Frequently Asked Questions

We are located at:
Paramount Granite Company, Inc.
5760 Quam Ave NE
St. Michael, MN 55376
or please call us at 763-428-4075
Please feel free to email us

WILL MY COUNTERTOPS HAVE SEAMS?

It depends on the size of your kitchen but often, seams are necessary to maximize the use of stone and minimize the cost of any given project. We prefer as few of seams as possible and take extra measures to minimize them. Additionally, when seams are necessary there are many expectations we place on ourselves that others don’t to minimize the visual effect of seams. For example, we consider the flow of grains and colors within and do our best to match up, which can be made more challenging with stones that have large amounts of movement or color ranges. A good seam is a maximum of 1/16” wide and industry standards say that if a razor blade, on edge, can pass across the seam without being stopped, it is considered level (smooth). This also helps decrease the visual effects of seams.

Finally, we try to avoid placing seams over dishwashers or on islands or peninsulas. If you would like to have input in the layout of your countertops, please let us know in advance of cutting your stone and we’ll arrange an appointment for you to meet with our team of experts to do so. We will attempt to accommodate your wishes concerning layout when possible.

HOW SHOULD I CLEAN MY GRANITE COUNTERTOPS?

For every day cleaning, use mild dish soap like Ivory®, warm water and a soft clean cloth. You can also use any water based spray cleaner such as ammonia free Windex® or Natural Stone Cleaner 409® (as recommended by the Marble Institute of America).

DOES GRANITE REQUIRE SEALING/RE-SEALING?

Yes! Your countertops will be sealed with a sealer before installation. However, the natural porosity of these stones and their use in your home requires them to have more than an initial sealing. Some stones will only need sealing every few years depending on the stone’s porosity and your daily use of the countertops. To determine if your countertop needs resealing, perform a “water test”. Place some water onto your stone. If within 15-20 minutes the water begins to absorb into the stone, it is time to reseal. Wait for the water spot to evaporate before resealing.

HOW DO YOU SEAL GRANITE?

It’s not as difficult as some would have you believe. In fact, it’s easier than waxing your car!
General Sealing Instructions (always follow the directions provided with your product.)
1. Be certain your countertops are clean and free of spills. Stains should be removed prior to sealing. You will need 3 clean, dry, soft cloths and stone sealer.
2. Pour a small amount of sealer, about the size of the bottom of a pop can, onto the countertop and distribute evenly with a dry cloth. Pour more sealer onto the stone as you move onto other areas of the surface.
3. Take another dry cloth and wipe the excess sealer off while it is still wet. If the sealer is already dry, apply a bit more sealer and wipe it off. This will remove any residue.
4. Once all excess sealer is removed, use a clean dry cloth for a final wipe down.

WILL GRANITE STAIN?

Granite is the most durable countertop material that exists. However, it is a product of nature, not manufacturing. Its natural porosity means that it can stain. The same goes for Quartzite, etc.

Sealing works as a stain inhibitor and prevents most stains and soil from being absorbed into the surface, but it is NOT a guarantee against staining. To seal your granite countertops, we recommend the Tenax HYDREX Polished Stone Sealer available here. Other stone sealers are available through any stone/tile retail location. The biggest danger to granite is oil stain, which gives the appearance of darkening the stone.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT GRANITE?

Heat: Granite can take heat to approximately 2500 degrees. Hot pots and pans can be set directly onto granite but heat may discolor the sealer/resin coating, so hot pads or trivets are still advised. This is not true for quartz products. They will scorch and discolor above about 400 degrees.

Stability: Once your granite is in place, it is very stable. However, you should avoid sitting or standing on your countertops. While this will not usually cause a problem for the countertop, it is not advisable, especially around cooktop holes, sink holes and overhangs.

Cutting on granite: Granite is incredibly strong and therefore cutting directly on the granite is not likely to hurt the stone. The greatest concern would be that it will dull your knife.