Hilltop Granites

General Questions

FAQ'S

What is Granite?

A natural stone that has undergone metamorphosis deep down the Earth over billions of years. They come in a wide range of hues. Stones with black hues are the latest stones formed;they are a couple of million years old. Each slab of granite is unique, 100% natural and no two sheets are alike. They are beautiful and impressive to look at as they have no repeating patterns and that’s what makes granites so distinctive.

Features:

  • They have very high durability and hardness. They hold up well for daily use.
  • They are stain resistant. When correctly sealed the stains won’t soak,they can resist strong stains.
  • They have the ability to withstand all elements of nature.

Uses & Applications:

Used for countertops, wash basins, floor applications, pools, stair treads, memorial stones, for outdoor installations, street curbs, monuments, paving stone etc.

Maintenance:

  • Not all Granites require sealer. Please consult a stone professional.
  • Don’t use cleaning products that have acids and are acidic in nature to clean the granite.
  • In case of a spill, clean it immediately. Leaving the stains for long periods of time will result in the stone absorbing and staining.
What is Marble?

Any calcite rock that looks elegant, exudes luxury and has a lot of character has to be Marble. It garners a lot of attention from the architects and homemakers swear by it. It hails from the family of limestone and looks pretty when used as a countertop or vanity top.

Features:

  • It is a great conductor of heat and it is impervious to weather
  • Since it is soft it is easily scratched and scraped
  • Absorbs moisture as it is porous.

Uses and Applications:

Marble can be used for flooring and wall applications, countertops, vanities outdoor installations and sculptures, monuments, stairs, pools, pavements, and for any ornamental and classy furnishings.

Maintenance:

  • Marbles tend to stain easy, so clean up the spills quickly.
  • Reseal the marbles regularly. When water is absorbed and doesn’t bead on the surface it is time to reseal the marble.

Don’t use abrasive and acidic cleaners on the marbles.

What is EQS (ENGINEERED QUARTZ STONE / AGGLOMERATED STONE)?

The second most abundantly found mineral on Earth is Quartz. When crushed quartz is mixed with resin binders and colour additives, a synthetic hard rock like surface is formed. The EQS surfaces look as though they are straight from the cradle of Mother Nature with variety of patterns and colours – monochrome as well as multicolored. EQS is your alternate for marble that lasts forever.

Features:

  • Quartz is highly resistant to physical and chemical weathering
  • They are non- porous in nature and stain resistant
  • They have been tested out for oil, tomato, wine, citric acid and coffee stains

Uses and Applications:

Kitchen and bathroom countertops, crystals and gemstones, it is used for making glasses, it used in manufacturing of watches and electronics such as mobile phones, computers, receivers etc. It cannot be used for exteriors.

Maintenance:

  • Since it is non- porous in nature, quartz does not need any type of sealing ever
  • Use mild detergent and soft cloth to clean the surface
What is Quartzite?

Imagine grains of sand cemented together by mineral cement under intense heat and extreme pressures, that’s how quartzite is formed. They are very homogenous in nature, dense and hard. Their colour spectrum ranges form from white to grey and from red to green; they also come in varied hues and patterns.

Features:

  • Quartzite is harder than granite and very durable
  • Since it’s very dense, it absorbs less moisture and resists staining.
  • Can be used in areas where large footfalls are expected.

Uses and Applications:

Quartzite can be used for flooring, roofing, decorative installations, countertops, bathroom tiles, cover walls, stairs etc. They make as excellent pavers like granite as they are hard.

Maintenance:

  • Sealing could be done on select Quartzite. But most quartzite don’t need as they are highly resistant to stains. Please consult a stone care professional.
  • As a general rule, try and soak up or clean up any spills of foods immediately. Especially the acidic ones to prevent any possibility of etching.

Don’t use cleaning solutions that are abrasive or acidic in nature.

What is Semi- Precious Stones (Slabs)?

Any gemstone that is not classified under ‘precious stone’ category is a semi-precious stone. They are set over a carefully laid out pattern in resin and laminated with or without glass. Pearl, amethyst, opal, blue topaz, moonstone, black onyx, and citrine are examples of semi-precious stones from which the slabs could be made.

Features:

Features of each stone depend on its chemical compositions, hardness, cleavage, dispersion, luster, transparency or brilliance. They are also classified depending on the above mentioned characteristics. 

Uses and Applications:

They are used as jewellery and decorative pieces. Architecturally, they are also used as decorative displays, wash basins, bath tubs, and as accent walls which provide a distinctive look to the room.

Maintenance:

  • Soak them in warm water and wipe them with a soft cloth

Use a soft bristled brush to clean it.

What are the different types of finishes in a natural stone?

Here are some of the most popular finishes. Each of the finishes gives a different feel and look.

Polished, honed, weathered, flamed, tumbled, sandblasted, split faced, antiqued, veneered, and cleft faced.

Consult a stone professional for detailed information. Choose the one that suits your need and preferences.

What are some of the most commonly used granite colours?

Granites are the most popular stone used for countertops—be it for residential or formal purposes. Granites come in a variety of colours and can be matched with any type of background and cabinet colours. Here is some of the most popular granite colours used: White, Black, Brown, and Beige. They come in various shades, patterns, and there is plenty to choose from to suit your taste and price range.

What is the difference between granite and marble?

Granite and marble are quarried directly from the depths of earth. Granite is an igneous rock since it is originated from cooling down of molten magma. Marble is a metamorphic rock as it is transformed to its final form from sedimentary rocks. One of the main differences between the two is that marble is much smoother than granite. The hardness and durability of granite is a much higher than marble. Marbles require more maintenance compared to granite since they are softer in comparison.

How to choose the suitable stone?

Choosing the perfect stone can be an overwhelming process. With so many varieties available, it is easy to get lost in the plethora of options. Here are some tips to make your decision easier:

  • See if it is for indoor or outdoor
  • Choose depending on your area of application—flooring, cladding, countertop, kitchen top or vanity top
  • For Indoor, try to match the granite with your cabinets, furniture, and wall colours
  • For Outdoor consider the purpose, weather, ease of maintenance.
  • Consider the lighting of the surroundings
  • If the showroom allows, get the samples you want and compare at your home against the cabinets and walls.
Do you use “1st grade” material ?

All of our materials used are purchased from long –established local slab producers and importers. We inspect each slab for defects prior to cutting. We do not purchase so called “2nd grade” materials.

Can we choose our own slabs ?

Yes, slabs may be chosen by the client and reserved at any of the slab suppliers.

Is your work Guaranteed ?

In the case of most engineered stone, a lifetime warranty covers the material for inherent defects.

Are you insured?

We carry adequate public liability insurance.

Can we supply other countries ?

We can,we have supplied several export orders in the past

Can you quote and manufacture from a drawing?

Yes, we can quote on the basis of a drawing, subject to on –site measurements. However manufacturing from a drawing is at clients own risk.

Can I buy my materials from you directly?

While our showrooms are open to the public, Hilltop Granites is a strictly wholesale distributor, slab material may be purchased only by authorized fabricators. Contact your Hilltop sales representative for information on establishing an account.

Can natural stone be used on the exteriors of homes or commercial buildings ?

Yes. Many natural stones can be used for exterior wall cladding, even in extreme temperatures. Proper installation and consideration of site-specific details are essential to success in exterior applications. Because each stone has slightly different physical properties, let our staff assist you in finding just the right fit.

Shipping - Products - Installation

FAQ'S

What are the steps taken for Quality Control?

At Hilltop producing quality goods is not a chore, it is a habit. With sincere efforts and thorough parameters our quality control begins at the get go.

Below are the stages of quality control:

At the procurement stage, it is a visual inspection of the procured blocks (stones.)

Next check comes during the sawing stage to avoid any deviations on the stone dimensions.

During the processing and polishing stage, the dimensions are measured again and reworked if required.

The Final Quality Control (QC) is done more elaborately, as in the parameters described below:

Visual Inspection:  Parameters checked for:

  1. Gloss Levels of the slab
  2. Visible cracks or fissures
  3. Pitting or pores on surface
  4. Colour variation

Dimensional Inspection:  Parameters checked for:

  1. Measurement of the slab size
  2. Measurement of thickness
  3. Straightness of the slab.
How do you package the stones while transporting to other countries?

While shipping to other states and countries, the product is only as good as the packaging. We take utmost care about our products being delivered in perfect condition. At Hilltop, every slab is packed to meet the safety standards and the weight norms conforming to the EU or USA.

  1. Slabs are completely dry before they are wrapped in PU sheet to prevent scratches and moisture.
  2. Bunched together and tightly packed in wooden crates of rubber wood or pine.
  3. Bundled slabs are checked for its weight separately.
  4. Based on the loading plan, the bundles are loaded into the container and lashing is done to secure it firmly.
  5. Finally, the container is fumigated to prevent the growth of mold.
How long does the shipping of products take?

The time taken for shipping depends on the delivery destination. Basically, the inland transportation to the nearest port takes 2 days. However, the container could take anywhere 5 to 7 days to get to start sailing. The time taken for sailing is 45 days; this may vary depending on the liner. A maximum of 60 days should be considered to get to your door.

What is the installation process of granite?

Slabs are widely used as Kitchen counters or as Vanity tops. It is also used as cladding on walls, window sills, stairs, and risers. Whatever the application, the slabs are cut to size as per the shop drawings.The wall claddings are usually followed by using a curtain wall system in which the stone is fixed to a steel curtain which becomes a façade. The Kitchen tops are rested on the wooden carcasses which support the stone and the gaps are sealed using similar coloured fillers.