I recently read an article in a building industry publication that focused on a particular business that specialized in installing one of the engineered stones available on the market today. Actually it was a paid advertisement, but did not state that. It looked like an article complete with photo’s, but listed no author. This type of advertising has become very popular these days for businesses to attempt to toot their own horn without naming sources, or putting their own name on it. The advertisement basically focused on how great they were and how great the engineered stone they represent is. It also led the reader to believe that granite stains and chips easily and uses sealers that are defective and cause scratching. I was shocked and frankly appalled that a publication would allow a business to print such garbage. What ever happened to checking your sources and truth in advertising?
This advertising strategy however, is just one of many out there that mis-informs the public. This is unfortunate because the homeowner is often uneducated and is looking for guidance and information to make their choices. So what does this mean for the buyer when publications will print anything just to make a buck? Today’s buyer must be willing to do their homework and check other sources before making a decision.
The claims in this advertisement were not entirely true. So to set the record straight, I’d like to give you the correct information. Sealing with a silicone impregnator is typically done before installation. There are many granites that never need to be sealed. There are however, a few that are more porous and may need to be sealed more often. As a general rule, we recommend sealing your granite countertops once per year, to cover them all. In regards to chipping, it is also rare, but can happen on occasion. Again, don’t panic, chips can be repaired. There are over 400 different colors available in granite, which are quarried all over the world. Some granites are consistent in their overall look, while others have flow, movement and veining, all of which add to their natural beauty. Most engineered stones have less than 50 colors available, all of which are consistent in color and try to mimic the look of granite. Paramount Granite Company also provides a warranty to the Original Purchaser that its natural stone will be free from fabrication defects for a period of twenty limited years from the date of purchase. By the way, that’s twice as long as the engineered stone mentioned in the advertisement. We, at Paramount Granite Company pride ourselves on giving our customers the correct information, so they can make their decisions based on facts, and not false-hoods. And for the record, this is an article.
Barbara Rodgers
Author
Engineered Stone a definition—
A man-made synthetic product made of mostly quartz (approximately 93%) and plastic (approximately 7%). Not as hard, not as scratch resistant, and not as heat resistant as granite. CaesarStone® is the original manufacturer of engineered stone and is available to you through Paramount Granite Company if desired.
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