Choosing the right countertops

Where to begin? There are so many details that go into designing your dream kitchen or bathroom (or any cabinet project for that matter) and one of the major details, other than cabinets of course, is your countertops. There are so many options now a days. You have laminate, corian, quartz, marble, granite, and even more natural stone options to choose from! So what do you choose? How do you even begin to start knowing what to do? We like to ask our customers "what do you want from your countertops?" are you more concerned about the aesthetic and the look? Are you worried about durabilty and heat resistance? We personally do not offer things like laminate or corian, so that's automatically off the table. From there you have the natural stones and quartz. If you're looking for aesthetics, especially those crisp bright white colors or even unique patterns you wouldn't normally see in nature, we would recommened a quartz. If you want some that can handle heat with out batting an eye we would recommend granite. If you want something that can possibly hit both aesthetics and heat resistance, we recommend quartzite. What about pricing? There is a common misconception that granite is the cheapest option when it comes to stone countertops, which can be true. However, with the rise of quartz manufactuering the prices have come down considerbly to the point that depending on the colors that you pick, can be the same as a granite. The best way to explain stone pricing is like this- the prices, are based on how hard it is to either mine a natural stone, or manufacture a man made stone, like quartz. Granites, are a more common stone and cheaper granites will typically be more "like rock" in apearance with a speckled look to them. Typically in black, off-white, grey, and brown tones.

As soon as the colors become less commononly found in natural stone, such as your blues or greens, even pinks, the price of the stone will go up because those colors are harder to find. For man made stone like quartz pricing comes down to the colors as well. Bright whites, even if the stone itself if plain, will be more expensive because it takes a lot of work to create true bright white with no pixalation. If you go to a paint store you will often see that Titanium white oil paints are more expensive than zinc white oil paint because of the brightness and opacity of the color. Other colors or patterns will also increase the price, and of course name brands as well. Certain quartz brands such as Cambria or Silestone are popular for a reason, but you also pay for that popularity. What are the different materials? What makes them different? As we already stated countertops now come in so many different materials all with their own properties. Quartz- Quartz is a man-made material, also known as engineered, that is created by crushed up quartz stones and mixing it with resin and different pigments to create different colors, and patterns that usually can't be found in nature. Another common aspect of quartz are colors and patterns that are made to mimic marbles. Quartz are considered more durable as they typically don't stain and can handle acid unlike materials such as marble, however most quartz cannot handle heat beyond 300 degrees farenheight. It is always recommended to use hot pads with a quartz. Granite- Granite is a natural stone. The basic geology of it is different mineral composites are superheated and melted in the earth's surface as an igneous rock. The different minerals are what create the the different colors and how it forms together and cools is what creates the different patterns. Granite is very heat resistant and if broken can generally be repaired with minimal effort. A downside to granite is it does need to be sealed. When installed generally your countertop installers will put a sealant on it to help protect the surface. This will need to be redone every year to two years depending on the harshness of the cleaning materials you use on the countertops. Most home remodeling stores carry granite sealant that you can wipe on and let dry. It's fairly easy to do but some people do find it as an inconvience. Marble- Marble like granite is a natural stone and is formed with heat under the earth's surface however marble is a sedimentary rock that is typically composed of superheated limestone that undergoes intense chemcial changes called metamorphasis which creates those stunning crystaline features and structures. Marble is considered a softer stone and even though it can handle heat, it can't handle anything acidic, so no cutting lemons directly on the surface, it's prone to staining, and chipping. We generally recommend marbles for low traffic areas such as entertainment centers. Dolomite- Dolomite is very similar to marble and some manufactuers will label certain stones as dolomite marbles. Dolomite is also a sedimentary rock however the overall mineral makeup is different than a marble and the overall apearance is different. Most dolomites have more of a layered look and more colors than a typical marble and are also a lot more durable. Just like a granite is does need to be sealed. Quartzite- Quartzites are metamorphic, like granite, but once again have their own mineral makeup and are comprised mostly of sandstone. Purer quartzites are typically white to grey in color but once other mineral compounds are introduced you get lots of other stunning colors such as greens, blues, pinks, etc. Quartzites have a lot of the same qualities as a granite or dolomite, they can withstand high tempatures of heat, they need to be sealed, and come in various patterns and colors. Typically though because of the colors and durability of it, quartzites tend to be a more expensive stone choice. So now what? Just like with your cabinets, we're here to help you pick you countertops based on your needs and wants and not based on what's trending. If you want a trending product, we'll pick a quartz for you. If you're someone who tends to place hot items directly onto your countertops, we're going to recommend granite. If you want something that can withstand heat and has some beautful colors we're going to suggest a dolomite or quartzite. Our best suggestion is always to come see the stones in person. Sure, you could shop online, but you don't truly get to see the colors. Something else to keep in mind stones online aren't always the same in person. Dye lots are different for different man made stones, natural stones are never consistent, even when mined from the same lot! Always. always, always see your stone in person before making a final decision. What's great about our showroom is we share a space with Imperial Granite and Quartz who sells and manufactures the stones here on site! So not only can you see the full sized slabs, talk to an expert on countertop materials, you can see how they cut, and shape your future countertops as well.