Choosing the perfect stone countertop may appear overwhelming due to the array of colour and sample selections for kitchen islands, counter tops, or lavatory vanities. Householders ought to weigh three important elements — price, sturdiness, and look — to simplify the decision-making course of. These elements present a transparent information for selecting the proper countertop materials.
Value
Stone countertop pricing varies extensively. The kind of materials, quantity of fabric wanted, edge profile, and customized design all issue into the whole price.
Resolve how a lot you may spend on counter tops earlier than visiting stone fabricators. Stick with a price range and keep away from falling in love with an unrealistic choice out of your worth vary.
Listed below are key pricing concerns to know:
- To get an correct quote, a technician should take in-person measurements. Stone fabricators utilizing laser measuring instruments present essentially the most exact measurements from the beginning.
- In the event you select an in-stock materials, you’ll solely want partial slabs to finish your mission. If you choose special-order supplies, it is best to anticipate to pay for all the slab up-front.
- Fabrication and set up prices issue into the whole worth. Intricate edge profiles or cutouts for sinks and cooktops make the job extra labor-intensive.
- Greater-end pure stone supplies like granite, marble, and quartzite enhance dwelling values greater than lower-cost choices. Choose high-end for a clever long-term funding.
Sturdiness
With correct care, high quality stone counter tops can final over many years of each day use. Think about the sturdiness elements of every materials when making a call.
Marble is warmth resistant and a well-liked selection for bakeries and eating places, but it surely’s vulnerable to etching when uncovered to acidic supplies like citrus or wine. Ask your fabricator about honed marble, which boasts a mushy, satin end, if you happen to’re anxious about etching.
Granite stays a timeless favourite as a result of its innate hardness, resisting scratches and chips underneath regular family utilization. With common cleansing, granite maintains its unique magnificence even after a decade.
Quartzite, like granite, is a sturdy pure stone however typically comes with the next price ticket as a result of its resilience and marble-like look.
Engineered quartz, though proof against scratches, is extra inclined to excessive warmth in comparison with pure stone. It’s advisable to make use of trivets to safeguard engineered quartz from sizzling pans.
Look
Selecting stone counter tops requires deciding between pure stone and engineered choices.
Each granite, marble, or quartzite slab has a novel colour sample. Go to stone yards to view slabs firsthand earlier than finalizing your choice. Unique stone colours and patterns typically price greater than common requirements like white Carrara marble.
Engineered supplies like quartz supply extremely constant coloring all through the slabs. Engineered stones function daring, vibrant hues not present in pure stone. Primarily based on my 20 years of expertise as an actual property agent, I like to recommend choosing pure stone patterns, as stylish engineered colours could rapidly seem dated.
Discovering your good countertop requires partnering with a educated stone fabricator who will reply all of your questions and assist you choose the perfect materials on your price range and elegance.
So, Is Stone Proper for Your House?
Pure or engineered stone counter tops present an unbeatable mixture of aesthetics, sturdiness, and worth over time. Correctly sealed and cared for, stone counter tops endure many years of each day use and increase a house’s resale worth with their lasting magnificence.
FAQs About Stone Counter tops
How typically do stone counter tops should be resealed?
Resealing frequency is determined by the stone. Granite and quartzite could solely want resealing each few years. Marble requires extra frequent sealing, usually each one to 2 years.
Can you narrow on stone counter tops?
It’s high quality to chop mushy meals like bread on granite or quartzite. Keep away from slicing exhausting objects like meat bones, which may uninteresting the floor. By no means minimize instantly on marble, which might scratch and stain simply.
How thick ought to a stone countertop be?
For residential use, 1.25 inches presents ample power. Go thicker if you’d like a beefier look or have to construct in an overhang.
Can stone counter tops chip?
Small chips alongside the sides can happen over time with heavy use. Vital chipping throughout the floor is uncommon with high quality stone.
Are stone counter tops exhausting to wash?
Stone is kind of straightforward to wash utilizing delicate cleaning soap and water. For cooked-on spills, use a non-abrasive scrub pad. Keep away from harsh chemical compounds that may harm the floor.