Frequently Asked Questions
About Stone Works, Stone, Tile, etc.
What do you sell or do?
We sell natural stone tiles & slabs, quartz slabs, many lines of porcelain and ceramic tiles, glass, metals, other decorative pieces, Rogue River stone veneer, sinks, thinset and hardibacker. We also install tile, and fabricate & install slab countertops.
What if I already have my own tile installer?
First and foremost, we are a supplier, so we work directly with many contractors & tile installers to help their customers make their tile selections and allow them to do the installation themselves.
We also have a good database for referrals. We can recommend reputable designers, contractors, tile installers, and other subcontractors to you if you don't have one already.
How do I choose my kitchen countertops?
If you haven't done so already, please visit us at 610 Commercial Street. We have a beautiful showroom and a large slab warehouse. Our staff will do their best to assist you with your needs. In addition, we work closely with slab warehouses in Portland, and we can recommend places for you to visit if you don't find what you're looking for at Stone Works.
How expensive are marble and granite countertops?
On average, cost ranges from approximately $60.00 to $90.00 per square foot for complete installations. Semi-precious stones are a bit more.
Can you tell me how much my kitchen will cost per square foot if I choose Absolute Black (or any other material)?
I would be happy to do a free estimate for you. All I need is a copy of your floor plans or even a rough drawing of your kitchen with all the measurements written down. Price is based on a variety of factors (such as edge detail, cabinet layout, size & detail of job, etc.), so I can not accurately guess on price without looking at some kind of drawing.
Can you send someone to my house to do an estimate?
We certainly can. Troy (owner) often goes out to jobsites for estimates, as well as problem solving.
Can I use marble or limestone for countertops?
Marble, limestone, and travertine are great for bathrooms, but granite is recommended for kitchen countertops. Marble and travertine can scratch, stain, and etch in a kitchen application. These stones are still used on kitchen countertops, but the consumer must understand that staining and etching will be part of the aging process.
Do granite and marble stain?
Granite is very stain resistant & marble is somewhat less stain resistant, but we carry a full line of stone maintenance products to further inhibit staining.
Does granite scratch?
Granite is highly scratch resistant but can scratch if not taken care of properly.
Can you put hot pots directly on granite countertops? And can you cut on granite countertops?
Granite is highly heat resistant. But we recommend using hot pads and trivets on your counters before placing extremely hot items directly on its surface.
As far as cutting directly on the granite surface, you can do it without harming the granite, but we don't recommend it as it will dull or chip your knives.
How do I clean my countertops?
Mild soap and water is great for every day cleaning. We also carry a great countertop cleaner made specifically for natural stone. This cleaner can be used daily or weekly with great results.
What can I expect for seams in my countertops?
Seam location is dependent upon your project and the material selected, and this will be discussed at point of sale and/or when we template your kitchen. The size of the seams in most cases is 1/16". The joints are filled with a colored epoxy to reduce their visual impact. Most importantly, we do not seam countertops to ease fabrication or installation. We only seam when necessary.
How long will it take to get my countertops?
From the time we measure to install, is approximately two weeks. Please contact our sales staff to get current wait times for a job measure.
What do I need to do before my measure date?
In new construction, you need to ensure that your cabinets are installed level and secure. Assuming that we are using 3/4" thick material with a laminated edge, your contractor (or cabinet maker) needs to install 5/8" plywood subtops cut flush with the cabinet box. Sink and stove holes need to be cut out of the plywood, and sink(s), stove, & faucet(s) need to be on site. We have a prep sheet which goes into further detail, and our sales staff will be happy to go over it with you.
In remodels, existing countertops and splash need to be removed. 5/8" plywood subtops need to be installed level and secure, with the same requirements as above. Once again, our prep sheet goes into further detail and our sales staff will be happy to go over it with you.
If you have chosen 3cm thick material, plywood subtops do need to be installed over the dishwasher and at undermount sink areas (in both instances, the subtop needs to be inset into cabinet box). You need to ensure that cabinets are installed level and secure. Sink hole(s) needs to be cut out of the plywood, and sink, stove, and faucet(s) need to be on site. We have a prep sheet which goes into further detail, and our sales staff will be happy to go over it with you.
If your situation is different than those mentioned above, our prep sheet goes into further detail, and our sales staff will be happy to discuss your specific situation with you.
I am remodeling and do not want to be without a kitchen for two weeks. I want to remove my old countertops the day before install. Can you template over my existing countertops?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Existing countertops are often not square or level, and the existing splash gets in the way of templating tight to the back wall. When we template this way, we fabricate countertops that do not perfectly fit your existing countertops, and because we will not install the countertops unless they fit perfectly, we have to do a lot of trimming on site. Not only does this take a lot of time, it also creates a lot of dust and noise, which we do not like to do in remodel situations. Our templater, makes perfect templates, so our installs are nice and clean. We try hard to limit the on site cutting to topmount sink and cooktop cutouts.
Also, in remodels using the existing cabinets, paint touch-ups on the walls and cabinets are often necessary. Of course, this is not known until the old countertops/splash are taken off. Removal of these items before we template, allows you the time needed to make necessary repairs.
Our customers feel the trade off is worth it. Besides, after we measure, your contractor may be able to install your old sink temporarily, which makes the two weeks more bearable.
How big are the slabs and how much do they weigh?
Granite slabs are typically between 5-6' high and 9-10' long. 2cm thick slabs weigh about 13 pounds per square foot (approx. 650 pounds per slab); 3cm thick slabs weigh about 20 pounds per square foot (approx. 1100 pounds per slab).
How do you cut the slabs?
We cut slabs with our bridge saw. Our fabrication shop is in the back warehouse. We do everything in-house.
Do you carry engineered or quartz slabs?
We carry Caesarstone, Hanstone, and Staron.
I've heard that composites do not need to be sealed and granite has to be sealed every year. Is this true?
Granite should be sealed periodically. Essentially, this involves cleaning it, then spraying sealer on it, letting the sealer sit for a few minutes, and wiping off any residue. It is a very simple and painless process. People often make it out to be a bothersome process, but it really takes no more than 15-20 minutes of your time once a year. Some granites need sealing every 4-5 years, at most.
How do I know when my granite needs to be sealed?
If water does not bead on the surface, and your stone is absorbing water and making the stone darker, your stone needs to be resealed. Stone Works International carries two full lines of stone sealers and cleaners.
Where do you buy your material?
All over, but most of our material is purchased from vendors in Portland, California and Seattle.
What is the origin of your natural stone?
We carry stone that originated in all parts of the world. The most common origination is Brazil and Italy.
How long does it take for material to come in?
It depends on where the source is located.
We are continually shipping in material. For tile orders, most material can be in within 2-3 days if it is from a Portland vendor and 1 week if from an out-of-state vendor. For slab orders, typical lead time is 1-2 weeks. Our sales staff will be happy to check on lead time for specific items, so please check with them.
