The idea of installing gorgeous new stone countertops is exciting, but what is truly involved?
The unknown can be daunting! After all, this is not like trying a new color of paint or light switch cover design. This kind of update is made maybe once in the time you spend in your home (pending your “forever home” feelings in the space) and can last for years or even decades.
So what can you expect? How do you even get started?
"A stone is not a stone by any other name"
A good starting place is deciding on the stone itself. This in a sense, was an easier decision just 20 something years ago when you were pretty well limited to brown or greyish speckled granite. But the color and type of stone options have grown dramatically and can be remarkable to see when touring a local stone supplier for the first time. Slab after slab of untold amounts of stones, colors, and patterns are wonderfully arranged in perfect rows for your eye’s enjoyment. But just how does one narrow down the right stone from among the granite, marble, quartz, onyx, soapstone, travertine, porcelain, quartzite (and more)?
-There are at least 3 Major factors -
1. Budget… budget, budget! *cough*… did I mention budget?!
Let’s be totally upfront about the learning process for these shiny, and gloriously luxurious stones - ultimately, just about EVERYONE has expensive taste (us included)! When researching the incredibly varied stones, colors and patterns it is just too easy to get lost in the “premium” realm of cost. The slab stone industry categorizes stones by levels (IE: 1, 2, 3 or A, B, C etc.) and so generally speaking, the higher the level, the greater the cost, all the way up to “exotic”. So before you commit your heart to that mesmerizing iridescent back-lit blue agate you saw on full display at your local upscale restaurant or in a recent house design blog, pump the brakes and work out a price range you feel you can commit to your new countertops.
2. A day in the life of stone countertops
It seems easy enough to imagine that a slab of stone is basically a rock and rocks are durable right? …I mean why would we have the phrase “hard as a rock” if that weren’t true?
But, in the countertop realm you’re dealing with not a full size rock in its natural state but rather a slice of it. And these ‘rocks' have different mineral makeups that can make them essentially workhorses that are hard, stain and damage resistant OR instead of a more susceptible and delicate nature that are more likely to stain, scratch or chip and plenty more somewhere in between.
So in truth, who and how will your counters be used? Speaking of kitchen counters for example, where does your family dynamic sit in the spectrum of potential wear and tear say from the scale of: 1) Laid back retirees that entertain occasionally but otherwise keep a tidy, shipshape home to themselves to...10) A high energy, dynamic family, with constant hustle and bustle because you're THE-hangout spot for all ages with your kitchen at the center of fun.
Now, if after taking some time to ponder, you decide you’re a high traffic kind of home, then you may want to steer away from softer stones like marble, limestone, and even lighter colored granites that require more care to ensure their original beauty lasts. Instead, a more durable stone like mid to dark colored granites, quartzite, or quartz would be a better choice. So do some digging on the strengths and weaknesses of the stone options out there, (including the expected maintenance necessary for each type of stone) and compare that to the traffic, use, and lifestyle of your home.
3. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
And here we are… the fun part! Up to this point you’ve worked out a rough budget range and the type of stone that should stand up to the use it will so lovingly receive. Now we come to the much anticipated esthetic part of the process. But before you start mapping out where the nearest slab showroom is you’ll want to source out a fabricator/contractor for the project because this will be one of the very first questions you’ll be asked when you walk in the door.
Actually, consulting your fabricator/contractor BEFORE you peruse the stone aisles is a key element for several reasons. Here are just a couple:
Not every fabricator will or is even approved to source stone material from every stone supplier. Consulting with them first will help you narrow down where they recommend shopping for slab options.
Your fabricator/contractor can potentially schedule a time to shop slabs together so you have their expertise at the ready. They’ll already know your budget range and preferences so they can guide you around safely, keeping you from stumbling upon those pesky-pretties that are not in your dollar wheelhouse (yet… keep hope alive). And if you can’t marry your schedule with theirs, they can inform their supplier rep of your needs who can assist you in finding those gem-like slabs that tick all the necessary boxes.
We hope this gives you some food for thought and aids you on your way to pursuing the stone counters of your dreams! As always, please feel free to browse our other blog articles and the rest of our website for helpful info and tidbits about updating your home. And of course, don’t forget that you can always reach out to us with any questions you have through the website chat widget or by email at info@setinstonecreations.com,
Thanks a ton!
Sincerely,
The SISC team
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