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| Comparison of common commercial table top materials? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
* Cost of ownership considers acquisition cost, usable life expectancy and maintenance. ** Portability refers to ease by which assembled tables can be moved around your dining area. |
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About Granite Restaurant and Dining Tables...
(marble, limestone, slate)?
About Solid Wood Restaurant and Dining Tables...
What about Seating (Chairs)?
Demand has motivated us to offer affordable seating to use with our tables. We are currently refining our offering of seating and while our presentation of our chairs is not yet finalized, they are available now. Our seating
Aren't granite tops
heavy?
Granite tops are heavy. Our 2cm granite tops are 35-40% heavier than
a 1 1/4 laminate top with the same area. Granite tops are not too heavy
to move around the dining area as needed but do have the heft to stay
put.
This often leads to a reasonable, but fortunately incorrect, assumption that the freight on granite table tops is excessive. It is not, as the freight class in which granite can be shipped makes the freight comparable to table tops of other materials. You will need to arrange for the manpower to unload the table tops or arrange for a lift gate delivery (let us know if you elect this option as we can help set it up) as we ship via common carrier and do not usually ship our tops via parcel service (UPS).
Does granite stain?
In general, no. All stone 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 table 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 before shipment. Sealer for reapplication (optional, after years of use) is available from HCI and at tile and granite shops.
Can granite be scratched?
Granite is one of the hardest stones available. It cannot be scratched
in ordinary use. A knife blade will not scratch it. It can only be scratched
with specially sharpened tools designed to work with granite like tungsten
and diamond tools.
Does granite chip?
Properly fabricated granite is only chipped by severe abuse with a hammer
or impact tool.
Can granite crack?
Not with ordinary use. Granite is most susceptible to cracks during shipping
and installation. Normal use will not overstress this durable material.
While breakage is a risk during fabrication and shipping of granite slabs,
a properly crafted and packed table top will not crack during shipping
and a properly installed table top will not scratch, chip or break under
heavy use.
Is granite heat resistant?
Granite is not damaged by temperatures under about 1500 degrees, meaning
cigarettes/cigars and the hottest serving pieces will not affect it.
Is granite sanitary?
Polished granite is extremely sanitary. Granite has a very low coefficient
of absorption and so, especially when properly sealed, inhibits the growth
of bacteria and mold.
Will my granite
look like the sample?
Since granite is a natural product, with naturally occurring variations
in color, tone, granularity, pattern, etc. These variations are expected
and are the source of its natural beauty. Our photos accurately represent
typical color, tone, granularity, pattern however we recommend the use
of our samples when selection is critically dependant on an exact representation.
Do you make tables
from other types of stone
(marble, onyx, travertine, limestone, slate, etc.)?
We do not at this time. All of these stones are make handsome tabletops
but the bulk of our customers use their tables for dining rooms, hotel
rooms and office use and we do not feel they are suitable for these applications.
Many of these other stones are metamorphic stones with a high content of calcium carbonate and are susceptible to 'etching' when exposed to common acids such as those found in lemon juice, red wine and vinegar. This 'etching' will quickly and permanently destroy a polished finish even though the stone neutralizes the acid so quickly that it rarely compromises structural integrity.
Other stones, such as slate, also have a place in furniture construction but are not as durable for high wear applications.
We do fabricate soapstone tables. While not as absolutely durable as granite, soapstone is more durable than any other commonly used materials and possesses a unique beauty.
Are other sizes
available? Colors? What about custom edges?
We do work to custom sizes and have fabricated banquet tables, conference
tables, sofa tables, coffee tables and a variety of custom shapes and
sizes that defy description. Please call for a quotation.
Hundreds of industry standardized colors and patterns are available in granites suitable for highly durable and usable table tops (not all granites are appropriate for tables). Our five standard colors have been selected to compliment and enhance a wide range of decors from those consistently and affordably available to our factory in Brazil. We are able to offer such an attractive standard pricing by limiting cafe-tables.com's offering to these.
Other granites and custom edges are available though our parent company which supplies custom tabletops to the design trade. If our standard granites don't satisfy your needs, visit www.hcitables.com.
How do I care for
granite tables?
The inherent durability of granite insures that your tables will remain
beautiful for years to come. Many of our customers care for their granite
tables and bars only by wiping up spills and occasionally cleaning the
surface with a non-abrasive cleanser.
Cafe-Tables.com applies a sealant to each granite table shipped. Unlike most sealers, ours is FDA approved for occasional food contact (of course, most sealers used on table tops and counter tops are food-safe, just not FDA approved).
The sealant will hold up through years of commercial use. Should you decide to use your granite tops for decades (try that with other table tops), reapplying the sealer every five to ten years takes no more more time or effort than polishing furniture.
(Bars) Are your Bars just like a countertop that I can buy at Home Depot?
NO! First of all, they are less expensive. HD is a great source of residential countertops but they are priced accordingly. In addition to the extended supply chain and retail markups, HD's prices include measuring, fitting and installing.
By importing our granite from Brazil & China and by shipping a factory fabricated assembly, we can offer a lower price on the same granites.
Additionally, most of our bar tops are 'rodded' or reinforced with steel rod and fiberglass to ensure that they will hold up to the demands of commercial applications.
(Bars) How are HCI's spill trays
made?
The inherent durability of granite insures that your tables will
remain beautiful for years to come. Many of our customers care for
their granite tables and bars only by wiping up spills and occasionally
cleaning the surface with a non-abrasive cleanser.
(Bars) Why use a wood front rail (the
'Chicago' bar rail) on a granite bar?
One of the greatest features of a granite bar is its incredible durability
and ability to hold up through years of wear while maintaining its natural
beauty.
(Bars) Does HCI install granite
bars?
We do not typically install our bar tops. It is most economical to have
the contractor that is building the 'wall' or bar structure install the
top. We ship the granite affixed to the substate with clear instructions
on affixing it to the bar structure. As our granite is reinforced (rodded),
it is not particularly difficult or tricky to install.
Related Links
Books on Restaurant Bar Design &
Useful Information
www.restaurantlayout.com - Information and links on laying out your dining area.
Materials
www.FindStone.com
A great source of information and images on natural stone.
www.Dovae.com
Our preferred supplier of solid surface material.
www.TableBases.com
A company with a diverse selection of table bases.
Industry
www.SterlingSeatingInc.com
The best value in wood framed seating we've seen. Contact
us for more information.
www.HDMag.com
www.ContractMagazine.com
www.RestaurantBiz.com
VNU Media publishes magazines for the A&D and restaurant industry.
Cooking Schools - Cooking Classes & School Search Cooking School search engine for cooking schools and cooking classes. Le Cordon Bleu certification.
Granite vanities for commercial use (www.commercialvanities.com)
Competitors
At Cafe-Tables, we recognize that granite tables are not optimal for every
installation..
Southern Gentleman High quality furnishings!
www.LBEmpire.com Quality Hospitality and Contract furnishings from a company that has been around forever.
www.WoodSmiths.com
The leader in cast resin table tops.