Questions & Answers

Granite is a natural stone quarried from the earth — every slab is completely unique in pattern and colour, which is part of its appeal. Quartz (like Caesarstone) is an engineered product made from crushed quartz crystals bound together with resin. The result is a very consistent appearance and a non-porous surface that does not need sealing. Granite is typically sealed at installation and benefits from periodic re-sealing every year or two. Both are excellent choices — it really comes down to whether you prefer the natural variation of granite or the consistency and lower maintenance of engineered quartz.

Neither of you is completely wrong, but your wife is closer. All our granite surfaces are sealed at installation with a quality penetrating sealer. Under normal kitchen use, we recommend testing the seal every 12 to 18 months and resealing when needed. The simple test: drop a few beads of water onto the surface. If they bead up and sit on top, you are fine. If the water soaks into the stone within a few minutes, it is time to reseal. How quickly you reach that point depends on how heavily the kitchen is used and what cleaners are being used — harsh chemicals can strip sealers faster.

The dark mark is most likely thermal discolouration or sealer damage from the heat — not a crack, which is the good news. In many cases this can be treated by cleaning the area thoroughly and then applying a fresh coat of stone sealer. If the stone surface itself has been affected, professional polishing may be required. Bring us some photos and we can advise whether it is something you can treat at home or whether it needs professional attention. Going forward, always use a trivet or thick wooden board between hot cookware and the stone — even heat-resistant granite can crack if subjected to sudden extreme heat concentrated in one spot.

Marble is a softer, more porous stone than granite and it will etch when it comes into contact with acids — lemon juice, wine, tomato sauce, vinegar. That etching shows up as dull spots that are different from the polished surface. It also scratches more easily than granite or quartz. For a busy family kitchen island where people are cooking and prepping daily, marble will show its age relatively quickly and you will need to factor in professional polishing every few years. That said, plenty of our customers choose marble precisely because they love how it develops a natural patina over time — it becomes uniquely theirs. If you want the look without the maintenance commitment, a marble-look Caesarstone or a high-quality porcelain slab is worth considering.

Once you have accepted a quote and chosen your stone, we schedule a template visit — this is where we come to your home and take precise measurements. That visit typically happens within 2 to 3 working days. After that, manufacturing takes between 5 and 10 working days depending on the complexity of the job and our current workshop schedule. Installation is usually done in a single day for a standard kitchen. So from accepting the quote to having your new countertops installed, you are generally looking at 10 to 15 working days in total. We will give you a more specific timeline when you come in for a quote.

Hairline cracks near sink cutouts are one of the more common issues we see, and they are almost always caused by impact or by the cutout area not being adequately supported during installation. Caesarstone as a brand does offer a warranty, but whether a specific crack is covered depends on the cause. Cracks from manufacturing defects are covered; cracks from impact, improper installation, or thermal stress generally are not. The good news is that hairline cracks can often be repaired using colour-matched epoxy resin, which stabilises the crack and makes it largely invisible. Contact us with photos and we can advise whether this is a DIY repair, a professional job, or a warranty claim through your original installer.

Honest answer: granite remains one of the best value-for-money stone options available. Because we manufacture in-house, our prices are competitive and you are getting a real natural stone surface that will last decades with basic care. The price varies considerably depending on the granite colour and pattern you choose — some imported granites are more expensive than others, while locally sourced or more readily available colours come in at a lower price point. Come into our showroom and tell us your budget — we will show you what is available at that price range rather than sell you something you cannot afford. We would rather fit your budget than lose the job.

Yes, we do outdoor work including braai counters, bar tops and entertainment area surfaces. Granite is actually an excellent choice outdoors — it is UV stable and does not fade, handles the South African climate well, and is far more durable than most alternatives. The main consideration outdoors is that the stone will be exposed to more temperature fluctuation and rain, so using a good quality penetrating sealer and resealing annually is more important than it would be indoors. Darker granites also tend to absorb more heat when in direct sun — worth thinking about if you are handling food or drinks on the surface in summer. Come in and we will talk you through the options best suited to an outdoor application.