FAQ

Using 3cm slabs of granite and quartz allows us to produce an attractive edge profile without the process of “laminating”, or gluing an extra piece on the edges, which creates a seam, and adds significantly to the labor costs. 3cm slab can also cantilever (overhang) farther than 2cm without requiring plywood or other support. However, we are also perfectly adept at fabricating from 2cm slabs, if by chance the exact color you want is not available in 3cm.

99% of ONIX’S countertop installation takes a day. Very rarely and depending on the size of your job might takes two. Onix’s regular turnaround time is 5-10 days after template is done.

Most kitchen countertop installations will require at least one or more joints called seams. During layout and design, GRANIX will always try to minimize the number of seams required, and to locate seams in places which make them less conspicuous. Finally, GRANIX installers are trained to color-match the joint filler material to enhance their appearance. Seams are created with a permanent, maintenance-free epoxy material, NOT like tile grout in any way!
The standard seam allowance between two pieces of granite can range from 1/16″ to 1/8″ wide. A color matched stone adhesive (epoxy) is used to join the two pieces of counter top. Once cured, this adhesive is food safe and cures in approximately 1 hour. We will do our best to provide a clean seam and color-match the basic color tone of the granite.

Take a look on our care and maintenance guide.

The ‘Marble Institute of America’ recommends sealing natural stone once every 6 to 12 months. Using highly acidic or harsh chemicals may deteriorate the original seal, therefore requiring sealing more often. If water is no longer beading up on the top, it’s time to reseal. Over sealing can lead to a hazy look. Engineered stone does not require sealing.

Only if you want to ruin your good knives. Granite and quartz are harder than steel, and will dull knives very quickly if you use the countertop as a cutting surface. Always cut and chop on a wooden or plastic cutting board.

Yes. Granite will tolerate temperatures in excess of 1200 degrees (F.) and engineered stone is rated higher. You can safely places items from your oven, stove top or grill directly on the hard surface without a trivet or hot pad. WARNING: Due to the extreme temperature differences, hot glass dishes may crack when placed on the cool surface of the granite or engineered quartz; this is known as thermal shock. For this reason alone glass or Pyrex dishes should be placed on a trivet or hot pad.

Granite, which is crystalline in structure, always has tiny pits – spaces between the various mineral crystals. You don’t see them on a larger piece because the overall appearance is polished and mirror-like. Granite sometimes has natural fissures as well, which may look like cracks, but are not structural defects and are a naturally occurring result of the immense heat and pressure which formed the granite years ago. These characteristics are part of the natural beauty of stone and will not impair the function or durability of the material. A product of nature cannot be expected to look manmade. Fortunately the process of “Resining” can greatly reduce the appearance of pits and fissures, as well as help repel stains. That is why we strongly recommend all of our customers to select their granite slabs.

Resining natural stone is a procedure meant to fill fissures and pits in the stone. The slabs are first honed to allow the surface of the stone to evenly absorb the resin. The stone is then dried and resin is spread over the entire surface of the stone, and then cured in special ovens. After the resin has cured, the slabs are polished. All excess resin is removed from the face of the slab, leaving only the resin that has filled any fissures or pits – the resin does not “coat” the surface.

The samples you see on the computer have been scanned and saved as digital images. The color tones may not be absolutely correct due to variations in computer systems and monitors. Granite also has naturally occurring variations in color, tone, granularity, pattern, etc. These variations are expected and are the source of its natural beauty. Although sample stones are intended to be representative of the quarry’s product, the material quarried at one time may differ slightly in color and veining from the sample. Moreover, even a single granite slab will possess a certain amount of color variation from one end to the other. Interior designers and architects have come to view this tendency of natural stone as an advantage. Slight irregularities can be pleasing, introducing an element of the natural into human-designed spaces, whether residential or commercial.

Because stone is a natural material, color variations, and veining are perfectly normal. There may be vast differences between samples viewed and a customer’s actual material. Because this material is a natural product consistency cannot be guaranteed, even within a single slab. Some materials are very consistent while other colors may change in color/shading/veining from slab to slab.

Yes. You can tear them out yourself or pay ONIX an additional fee for that service.

ONIX is a highly trained and licensed contractor for countertops, but we are not electricians or plumbers. We cannot assume any liability for making electrical, gas, or plumbing connections.

Nothing. Just as the cold liquid inside the glass pulled water from the air to create sweat on the outside of the glass, the cold has condensed water (under the sealer) within the stone. Simply remove the glass; wipe up excess water, the condensed water within the stone will dissipate after a few hours.

Any overhang up to 12″ will rely upon the 2/3 rule applies: 2/3 of the material needs to be supported for the 1/3 over hang. A 24″ cabinet can safely have up to a 12″ overhang without support. Generally any overhang over 12″ should be supported. Supports can range from wood corbels to metal ‘L’ brackets. Customers will be advised if supports are needed at time of measure and these need to be in place before the counter tops are installed. Supports must be installed by the customer, and are not part of the installation services provided by ONIX.

Dust. Although we will make every effort to keep this to a minimum, any adjustments or cut outs that are done on site will create dust. The act of placing the tops on your cabinets can also shake loose dust inside the cabinets themselves. To minimize your clean up and prevent any damage to breakable cook ware please remove the contents of your lower cabinets. It is also recommended to remove utensil drawers as well. Please be aware that walls are almost never square. Since hard surface counter tops are cut square, we may need to cut into the drywall in order to minimize gaps between the walls and granite and to achieve an even overhang over the cabinets.

For everyone’s safety please keep children and pets well out of the work area.

Please send us an email to contact@onyxflorida.com and we will be glad to answer to your questions!