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Click on a subject below to see corresponding FAQs. If you are unable to find an
answer to your question, please contact us and a representative will contact you
shortly.
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Installation
Warranty
PermaShield
Maintenance
Staining
Material integrity
Stone selection
Granite and Safety
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1. Q. Who will install my Everlife™ by Innovative Stone™ countertop?
When you order your Everlife™ countertop at your local kitchen and bath dealer,
your countertop will be installed by the dealer or by an installation company that
has been certified to perform this work. |
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2. Q. Will my Everlife™ countertop have visible seams?
Due to the layout of some kitchens, seams are sometimes necessary. The certified
fabricator will make every effort to limit the amount of seams based on kitchen
layout, support needed and material usage. Seam location is typically at the discretion
of the certified fabricator, however, special requests should be made directly to
the fabricator at the time of template. |
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3. Q. Do my cabinets have to be level?
Yes, to ensure the best possible installation, it is necessary for cabinets to be
level and securely fastened at time of installation. |
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1. Q. What is the warranty on my granite countertop?
Innovative Stone™ offers a 15-year limited warranty against staining and a 15-year
limited warranty for material integrity. Please refer to the warranty information
for further details.
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2. Q. What do I need to do when the 15-year warranty is over?
After the 15-year warranty period is over, continued regular care and maintenance
is recommended. By following this guideline you will get a lifetime of enjoyment
from your Everlife™ countertop. |
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3. Q. Is the marble, quartzite and soapstone covered by the same 15-year limited
warranty against staining?
Everlife™ granite is inherently much more stain- and etch-resistant than any marble,
quartzite or soapstone. For this reason, Everlife™ marble, quartzite and soapstone
countertops are not covered against staining but are covered for 15 years for material
integrity. |
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1. Q. What is PermaShield®?
PermaShield
® is a penetrating technology that has been scientifically engineered
to provide the best protection for granite surfaces. Every Everlife™ granite slab
is engineered with Innovative Stone™'s proprietary PermaShield® technology. This
anti-staining technology, combined with decades of experience, allows Everlife™
by Innovative Stone™ to provide a free 15-year limited warranty for stain resistance
and material integrity.
To learn more about Permashield, go to www.permashield.com.
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2. Q. How long will PermaShield® provide protection for my granite countertop?
The PermaShield® process is a combination of decades of experience and a production
process that has been scientifically engineered to provide the best protection for
granite against staining. PermaShield® will provide stain protection for at least
15-years. |
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3. Q. How does PermaShield® affect the look of granite?
PermaShield® has been scientifically engineered so that it does not, in any way,
affect the natural beauty of the stone. |
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4. Q. Will certain cleaning agents break down PermaShield®?
When cleaning your countertop, in order to provide 15-year stain protection, abrasive
or acidic household cleaners are to be avoided. Please see the care and maintenance
section for full details. |
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5. Q. Can PermaShield® be used on existing countertops?
No. In order to provide 15-year protection, granite slabs must be selected for the
PermaShield® process at Innovative Stone™'s state-of-the-art facilities. |
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1. Q. Is it easy to maintain an Everlife™ countertop?
Yes, especially since Everlife™ by Innovative Stone™ countertops do not require
sealing for 15 years after installation. Normal use and regular cleaning with approved
products will ensure that your countertop maintains its natural beauty for many
years. Abrasive or acidic household cleaners are to be avoided. Any spills should
be wiped up as soon as possible. Details about the Countertop Care Program will
be provided with your purchase of an Everlife™ by Innovative Stone™ countertop. |
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2. Q. How do I clean my countertop?
We recommend the use of a special stone cleaner or warm water and light dish soap.
Abrasive or acidic household cleaners should not be used. Any spills should be wiped
up as soon as possible. |
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3. Q. Do I need to seal my Everlife™ countertop?
No. Every Everlife™ granite slab is treated by Innovative Stone™'s proprietary anti-staining
PermaShield® technology, which protects granite from staining for 15 years subject
to the terms and conditions of the limited warranty. |
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4. Q. Will granite maintain its polished gloss?
Yes. Regular cleaning, with recommended products and normal use, will ensure that
your granite countertop never loses its gloss. |
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1. Q. Is Everlife™ granite stain resistant?
Yes. Every Everlife™ granite slab is treated by Innovative Stone™'s proprietary
anti-staining PermaShield® technology. This technology, combined with decades of
experience, allows Everlife™ by Innovative Stone™ to provide a remarkable 15-year
limited warranty for stain resistance and material integrity. |
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2. Q. What should I avoid with my countertops?
We suggest that spills of wine, mustard, oils and acidic products be wiped up immediately.
Please see the care and maintenance section for full details. |
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3. Q. What happens if my granite stains?
In the rare occasion that your granite does stain, Innovative Stone™ will work with
you to help remove the stain. |
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1. Q. Is Everlife™ granite scratch resistant?
Yes. Everlife™ granite is scratch resistant. Composed primarily of quartz, granite
is one of the hardest natural materials on Earth. |
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2. Q. Is a Everlife™ granite surface food safe?
Yes. There have been studies to prove that Everlife™ granite does not harbor bacteria,
as some man-made surfaces do. Gourmet chefs around the world use granite counters
for food preparation. |
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3. Q. What will happen if I put a hot saucepan on my Everlife™ granite countertop?
Your Everlife™ countertop with PermaShield® by Innovative Stone™ is heat resistant.
However, placing a hot saucepan directly from the stove onto any countertop is not
recommended. |
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4. Q. Will my granite crack if I sit or stand on it?
We do not recommend sitting or standing on your granite countertop. |
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5. Q. Does granite chip?
Granite is not indestructible and we recommend being especially careful with heavy
pots and saucepans around the edges of the countertop and the sink cutout. |
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6. Q. Can I cut food on my top?
While granite is scratch resistant, we do not recommend cutting food directly on
your granite countertop mainly to avoid your cutting knives becoming blunt. |
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1. Q. Are all granites alike?
No, your slab is hand selected by our worldwide team of certified inspectors. Any
slabs that do not conform to our highest quality standards are rejected. Our slabs
are premium grade, with guaranteed quarry-to-customer quality. In addition, each
Everlife™ countertop has the added protection of PermaShield® - a process that makes
Everlife™ stain resistant and virtually maintenance free. Backed by a free 15-year
limited warranty, and surprisingly affordable, there is simply no other stone like
Everlife™. |
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2. Q. Can I view my Everlife™ granite slab prior to fabrication?
Yes, due to the variation found in natural stones, in-person slab views are encouraged
and may be coordinated by your local Everlife™ dealer, through their corresponding
slabyard. This not only assures that you are pleased with the color you have chosen,
but may give you the ability to select the precise slab you desire prior to countertop
fabrication and installation. |
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3. Q. Does the quality of stone matter?
All Everlife™ materials are carefully selected and inspected prior to installation
in your home. Only the highest quality stone will be used to ensure years of use
and enjoyment. |
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4. Q. What is Natural Stone?
Natural Stones are classified as igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary based on their
geological formation. There are many different types of natural stones including
granite, marble, limestone, sandstone, soapstone and schists. Granite is the most
common and most suitable natural stone for countertops. Please refer to the section
on Natural Stone for more detailed information. |
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5. Q. What is the difference between Granite and Marble?
In broad geological terms, granite is an "igneous" rock formed by intense heat,
which liquefies rock deep in the Earth and which solidifies upon cooling. Marble
is a "metamorphic" rock resulting from the re-crystallization of limestone under
intense pressure and high temperatures within the Earth. Stones falling within the
same geological class share the behavioral characteristics, which determine the
appropriate application. In general, granites are much harder and less porous than
marbles, which makes them more suitable for kitchen countertops. |
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6. Q. Can I use marble on my kitchen counters?
Marble may be used for kitchen countertops but they require special maintenance
and care, and they are not covered by the Everlife™ 15-year warranty against staining. |
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7. Q. Where does Everlife™ stone come from?
Our Everlife™ stones come from quarries from all over the world. Details on the
country of origin of the stone, as well as information on the stone's traits, are
available on the stone's corresponding page. |
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8. Q. What is the difference between granite and a man-made countertop?
Granite is a 100% natural surface and its beauty cannot be duplicated. Granite is
also fire proof and will not burn. Man-made surfaces (also known as engineered stone)
are bound with resins that will burn and may discolor over time. |
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9. Q. Can it be used outdoors?
While granites can be used for outdoor applications, the warranty will not apply
to these installations. |
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1. Q. Is Radon in Granite a concern?
Innovative Stone products are radon safe. Consumers who purchase our granite countertops can have confidence that their countertops are not only beautiful and functional, but part of a healthy, safe home.
- The U.S. EPA and other independent authorities have found no evidence that granite countertops pose any type of health hazard.
- Granite countertop emissions may contribute insignificant amounts of radon to indoor air that are 200 to 400 times below U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines. By some measurements the amount of radon emitted by a granite countertop is less than one millionth of that already present in household air from other sources. Many granite countertops do not emit radon at all.
- Recent Radon testing at our facilities where over 30,000 slabs are stored showed insignificant radon readings confirming the above.
- Our Permashield® treatment process helps reduce any emissions that may occur even further.
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2. Q. Is Granite a safe material for use as a countertop?
- Although some man-made countertop materials contain chemicals and pesticide ingredients, granite is a natural material extracted from the Earth. PermaShield® protected granite is Certified by The GREENGUARD® Environmental Institute and by NSF International*, The Public Health and Safety Company™, as a safe and sanitary material.
- Natural stones protected by PermaShield® have been certified by the GREENGUARD® Environmental Institute (GEI) as low-emission products suitable for indoor environments. PermaShield-protected countertops have received both the GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality® and the GREENGUARD Children and Schools® Certifications.
- PermaShield-protected natural stones from Innovative Stone™ comply with *NSF® 51 standards for Food Equipment as safe and sanitary materials to be used for countertops in commercial and residential applications.
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