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FAQ

What areas do you cover for stone installation?

Colonial Marble & Granite is growing quickly. We now service the entire state of Pennsylvania including Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metros and all of New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware. We also service New York City from our Edison NJ location. We are a direct fabricator and installer of kitchen countertops, vanities, Jacuzzi surrounds, fireplace surrounds and custom designs.

Do I need an Appointment at any of the showrooms?

No appointment is necessary. We have many stone experts and designers to help you with the selection and design process.  You can check out our store hourshere.

If you’d prefer to schedule an appointment – click here

Can you explain how countertop seams are handled?

Seams are made where the two pieces of stone are put together. The seams are joined with epoxy that is mixed with the color that matches the stone. Then the joined area is smoothened so that only a very thin line is visible.

How does the ordering process work?

The whole process is designed for quality and speed. First, the client picks a stone. Then we give the client an estimate based on their specific project. After that, the client can place an template order. From the time the template is made, our clients can expect a typical turnaround time of one week or less.

How does Colonial deal with sink cut outs for install countertops?

With our CNC technology we have the ability to perform any sink or surface unit cutout with computer-aided design files. Under-mount sinks (sinks that are mounted under the countertop to avoid showing any rim) are fully cut out and the inside of the hole is polished. The countertop is then flipped over and fitted with special grommets for your plumber to fasten the sink. Self-rimming cutouts are cut 6″ into each corner, leaving some of the straight section to be cut in the field to facilitate safe shipping.

What are your Store / Showroom Hours?

Colonial Marble has 5 locations serving Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and Metro New York.
See Our Showroom Hours and Locations

How to Clean & Care for Natural Stone

Maintaining your stone is an integral part of your natural stone experience, as well enjoying the longevity that natural stone offers to clients. Please use this information as a guide to ensure you are doing everything possible to keep your natural stone products looking like they did the day they arrived in your home or business. Below are some different maintenance suggestions based on the type of natural stone care you are performing:

General Care

Care and Precautions

Use coasters under all glasses, particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juices. Many common foods and drinks contain acids that will etch or dull the surface of many stones. Do not place hot items directly on the stone surface. Use trivets or mats under hot dishes and placemats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that can scratch the surface.

Cleaning Procedures and Recommendations

Floor Surfaces

Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. Sand, dirt and grit do the most damage to natural stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness. Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize the sand, dirt and grit that will scratch the stone floor. Be sure that the underside of the mat or rug is a non-slip surface. Normally, it will take a person about eight steps on a floor surface to remove sand or dirt from the bottom of their shoes. Do not use vacuum cleaners that are worn. The metal or plastic attachments or the wheels may scratch the surface.

Other Surfaces

Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap (available at hardware stores) or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Use a clean rag mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently. Do not use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.

Bath and Other Wet Areas

In the bath or other wet areas, soap scum can be minimized by using a squeegee after each use. To remove soap scum, use a non-acidic soap scum remover or a solution of ammonia and water (about 1/2 cup ammonia to a gallon of water). Frequent or over-use of an ammonia solution may eventually dull the surface of the stone.

Dos and Don’ts

DO Dust mop floors frequently
DO Clean surfaces with mild detergent or stone soap
DO Thoroughly rinse and dry the surface after washing
DO Blot up spills immediately
DO Protect floor surfaces with non-slip mats or area rugs and countertop surfaces with coasters, trivets or placemats
DON’T Use vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners containing acids on marble, limestone, travertine or onyx surfaces
DON’T Use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub & tile cleaners
DON’T Use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers
DON’T Mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas
DON’T Ever mix chemicals together unless directions specifically instruct you to do so

What is a Recycled Countertop?

There are some great products available that are man made and have a great design and function.  ECO, by Cosentino, as an example is made from 25% crushed stone and 75% recycled materials.  Those materials include – glass, mirrors, porcelain, earthenware, vitrified ash and corn resin.  It’s processed, heated to extremely high temperatures, cooled and then buffed with diamond buffers.   94% of the water used to make it is recycled as well.   This is a truly sustainable and ec0-friendly product.  As hard as stone, scratch resistant and beautiful to look at.

Is Colonial Marble & Granite Licensed and Insured?

Colonial Marble & Granite is the nation’s largest fabrication and installation provider.  We install 1,000’s of kitchens, bathrooms in residential homes and commercial properties in 5 states (PA, NJ, MD, DE, NY). Please request information for any job. Our license information is below.

PA: 040713
NJ: 13VH06363500
DE: 2011604522

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How to choose Granite?

Granite is a natural stone. It is very hard and durable; heat and scratch resistant; and easy to maintain–in every sense, it’s the material of the future. Aside from the practical aspect, granite is very versatile in the design field. It comes in various colors and structural compositions; our yard stocks more than 200 colors from which to choose on site. All stones are not exactly the same. Each lot will have unique characteristics attributed to the specific granite.

Is the template price include in the total project cost?

Yes, template and installation will be included with your quote.

How long will it take to get my Free quote?

Free quotes for faxed or emailed proposals are given a 24-hour time frame. We will either call, email or fax back the estimate assuming that the contact information is provided to us in the original communication.

What is the deposit required for a residential project?

Colonial Marble & Granite requires a deposit of half the estimated price in credit card, cash or certified check. This payment takes place at the time of the template. If there is no deposit during the template we cannot start the fabrication of the countertop or any other project.

What’s the difference between marble and granite? How to chose?

The main difference between granite and marble is that granite is a highly dense material formed deep inside the earth’s core while marble is formed from sediments under the seabed. Both solidify into stone after millions of years but the mineral composition of the two stones makes marble and granite react differently to various chemicals and household cleaners.

How to get the most accurate quote

We require our potential clients to provide us with the general overview of the project along with personal information such as name, town, state, zip code, a phone contact and, if known, the name of the stone and the desired edge finish. We then can process the specific measurements and respond with an approximate estimate for the job. This information can either be faxed to us or brought to our showroom when the client comes in for a walk through our warehouse.

How much material is needed for my countertop or vanity?

Do I have to buy the whole sheet/slab? No. We will determine how much material is needed for your countertops. We do not charge you the price of full slabs. You pay for what is required to fabricate your tops.

What is Colonial’s Payment Policy

Colonial Marble & Granite accepts credit cards, cash, personal check or certified check only. After the order is placed, the total is broken up into two payments: 50% prior to template and any remaining balances prior to the start of the installation.