At Chicago Metro Stone we carry natural stone such as granite, marble, and quartzite, as well as man-made options such as quartz and porcelain.

The main difference is that granite is a natural stone, and quartz is man-made. Both have many great characteristics and can be installed in various spaces. Granite countertops come with a 1 year warranty on our services whereas quartz countertops come with a manufacturer warranty ranging from 10 years - lifetime. Quartz is NEVER recommended to be installed outdoors.

Quartz countertops are the most durable as they are resistant to bacteria, scratches, and stains.

No. Unlike natural stone such as marble and granite - quartz is a non-porous material that does not need to be sealed.

Most natural stones need to be re-sealed every 1-2 years. We recommend using ‘511 stone impregnator’ commonly found at Menards or Home Depot.

You can do a basic test by splashing some water on the surface. If the water beads, you do not have to re-seal the countertop. If the water absorbs into the stone after five minutes, you will need to re-seal the countertop. This can be done by first cleaning your countertops, then applying the sealer with a paper towel. Wipe off any excess sealer and do not use the recently sealed surfaces at least 2 hours.

Granite, which is crystalline in structure, sometimes has natural fissures which may look like cracks, but are not structural defects and are a naturally occurring result of the immense heat and pressure that formed the granite. These characteristics are part of the natural beauty of stone and will not impair the function or durability of the material. A product of nature cannot be expected to look completely flawless.

Granite, which is crystalline in structure, always has tiny pits – spaces between the various mineral crystals. These pits are not structural defects and are a naturally occurring result of the immense heat and pressure that formed the granite. These characteristics are part of the natural beauty of stone and will not impair the function or durability of the material.

Chips can occur if the countertop is subjected to impact by a sharp and/or hard object. Depending on the size and depth of the chip, it may be possible to repair using special resins which will usually make chips less noticeable.

Chicago Metro Stone uses 3cm material exclusively.

Some stains can be removed but each situation needs to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If you have a concern about staining, please feel free to contact Chicago Metro Stone for advice.

Please discuss any issues you may have with the installation team at the time of installation. Often minor issues can be resolved on the spot. However, if you feel any issues have not been resolved to your satisfaction, please comment on any issues (positive or negative) when signing the ‘Certificate of Completion’ form.

Installers will: – Be courteous and treat your property with respect – Affix all stone countertops to your cabinetry – Perform seam work as required – Mount and secure undermount sinks – Dry fit appliances and fixtures – Apply silicone at backsplash areas, under the sink area, or other stone to stone connections as necessary. – Clean up after themselves Installers will not: – Perform finish work on trim or cabinetry – Hook up or remove plumbing, electrical, or gas connections. – Remove upper cabinets and appliance garages. – Move appliances. – Perform any type of caulking, this is the responsibility of the painter or contractor. ***Tear-out and plumbing packages are available, please ask our showroom staff for details!***

Backsplashes are typically 3cm thick..

While selecting the material, you may fall in love with a particular feature of the stone on your slab. Feel free to mention this to the salesperson at selection time and they will notate your paperwork to include/exclude the desired area. Although every effort will be made to include/exclude the noted area, it may be necessary to cut contrary to your wishes depending on a number of factors that are determined after you have selected your material and the order has been processed.

You may install drains and faucets 24 hours after the installation has been completed. This will ensure all epoxy and silicone has proper time to cure.