Q: "Are there any upcoming events where I can see Granicrete for myself?"

A: Vancouver Granicrete had a display booth at two of Vancouver's largest home and design shows - the Interior Design Show West (IDSWest - Sept 17 - 20, 2009) and the Vancouver Home + Interior Design Show (Oct 15 - 18, 2009). Both of these events were highly successful - we met a many great people, made some new clients, and had a lot of fun doing it. Our next show isn't until the Vancouver Home + Garden Show is April. See you there.

Q:"Will my Granicrete countertop scratch? Just how scratch resistant is it?"

A: All surfaces scratch at some level and a Granicrete countertop is no exception. However, a number of steps can be taken to reduce the impact of scratches and, if necessary, remove them.

- As with any countertop material, we recommend using a cutting board. Do not cut directly on the Granicrete surface.

- Choosing a painted finish that has a range of tones (especially some lighter tones) and some texture will go a long way towards de-emphasizing any scratches that do occur. Probably the worst choice is an all-black finish.

- We recommend a semi-gloss or matte finish for your Granicrete countertop. When the acrylic epoxy is first applied, its surface is high gloss, smooth at the molecular level and so small scratches are noticeable in reflected light. Adding a layer of semigloss or matte Diamond Coat reduces the overall reflectivity of the surface. This makes scratches much less obvious and has the added benefit of reducing the "grabbiness" of the surface by lessening friction.

- Large scratches, if they occur, can be removed with an automotive scratch repair kit, but, if necessary, all scratches can be removed by applying another layer of acrylic epoxy.

- Finally, it is very important to let your new Granicrete counter cure completely before subjecting it to any significant use. While the acrylic epoxy may be dry to the touch within 24 hours, it is still soft and vulnerable for a week until it fully cures. We recommend using a fabric cover over any working areas for the first week.

Q: "Will my Granicrete countertop scorch if I put a hot pan straight from the oven or range on it?"

A: A Granicrete countertop is scorch resistant to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and so can handle quite a bit of heat. However, as with any valuable surface in your home, we recommend using a trivet or heat pad. Occasionally, hot items placed directly on a Granicrete countertop may result in a cloudy hazing; heat can activate the tiny traces of residual moisture in the concrete mix and draw them to the surface, especially during the early stages of the countertop's lifetime. Should this occur, careful use of a heat gun can lift that cloudiness out.

A: When resurfacing an existing counter, it generally takes three days to install a Granicrete countertop: one day to prep the area and begin applying the first layers of material, one day to finish applying material and apply the colouring layers, and then a final day to apply the acrylic epoxy top coat and clean up. Manufacturing a new countertop usually means that much of this work can be done off-site in our shop, resulting in a shorter installation time. Once installed, the acrylic epoxy top coat will be dry to the touch in 24 hours but requires a week to fully cure. The countertop can be used during this curing process, but should be protected with a fabric cover.

Q: "What other companies are providing this service? Are there some other good websites where I can see what is being done with Granicrete?"

A: We can recommend that you visit the Australian division of Granicrete at http://www.granicreteaustralia.com.au and also Granicrete's Commercial website at http://www.granicretecommercial.com. Both of these websites provide some excellent examples of Granicrete's versatility in a variety of settings.