When you order your Stonemark® countertop at your local Home Depot®, you will be given the contact information of the certified fabricator that will template and install your countertop.  

After the 15-year limited warranty period is over, continued regular care and maintenance is recommended. By following this guideline you will get a lifetime of enjoyment from your Stonemark® granite.  

Stonemark® granite is inherently much more stain- and etch-resistant than any marble. For this reason, marble does not carry the same 15-year limited warranty as the Stonemark® granite.

PermaShield  is a penetrating technology that has been scientifically engineered to provide the best protection for granite surfaces. Every Stonemark® granite slab is engineered with Innovative Stone™'s proprietary PermaShield® technology. This anti-staining technology, combined with decades of experience, allows Stonemark® by Innovative Stone™ to provide an unprecedented free 15-year limited warranty for stain resistance and material integrity.
To learn more about Permashield, go to www.permashield.com.

The PermaShield process is a combination of decades of experience and a production process that has been scientifically engineered to provide the best protection for granite against staining. PermaShield® will provide stain protection for at least 15-years.

PermaShield has been scientifically engineered so that it does not, in any way, affect the natural beauty of the stone.

When cleaning your countertop, in order to provide 15-year stain protection, abrasive or acidic household cleaners are to be avoided. Please see the care and maintenance section for full details. 

No. In order to provide 15-year protection, granite slabs must be selected for the PermaShield process at Innovative Stone™'s state-of-the-art facilities.

Yes, especially since Stonemark® by Innovative Stone countertops do not require sealing for 15 years after installation. Normal use and regular cleaning with approved products will ensure that your countertop maintains its natural beauty for many years. Abrasive or acidic household cleaners are to be avoided. Any spills should be wiped up as soon as possible. Details about the Countertop Care Program will be provided with your purchase of a Stonemark® by Innovative Stone™ countertop.

We recommend the use of a special stone cleaner or warm water and light dish soap. Abrasive or acidic household cleaners should not be used. Any spills should be wiped up as soon as possible. 

No. Every Stonemark® granite slab is treated by Innovative Stone's proprietary anti-staining PermaShield technology, which protects granite from staining for 15 years subject to the terms and conditions of the limited warranty.

Yes. Regular cleaning, with recommended products and normal use, will ensure that your granite countertop never loses its gloss.

Yes. Every Stonemark® granite slab is treated by Innovative Stone™'s proprietary anti-staining  PermaShield   technology. This technology, combined with decades of experience, allows  Stonemark® by Innovative Stone™ to provide an unprecedented free 15-year limited warranty for stain resistance and material integrity.

We suggest that spills of wine, mustard, oils and acidic products should be wiped up immediately. Please see the care and maintenance section for full details.  

In the rare occasion that your granite does stain, Innovative Stone™ will work with you to help remove the stain.

Yes. Stonemark® granite is scratch resistant. Composed primarily of quartz, granite is one of the hardest natural materials on Earth.

Your Stonemark® granite with PermaShield by Innovative Stone™ is heat resistant. However, placing a hot saucepan directly from the stove onto any countertop is not recommended.

We do not recommend sitting or standing on your granite countertop.

Granite is not indestructible and we recommend being especially careful with heavy pots and saucepans around the edges of the countertop and the sink cutout.  

While granite is scratch resistant, we do not recommend cutting food directly on your granite countertop mainly to avoid your cutting knives becoming blunt.

No, your slab is hand selected by our worldwide team of certified inspectors. Any slabs that do not conform to our highest quality standards are rejected. Our slabs are premium grade, with guaranteed quarry-to-customer quality. In addition, each Stonemark® countertop has the added protection of PermaShield - a process that makes Stonemark® stain resistant and virtually maintenance free. Backed by a 15-year warranty for stain resistance and material integrity, and surprisingly affordable, there is simply no other stone like Stonemark®.

All Stonemark® granite is rated with the Innovative Stone™ Classification System. Please refer to the Material Gallery for details.

All Stonemark® materials are carefully selected and inspected prior to installation in your home. Only the highest quality of stone will be used to ensure years of use and enjoyment of your stone countertop.

Natural Stones are classified as igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary based on their geological formation. There are many different types of natural stones including granite, marble, limestone, sandstone, soapstone and schists. Granite is the most common and most suitable natural stone for countertops. Please refer to the section on Natural Stone Information for more detailed information.

In broad geological terms, granite is an "igneous" rock formed by intense heat, which liquefies rock deep in the Earth and which solidifies upon cooling. Marble is a "metamorphic" rock resulting from the re-crystallization of limestone under intense pressure and high temperatures within the Earth. Stones falling within the same geological class share the behavioral characteristics, which determine the appropriate application. In general, granites are much harder and less porous than marbles, which makes them more suitable for kitchen countertops.

Marble may be used for kitchen counters but they require special maintenance and care, and they are not covered by the Stonemark® warranty.

Our Stonemark® stones come from quarries all over the world. Details of country of origin and other information on each stone is available in the Material section of this website.

Granite is a 100% natural surface and its beauty cannot be duplicated. Granite is also fire proof and will not burn. Man-made surfaces (also known as engineered stone) are bound with resins that will burn.

Yes granites can be used for outdoor applications, the warranty will not apply to these installations.

No. You should clean with any mild dish soap and water or you can use any dedicated stone cleaning product. Occasional use of a window-cleaning products or kitchen surface cleansers are acceptable as long as they do not include bleach or harsh abrasives.

Your granite will not stain with proper cleaning and maintenance. You should always clean your granite as soon as possible. To clean, first remove the residue, and then clean the area with soap and water. Kitchen surface cleansers that do not contain bleach or harsh abrasives are also acceptable.

No, however we do recommend covering as often as possible - it will make your cleaning that much easier.

When granite is properly installed and cared for, it will not crack due to normal weather conditions.

You should not allow an accumulation of wet leaves to remain on your granite countertops / tabletops for extended periods of time. If you live in an area where you do not use your outdoor countertops / tabletops for extended periods due to your climate, we recommend covering your granite.

Candle wax will leave markings on your granite as the wax will leave residue in the pores of the stone that will eventually dissipate. To prevent the wax residue, we recommend the use of plates / trays under your candles.

Citronella oil can stain your granite if not cleaned properly. If you leave Citronella oil on your countertops for extended periods of time, it can break through the PermaShield protection. We recommend some type of plate / tray under any containers of Citronella oil.

Clean the areas with a mix of baking soda and water, using a soft bristle brush to agitate the rust, and then wipe to remove. If the rust is more stubborn, then you may need to use a rust remover, such as Iron Out, which is commercially available and acceptable for use on granite (it cannot be used on marble or limestone).

You should first clean your countertop with water to rinse off any loose particles of dirt or outdoor debris, and then clean with soap and water. If you feel additional cleaning is necessary, you can clean with any kitchen surface cleanser that does not contain bleach or harsh abrasives.

No. As dish detergents contain antibacterial agents, cleaning your granite with soap and water will be sufficient. Of course, use of a dedicate stone cleaning product is also recommended and you can use any kitchen cleanser that does not contain bleach or harsh abrasives.

Your outdoor granite should be supported in the same manner as any indoor installation. Overhangs greater than 10" should have supports. Your fabricator / installer will advise you to the specific supports necessary for your application.

Your stone should be supported by a rigid foundation for prolonged use. If your foundation is unstable or subject to shifting, then it will affect your stone if your installation has seams. Smaller, individual pieces of stone may not necessarily be affected by these circumstances.

Different types of flooring / foundations can be used, but we recommend a poured footing when you are constructing an outdoor kitchen. Smaller pieces of stone do not necessarily require poured footing and can be used with pavers or bricks if they are individual pieces.

Yes. Granite is a non-combustible material, which makes it an excellent choice for use around your fire pit or fireplace although it is not covered by the warranty.

Extreme weather conditions can break through the PermaShield protection. You should re-seal your countertops / tabletops as necessary. Any good penetrating, or impregnating, sealer should be used when you re-seal.

You can cool off your countertops / tabletops by wiping down with tepid water, but do not use very cold water as you need to cool the stone gradually. We suggest the use of umbrellas whenever possible as granite will absorb the heat of the sun; it will not affect the granite other than to make it hot to the touch in extreme sunlight conditions.

After your one-year warranty we recommend that you re-seal as necessary. Any good penetrating / impregnating sealer should be used when you re-seal.

Our outdoor warranty is for a period of one year while the indoor warranty covers a 15-year period. Both warranties need to be registered for coverage by Innovative Stone.