Below you will find an assortment of frequently asked questions and answers. If you do not see a response to a question you need answered, please refer to our contact page for the proper assistance by contacting one of our staff to help you.

 Cabinet FAQ's

 
Q: What kind of hinges do you use?
A: We use a compact style Hidden hinge. This hinge is commonly referred to as a European style hinge.

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Q: Can we pick what kind of wood we want for our cabinets?
A: You may come to our showrooms and see our displays and choose the wood species you want. You can even mix and match rooms if you don't want the same wood throughout your home. You may refer to our options page to see the species of woods and stain colors that we offer as a standard.

Q: Do you custom match colors?
A: We do not offer this service at this time. We have several standard colors to pick from as you will see when you visit our showroom. As is the case with wood species, you can mix and match stain colors throughout your home as well. You are not stuck with using just one color only. You can refer to our options page for stain colors available.

Q: Do you do free estimates?
A: We do offer free estimates for your new cabinetry. We feel that we would rather offer that service at no charge and gain your business rather than charge for that service and you not come in.

Q: Do you help with design?
A: We have a fully staffed sales and drafting team ready to assist you with your cabinetry needs. We will help in minor design and layout as needed but do not offer that service exclusively. If you don't have any idea what you want in your new cabinetry, we can help you through those hurdles with suggestions and possibilities and attempt to bring out the most perfect end result that will hopefully make you, the customer, happy. Please remember to set an appointment for those consultations.

Q: What does your estimate include?
A: Our free estimates are based on a 7' height with no step-ups in height. The base estimate you will receive will include drafting, building, finishing, hardware with our basic selection of pulls, and installation for bases and uppers. The base estimate also includes laminate style countertops with a wood banded edge. We offer Formica Brand and Wilson Art laminate.

Q: What kind of hardware do you offer?
A: We do have a basic selection of quality pulls you can pick from that are included in the estimate at no extra charge. These pulls are available for viewing via our website on the options page or at our showrooms. If none of the selections provided bring out the look you are trying to achieve, we also have a collection of special order pulls that will cost you extra in addition to the base estimate.

Q: Can we supply our own hardware?
A: In the event that you have a specific pull you want to use on your cabinetry and it is not available to us from our suppliers, you may also purchase those on your own and bring them to us for installation on your set.

Q: Do you offer anything besides laminate tops?
A: We offer Natural Granite countertops through our locally owned company Signature Granite, LLC. You may learn more about that company by checking out the link above for granite. For bathrooms we also offer cultured marble, cultured granite, and natural marble tops. For entertainment style cabinetry and desk areas we can also manufacture wood tops.

Q: Do you paint cabinets?
A: We do not offer that service at this time. We can build a Paint Grade Unfinished cabinet for you and you can have your contractor or painter paint them for you if you desire.

Q: What are your terms for funding when we decide to use you for our cabinet supplier?
A: Upon acceptance of the estimate, we require 1/2 down before the cabinetry can be released to the production floor. Upon completion of the installation, and at the time it all meets your approval, we will invoice you for the remainder of the amount due. Stop by our office to learn about additional terms and conditions from our sales department.

Q: Do we need to set an appointment to have a consultation with a Project Consultant?
A: You may come in at any time and visit our showroom. We do however require an appointment to meet with a Project Consultant about your new set of cabinetry. We are busy on a daily basis with customers in our showroom and for you to be helped in a timely manner we do stress the importance to set an appointment before you come in. That will eliminate the possibility that you may end up spending time waiting for us to finish with other scheduled appointments.

Q: How long does it take to get our cabinetry after we have signed a contract with you for our project?
A: Typically as soon as all your choices are made, layout completed, 1/2 down payment is made, and we are at least 3 weeks from you having your rooms ready for the installation, we will begin to build your new cabinetry. It takes us a minimum of a 3 week period to build, finish, hardware, and install your set.

Q: Do you build office furniture?
A: We typically will build almost anything you are wanting built within our limitations. We do offices, kitchens, baths, utility rooms, and virtually any other application you will need a cabinet for. Stop by our showroom today and let us help you acquire your next set of cabinets for your new dream home or remodel.

Q: How do you construct your cabinets?
A: Our boxes and face frames are a mixture of dato, glued, and pocket screwed together at all joints. We use 3/4 hardwood for the doors, face frames, and drawer fronts. All interior areas are made with 13/16 Obeeche or Birch style plywood. All shelves are 3/4 plywood with edge tape on the face edge. Drawers are constructed with 5/8 thick poplar sides, exposed dovetail boxes, and 3/4 extension undermount guides. All door and drawer edges have a standard fingerpull style edge. All glazed cabinets have the option of an OGEE edge. For more details, contact our sales department today.

FULL EXPOSED DOVETAIL DRAWERS

STANDARD UNDERMOUNT 3/4 EXTENSION GUIDES

 Granite FAQ's

 

Q: Can I cut on my Granite countertop?
A: Only if you want to ruin your good knives. Granite is harder than your knife blade and will dull them very quickly if you use the countertop as a cutting surface. Always cut and chop on a wooden or plastic cutting board.

Q: Can my granite top be damaged?
A: Like any solid surface, high impact blows can harm granite. Because of its crystalline structure, it can chip if subjected to sharp hard objects. Unsealed, granite can absorb stains such as oil, which can ultimately cause dark spots or discoloration. Heat from pots and pans or burning liquids will not affect granite under normal circumstances.

Q: My little sample of granite has pits on the surface - will I have these on my kitchen counters?
A: Granite, which is crystalline in structure, always has tiny pits - spaces between the various mineral crystals. You don't see them on a larger piece because the overall appearance is polished and mirror-like. Granite sometimes has natural fissures as well, which may look like cracks, but are not structural defects and are a naturally occurring result of the immense heat and pressure which formed the granite eons ago. 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 manmade.

Q: How do I clean my Granite tops?
A: POLISHED GRANITE is a very durable stone. It is also much harder than marble. Granite has been used in the past in the commercial industry. Some of the obvious applications have been panels on the outside of buildings, walls, and floors of "high traffic" areas. Granite will withstand almost any element it comes up against including heat and cold. Granite itself is approximately 95-98% stain resistant but, we use a silicone impregnator on all our natural stone products. This will insure lasting life and beauty. Polished granite should receive the same cleaning care as polished marble, using a mild phosphate-free, biodegradable liquid dish-soap, soap flakes or powder which contains no aromatics. Followed by a thorough rinsing and drying with cotton-flannel or chamois.

Q: Will my granite look like the online sample?
A: The samples you see on the computer have been scanned and saved as digital images. The color tones may not be absolutely correct due to variations in computer systems, monitors, and compression algorithms. Also, granite is a natural material with naturally occurring variations in color, tone, granularity, pattern, etc. These variations are expected and are the source of its natural beauty.

Q: Does granite stain?
A: In general, no. All stone, however, is porous to some extent, but granite has very little porosity. Most colors will never show any moisture. A few colors may show some moisture if exposed for a period of time. For example, a puddle of water left on the counter for 30 minutes for some colors, may show a dark spot when the water is wiped away. This spot will then dry up and no evidence will show. Only a few colors demonstrate this trait. Our granite has a sealer applied by the fabricator, however some customers prefer to apply a stone sealer (available at tile and granite shops) after the granite is installed.

Q: Can I set a hot pot on my granite countertop?
A: Granite is formed by extreme heat and pressure combined beneath the earths crust. It can not be affected by heat from a cook top or frying pan. A lit flame placed under the granite will have no melting effect and will not leave any burned or scarred marks.

Q: Can granite chip?
A: In only cases of severe abuse with a hammer or impact tool. A chip can be filled with a granite dust and epoxy mixture.

Q: Do granite seams show?
A: Because granite is a natural material and is mined from the quarry in blocks usually no more then 10' long, you will most likely end up with seams. Also, because granite is sold in rectangular pieces, you may want to use seams to reduce your costs, such as in an 'L' shaped corner. The visibility of seams will depend on the granularity, color, and pattern. A small, uniform grain (such as Uba Tuba) will not be as apparent as a larger varied grain (such as Peacock Green). A dark color (Platinum) will be less apparent than a light color (Imperial White). A dramatic pattern with swaths of color (Kinawa, Paradiso) will show more seams than a uniform pattern (Dark Mahogany). Most customers have found that the beauty of natural granite outweighs the concern of seams.

Q: How are seams made?
A: Seams are done where the two pieces of stone are out together. The seams are joined with epoxy that is mixed with the color that matches the stone. Then the joined area is smoothened, leaving only a very thin line visible.

Q: Does granite stain or burn?
A: No. You can't burn it with ordinary use. Granite does not stain. The only caveat is that a few colors may absorb some moisture with prolonged contact. Usually, no evidence remains when the liquid is removed and the granite dries, but could be a problem with dark pigmented liquids. Although granite has a sealer applied at the fabricator, a stone sealer is recommended for all granite after installation.

Q: Can granite crack?
A: No. Not with ordinary use. Granite is most susceptible to cracks during shipping and installation. Normal use will not overstress this durable material.

Q: Can granite cantilever?
A: You can cantilever granite up to 14" with sufficient support on the fixed end and with a large enough piece. Never cantilever unsupported granite where it might receive excessive stress like someone sitting on a counter or stepping on a counter to change a light bulb. You must have support underneath for these situations.

Q: What is the difference between granite and marble?
A: The main difference between granite and marble is that granite is a highly dense material composed deep inside the earth's core while marble is formed from sediments under the seabed. Both solidify into stone after hundreds of years but the mineral composition of the two stones makes marble and granite react different to various chemicals and household cleaners.

Q: What is the appropriate thickness for a granite countertop?
A: A countertop should be an inch and a quarter thick for structural reasons.

Q: Does granite have any pits or fissures?
A: Yes, granite has natural pits and fissures that are part of the stones natural structure. Some types of granite have more of such characteristics than other types, and pits can be minimized by applying sealer to the surface of the counter.

Q: Can granite be repaired?
A: It is very hard to damage granite. If any damage occurs it can be sealed with a mixture of epoxy and ground up chips of granite.

Q: What do I need to consider when purchasing a granite countertop?
A: Granite is a natural stone. It is very hard and durable, heat and scratch resistant as well as easy to maintain; in all 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 distribution point stocks hundreds of colors to choose from on site. All stones are not exactly the same, each lot will have unique characteristics attributed to the specific granite.

Q: How is granite formed?
A: Granite is an igneous rock of visible crystalline formation and texture. It is composed primarily of feldspar, quartz, and mica. It starts off as a liquid magma deep within the earth's core where it is cooled and compressed over millions of years under tons of pressure. It is quarried, cut and polished. After that process it can be applied in various ways like kitchen countertops, vanity tops, fireplace surrounds as well as Jacuzzi surrounds and other custom designs.

Q: How do I deal with sink and stove cutouts?
A: With our Laser technology we have the ability to cut any sink or surface unit cutout with computer aided design files. Undermounted sinks (sinks that are mounted under the countertop so as not to show any rim) are fully cut out, then the inside of the hole is polished. The countertop is then flipped over and in many instances reinforced with metal rods for extra support. Self rimming cutouts are usually cut on the job site in the field to facilitate safe shipping.