Company Info:

Why choose Cornerstone Home Design?
Do you sell to the public?
Do you install products?
Can I purchase products from your website?
How can I place orders?
Can I return products?
What are your payment terms?
How do you accept payment?
Do you provide local delivery?
Can you ship the order to us?
How much is shipping?
Do you ship internationally?
Do you have other locations?

Product Info:

Granite countertops:

What are prefabricated granite countertops?
How much are prefabricated granite countertops?
How does the cost of prefabricated granite countertops compare to slabs?
What type of edging would come with a prefab?
Is the quality of prefabricated countertops as good as custom countertops?
What is the difference between marble and granite?
Will marble or granite stain?
What is the difference between natural stone countertops and quartz surfaces?
What is the difference between "cast stone" and natural stone?
Is granite more expensive than man-made materials?
How do you care for marble and granite countertops?

We import directly from the stone factories in China, India, and Brazil giving us the opportunity to supply colors that many of our competitors don’t have.  We also offer more colors in peninsulas and islands.  All of our prefabricated slabs are ¾” thick.  Many of our competitors will offer prefabricated slabs that are thinner and although they may be sold for less, they are more fragile to handle and may easily break.  In addition, Cornerstone Home Design also offers kitchen and bath cabinetry, plumbing fixtures, and flooring, most of what you might need for your kitchen or bath remodeling project.  For commercial projects, our sister company in Hayward was one of the first in the nation to start the prefabricated stone business and is still a major supplier of stone within the nation. 

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Yes, we have a sister company called Jerong Products, Inc. in Hayward, CA that also specializes in prefabricated slabs and natural stone fireplaces, tile, floor inserts, and columns.  What differentiates Cornerstone Home Design from Jerong Products is that we offer kitchen and bath design, custom cabinetry, and plumbing fixtures as well.  For the most part, if an item is not in stock in our South San Francisco location we may have it at the Hayward location.  The item can either be picked up at the Hayward location or an inter-store transfer may be requested for the item to be brought to our location for pick up.  Inter-store transfers happen once a week, on Tuesdays or Thursdays.

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Product Info:

Granite Countertop Section:

What are prefabricated granite countertops?

There are two ways to order granite countertops for your project.  One way is to buy a slab and pay a fabricator to cut the stone and finish the edge locally.  The other way is to buy a prefab countertop with all that work already finished.

Prefab granite countertops are natural granite slabs that have been cut in to standard sizes with the edges already finished at the factories.  By purchasing prefab granite countertops than granite slabs, the consumer will save a lot of money on their granite project because it takes less work to install them. 

Regular slabs have to be fabricated and customized at the actual job site.  It takes more work to install regular slabs as fabricators have to take careful measurements and make templates for the countertop.  For the most part, people go custom if they don’t have standard size countertops or if they want a finished edge other than a standard bullnosed or eased edge.

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How much are prefabricated granite countertops?

Depending on the type and quality of the granite, our prefabricated granite countertops can range from as little as $89 per piece or roughly $5.00 per square foot for the most common colors, to as high as $495 per piece or roughly $22.00 per square foot for more exotic colors.  Availability, color, and country of origin are major factors that affect the price of granite. 

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How does the cost of prefabricated granite countertops compare to slabs?

Prefabricated granite slabs cost less than regular slabs of granite because finished edges are fabricated on the slabs at the granite factory. Regular slabs will also be 2-3 times as large as prefabricated slabs which also make it more costly.  Depending on the size of your project, you may end up with a higher waste factor when dealing with regular slabs.

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What type of edging would come with a prefab?

Our prefabricated slabs are 3/4” thick and come with a 1 ½” full bullnose either on the front, front and left sides, front and right sides or full bullnose on three sides (front, left & right).  For peninsulas, the edges will be finished on three sides (2 long, 1 short).  Most granite colors also have the option of a 1 ½” eased edge.  

Diagram of a prefabricated granite countertop:

(26” x 96” with 1 ½” bullnose edge)

Diagram of a prefabricated granite peninsula:

(36” x 98” with 1 ½” bullnose edge)

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Is the quality of prefabricated countertops as good as custom countertops?

The quality of factory finished prefabricated countertops is excellent. The fabrication process is the same for prefabricated and custom fabricated countertops. Our prefabricated countertops go through rigorous inspections. We won't sell a countertop that does not meet our standards.

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What is the difference between marble and granite?

In most cases granite and marble can be identified by the visible particles on the surface of the stone.

Granite is formed deep in the earth’s mantle at extremely high temperatures, and is a very hard, resistant stone made of crystallized minerals. It is considered a siliceous stone composed mainly of silica or quartz-like particles. The minerals of granite will typically appear as small flecks distributed uniformly in the stone. Granites are harder rocks of volcanic origin and are not acid sensitive.

The marble family starts out as sediment, animal skeletons and shells, plant matter, and silt, at the bottom of bodies of water. After millions of years this solidifies into stone. Marble shows subtle veining and movement.  It is considered a calcareous stone because its main component is calcium.  It can be affected by acids such as vinegar and citrus beverages and may require different cleaning procedures than granite.

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Will marble or granite stain?

Because marble and granite are porous materials they are subject to staining if not maintained properly.  It is highly recommended that stone surfaces be sealed upon installation and resealed at least once or twice a year, when water no longer beads on the surface. The frequency of resealing will depend on traffic and use. Stone, like any other natural product, will age and patina over time adding to its beauty and character.

Surface stains can often be removed with an appropriate cleaning product.  Stubborn stains or stains that have absorbed deep into the stone may require using a poultice or calling in a professional.  In most cases, stains can be prevented by quickly wiping the spill.

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What is the difference between natural stone countertops and quartz surfaces?

Quartz countertops are man-made products also know as engineered stone.  It is made by combining approximately 93% quartz (an element in granite) with resin and pigments in a process that binds the medium permanently. Unlike natural stone, engineered stone counter tops are non-porous and chemical resistant so you can use almost any general surface cleaner making it very easy to clean.

People generally select engineered stone for colors that aren’t available in granite.  Also, they might prefer a uniform pattern that is exactly the same over the entire surface giving the consistency that few types of granite can offer so there's never a problem matching slabs. But engineered stone will not have the depth of color, variety of color and unique patterns of movement that characterize granite. Natural quartz countertops also exist and should not be confused with man-made quartz products as natural quartz is porous just like natural marble and granite.

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What is the difference between "cast stone" and natural stone?

Cast stone is made up of finely ground stone mixed with resins or cement-based products, then poured into a mold to create either a slab of cast stone or to create sinks, mantels, etc.  Natural stone is strictly cut from the earth then cut and polished in its original, natural form.

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Is granite more expensive than man-made materials?

It depends on the granite.  Availability, color, and country of origin are major factors that affect the price of granite.  If the supply of a particular stone is short and demand for it is high, the price will reflect that.  Given that stone is a natural product imported from all over the world, the price spectrum is wide. Cost is not really an issue when comparing engineered stone since you'll pay about the same for different colors of engineered stone.

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How do you care for marble and granite countertops?

The following was published in 2004 by the Marble Institute of America. (link to http://www.marble-institute.com/)

Stone Maintenance DO'S AND DON'TS

• Do dust mop floors frequently.
• Do clean surfaces with mild detergent or stone soap.
• Do thoroughly rinse and dry the surface after washing.
• Do blot up spills immediately.
• Do protect floor surfaces with non-slip mats or area rugs and countertop surfaces with coasters, trivets or placemats.
• Don't use vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners containing acids on marble, limestone, travertine or onyx surfaces.
• Don't use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub & tile cleaners.
• Don't use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.
• Don't mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas.

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Cabinet Section:

What are the cabinet lines you carry and what is the difference between them?

We carry 6 different Cabinet brands and each one targets a certain price point. Depending on what your budget is, you’ll be able to find something that suits your project from the following cabinet manufacturers:

• Columbia
• CWP
• Medallion
• QuakerMaid
• UltraCraft
• Woodharbor

Please go to the Products->Cabinets section of our website to learn the differences between each of our brands.

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Do you stock any cabinets?

No, we do not stock any kitchen cabinets.  The brands listed above are all semi-custom and “built-to-order”.  We do however, stock bathroom vanity cabinets in standard sizes and colors.

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What does semi-custom mean?

Stock cabinets are mass-produced in standard sizes, warehoused, and distributed immediately when you order them. Custom cabinets are built from your exact specifications and can take months to complete. Semi-custom is the best of both worlds. It allows you to select from thousands of standard cabinet configurations and sizes. The cabinets are manufactured to your specifications at the time of your order. Standard sizes can even be modified for your special purposes. Standard sizes allow the manufacturer to produce your order quickly and a huge selection of sizes gives you complete design flexibility.

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Do you provide design services?

Yes.   Cornerstone Home Design has exceptional designers that will work with you from start to finish. Our friendly, professional designers will design your kitchen based on your specifications. 

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What should I bring with me during my first consultation?

You will need to bring measurements of your existing kitchen, specifying where the doors and windows are, any wall cut outs, where the appliances are, as well as marking the existing or desired water and gas plumbing. You may also provide us with any special requirements, features, or concerns so that we can address it properly during the design process.  Our designers will then come up with a design based on your specifications.

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Is there a consultation fee?

Cornerstone Home Design offers the first consultation for free.  During this consultation, the designer will come up with your kitchen design using our 3-D software.  The designers will then provide you with an approximate quote for your project.  If you decide that you would like to take a hard copy of the design with you, a $500 design retainer fee will be due.  Upon your decision to use our establishment for your design project, that fee will then be applied toward the purchase of your cabinets.

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Will someone come to my job site to take measurements?

Yes.  Upon your decision to use our establishment for your kitchen remodel project, our cabinet designer will visit your home and verify the measurements that were used to come up with your kitchen design.

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Is there a limit to how many times I can revise the design?

You can have your design revised as many times as you need, to your complete satisfaction.  However, after our designers have invested 20 working hours towards your design, we will require a $500 design fee that will not be applied towards the order.  Do not worry, the majority of our designs are completed in half that time.

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Do you install?

Cornerstone Home Design is a “materials only” company.  However, we work with many installers and contractors on a day-to-day basis and would be happy to refer you to one of them.

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Will you work with our contractor?

Yes. Our designers will work with your contractor and over see the kitchen installation, from cabinets to countertops, to make sure that every aspect of the design is done flawlessly and installed according to the specifications in the design.

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What are the lead times for the cabinets?

Our cabinetry is "Built-to-Order" enabling you to choose the wood specie & stain color of your choice. Depending on which cabinet manufacturer you select, the lead time will range between 5-10 weeks. 

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Do you deliver the cabinets?

We can arrange for the cabinets to be delivered to your job-site or you can have your contractor pick them up at our location.

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Do you provide financing?

Cornerstone Home Design is proud to offer interest-free financing through Home Design Plus, a credit service of GE Money Bank. This program is available with no minimum purchase and includes no money down or accrued interests for 6 months.  Once you’ve been approved, you will enjoy 6 months financing from the date of each transaction.  With the Home Design Plus credit service; you can expect peace of mind, reliability, and trustworthiness from us.

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Eco-Friendly Plumbing and Water Conservation:

Do you sell water efficient plumbing fixtures?

For those who are environmentally conscious, Cornerstone Home design is able to provide solutions that make less of an impact on the environment.

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What are the advantages of using water efficient plumbing fixtures?

The best way to go green with your plumbing is to use fixtures that reduce water consumption. Large quantities of water are wasted on a daily basis in the average home. There are other often ignored wastes as well, such as the fact that the average human uses close to 200 rolls of toilet paper each year which equals to about 1.3 trees being cut down.  Fortunately, for those who are environmentally conscious we are able to provide solutions that make less of an impact on the environment than conventional products, and also encourage those who aren’t to rethink their habits and go green.  Water efficient fixtures will help reduce dependence on energy and natural resources while lowering your bills.   For building and design professionals, specifying water efficient fixtures can earn them up to 2 LEED credits for each water efficient product they incorporate into new construction.   Saving water and saving trees has never been so effortless.  You can go green by specifying water efficient fixtures and toilets in your project from the following manufacturers:

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What brands of plumbing fixtures primarily focus on water conservation?

GROHE

To start saving water, you don’t have to give it another thought. Just incorporate GROHE WaterCare products into new construction or replace existing fixtures. There are no special parts or add-ons. Water-saving technology is built right into every GROHE WaterCare faucet and shower system. Along with all the innovation and durability that is GROHE.

It’s your assurance that GROHE WaterCare products meet tough EPA standards for quality and efficiency. WaterSense® is a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. GROHE is proud to wear the symbol that says we’re doing our part for water conservation.

TOTO

TOTO focuses their sustainability efforts into three comprehensive areas: Advocacy, Manufacturing Processes, and Products. 

At TOTO, we don’t just talk about advocating for water efficiency, we practice it. We continue to drive water efficiency and conservation awareness on a broad scale by working closely with government and non-profit organizations.
    
TOTO was the first major plumbing products manufacturer to join the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

As members of the EPA’s WaterSense Steering Committee, TOTO water efficiency specialists were instrumental in advising the EPA on developing product performance criteria for the WaterSense program, created to encourage the manufacture and use of water efficient plumbing fixtures, and to develop a labeling system to help consumers recognize these products.

KOHLER

Kohler high efficiency toilets, showerheads and aerated faucets provide a number of starting points for the homeowner looking to conserve water.

For many people, it’s hard to know where to start when researching plumbing products that conserve water. The WaterSense label makes it easy to find products and services that save water while ensuring performance. WaterSense is a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to promote water-efficient products and practices across the country. Water Sense labeled toilets use at least 20% less water than standard 1.6-gallon toilets while still meeting strict flushing performance guidelines.

Conserving natural resources is at the forefront of the design and development of all of our kitchen and bath products. Our environmentally-friendly Kohler and Sterling plumbing products are designed to conserve our natural resources while remaining true to the Kohler level of quality for performance and design.

Whether you are simply a conscientious consumer, or are looking to earn LEED water-efficiency points, we believe it is important to offer innovative products that both protect the environment and exceed the level of quality Kohler consumers have come to expect.

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