Question 1

What separates Special Additions from its competition?

Accepted Answer

Special Additions has been a family owned and operated company since 1978. With 40 years under our belts and a staff of designers who all have anywhere from 10-40 years experience in kitchen design, we can assure that you will not be let down by the service we provide.

Our pricing is competitive with the “Big Box” companies but our inventory is larger and our service is clearly more personal. We specialize in giving our customers top notch care while helping them design their ultimate dream kitchen and/or bathroom.

We carry a large variety of cabinet manufacturers, giving us the opportunity to be able to give our customers exactly what they want at varying degrees of cost.

We also do our best to be a “one-stop-shop” by carrying a large variety of kitchen countertops including but not limited to Granite, Marble, Corian, Quartz Surfaces, Laminate, etc. We also carry a large selection of cabinet hardware and kitchen and bathroom sinks.

Question 2

What are your showroom hours?

Accepted Answer

For a formal consult with a designer/salesperson in our Denville, NJ showroom, please call in advance for an appointment: 973-627-6300.

DENVILLE, NJ showroom hours:
Monday, Thursday, Friday: 8AM-4PM
Tuesday & Wednesday: 8AM-8PM
Saturday: 9AM-3PM
Sunday: Closed

Question 3

How do I get to your showrooms?

Accepted Answer

Please see our locations page, which uses Google Maps to provide mapping and driving directions.

Question 4

How long does a typical appointment last?

Accepted Answer

Most appointments for design consulting last about one hour. Please call us in advance to set up an appointment.

Question 5

Should I make an appointment before I come in?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we strongly recommend that you make an appointment prior to coming in for a design consultation.

You are always welcome to come in without an appointment and browse through our showroom. And you can make an appointment at that time to sit down with a designer at a later date. On most days it’s not possible for us to provide a thorough consultation on a walk-in basis.

Question 6

What should I bring to my first appointment with a designer?

Accepted Answer

Bring your blueprints, if available, or the rough dimensions of the space you are looking to renovate. Measure all the walls in their entirety, from the corner out to the end of the run (do this around the entire room). Also provide the measurement from the corner up to the window trim(s) and/or doorway trim(s), and include the actual sizes of those windows and doorways. Also measure your ceiling height and let us know if there are any obstructions; ie. soffits, electrical outlets, light switches, etc. Always take your measurements in inches.
    If you have already looked at and/or purchased new appliances, please bring in the size, make and model numbers, we will take care of looking up the specifications. If you have not done so, don’t worry, we will help guide you.
    Lastly, bring in your ideas, pictures from kitchen magazines that you like, or ideas from your friend’s or neighbor’s house.

Question 7

Do you have a kitchen planning guide?

Accepted Answer

We have a few things to recommend.

    Our friends at Medallion offer a good Cabinet Planning Guide. They also have a nice Style Quiz to help you brainstorm for ideas.
    Medallion also offers good additional materials on its Planning page and in its Brochures collection.

Question 8

Does Special Additions have their own installers that I need to use?

Accepted Answer

Special Additions has relationships with a number of qualified contractors that we have worked with for many years. We would be happy to recommend one of them to you for your renovation and installation. Your Special Additions designer will oversee the entire project and work hand in hand with the contractor from the initial conversations to the very end of the install.

You are also more than welcome to use your own contractor. We will supply your contractor with all the information that they will need to do the install project and we are always available for questions regarding the install.

Question 9

Cabinet Care and Cleaning

Accepted Answer

In addition to the tips below, our friends at Medallion offer a cabinetry maintenance guide in PDF form.

Routine Cabinetry Maintenance

Never use kitchen cloths or sponges that might have detergent or grease on them.

Clean at least once monthly with a clean, damp cloth, then dry.

To remove soil and grease, use suds from common dishwashing liquid. Wipe clean with a damp cloth and dry completely.

During routine kitchen use, immediately dry cabinets near sink, range, dishwasher, oven and baseboards where water splashes and spills often occur, to prevent damage to your cabinet finish.

Never use cleaners containing bleach, ammonia or abrasives on your cabinetry.

Finally, do not wax cabinet surfaces.

To Repair Small Scratches, Nicks, and Dents

Most cabinet scratches can be touched up by using a special kit made available from your dealer which includes a touch-up marker, filler pencil and fast-dry touch-up.

Start with the touch-up marker.

If scratches or nicks still show after using the touch-up marker, use a filler pencil. Simply rub the pencil overfilling the scratched area and wipe away any excess with a clean soft cloth. Then apply a protective coating of clear Fast-Dry Touch-Up or a clear acrylic spray.

Never use sandpaper or any other type of abrasive paper or material to “even out” a scratch, as this will permanently damage the cabinet finish.

Question 10

What is the difference between granite and quartz?

Accepted Answer

Granite is sourced via natural means and is often the preferred option of buyers looking for a more unique finish. It offers the buyer a classic, sheen look. Quartz or “engineered stone” is typically made up of approximately 93% quartz and 7% resin binders and pigments depending on material selection. The distinguishing factor between the many manufacturers is the available color palettes.
    Granite is an igneous rock, i.e. rock formed after the cooling down of molten rock. Natural granite does not have a uniform pattern or color. The appearance can vary widely between slabs, and even within a single slab. Granite is a very durable surface, scratch and heat resistant, and stain resistant as long as it is properly sealed.
    The surface of quartz is durable and, unlike granite, non-porous. Like granite it has a sheen finish but does not require sealing. Engineered quartz offers a uniform pattern so what you see in a showroom is extremely close to what will be installed in your kitchen.
    Engineered stone products include Cambria, MSI, CaesarStone®, Silestone among others.

Question 11

Does all granite need to be sealed?

Accepted Answer

Not all granite needs to be sealed. Granite finished with a highly polished mirror surface is usually fairly non-porous. However, because it is natural stone, there may be areas that are more porous than others. For this reason we do recommend sealing granite countertops to protect them from staining.

Marble, on the other hand, is a very porous natural stone and always should be sealed.

Question 12

Is it time-consuming and labor-intrusive to seal granite?

Accepted Answer

No, sealing granite is very simple. Your sealer will most likely come in a spray bottle. You will generously apply the sealer to your top and rub it in with a cloth rag and let it absorb 2-3 minutes; making sure to completely cover the entirety of your top. Wait 2 hours and repeat a second time. You will do this every 6 months to a year to prevent your granite from staining.