other forms of reinforcements employed when necessary.
  
• Group D: Marbles and stones similar to the preceding group, but containing a larger number of natural faults, and maximum variation in working qualities, requiring more of the same methods of finishing. This group comprises many of the highly colored marbles, prized for their decorative qualities.

Other commonly used natural stones:

Travertine: Similar to marble in characteristics, but full of voids, or holes. Most come already filled, but some can be obtained unfilled for a very rustic look. The filling material cannot be polished to a high shine like the stone itself.

Limestone: Usually boned (not shiny) and light in color. Very porous and can easily be stained if not sealed properly. Very subtle and luxurious look. Very durable and frost resistant. Usually dark in color, and like granite is very dense and can be used outside. Expect clefting (thin compacted layers make up this stone and sometimes the layers can shale off and create an uneven surface).

Question: Why use Harkey Tile and Stone?

• High quality stone - we can be choosy about our material, since we do very little importing vs. some fabricators that mostly use their own imported stone - you may have to use their stone, even if it may not have the shading or markings you may like, or not like. You choose your own material!
• Fast turnaround time.
• Wide variety and selection of edges (6 standard edges and 6 upgrade edges).
• We use our own English speaking employees to template, deliver and install your stone.