FAQ
Answers You Need. Confidence You Deserve.
Have questions about our products, process, or what to expect? You’re not alone — and we’re here to help. Our FAQ page covers the most common questions our customers ask about materials, installation, timelines, care, and more. Whether you’re planning your first countertop project or are a returning client, this is a great place to find quick, reliable answers. And if you don’t see what you’re looking for, feel free to reach out — our team is always happy to assist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked QuestionsYes! Our showroom is open to the public, and you’re welcome to visit during regular business hours. While appointments are not required, we recommend scheduling one so we can pair you with a consultant to provide personalized guidance and make the most of your visit.
Quartz has become more popular than granite in recent years, especially for kitchen countertops. Homeowners often prefer quartz because it’s nonporous, low-maintenance, and available in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Granite still has a strong following, especially among those who like its natural, unique look, but quartz’s durability and consistency have made it the top choice in many modern homes.
The main difference between granite and quartz lies in their composition and how they’re made. Granite is a natural stone quarried directly from the earth, cut into slabs, and polished for use. Quartz, on the other hand, is an engineered material made from crushed natural quartz crystals mixed with resins and pigments.
Because of this, granite has a unique, natural look with one-of-a-kind patterns, while quartz offers more consistent colors and designs. Quartz is also nonporous and low-maintenance, meaning it doesn’t need to be sealed and is more resistant to stains. Granite is heat-resistant and very durable, but it requires periodic sealing to prevent staining and bacteria buildup.
Veined quartz countertops are typically more expensive than plain quartz due to several factors:
- Complex Manufacturing Process: Creating intricate veining patterns in quartz requires advanced technology and precise engineering. Manufacturers must carefully blend pigments and resins to achieve realistic, marble-like veins, which increases production costs.
- Material Composition: High-quality veined quartz often contains a higher percentage of natural quartz crystals, enhancing both durability and aesthetic appeal. This premium material selection contributes to the higher price point.
- Design and Aesthetic Appeal: Veined quartz offers a luxurious, natural stone appearance, mimicking the look of high-end materials like marble. The demand for such sophisticated designs drives up the cost.
- Brand and Quality Variations: Reputable brands producing veined quartz, such as Cambria or Caesarstone, often charge more due to their established quality standards and warranties.
In contrast, plain quartz countertops, which have a more uniform appearance and simpler manufacturing process, are generally more affordable.
If you’re considering quartz countertops, it’s important to balance your budget with desired aesthetics. Plain quartz offers durability and ease of maintenance at a lower cost, while veined quartz provides a high-end, natural stone look at a premium price.
You have the option to remove your existing countertop yourself, or SCI can handle the tear-out and disposal for you at an additional cost. This should be decided before your final quotation. SCI will do this service during your installation appointment. It includes the tear out, removal and disposal of all existing and old countertops, sinks and faucets. SCI does not dispose of appliances. Please note that some aspects of demolition, such as plumbing or electrical work, may not be performed by SCI, so be sure to discuss your project’s specific requirements with us.
We will do our best to work around your existing backsplash when removing and/or installing your new countertop. However, some damage can occur during the process, and SCI is not liable for any such damage.
While you may be able to keep your existing sink, we recommend selecting a new sink to ensure the best fit and finish with your new countertop. If you choose to reuse your current sink, please note that SCI is not liable for any damage that may occur during removal or reinstallation.
Most granite and quartz countertops have seams in long, continuous runs or larger areas. Seams may also be necessary due to access limitations or installation requirements. Depending on the natural movement and variation of the material, some seams may be more noticeable. Skilled installers work to minimize their visibility by color coordinating as closely as possible.
All decision-makers must be present during the entire template appointment to go over design details and any job site specifications. Please plan for about 1-3 hours onsite, depending on the size of your project. Any template appointment canceled without at least 24 hours’ notice, missed, or has failed to meet required job site conditions, will be subject to a reschedule fee.
Required Jobsite Conditions:
– Existing countertops are 100% cleared and accessible.
– Cabinets are fully installed, leveled, and secured. No changes after this point.
– Support brackets and/or corbels are properly installed if being provided by customer.
– Farm sinks are permanently installed.
– All customer supplied sinks, faucets, and appliances are on site.
In order to begin fabrication of your new custom countertop several things must happen.
- “Final Quotation” and signed acceptance complete
- Template at the job site complete
- Material and ALL selections complete (including edge detail, sink, cooktop, faucet, etc.)
- Purchase transaction completed (Down payment received)
Once all of these items have been completed you can generally expect your new countertop to be installed within 10-14 working days. The installation schedule shall be discussed to ensure all expectations are met.
Occasionally a delay may occur. This can be due to several unavoidable reasons. SCI will alert you ahead of the appointment to reschedule, however this is not to be misconstrued as a provision of our warranty or that SCI will be liable for any consequential damages resulting from a delay.
All decision-makers need to be present during the installation appointment to inspect the final product & ask any questions. Installation can range from 1 hour to all day depending on the size of your project. Your project manager can give you a rough installation duration for your project. Any install appointment canceled without at least 72 hours’ notice, missed, or has failed to meet required job site conditions, will be subject to a reschedule fee.
Incidental Damages – Care will be exercised during the tear-out and/or installation but scratches, scrapes, punctures, and/or dings to walls and/or cabinets may occur. Any existing backsplashes may also be damaged; this is your responsibility to repair.
Tear out – If you have selected this service and it is listed as a separate line item on your quote, SCI will do this service during your installation appointment. It includes the tear out, removal and disposal of all existing and old countertops, sinks and faucets. SCI does not dispose of appliances.
Required Jobsite Conditions:
– Existing countertops are 100% cleared and accessible.
– Any plumbing, gas, or electrical is disconnected and removed. SCI is not responsible for any plumbing, gas, electrical, or carpentry work related to your new countertops. SCI is not liable for damage to appliances, existing plumbing lines, fixtures, valves, or equipment.
– Mirrors are removed. SCI is not responsible for damages to mirrors.
– A clear and direct path is provided for our installers to carry your countertops to the work site. Keep in mind, the countertops may be cut in large pieces and tight corners can be difficult to navigate.
– Construction area is clean and free of any obstacles that might impede or create a safety hazard for our installers on floors and walls.
– Access to electricity and water. Some detailing will be required on site.
– Pets and children are secured away from the construction site.
The most popular thickness for granite and quartz countertops is 3 cm (1¼ inch), though they can sometimes be specified in 2 cm (¾ inch) if desired. Thicker slabs provide a more substantial, luxurious look, while thinner slabs are lighter and easier to work with for certain installations. Mitering the edges can also enhance the appearance of your countertop, giving it a seamless, high-end look.
Solid surface countertops are typically 1¼ inch (3 cm) thick, though they are often manufactured in ½ inch (1.2 cm) or ¾ inch (2 cm) sheets that are laminated or layered for added thickness. Because solid surface is lighter than stone, it allows for creative edge profiles and seamless designs, including mitered corners, integrated sinks, and backsplash options.
The stone countertops are placed on the cabinets and, after ensuring that everything is leveled, a bead of silicon is applied at the intersection of the cabinets and the underside of the stone. This is sufficient to hold the countertops in place in a normal situation.
If the cabinets are not leveled, which is not uncommon, we have to place shims underneath the countertops to level them. In this situation our installers place small blocks of wood pieces rinsed in epoxy to stabilize the shims.
Dishwashers have to be attached to the under surface of the kitchen countertop to prevent tipping the machine forward when the door is opened. The attachment also prevents vibration during the dishwasher’s operation.
We attach the dishwasher with a well-designed and patented bracket. This attachment is rigid enough to secure the dishwasher safely, while still allowing you to easily remove it in case you need to repair or replace the dishwasher in the future, without having to call a granite fabricator to do so.
Newer dishwasher come with side attachment clips so that the dishwasher can be screwed to the cabinets as well. This has to be done by your cabinet installer or remodeling contractor.
No, we do not level your cabinets. You will need the help of your carpenter or your contractor for that.
No, we do not do plumbing work. You will need the help of your plumber or your contractor for that.
Fissures in granite are natural cracks or separations that occur as the stone forms deep within the earth. They are part of the stone’s natural structure and are not considered defects. During the finishing process, fissures are often stabilized or filled with resin to prevent further cracking and to ensure a smooth, durable surface for countertops.
It’s not uncommon to see some small pits on the surface of the granite slabs. These pits are formed during the polishing process, when some of the weaker components of granite, like Biotite, flake off from the surface. This happens at the granite processing plants in different countries where the granite is quarried and polished.
The pits themselves do not make the granite less durable or inferior for use in countertops, but the look and feel of the granite with the pits may bother some clients. It is a better if you discuss these issues with the fabricators before you make the final decision on your stone selection.
We do not recommend that you have the pits filled because no compound can adequately or permanently fill these spaces without visually affecting the surface of the stone. The best practice is to discuss imperfections with your fabricator before selecting the stone, and if you really hate the pits you should consider a granite that has no visual imperfections.
The ideal overhang depends on how the space will be used. For a standard seating area with stools, a 12-inch overhang is usually comfortable for knee space, and up to 15 inches for extra legroom. For structural support, we recommend brackets or corbels for quartz over 10 inches and granite over 12 inches to prevent sagging.
SCI primarily services the Kansas City Metropolitan area and surrounding communities. We also provide installation in other locations, including Lawrence, Topeka, St. Joseph, Lake of the Ozarks, Wichita, Manhattan and more.
Yes, we work with several trusted local stone suppliers to give our customers access to a wide range of materials, colors, and price options. If you have a specific stone in mind from another supplier, we can coordinate with them to source it for your project.
Ready to begin?
Get an Instant Quote
Visit our showroom and warehouse facilities in Shawnee, KS
Give us a call, or fill out our contact form and we’ll be in touch shortly
Surface Center Interiors
The preferred countertop fabricator & installer in the Kansas City area
Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
Appointments highly encouraged