Countertop Questions,
Answered Honestly

Quartz countertops are an engineered stone product — not 100% natural, but not fully man-made either. They're made from roughly 90–93% crushed natural quartz crystals (one of the hardest minerals on earth) bound together with polymer resins and pigments. The result is a surface that's denser, more consistent, and more stain-resistant than most natural stones.

Because the slabs are manufactured under controlled conditions, quartz gives you the look of natural stone without the natural stone variability. If you want a specific color or pattern to match across a large kitchen, quartz is much easier to match slab-to-slab than granite or marble.

No — and this is one of the most common points of confusion we see. Quartz is engineered stone made in a factory. Quartzite is a naturally occurring metamorphic rock formed when sandstone is exposed to extreme heat and pressure deep in the earth.

They look similar and both contain the mineral quartz, but they're completely different products. Quartzite is a natural stone that must be sealed periodically; quartz countertops never need sealing. Quartzite can handle direct heat; quartz cannot.

Quartz is extremely stain-resistant because the surface is non-porous — liquids cannot soak in the way they do with marble or unsealed granite. Red wine, coffee, tomato sauce, and cooking oil all wipe away easily with mild soap and a damp cloth, even if you leave them for a few hours.

The one thing that can permanently discolor quartz is prolonged exposure to strong chemicals like oven cleaner, paint stripper, or products with a very high or low pH. Keep those off your countertop and you'll have no issues.

Quartz resists moderate heat, but it is not heat-proof. The resin binders that hold the quartz crystals together can discolor or crack if exposed to temperatures above roughly 300°F (150°C). A hot pot coming straight off a burner or out of a 450° oven can cause permanent damage — scorching, discoloration, or thermal cracking.

Always use a trivet or hot pad. This is the one rule that catches most people off guard with quartz. Granite and quartzite tolerate direct heat much better if that's important to your cooking style.

Quartz is very scratch-resistant for everyday use — knives, keys, and normal kitchen activity won't leave visible marks. That said, we always recommend using a cutting board. Cutting directly on the surface will dull your knives faster than it damages the countertop, and aggressive or repeated cutting in the same spot can eventually leave fine marks.

Edges are more vulnerable to chipping than the flat surface — particularly on thinner 2cm material, which just doesn't have the mass to absorb impact the way a thicker slab does. That's why we exclusively fabricate kitchen countertops in 3cm (1¼") quartz. It's heavier, stronger, holds an edge better, and doesn't need a plywood buildup underneath. We won't cut corners on thickness.

No. Never. This is one of the biggest advantages of quartz over natural stone. The manufacturing process permanently seals the surface during production — there's nothing to open up and nothing to seal. You won't need to test, re-seal, or even think about it.

Granite and marble both need periodic sealing (typically every 1–3 years depending on use). If you want the stone look without the maintenance, quartz is your answer.

Simple: warm water, a few drops of dish soap, and a soft cloth or sponge. That's genuinely all you need for day-to-day cleaning. For dried-on spills, let warm soapy water sit for a minute or two and it will soften right up.

Avoid abrasive scrubbing pads, steel wool, and harsh chemical cleaners. Products with bleach or ammonia used occasionally won't destroy quartz, but routine use will dull the finish over time. Stick to pH-neutral cleaners (pH 5–8) and you're fine.

We don't recommend it. The resin in quartz countertops is sensitive to prolonged UV exposure — direct sunlight will cause the surface to yellow and fade over time. This is a known limitation of engineered quartz and it applies even to products labeled "outdoor-rated."

For outdoor kitchens and covered patios here in Alabama, we typically recommend granite or quartzite. Both are natural stones that handle sunlight, humidity, and heat without issue.

With normal use and care, quartz countertops can last 25–50 years or more. Most major quartz brands back their products with 10–25 year warranties against manufacturing defects. The surface doesn't need polishing, sealing, or special treatment to maintain its look — just keep it clean and protect it from direct heat and impact.

In terms of longevity, quartz actually outlasts granite in many studies because it doesn't need the ongoing sealing that granite requires to prevent staining and moisture damage over time.

In our shop, white and light gray quartz with subtle veining — designs that mimic Calacatta or Carrara marble — have been the top sellers for the past several years and show no sign of slowing down. They photograph beautifully for listing photos and work with almost any cabinet color.

We're also seeing a strong push toward warmer tones: creamy whites, soft beiges, and warm greiges. Dramatic options like black, charcoal, and bold-veined statement slabs are popular for islands and accent pieces. Check out our Materials page to see the full selection we carry.

Quartz comes in two standard thicknesses: 2cm (¾") and 3cm (1¼"). At Farley Marble & Granite, we exclusively install 3cm for kitchen countertops — it's more durable, looks more substantial, holds edges better under impact, and doesn't require a plywood substrate underneath. 2cm has its place in bathroom vanities and vertical applications where weight matters, but in a kitchen it's simply not the right tool for the job.

Granite is an igneous rock formed from cooled magma. It's extremely hard (6–7 on the Mohs scale), heat-resistant, and scratch-resistant. It's the workhorse of natural stone countertops — highly durable and available in a huge range of colors and patterns.

Marble is a metamorphic rock prized for its elegant veining and luminous finish. It's softer than granite (3–4 Mohs) and more porous, which means it can etch when it comes in contact with acidic foods like citrus or vinegar. It's stunning in bathrooms, baking stations, and lower-traffic areas, but requires more care in a busy kitchen.

Quartzite is another metamorphic rock formed from sandstone under extreme heat and pressure. It's harder than granite and more resistant to heat, scratching, and acidic etching than marble. It often has a similar soft, luminous look to marble but with much better durability — making it one of the best all-around natural stone choices for kitchens.

Yes — most granite should be sealed, but how often depends on the specific stone. Denser, darker granites may only need sealing every 3–5 years. Lighter, more porous granites benefit from sealing once a year.

A simple test: put a few drops of water on the surface. If it beads up, you're still good. If it soaks in and darkens within a minute or two, it's time to reseal. We can walk you through the process — it's straightforward and takes about 30 minutes.

Honest answer: marble is high-maintenance for a kitchen. It etches (develops dull spots) when acidic substances like lemon juice, vinegar, wine, or tomato sauce contact the surface — and those etch marks happen fast, even through a sealer. It also stains more readily than granite or quartz.

That said, many homeowners love marble and happily live with the patina it develops over time. If you cook with a lot of citrus and tomato, or if the kitchen sees heavy daily use from kids, we'd suggest quartzite (similar look, far more durable) or a marble-look quartz instead. If you want true marble in a bathroom vanity or a dedicated pastry station, it's a beautiful choice.

Neither is better — they're different materials suited to different priorities. Here's a quick comparison:

• Quartzite: natural, heat-resistant, scratch-resistant, requires periodic sealing, each slab is unique, very elegant look
• Quartz: engineered, never needs sealing, consistent color/pattern, not heat-proof (protect from hot pans), extremely stain-resistant

If you cook heavily and want zero maintenance, quartz is hard to beat. If you want a truly natural material, can tolerate annual sealing, and love the one-of-a-kind look, quartzite is worth the extra attention.

Granite is extremely strong but it's not indestructible. Chips can happen on edges from sharp impacts — dropping a heavy cast-iron pan on a corner, for example. Cracks are rare in properly fabricated and installed granite but can occur around cutouts (sink, cooktop) if the slab takes a severe impact or the installation isn't supported properly.

Small chips on edges can often be repaired with a color-matched epoxy. For anything more serious, give us a call and we can assess whether a repair is the right approach.

Sealed granite, quartzite, and marble are safe for food contact. The concern about bacteria in natural stone is somewhat overstated — a properly sealed surface doesn't harbor bacteria any more than other countertop materials. Standard cleaning with soap and water removes food-borne bacteria effectively.

The key word is "properly sealed." An unsealed or poorly sealed porous stone can absorb juices and become harder to sanitize. Keep your stone sealed and cleaned and there's nothing to worry about.

A few things to keep away from all countertop surfaces:

• On quartz: hot pots and pans (always use a trivet), harsh chemicals like oven cleaner, paint stripper, or drain cleaner, and prolonged direct sunlight if possible
• On marble: anything acidic — citrus, vinegar, wine, tomato, soda. Even a few seconds of contact can etch the surface
• On all surfaces: abrasive scrubbing pads, steel wool, and standing water at joints or seams long-term

In most cases, yes. Dullness in granite usually comes from one of three things: buildup of cleaning product residue, a worn-out sealer, or surface micro-scratches from abrasive cleaners. A good professional polish and re-seal will typically restore the original shine.

For marble, dullness is usually etching — chemical damage to the surface from acidic substances. That requires re-honing or re-polishing by a stone restoration professional to remove the damaged layer. It's fixable, but it's more involved than just sealing.

Most edge chips on granite and quartzite can be repaired with a color-matched epoxy filler. The result isn't invisible up close but blends well from normal viewing distance. Quartz chips can also be filled with a matching compound.

Repairs are most successful on darker stones where the fill color blends more easily. Light-colored stones with chips are harder to make invisible. Give us a call and we're happy to take a look — in many cases it's a quick, inexpensive fix.

For most stains on granite or marble, a poultice is the most effective approach. Mix baking soda and water (or for oil-based stains, baking soda and acetone) into a thick paste, apply a ½" layer over the stain, cover with plastic wrap, tape the edges, and let it sit for 24–48 hours. As it dries, it draws the stain out of the stone. Remove, rinse, and repeat if needed.

For quartz, most stains haven't actually penetrated — they're on the surface. Let soapy water soak for a few minutes and wipe clean. For anything tougher, a little isopropyl alcohol on a cloth usually does the trick.

Countertop pricing depends on the material, the complexity of the job, and the edge profile you choose. As a rough guide:

• Entry-level quartz or granite: more affordable options for straightforward kitchens
• Mid-range quartz or granite: wider selection of colors and patterns
• Premium quartz, quartzite, or marble: exotic looks, book-matched veining, complex edges

Factors that increase cost: waterfall edges, radius corners, multiple cutouts (sink, cooktop, outlet), unusually large islands, and book-matching veined slabs. The best way to get an accurate number is to send us your measurements — we're happy to give you a straight quote.

For a typical kitchen, countertop installation takes 2–4 hours once we arrive. We handle removal of the old countertops (if needed), placement of the new slabs, sink cutout, and final sealing for natural stone.

Our process is a two-visit job: we come out first to template (measure everything precisely, usually 30–60 minutes), then fabricate your countertops in our shop, and return for installation about 1–2 weeks later. You don't need to be present for the full install, but someone does need to be home to let us in and approve the finished result.

Templating is when one of our fabricators comes to your home to take precise measurements of your kitchen or bathroom before we cut the stone. We measure every wall, note the location of your sink, cooktop, and any outlets, and confirm the edge profile you want. Accurate templates are the difference between a seamless installation and slabs that don't fit right.

We typically recommend scheduling templating after your cabinets are fully installed and leveled, since we're measuring to those specific dimensions. If you're doing a countertop replacement without changing cabinets, we can template any time.

From template to install is typically 1–2 weeks, depending on our current schedule and whether your material is in stock. We'll give you a specific turnaround time when you book. We fabricate everything in-house at our McCalla shop, so we're not dependent on outside lead times for the fabrication itself.

We offer a full range of edge profiles — from simple to decorative:

• Eased / straight: clean, modern, the most popular choice right now
• Beveled: a 45° angled edge, slightly softer than a straight edge
• Bullnose: fully rounded edge, softer and more traditional
• Ogee: classic S-curve profile, more ornate
• Waterfall: the stone continues vertically down the side of the cabinet — a high-end contemporary look
• Mitered: two pieces joined at 45° to create a thick-looking edge from thinner material

Edge pricing varies — simple profiles are usually included, waterfall and mitered edges are quoted separately. Bring in a photo of what you're going for and we'll match it.

We do both — full service from slab selection through final installation. We have our own fabrication shop in McCalla where we cut, edge, and finish every countertop ourselves, and our own installation crew. You're not dealing with a showroom that outsources the work. One team, one point of contact, start to finish.

Yes. We stand behind our fabrication and installation work. Material warranties vary by brand and product — most quartz manufacturers offer 10–25 year warranties against defects. We'll walk you through what's covered for the specific material you choose. If something isn't right after we install it, call us — we'll make it right.