How do you determine quality?
Quality naturally describes workmanship and care taken in manufacturing a product, whether its furniture, a home or memorials. There are five easy ways to compare quality of a memorial:
Granite Quality...Letter Quality...Carving Quality...Design Quality...Installation Quality
1. Granite Quality - Granite quality is determined by hardness, uniformity and clarity. Hardness determines how well the granite can be polished and how resistant it is to the elements of nature. The harder the granite, the better the quality. Uniformity is determined in the granite's grain structure. One area of the granite surface should look the same as another area. There should be no knots, streaks or veins that scar teh monuments appearance. Clarity is simply how clear and sharp the color is in the granite. The granite should not be muddy looking in appearance. The color of granite is determined by the different mineral contents. Granite is similar to wood, it comes in various grades of quality.
2. Lettering Quality - Lettering quality is determined mainly on how deep the lettering is cut into the granite. Also, there are many different types of lettering styles available: some work well on certain colors, while others do not. Durability and contrast are key elements of lettering quality.
3. Carving Quality - Carving quality differs greatly between granite companies. Almost all companies do two-dimensional carving (commonly called flat carving), whereas very few do three-dimensional carving. Naturally, three-dimensional carvings vary depending on the skill and experience of the craftsman.
4. Design Quality - Design quality deals primarily with artistic appearance of a memorial. Is there balance between space and design? Have you used space efficiently and planned for future burials.
5. Installation Quality - Installation quality is determined by how straight and level a memorial is set in the cemetary. Is the monument sealed together completely so it does not tip over? Once the setting is complete, is the lot cleaned up and left in good shape? These are just a few things that you need to be aware of with regard to the setting of your memorial.
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