FAQ

All of Discount Tile Sales Representatives are trained to assist in the design and selection of your slabs, backsplash, floors, bathrooms etc. However, many of our customers do choose to work with their own Interior Designers, which we love to work with as well.

Because special order products are not something that we typically keep in stock, we are unable to accept returns on these items. Exceptions to this do occur, but depend on the product and the supplier that the material came from.  Please see your sales representative for more information.

Discount Tile can source one of the widest variety of both natural and man-made slabs for your projects. Below is a brief description of each type of stone, and the best application for it.

1. Granite: granite is a very hard, natural stone that is most commonly used for kitchen countertops. Granite typically doesn’t scratch or stain, can withstand high heat, and is usually easy to work with/fabricate. Granite has a wide variety of color and pattern options.
2. Quartzite: the majority of quartzite is a very hard, natural stone that is almost exclusively composed of pure quartz sandstone. Like Granite, Quartzite is also resistant to scratching and staining. The look of Quartzite most closely resembles Marble, and this is due to the process of formation in the earth. Because of this, and trends in the market, Quartzite is one of the most desirable materials for your kitchen. From time to time you can come across quartzite that is as soft as marble.
3. Marble: Marble is a crystalline form of limestone often seen as white with veining or mottling of color. Although, many people think of marble as white and gray, there are actually a large variety of colors available. Because Marble is composed mainly of Limestone, it is a softer stone that can be more susceptible to scratching, staining and etching. Marble is more commonly seen in bathrooms, due to decreased exposure to acidic products. Many people love Marble so much that they are using it in their kitchen, even knowing the risks it presents with scratching or staining. Luckily, there are many products that can help maintain the look of your beautiful Marble.

These are all different finishes that are commonly seen on slabs. Polished is the most common, and is a shiny finish. Honed is also pretty common, and it creates a matte velvety finish on the stones surface. Finally, leathered/brushed finish is most commonly seen on darker granites and gives the stone texture, while retaining the color. Leathered/brushed finish also aids in hiding fingerprint and water spots well.

The standard rule of thumb is 5-15% overage. This is to account for customer selection, broken tiles, patterns, and cuts to finish out a room.

Discount Tile recommends that once your stone is installed, you seal it. Regardless of the material that you chose, all countertops and natural stone should be sealed. The frequency however, does depend on the material. Granite and Quartzite do not have to be sealed as often as Marble. Triton recommends once a year for Granite and Quartzite and other hard stones, and every six months for Marbles, Calcites, Limestone and other softer stones.

It is very important to use a daily cleaner that is made for use on natural stone. The sealer that is applied creates a barrier between the stone and anything that may come in contact with it, so it is very important to protect this barrier. Common kitchen cleaners often contain ammonia, and this is something that will, over time, break down that protective barrier, and affect the look of your stone.

The answer to this depends on the material you have chosen for your countertops. Generally, it is ok to put hot pans and pots directly on Granite countertops, as well as to cut directly on them. It is not recommended that you put hot pans and pots, nor cut directly on any other countertop surface.