WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF COUNTER TOPS?  (JUST A FEW OF THE PRODUCTS OUT ON THE MARKET) 
SOLID SURFACE:        DUPONT CORIAN, LG HI-MACS (VERY DURABLE MINERAL BASED ACRYLIC)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Watch willis VIDEO
GRANITE:                      Igneous rock  (Very hard, extremely porous)                                 CLICK here to Watch
QUARTZ:                       93-98 % Quartz crystal  2-7% ACRYLIC (Virtually non porous very hard) 
MARBLE:                       Sedimentary rock (Soft, very porous) 
BUTCHER BLOCK:    Tight grain maple
TILE:                               Porceline, Ceramic, and clay (hard but grout very unsanitary)

WHAT ARE THE PROS/CONS FOR EACH COUNTER TOPS?
SOLID SURFACE:           Non-porous, unlimited design capability, dollar for dollar the best product on the market as far as                                                                    longevity and serviceability
GRANITE:                           Extremely porous, requires constant sealing, serviceable, acid etching, staining and chipping, great                                                               design capability, beautiful
QUARTZ:                             Virtually non-porous, great design capability, extremely difficult to service i.e acid etching, cracks. can                                                         not be re-polish surface to a factory finish.
MARBLE:                             Very soft stone (sedimentary), is not recommended kitchen surface due to scratch, bruising, staining.                                                           this surface can be refinished
BUTCHER BLOCK:          Natural product. durable, very porous, serviceable, requires constant sealing.
Tile:                                           Extremely strong, serviceable, grout is extremely porous which promotes bacterial growth.

HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF MY COUNTER TOP:

SOLID SURFACE:                No special product. best cleaning solution is diluted dish-washing detergent in spray bottle. Low                                                                   Maintenance
GRANITE:                               Antibacterial cleaners should be used on regular bases. Never leave liquids to stand and dry on surface,                                                    Must be sealed every 3-6 months depending on cleaning habits
QUARTZ:                                 Beware of acid etching i.e lemons, lime, Easy maintenance, requires only diluted dish-washing                                                                      Detergent in spray bottle. Never place hot pans on your counter oranges, tomatoes, lemons and                                                                    Not limited too can cause acid etching problems.
MARBLE:                                Use antibacterial cleaner regularly, frequent sealing ever 3-6 months. beware of items that scratch and                                                      Bruise the surface, acid base food will etch surface
BUTCHER BLOCK:             Use antibacterial cleaner regularly, frequent sealing every 3-6 months.
TILE:                                         Use antibacterial cleanser, reseal grout every 6-12 months.

I HAVE A CHIP…IS IT REPAIRABLE?
SOLID SURFACE:                 YES, In most cases any type of scratch, chip can be remove to complete invisibility

                                                    (must have dye lot material i.e cutting board, sink cut-out)
GRANITE:                               Chips and cracks can be filled and re-polished, however this most likely will be visible.
QUARTZ:                                Chips can be filled and cracks are more difficult to hide due to this product can not be deck polish
MARBLE:                                Chips, cracks and scratches easily removed but not necessary invisible.
BUTCHER BLOCK:            Finished can be restored easily. Chips and gouges can be plugged but will be highly visible
TILE:                                        Chips can painted.

MY COUNTER TOP IS ALL ONE PIECE WITH MY SINK… CAN I CHANGE IT OUT?
SOLID SURFACE:               YES, can be changed out to any style sink depending on material available.
GRANITE:                               YES, like sinks or larger. this work is extremely messy in your home.
QUARTZ:                                 YES, like sinks or larger. this work is extremely messy in your home, and is very difficult to do in-home
MARBLE:                                YES, like sinks or larger. this work is extremely messy in your home, and is very difficult to do in-home
BUTCHER BLOCK:             YES, usually top mount sink.
TILE:                                          NO Unless top mount

HOW DO I GET THE SCRATCHES OUT OF MY COUNTER TOP?

SOLID SURFACE:     Scratches can be sanded out with fine sandpaper and steel wool, however this practice is better left to a                                                      qualified service agent because it will leave an undesirable spot on the finish that will be visible. Service                                                    agents use specialize  sander to remove dust and leave an even finish

GRANITE:                   Professional only

QUARTZ:                     Very difficult.  unlikely to match finish.

MARBLE:                     Professional only

BUTCHER BLOCK:          YES WITH SANDPAPER (MUST BE RETREATED AFTER SANDING)

TILE:                    NO

 

CAN I CUT LEMONS ON TOP OF MY COUNTER TOP?

SOLID SURFACE: YES

GRANITE: NO

QUARTZ: NO

MARBLE: NO

BUTCHER BLOCK: YES

TILE: YES

I HAVE A STAIN ON MY GRANITE….HOW CAN I REMOVE IT?

Dupont Oil stain remover

hydrogen peroxide (Solution 14%) and baby powder make a paste cover entire stain then with plastic wrap 24 hours then uncover til dry (may take up to 3 days to dry) then scrape off with sharp razor blade repeat if necessary.

 

CAN I PUT HOT POTS ON MY COUNTER TOPS?

SOLID SURFACE                                                                                                                                                                          GRANITE, QUARTZ, MARBLE