Black Galaxy Granite contrasted with Honey glazed cabinets

In the past, you may have heard interior design experts say that dark colors should always be avoided in small spaces. However, as the field of design continues to expand, more designers are willing to challenge these rules and break away from tradition to create unique, memorable spaces. But is it okay to use dark countertops in a small kitchen?

Dark Colors in Small Spaces

The advice to avoid dark colors in small rooms comes from the idea that lighter colors will make the room seem more spacious and open. Darker colors, on the other hand, can make the room seem even narrower and cramped if they aren’t used properly. However, this does not mean that you should never use a dark color in a small space. On the contrary, dark colors can be beautiful even in a small space if you apply them carefully.

Tips for Dark Countertops in Small Kitchens

Deciding to place a dark countertop in a small kitchen may not be the most popular choice among designers or homeowners, but it can be breathtaking if you do it right.

Here are some tips to help you make your kitchen as appealing as possible.

Tip 1: Pair dark countertops with light cabinetry.

In general, having both dark countertops and dark cabinetry will make a small kitchen seem even smaller. However, selecting a lighter cabinet color instead will give you the contrast you need to avoid this problem. The contrast itself can also be striking, making your kitchen more appealing and memorable. 

Also read: How to match granite and cabinets

Tip 2: Choose lighter wall colors.

The risk of a kitchen looking smaller because of a dark countertop is nearly as serious as the risk that comes with darker walls. While a lighter wall reflects light and gives the illusion of additional space, a darker wall has the opposite effect. Although dark walls can sometimes be used in a small kitchen successfully, they should generally be avoided if you have already chosen a dark countertop.

Tip 3: Add spaciousness in other ways.

If you have already chosen a dark countertop and you are worried about the size of your kitchen, you can make other small design choices that make it feel more spacious. For example, while some floor patterns may actually make your kitchen look smaller, others can make it look larger. Examples include floor patterns that include large diamonds or chevrons. Choosing cabinetry with glass inserts and maximizing storage space to cut down on clutter can also make your kitchen seem more open and spacious.

Tip 4: Consult a stone design professional.

If you aren’t sure whether you are making the right decision with regard to dark countertops, or if you want to make sure that your dark countertops will add beauty to your kitchen without making it seem cramped, consulting a design professional is the best way to put your mind at ease. A design professional can help you make the best decision based on the specifics of your situation and your design goals.

Dark countertops can be beautiful and are available in a wide variety of different materials, including granite, marble and quartz. Even if you have a small kitchen, you can still use these colors in your kitchen successfully if you make the right choices and plan carefully.

The stone design experts at Arch City Granite in St. Louis will be happy to help you achieve all of your design goals.

The post Can A Small Kitchen Look Good With Dark Countertops? [Updated for 2022] appeared first on Arch City Granite & Marble.

Top White Granite Colors in 2022 – Updated January 2022

Are you looking to make a trendy yet timeless upgrade to your kitchen or bathroom? Look no further than white granite countertops. In addition to uniquely brightening up your living space, white granite counters add elegance with no sacrifice of durability.

Natural granite is a hard and nonporous stone, making it a brilliant choice for kitchen counters and other high-traffic areas of your home. Meanwhile, white continues to fit in with the modern design because of its chic, clean aesthetic.

But all white granite countertops aren’t created equal. For starters, there’s no pure white granite in all of nature. Instead, when we talk about white granite, we’re talking about a predominant background of white or off-white bedrock with various other colors subtly mixed in. Because of this, white granite boasts astounding versatility and can beautifully complement many different cabinet colors.

With so many hues to choose from, how do you know which white granite shade suits your style? Read on for a roundup of 12 go-to white granite colors for 2022 and beyond. Visit our St. Louis or O’Fallon locations to see these colors and more!

1. Alaska White

Alaska White Granite slab – Granite with White background and brown, grey, and black specks

Alaska White’s name belies its origins. This show-stopping shade doesn’t actually hail from The Last Frontier, but instead comes from Brazil. However, this white granite’s stunning blend of cool and warm colors, including icy silver, frosty white, rich cocoa and deep onyx, bring to mind the stunning Alaskan landscape. Featuring slight movement with moderate variations in color, tone, granularity and pattern, Alaska White has a contemporary feel which suits both dark and light cabinets. Its brown veining pairs beautifully with wood.

While Alaska White is at the higher end of the white granite price range, it’s still affordable at $65 to $75 per square foot installed.

2. Alps White

White Granite Color of choice – Alps White from Brazil

Alps White features a contrast of glimmering white crystals, Bordeaux flecks and bold black — all against a warm, white background. Imported from Brazil, this sophisticated shade works well with many different design styles, including everything from traditional to contemporary kitchens. Whether you’re looking for stunning countertops or a dazzling backsplash, accent wall or floor, Alps White has slight movement and variation for added visual appeal.

At $58 to $65 per square foot installed, Alps White is at the middle of the price range for white granite.

3. Andino White

Andino White Granite from Brazil – A beautiful White and Gray granite with beige and charcoal accents

Soft shades of white and gray granite intermingle with beige and charcoal accents in this high-performance, low-maintenance granite. Quarried in Brazil, Andino White granite offers a uniform appearance that can vary from brilliant white to a more muted look depending on the slab. As with most other shades of white granite, Andino White is highly versatile to complement both light and dark cabinets. Our pick when decorating with Andino White? Espresso cabinets with sleek stainless steel appliances. For a more traditional aesthetic, Andino White is gorgeous with natural oak.

Andino White is available at an affordable price point — particularly when you factor in its durability. Expect to pay between $58 and $65 per square foot installed.

4. Colonial White

Colonial White – A white granite from India with creamy off-white background mixed with black and garnet speckles

While most white granites come from Brazil, Colonial White joins a select few that come from India. Featuring a foundation of creamy off-white bedrock, Colonial White has black speckles and smoky silver accent colors. A hint of rose-pink mineral deposits is also a defining feature of Colonial White. If you’re looking for light granite that’ll add warmth to your kitchen, Colonial White is a winner. When paired with stark white cabinets, Colonial White countertops soften a space while having a more dramatic effect alongside darker cabinets. Colonial White’s slight movement and variation mean it offers a continuous and cohesive feel.

While Colonial White has an upscale appearance, it’s an affordable $55 to $60 per square foot installed.

5. New River White

New River White – A light background granite from India with dramatic veining flowing the entire slab

This picturesque light granite consists of an alabaster bedrock speckled with dark red flecks and rich silver veining. Imported from India, New River White offers a great deal of variation, making it a dramatic and dynamic addition to any living space. While other granites may feature mineral deposits similar to New River White’s crimson accents, only this color has them in such magnificent abundance. Choosing cabinets that highlight this quality is the best way to showcase New River White countertops. White cabinets are an obvious choice for complementing New River White, but darker cabinets also provide appealing contrast.

Because of New River White’s inherent beauty, it’s in great demand. Still, it’s a mid-range white granite at $55 to $60 per square foot installed.

6. Moon White

White Granite – Moon White is a bright white granite with uniform color throughout the slab

Quarried in India, Moon White embodies the exquisiteness implied by its name. Bright ivory, silver-gray, and bold black are a few of the colors that speckle and swirl in this fine and intricate light granite. One of the whiter shades of granite, Moon White can also have a subtle yellow undertone. It’s relatively uniform in color compared to other white granites and has been described as “mesmerizing” for its unique appearance. As with many granite colors, Moon White is highly versatile. One particularly striking combination? Moon White granite with white cabinets, a white subway tile backsplash, and stainless steel appliances.

Moon White granite has many appeals, including its price of just $45 to $49 per square foot installed.

7. Mystic Spring

Mystic Spring – A White Granite from Brazil with dramatic veining with rich blend of grays and whites

This durable light granite from Brazil features a fine, intricate blend of grays and whites enhanced by dramatic veining in shades of darker gray and jet black. Versatility is a hallmark of Mystic Spring granite — it pairs perfectly with many other premium surfaces, including everything from porcelain tiles to mosaics. Comparatively uniform in movement and variation, Mystic Spring is an elevating addition to the traditional decor and exudes polished warmth when partnered with darker tones.

Mystic Spring is at the top of the range when it comes to white granite pricing. Expect to pay between $62 and $69 per square foot installed.

8. Salinas White

Salinas White – A creamy and bone-white granite from Brazil with bright Onyx speckles

Quarried in Brazil, this creamy, bone-white stone features dense clusters of onyx speckles with lower-contrast accents of light pewter and smoky tan accents. Beloved by decorators for its subtle shimmer, Salinas White is lovely for both interior and exterior applications. As with other light granites, Salinas White, which is comparatively consistent in terms of variation, is heralded for its versatility. While it coordinates well with many colors and decorating styles, it remarkably contrasts dark woodwork in traditional settings.

At $58 to $65 per square foot installed, Salinas White is a mid-range white granite.

9. White Ice

White Ice – A white and creamy background stone with rich blue & gray veining

When homeowners talk about White Ice granite, words like “love” and “obsessed” frequently enter the conversation. This versatile and chic shade from Brazil has a snowy sheen accented by dark veining in hues of blue and gray. The result? A sleek and streamlined look that’s an ideal addition to contemporary, cool-toned kitchens. While many shades work well with White Ice, grays, metallic and stainless steel appliances are powerful choices for this light granite with minimal movement. Dark neutrals deliver contrast that truly “pops.”

Priced at $58 to $65 per square foot installed, White Ice offers transformative appeal to many living spaces.

10. White Valley

White Valley – A new white granite color from Brazil with abundance of gray veining running throughout the slab

White Valley granite’s winsome white background is elevated by tonal shades of gray veining running throughout the slabs. Imported from Brazil, this dramatic stone adds welcoming warmth to any kitchen. It also offers plenty of visual interest and depth, thanks to its abundance of movement. If you’re angling to add an air of sophistication and elegance to your kitchen, White Valley comprises a classic aesthetic with unprecedented versatility that blends beautifully with many design styles.

White Valley is a mid-range light granite with a price tag of $58 to $65 per square foot installed.

11. White Ornamental

Ornamental White – A light granite from Brazil with soft white, creams, taupes, tans and grays

What do you get when you combine soft whites, creams, taupes, tans and grays in low variations? This lovely and timeless light granite. Imported from Brazil, White Ornamental granite may be subtle in color, but it makes a seriously sophisticated statement when incorporated into kitchen designs. It’s well-suited for monotone environments but can be accented with contrasting cabinetry and accessorized with vibrant pops of color for a high-impact look.

Ornamental White offers a luxurious look at a less-than-luxury price. Expect to pay just $45 to $49 per square foot installed for this popular white granite.

12. White Spring

White Spring – Beautiful light granite from Brazil with crystal-white bedrock mixed with white, gray and crimson hues

Mined in southern Brazil, White Spring granite is a true classic. Featuring a backdrop of crystal-white bedrock, White Spring is noteworthy for its alluringly rambling, high-variation veining in white, gray and crimson hues. Plus, while White Spring is very much pure white, it can appear darker in color due to its dense mineral veining. Cherry and mahogany cabinets bring out White Spring’s dramatic red accents, while white cabinets offer dramatic contrast.

Due to its distinctive appearance, White Spring is at the higher end of white granite price at $62 to $69 per square foot installed.

There’s a reason why the words “white granite” and “dream kitchen” often go hand in hand. If you’ve been fantasizing about white granite countertops, you’re sure to find just the right elegant and enduring shade among these 12 trending colors.

Why White Granite?

If you want new countertops in your kitchen, white granite is an excellent choice. Some of the advantages of this material include:

• Aesthetic appeal: Vibrant white granite countertops can brighten up your kitchen, leaving a remarkable first impression on your guests. White countertops have specks and variations that make each slab unique.
• Spacious look: The brightness of white granite countertops widens your kitchen. Whether you have a small kitchen or want to make your large one more luxurious, white granite will add dimension to your living space and give it a light, airy feeling.
• Goes with any color: White granite countertops match any other color you may have in your kitchen. You may want a stark contrast against your black flooring or a subtle transition from your beige cabinetry. Since they come in various shades, you can find the exact color you want to match your design.
• Timeless appearance: White is a timeless color that’s always in style. You may use it in your classic, traditional kitchen or your modern living space.
• Durability: Granite is one of the hardest natural stones, so it can withstand most of the activity that takes place in the kitchen. When you seal it properly, granite is resistant to stains, cutting, heat and scraping. As a result, you can have peace of mind your white granite countertops will maintain their appearance for many years.

Is White Granite Hard to Maintain?

The answer is no. White granite kitchen countertops are easy to maintain, as long as you keep up with your cleaning routine. Follow these tips to care for your countertops:

• Wipe up crumbs and debris every day: Clean the grime off your white granite countertops with hot water and a sponge or cloth. It helps to clean them at the end of each day to avoid debris buildup. Aside from this routine cleaning, it’s also best to wipe up spills as soon as you notice them.
• Deep clean once a week: Move the small appliances and dish racks you may have on your white granite countertops to get rid of hidden grime. You can use mild detergent and warm water to clean up this residue.
• Polish once a month: Use a granite polisher once a month to restore your white granite countertops’ shine.
• Test the seal once a year: Depending on your specific product, you may want to seal your white granite countertops each year to improve their resistance to moisture, heat and wear.

When to Choose White Granite Over Marble

Marble and granite are both similar countertop materials that can each add unique value to your home. Marble is an attractive, luxurious option for your living space, but it’s not as resistant to wear and tear as white granite. You’ll also need to seal marble countertops more often than you would seal granite countertops. If you’re a family with kids or use your kitchen often to entertain guests, you may want to choose white granite instead because of its ease of maintenance.

White Granite Slabs at Arch City Granite in St. Louis, Missouri

At Arch City Granite & Marble, Inc., we strive to provide you with the best selection of granite slabs, including all the popular white granite colors described above. Selecting the right granite color for your project isn’t always easy, but our project managers will work with you to find the right countertop for your home.

Arch City Granite is one of the very few granite showrooms in St. Louis that stocks over 100 colors of granite, quartz, marble and soapstone. We also offer full-service countertops fabrication and installation to St. Louis homeowners.

When you want the best kitchen countertops, you need Arch City Granite.

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• Frequently Asked Questions

The post Top Trending White Granite Colors in 2022 [Updated!] appeared first on Arch City Granite & Marble.

Of course, most homeowners don’t know what to expect approaching their marble or granite fabricator for the first time. What does a granite fabricator do? How does stone fabrication become custom countertops?

We’re here to answer these questions and more with a quick guide on how to best work with your stone fabricator during a custom countertop project.

What is a Stone Fabricator?

A stone fabricator is a professional who can measure, template, and cut stone countertops and other slab project pieces. The precision and facilities to cut the natural stone slab is what matters most. Your stone fabricator is someone who knows how to turn a beautiful natural (or unnatural) slab into the countertops and other stone features you have envisioned.

Your personal stone fabricator will assess your kitchen and help you template the best pieces of marble or granite for each section of your countertop. Then, with the help of a team, they will precisely cut your chosen slab so that each piece fits perfectly in a near-seamless design when installed into your kitchen.

How to Find the Best Stone Fabricator for Your Project

Finding the right stone fabricator is about building a partnership. Your search can start with recommendations or browsing local fabricators on Yelp or Google. Build a list of finalists who seem reputable and start making calls. Find a stone fabricator who:

• Is licensed and certified
• Has a beautiful gallery and a history of happy customers
• Can help you choose the right slab
• Shares your vision of the remodel project

In addition to checking credentials and past project results, look for a stone fabricator who understands your vision. Find a person you share a positive rapport (vibe) with and who seems to know exactly the look and feel you are going for in your remodel design.

Tips for Working with a Stone Fabricator

Once you have found the right stone fabricator, it’s time to work together to make your kitchen remodel vision into reality. Here are some practical tips on how to experience the best project for the most beautiful countertop final results.

1) Find Your Ideal Slab(s) to Start From

Always start with your slab or slabs. Your fabricator may be able to help you choose and source the right slab, or they may suggest a stone supplier to tour who might have the slabs you’re looking for. When you find the right marble or granite slab and fall in love, get your fabricator involved and start talking about its potential as your countertops.

2) Identify & Share Your Favorite Slab Sections

You may have some favorite sections of your slabs, shown in the grain, color, and flow of its natural elements. Point these sections out to your stone fabricator so they can spotlight them on the island or center of your countertop space – and not lose your favorite pieces to a sink cutout. Your fabricator may also point out more beautiful spaces that will flow well together when cut into countertop pieces.

3) Tour the Kitchen Layout With Your Stone Fabricator

Bring your stone fabricator into your kitchen and show them the space to be templated and topped. If you are making renovation changes, finish those renovations before involving your fabricator so the most accurate assessment can be made. Talk about the amount of countertop you’ll need, along with your preferred shapes, edges, and features.

4) Ask Your Fabricator for Design Ideas

Always ask your stone fabricator for ideas on countertop elements and overall design. They may have some great suggestions borne from experience and familiarity with stone slab. They may suggest features like small shelves or carved details that you hadn’t thought about, but love upon considering. Your stone fabricator has likely done dozens if not hundreds of kitchens and they have a few cool stone cutting design tricks up their sleeve to share.

5) Finalize Details, Then Template the Countertops

Before you template, make sure everything else is selected and/or in place. Have your sinks installed and ready, if possible. Place your appliances that will be built into the space. If you want an inset butcher block or a unique storage design at countertop level – finalize all of this. Then ask your stone fabricator to create a template that perfectly fits the kitchen as it will be when completed. The measurements must be precise for your countertop to be perfect when installed.

6) Ask to See the Template Process

When it’s time to draft and cut, ask your stone fabricator for insight into the template process. You can even work together to decide which template pieces should be cut from each section of your slab for the most beautiful effect. Seeing the template can help you realize how your slab is going to become a unique custom-cut stone countertop.

7) Make Use of Your Slab Remnants

Last but certainly not least, talk to your stone fabricator about what can be done with your slab remnants. These are the pieces cut away from the template and left over. You can turn them into beautiful backsplashes, mosaics, serving boards, toppers for shelves and half-walls, or even put them to use outside in the garden.

Here at Arch City Granite & Marble, we are proud to house both an incredible selection of marble and granite slabs to choose from and our own team of expert stone fabricators. You can find everything you need for breathtaking custom countertops in natural stone or quartz composite right here. Contact us today to explore our beautiful slabs or consult with our stone fabricators to find the perfect partnership. We look forward to working with you!

The post Helpful Guide to Working with a Stone Fabricator appeared first on Arch City Granite & Marble.

A big part of open-plan design is the kitchen. Whether you are half the open floor plan or front-and-center, your countertops will be among the most visible part of the entire room design. After all, everyone flocks to the island or wrap-around bar for breakfast, snacks, and to spend time with the family chef. Your kitchen counters may become the centerpiece of your open plan or form a bastion of gleaming stone on one side of the shared space.  Which begs the question: What are the best countertops for an open floor plan design?

We’re here to help you answer that question, focusing on the best countertop designs for your unique open plan home.

Countertop Visibility in Open-Plan Designs

The first thing to realize about open-plan and entertainer kitchens is how visible your countertops will be from every part of the home. Your countertops will become a gleaming part of the living room design and may even be visible from doorways and hallways throughout the house. Ideally, this is a design benefit because your countertop choice is a chance to decorate the whole house with a single set of decisions.

Choosing the right coutnertops for your open floor plan is all about accenting the rest of the house as well as making your kitchen beautiful up close. You’ll want a stone grain that compliments the decor and a color that stands out flatteringly against the design palette of your home.

Countertops to Match Your Interior Design

What color palette defines your interior design decor? Consider the colors you already use regularly. Consider the hues behind the neutral paint colors of your walls, the color of your window draperies, and the colors you’ve chosen for furniture and artwork. These together define your color palette, and your countertops should match that palette beautifully.

For example, if your walls are blue-gray and your decor favors aquatic tones, then a dark granite with a spray of blue grains or cream marble with bluish veins might be the right choice for your open plan countertops. A home decorated in red or autumn colors might benefit from rich brown granite with red and gold grains, or a warm yellow marble with orange tinting in the veins.

Natural Stone that Becomes Part of the Artwork

Choosing a beautiful slab to fabricate your counters from can also be like choosing your wall artwork. Natural stone is, in its way, a work of art waiting to be built directly into your home. Beautiful swirls of stone veins or splatters of artistic inherent graining can add the perfect accent to your already elegant interior decor. You can choose a ‘busy’ slab design to reflect the vibrant life your family leads or an understated slab that would be worthy of any abstract wall-hanging.

Match your choice of marble or granite, or even custom quartz, to become part of the decor and not just a surface for cooking implements and nightly homework.

Easy-to-Clean Countertop Design

Consider all the little design details that make a countertop easy to clean In an open-plan design: cleaning matters. A dirty countertop can be seen all the way across the house, meaning the best impressions are made when your counters are always 100% clean. We know what a chore it can be to constantly wipe down after preparing every meal and snack, so think ahead. Add cleaning channels or subtle draining patterns for spills. Work with an expert fabricator so your seams are nearly invisible and never catch debris. Consider clean countertop lines to easily sweep crumbs into a cloth instead of gathering them. You’ll thank yourself for this forethought a thousand times in the near future and it will be easier to keep your centrally located countertops gleaming.

Contrast Countertops Define the Kitchen Space

Use a contrasting countertop color to make your kitchen stand out. One risk of an open plan kitchen is that the kitchen blends too well into the current decor. Make a statement and visually define your space with countertops that contrast the rest of your design. The best way to do this is with shade rather than hue. Match your color scheme, but make your counters lighter or darker than the rest of the room.

Dark countertops stand out the best, especially if they are of a distinctive accent color like charcoal or moss green. The grains or veins you choose can also help your countertops stand out by contrasting themselves with the base color and flowing beautifully from one coutnertop section to the next.

Pale countertops can become a gleaming central beacon, beckoning your family and guests to the kitchen for warm conversation and tasty treats while keeping the family chef company during meal prep.

Open-Plan Countertop Features

Don’t forget the unique planning you can do with open plan countertop design. You can create a little fold-over countertop that acts both as a gate against free-flowing chaos and a wheelchair-friendly prep space. You can design your island or room-facing counter as a breakfast bar to welcome the family into the kitchen space without actually coming into your kitchen space.

You can also design your open plan kitchen for more than one chef, with an extra ‘bar sink’ and prep spaces where you won’t bump elbows. Open plan kitchens have a great deal of potential for unique family-welcoming design.

The Backsplash and Kitchen Accent Wall

Don’t forget the beauty of your back wall. Your countertop design can quickly become inspiration for a backsplash that guests will never forget. Custom granite or marble counters can include a uniquely cut backsplash that defines the entire back wall of your kitchen. That back wall can then become a statement piece, an accent wall for the entire open-plan family room. Do something impressive and pick a paint that spotlights your unique countertop and backsplash design.

The Right Organization for Open-Plan Counters

Last but certainly not least, don’t forget your organization features. A few hanging hooks and floating shelves in the right place can help to keep your open-plan countertops clear of clutter. Considering how visible they are, you will want some truly elegant near-counter and on-counter storage. Find wire racks for your pans or an artistically tiered Lazy Suzan for your spices as the finishing touches for your open plan kitchen counter design.

Ready to explore your custom countertop options for an open floor plan home? We can help! Check out our granite gallery to get your imagination started. When you’re ready to start talking about final plans, contact us and meet your stone fabricator who will template and perfect your open plan kitchen design. We look forward to hearing about your home project and working with you to bring your countertop vision into reality.

The post Designing the Best Countertops for an Open Floor Plan appeared first on Arch City Granite & Marble.

The Difference Between Prefab and Custom Countertops

While the primary difference between custom and prefab counters is when the slabs are cut, the difference in experience, design freedom, and final result can be profound.

Prefab Countertops

• Are cut to pre-determined standard kitchen dimensions and countertop shapes
• Assume where your sink and dishwasher will go
• Seams are wider and more visible when installed
• Available in limited color, grain, and grade of slab
• Cost less per square foot
• Are often pre-cut overseas and shipped pre-cut to your countertop provider

Custom Countertops

• Start with a whole slab
• Are cut by local stone fabricators to your kitchen’s unique dimensions and design
• Come in the widest variety of color, grain, and slab grade
• Cost a little more per square foot
• Lower carbon footprint from local providers
• Create ‘remnant’ slab to use in smaller projects

Quartz countertops that look like marble installed in a kitchen with white and black cabinets

Why Choose Custom Countertop Fabrication?

Each homeowner who chooses custom countertops has their own unique reasons. We’ve worked with thousands of homeowners on kitchen and bathroom remodels and we’ve heard all those reasons a few dozen times. Not sure if prefab or custom is right for you? Let’s explore the many reasons why choosing a custom countertop fabrication might be the right choice for your renovation or new construction project:

1) Your Kitchen Isn’t a Cookie-Cutter Clone

There are millions of cookie-cutter homes, condos, and apartments built in standard dimensions; but your home isn’t one of them. Prefab counters assume you have one of the ‘standard’ kitchen designs often put in by home builders and multi-family construction designs. However, millions more homes are either custom designed or have been so uniquely remodeled that they no longer fit that cookie-cutter shapes.

Maybe your vision has rearranged the countertops, along with the location of your sink and appliances so a cookie-cutter prefab counter just won’t fit. Or maybe a previous owner or the original home designer left you with a delightfully unique kitchen. In these situations, prefab counter shapes may never fit and you’ll need custom counters for your beautiful custom kitchen.

2) Eliminate Visible Countertop Seams

Custom countertops are cut so that the seams between matching slab pieces are nearly invisible. Precise measurement and expert installation can practically make your granite or marble seems invisible once in place. Prefab counters, however, are cut for transport and the seams are never as precise as a custom cut. You also can’t guarantee two prefab pieces come from the exact same slab.

Installing prefab counters will often leave gapping seams with highly visible lines of caulk and sealant in-between. If you want that seamless countertop look, you’ll need a custom cut by skilled local stone fabricators who have measured your kitchen and are working with a solid matching slab.

3) A Wider Selection of Custom Slab Colors and Grains

There are hundreds of different colors and grains of natural stone to choose from for your countertops. When picking a custom countertop, you get to choose from the full array of slabs available on-site or that could be ordered by your countertop team. Prefab countertops, however, are more like shopping out of a catalog.

You can choose from the limited colors and grains available, but this limits your ability to perfectly match your kitchen’s design in both color scheme and grain detail. You also can’t guarantee the pre-cut counters that arrive will directly match the picture shown as the product changes from slab to slab.

Kitchen countertops with a corner sink in Webster Groves residence

4) A Higher Grade of Granite or Marble Slab

The grade of your countertop is the thickness and quality of the stone the counters are cut from. Custom countertops allow you to choose the grade when you choose the specific slab you want your counters made from. Understandably, prefab counters come in a preset selection of grades. If the stone design and grade you want aren’t available together, you’re out of luck.

Many homeowners choose custom countertops for a higher grade of stone in the colors they prefer, increasing the overall quality and beauty of their kitchen and bathroom design.

5) Unique Spacing for Sinks and Appliances

Where do you want your sink, dishwasher, and other built-in kitchen features? Shouldn’t these choices be yours to make? After all, part of the fun of remodeling your kitchen is moving the features to your preferred ideal locations. With custom counters, you can have the sink aperture cut anywhere you want in the countertop array. You can ask for an indent for a butcher block cutting board. You can ask for an extension or floating section for wheelchair-friendly prep. This is your freedom as the homeowner and visionary designer for your remodel.

If your vision of a dream kitchen layout doesn’t fit the assumed shape and arrangement of pre-fab shapes, then pre-fab counters won’t be your remodeling dream-come-true. Only custom-cut countertops can fit a custom-designed kitchen.

6) Planning for a Matching Island and Sectional Countertops

Another thing that prefab counters can’t do is let you get flexible with sectionals. Many larger kitchens have a ‘broken ring’ design with countertops surrounding the chef, broken up by doorways and pathways to make way for household traffic flow. You probably want each of your countertop sections to match the whole design and if you install an island, it should also match perfectly. 

When cut from the same slab, your sectional and island kitchen design can be perfectly matched with invisible seams and beautiful custom features. Naturally, prefab counters just don’t come with enough creative pieces to put together your complex sectional dream kitchen. Or the matching bathroom counters.

Luna Pearl granite, white cabinets, white tile backsplash creating a clean white kitchen

7) Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Your Kitchen

For those of you looking for green materials and eco-friendly home design, custom countertops are actually greener than most prefab options. As we mentioned earlier, prefab counters are often cut overseas and the whole pre-shaped units are then shipped to your countertop dealer when ordered. However, green home remodelers can help you pick out a slab that was quarried relatively nearby (ex: North Carolina quarries granite, while marble can be found in Texas and Vermont just to name a few) and then cut locally to reduce the transport carbon footprint of your countertop selection.

8) Get Creative With Your Slab Remnants

Last but certainly not least, custom countertop fabrication comes with one very special bonus: Remnants. When your countertop is cut from a solid slab of granite or marble, the remnants are the smaller pieces cut away from the main countertop shape – like the cookie dough left after you remove the cut cookie shapes. These remnants can also be used in your home to make beautiful matching accents like half-wall toppers, mantelpieces, backsplashes, shard mosaics, and even stone serving platters.

Talk to your stone fabricators about using your slab remnants because they will perfectly match your countertops with accents throughout the home.

Why choose custom countertop fabrication for your kitchen and bathroom designs? Whether you’ve got a unique eye for countertop layout, value invisible seams, or have some great ideas for slab remnant projects, the benefits are diverse and persuasive. If you are planning a new countertop design for your home, contact us today and our team will be proud to help you choose the right slab, meet our stone fabricators, and bring your custom countertop vision into a beautiful reality. We look forward to working with you.

The post Why Choose a Custom Countertop Fabrication? appeared first on Arch City Granite & Marble.

So marble, granite, or quartz, which one is best for your current home design project? Today, we’ll take you through tour of the facts that matter beyond aesthetics. You know what you want your countertops to look like, here’s what’s going on beyond what your eyes can tell you:

Marble vs Granite vs Quartz: What are the Differences?

Marble

Marble is the time-honored classic stone for luxury home design. Since the ancient Greeks and Romans, the creamy texture of marble has been found to be the penultimate in architectural splendor. If you’re looking to create a home that echoes the luxury of the ancients, Marble will always be the top choice. That said, marble is also the softest and most porous of the three choices, meaning it requires the most care to avoid damage and maintain regularly.

Granite

Granite is the second hardest natural stone, after diamond. It is has also been a real estate must-have for over a century. Ranging in appearance from festive flecks and tiger-stripes to creamy veins that are very similar to marble, granite is an extremely diverse choice for natural stone surfaces. Hard, durable, and classically beautiful, granite does still need to be sealed and maintained like any natural stone countertop.

Quartz

Quartz countertops are man-made slab made from over 90% crushed and chopped quartz held together by a special resin. Unlike granite and marble, quartz is not porous at all and is artificially harder even than granite. This helps it resist both chips and stains the best. Because it is man-made, it is also the most customizable in color, grain, and design. But the resin also lowers its heat-resistance and it should not be exposed to the bottom of hot pans. Neither should marble or granite, of course, but quartz can take the most potential damage from heat.

Office conference table fabricated with Brazilian granite that accommodates 10 office chairs in a St. Louis corporate office

Natural Beauty

1) Marble

Marble, as the stone of the ancients, has long been considered the most beautiful type of stone in the world. Classic statues of mythical gods and goddesses that define our idea of beauty were carved from marble, along with most of the buildings we consider to be timeless classics. Marble countertops and other household surfaces are sure to be desired by neighbors and home buyers alike.

2) Granite

Granite can look almost exactly like marble or you can find beauty in its incredible natural range of colors and grains. Beauty being in the eye of the beholder, granite is considered gorgeous by most, but with so many grains to choose from, each type of granite may be ranked with a different level of beauty.

3) Quartz

Quartz counters are not a natural slab, so rank the lowest in natural beauty. In unnatural beauty, however, you have the option to fully customize the countertop and surface designs that you will personally find the most beautiful in your home. Quartz has the highest potential for a solid color and a sparkly appearance under the sealed surface, swirled with whatever veins or grains you most desire.

Kitchen with Quartzite countertop island with extended overhang to accommodate dining chairs

Affordable Luxury

1) Granite

Surprisingly, granite is the most affordable if one compares the overall price range of each material. Granite has been a real-estate classic for many years and is considered the definition of luxury kitchen design. At the same time, granite slab has the potential to cost less than natural marble and artificial quartz countertops over the same surface area. The grade of granite you choose as well (grain size and slab thickness) also influence the price.

2) Marble

Marble is more expensive than granite, and understandably so. Soft and somewhat delicate for a countertop, marble must be cut and transported carefully, and has always been considered a luxury item.

3) Quartz

Because it is manufactured and highly durable, quartz countertops currently have the highest price range. You gain the greatest chip and stain resistance and enjoy great customizability in return for a slightly higher price tag.

Combination of White Quartz for island and Black granite for perimeter cabinets in a two-toned kitchen

Durability and Scratch-Resistance

1) Quartz

While granite is the hardest natural stone countertop, quartz counters were engineered to be even harder. The resin bond holding the quartz medium together forms a completely non-porous and extremely hard surface. This makes quartz manufactured countertops the most scratch and chip resistant.

2) Granite

After diamonds, granite is the hardest natural stone in the world. Before quartz was manufactured, sealed granite countertops were considered the most long-lasting and durable choice for any home – contributing to their element of luxury. Even without sealing, it is incredibly hard to chip or scratch a granite coutnertop.

3) Marble

Marble is known to be a soft stone, which is what made it the ideal medium for ancient statue carvings. While a classic luxury building material, marble countertops must be treated with care to avoid scratching or chipping. Regular sealant will help to protect your marble counter surface.

Taj Mahal Quartzite kitchen countertops with a large island

Heat Resistance

1) Granite

Granite is the most heat resistant and least likely to take damage if you accidentally set a hot pan on the counter. This makes it the ideal stone surface for kitchen counters, islands, bars, and tables. It’s no wonder the real estate industry has touted granite as their luxury coutnertop material of choice for decades running.

2) Marble

Marble, being more delicate and often more light-colored, is more likely to show scorching and other signs of damage if exposed to direct heat from a hot pan or direct flame.

3) Quartz

The resin that solidifies a quartz countertop is not as heat resistant as natural stone. Exposed to the bottom of a hot pan, there is some possibility that a quartz countertop will melt, scorch, or deform as the resin is affected by the heat. This generally makes quartz a better choice for bathrooms, bars, and other home surfaces not directly next to the stove.

Oro Persa Granite Countertops

Custom Appearance

1) Quartz

If you want to personally choose your colors, veins, and grains in your stone countertop then manufactured quartz cannot be beat. Not only is quartz a highly colorful stone with many colors to choose from, but the artificial nature means that any design can be created or found in a catalogue to perfectly suit your home design vision.

2) Granite

For a natural composite stone, granite comes in an extremely wide range of colors and grain styles. You can have waves, swirls, or a field of colorful chips that catch the eye. Granite comes in a range of white, gray, black, gold, brown, and pink,  with a range of grain colors even wider than that. This allows you to design your home using natural stone in nearly any color scheme you can imagine.

3) Marble

Marble is known for it’s classic yet limited range of colors, mainly warm creamy colors ranging from white to gold, with the occasional splash of black, warm brown, green, or an amber pink. Veins are usually either white, gray, dark brown,or gold in color.

Granite countertops with double thickness stacked edge

Stain Resistance

1) Quartz

When it comes to resisting oil and other staining liquids, the smooth seal of a quartz countertop can’t be beat. This makes it ideal for bathrooms, workshops, and craft surfaces where staining materials are present and intense heat is not.

2) Granite

Granite is slightly porous, making it somewhat susceptible to oil and liquid stains. However, sealed and occasionally re-sealed, granite is extremely resistant to anything your kitchen or bathroom can dish out.

3) Marble

Marble is the most porous of your three options, requiring the most care to keep it in good condition. Sealed marble is stain-resistant, but marble also requires resealing more often than granite.

Which is the Right Countertop Stone for Your Home Design?

Marble, granite, or quartz countertops, which is best for you? Marble is a timeless classic that will always be considered the definition of luxury architecture. Granite is a beautiful and durable stone that has been the darling of long-lasting luxury real estate for over a century. Quartz is the manufactured newcomer, but a strong competitor for both custom look and physical durability.

We hope this guide has given you the information and perspective needed to help you make the right choice for beautiful stone-clad surface in your home’s new design.

The post Marble, Granite, or Quartz: Which is Right for Your Home Design? appeared first on Arch City Granite & Marble.

One of the biggest factors in countertop selection is the cabinets, which we’ve discussed at length in several different blog posts. Another significant factor in redesigning your kitchen is the type of flooring you use. Kitchen walls and ceilings colors are easier to change according to taste, so they’re less of a concern – but the factor many people forget to incorporate into their choice of countertop surface is the lighting.

Kitchen lighting varies widely. Some have huge windows with lots of natural sunlight, while others have track lighting, one large overhead light, or several recessed lights. The height of the ceiling is also a major factor in how much light the room as a whole receives, since a lower ceiling doesn’t allow light to travel as far as a high one does.

When you’re considering what surface is right for your countertops, let us guide you in determining whether your favorite choice is going to shine in the lighting your kitchen has to offer.

Selecting Lighting For Rooms With High Ceilings and Lots of Natural Light

We’ll get the easy one out of the way first: if you have high ceilings with lots of natural light in the day and overhead lighting at night, you have free rein to do whatever you like. Think about how your favorite countertop style will work with your cabinets and floors – your light will take care of itself. No need to worry about a countertop being too dark for a naturally darker room!

Selecting Lighting For Rooms With High Ceilings and Very Little Natural Light

If you have high ceilings without a lot of natural light, we’d highly recommend investing in bright overhead lighting. With a high ceiling, usually just one central fixture is plenty to illuminate the whole room, though we do recommend considering under-cabinet lighting if your cabinets jut out over the countertops.

With high ceilings and little natural light, you’ll want to consider how the room will look without artificial lights on. Dark countertops can make the whole room look gloomy and intimidating, and any natural pattern in the material will be lost without direct lighting. With this type of lighting, a lighter-colored surface in white, cream, tan, or light brown would be best.

Giallo Ornamental, Andino White, Typhoon Bordeaux, Ashen White, White Spring, Venetian Gold are some of the granite colors for this situation.

Alternately, you could possibly get away with a blue or green surface with white highlights. The highlights will prevent the dark color from being lost if the lights are off, and when the lights are on the color will show beautifully. However, if you go this route, the countertops should be the darkest thing in the room – go lighter with cabinets and walls and flooring.

Selecting Lighting For Rooms With Low Ceilings and Lots of Natural Light

This is a particularly rare breed of room, but it does happen, usually in single-story homes where the kitchen is located at the corner of the house, with windows on each wall facing the outside. With this combination, the kitchen receives a ton of light during the day, but can be difficult to light at night because of the low ceiling.

Low ceilings do particularly well with recessed lighting or track lighting over the cabinets, and if you can manage it, that’s what we’d recommend here. If you have a single light fixture in the middle of the room, you may wish to invest in under-cabinet lighting as well.

Low ceilings with lots of light have two opposing options for countertops: go light everywhere except the countertops, or go light on the countertops and darker on the lower level of the room.

If you go dark on the countertops, they’ll be the anchor for the entire room, and the lighter areas above and below will seem bigger by comparison. If you go light on the countertops, continue that lightness from the countertops upward, and go a little darker on the cabinetry below the countertops. This, again, makes the lightness in the upper part of the room seem bigger and more expansive.

Selecting Lighting For Rooms With Low Ceilings and Very Little Natural Light

Never fear! While this is a tougher situation to work with, but some kitchens have low ceilings and tiny windows, and that’s just the way it is. In kitchens like these, don’t fight the room’s design – instead, make it feel cozy and well-lighted on the inside.

Lighting over and under the cabinets will make it feel as if the walls are glowing with their own golden light, and a single overhead light will make sure the middle of the room is illuminated as well. If the kitchen has an island, a line of island lighting can serve the same purpose as the overhead light.

For rooms like these, going dark on your countertops simply won’t work. Light-colored granite and marble is a nice possibility, particularly if you can light your countertops well, but you may wish to add some color to your light-starved room and go for a quartz surface in a bright color. This is one of the advantages of a room without a lot of natural light – bright colors can look odd when the sunlight hits them, but they look consistently striking in a room where you control the lighting yourself.

Need Help Deciding?

If you’re not sure what type of countertop surface would be best for your kitchen’s lighting – or any of the other factors that are important to you – don’t hesitate to contact us at Arch City Granite in St. Louis. We’re always happy to answer questions and make sure you have the information you need to make the right choice for you.

The post How to Pick the Best Countertops for Your Kitchen Lighting [Updated for 2022!] appeared first on Arch City Granite & Marble.

The best tactic is often to add a touch of luxury design at an efficient cost. Home flippers are creative geniuses at turning old homes and available materials into something beautiful and new again. They restore wood floors and reinvent the shape of windows with scraps of molding and trim. In the same spirit, granite remnants make an amazing project resource for clever home flippers. Bring the luxury of granite into your rehabilitation design at a fraction of the cost of granite slab.

Types of Granite Remnant

Granite remnant can cost between $10 and $100 per square foot depending on the thickness and size of the slab, making it far more affordable for small projects than buying a large pre-cut slab. Remnant granite is also perfect for one-off projects that don’t need to match a continuous theme.  When going in, expect to find three different types of granite remnants: small slab squares, thinner slices of slab, and uneven pieces.

• Remnant Squares
  • Larger sections, often whole squares and almost-squares cut from slabs used for previous projects. Half and quarter slabs available for larger remnant projects.
• Slab Slices
  • Thinner rectangular slices of granite, often trimmed from close-sized slabs. Perfect for small countertops and small remnant projects.
• Uneven Pieces
  • Cut as trim from previous projects, irregular mix of sizes and shapes. Ideal for mosaic and paver projects.

Introduce Granite or Accent Existing Granite Countertops

• A Touch of Luxury
  • Often, granite remnant projects introduce the luxury touch of granite to an otherwise modest home design. A few small granite-topped surfaces or granite-mosaic backsplashes can make a house feel like a more refined home. 
• Spotlighting Resealed Granite Countertops
  • If the house you’re renovating already has a granite countertop, then granite remnants can accent the existing slab.
  • Polish and re-seal the countertop to renew its beauty (and durability). Then add like-color or elegantly contrasting granite remnant designs to accent the existing counter

Patchwork Countertop and Cladding

If your home renovation needs a new countertop but you don’t have the budget for a whole slab, consider a large remnant or even a patchwork countertop design. Patchwork takes advantage of granite’s natural variations – no two slabs are exactly the same – and uses complementary designs instead of uniformity. 

A patchwork granite countertop might alternate or mix remnants of similar or complimenting colors and grains to make a multi-section surface. You can also clad things like shower stalls and fireplace surrounds with beautiful granite remnant patchwork design.

Granite Remnant Mosaic Art

Another option is to use a jigsaw and make your granite remnants even smaller for mosaic art. A mosaic made of all one piece of remnant can create a beautiful design that is both uniform and chaotic. Use multiple remnant-pieces of different colors and you can create a splash of complimentary chaos or even create images using the mosaic style of artwork. This can be done on a small scale with tiny granite chips all the way up to mosaic paver patios.

Granite-Inlaid Wood Toppers

Many homes have wood-topped surfaces that could use a little sprucing up. Maybe the entryway has a half-wall with an elegant carved wood topper -perfect for placing handbags on the way in or out the door. Carve a groove in the center of the topper and inlay a small-cut slab of remnant granite Choose a vivid green granite or striking gold to really bring out the elegant contrast with stained or painted wood.

Once you get the hang of granite-inlays, you can use them for any wooden top in the house, from the bartop to the built-in shelving.

Small Bathroom Counter Design

Smaller bathrooms are ideal for narrow granite remnant. Bathroom counters are often shorter and even narrower than kitchen counters. Their designs are also unique, with no need to perfectly match the prominent color-and-grain in the kitchen. This makes bathroom design perfect for the small rectangular pieces of granite remnant. Choose a beautiful remnant strip that matches your bathroom color scheme for a unique – and affordable – luxury bathroom remodel.

Granite Shower Stalls and Tub Enclosures

Another great place for granite remnant in the bathroom is your shower enclosures. Shower stalls are often tiled or clad in smaller pieces of stone, where creative patchwork is a popular style. Choose one larger piece of granite remnant to clad your shower space above the bathtub line or create a beautiful, mixed-remnant design for an entire shower stall.

• Clad one wall (and the floor) with different remnant pieces
• Create a wainscotting two-toned effect
• Design the entire shower enclosure with a multi-grain mosaic pattern

Granite Remnant Flooring and Paving

Remnant is a fantastic way to introduce luxury granite floors to your home flipping project. For a small tiled area, replacing with hard stone floors, or paving the outdoor patio; granite remnant makes excellent stone flooring. You can use even rectangular pieces to make a pattern of grains in the floor. Or you can pave in uneven remnant pieces for an elegant mosaic floor or patio design.

Remnant Granite in the Garden

Granite remnant also makes excellent gardening accents. It’s affordable, beautiful, and naturally holds up well in all weather. Uneven granite remnant can be used in place of pottery pieces as artistic flower bed trim. Or you can cut thin strips of granite to use as edges for your beds and plantes. Granite remnant can be used as independent pavers for garden stepping stones, or large partial slabs can create paved sections of your yard within the landscaping design.

Rare-Find Granite Mantle or Bartop

Sometimes, digging through granite remnant reveals a rare find: a beautiful and vivid – yet smaller – piece of granite that you’d love to use in a one-off project. Home flippers are in a unique position to make use of rare-find granite pieces in smaller projects like the den’s bartop refinishing or a new mantle piece for the fireplace.

These single pieces of granite make beautiful accents when they are an independent part of the room design. Help buyers fall in love with a special flip by accenting with a rare-find in granite remnants.

Granite Chip Trim

Even small pieces of granite can be used to make a home uniquely beautiful. Consider all the places a home flipper traditionally adds a little trim. Try granite-inlaid trim instead. Create a two-row mosaic pattern that looks incredible topping the wainscoting, or as top-of-tile decor in the bathroom. Tiny flecks to hand-sized pieces of granite can be used as trim all through the house and, together, can pull your granite-accented design together from room to room.

Granite Staging Props

Last but certainly not least, you can also use some of your remnant granite as beautiful staging items. Polished granite remnant makes an elegant cheese platter, or a subtle dining table centerpiece when you are staging your renovated home to sell. After all, the flip isn’t complete until adoring buyers purchase the updated property. When remnant shopping, be sure to pick up a few pieces for your staging props selection. Nothing says ‘elegant lifestyle’ like polished stone pieces of decor that subtly match the granite you’ve inlaid into backsplashes and bartops throughout the house.

Home flipping is a valuable and time-honored way to bring old homes back into the fold. Granite remnants are a home flipper’s secret weapon for adding just a touch of budget-ready luxury to unique home renovation projects.

The post Creative Granite Remnant Projects for Home Flipping appeared first on Arch City Granite & Marble.

What Granite Is Made Of and Why It’s So Beautiful

Granite is created by intrusive magma flow – which means that magma intruded on other rocks and minerals – binding them into an impossibly hard and uniquely grained composite rock formation. When magma pushes below the surface, it can displace softer minerals and then form around the hard minerals that remained in place.

This is what gives granite its unique grains, because the grains are made of the other minerals that were encased in pure magma underneath the surface of the earth. In fact, the name “granite” comes from the Latin word for grain. Made from intrusive magma flow, granite is an igneous rock formed when magma intruded on other minerals underground. This differentiates it from obsidian which is extrusive igneous that is 100% cooled lava (outside the volcano) and far too brittle for countertops. Because of its solid yet composite nature, granite is unbelievably sturdy for practical use – the second hardest natural stone after diamonds. 

Interestingly, because of the crystalline structure of rocks, the size of the grains inside your granite are determined by how quickly the magma cooled while other minerals settled within the molten mass.

The Difference in Granite Color

So what gives granite such a wide range of colors ranging between white, black, gray, and pink?

The color and grain of your granite are defined by the composition of the magma and the minerals within. Different colors and grains of granite tend to come from quarries in different parts of the world where the mineral content of the natural stone changes from region to region. For example, white granites are more likely to come from India or Brazil.

The baseline color of granite is primarily influenced by the mineral makeup of the region, tinting the cooling stone composite. This is similar to how local minerals can affect the formation of corundum into different gemstones.

The color of your grains, however, is a direct result of the stone minerals that were encased by the original magma flow. To qualify as granite, the stone must contain at least 20% quartz in either veins or chips,  but feldspar, micas, and other types of stone are also quite common – varying from region to region.

Granite bar with 2.5” thick double stacked decorative edge using combined Ogee and Eased edges

Choosing the Right Granite for Your Home

So now that we’ve explored where granite comes from, let’s talk about choosing the right one from over 300 granite varieties available from our selection alone. We advise that you think of your granite like paint colors – with so many to choose from, your personal preference should be your guide.

Your Baseline Granite Color

Always start with your baseline color. You likely already have an idea of the kitchen or bathroom design, including the color of the countertops. While granite is natural and each slab is unique, you can absolutely choose your color scheme. Granites come in a range of white, cream, gold, brown, black, gray, and pink. Highly grainy granites often eschew a baseline color for a prominent two- or three-tone palette instead.

Decide if you want light or dark counters, then choose your range of granite colors based on what will look best in your interior design.

Your Preferred Grain Color Scheme

Now sort your granite options by the colors included in the grains. Naturally, you will want to compliment the accent colors already in your room design. For example, black granite with amber-colored grains might be the perfect topper for your black-and-gold style bathroom. While cream-colored granite with blue grains will look perfect in a blue kitchen of any shade. There is even granite that looks like tiger stripes.

The Size and Type of Grain You Desire

There are so many styles and grain-sizes to choose from, so let your personal sense of beauty guide you. Some granites have waving veins, creating a subtle sense of movement in the rock itself, while others have a distinct pattern of stone chips throughout. The size of grain is often larger for higher “grades” of granite.

The Thickness of Your Countertop Slab

Lastly, determine the thickness of the granite slab you’d like to be your countertop. Again, the “grade” of granite will influence how thick the stone is cut and whether it needs a backboard for stability. Thinner slabs (3/8 inch) are more affordable for the beauty of granite while thicker slabs, understandably, are more durable and long-lasting.

Two tone granite countertops

Learning About the Granite You Choose

When you’ve chosen a granite – or have a list of finalists – ask about where it came from. Bring back the fascination of science and the luxury of exotic stone by learning which region your favorite granites were quarried in and the mineral composites that form the beautiful grains you fell in love with. Not only will this help you make a final decision and spur an interesting conversation, it will also become a priceless story to tell about your brand new countertops. 

When someone casually compliments your new beautiful kitchen or bathroom design, you can tell them about how your granite came from India, Brazil, China, Canada, or North Carolina. You can talk about the quartz content and the veins of biotite crystal – whatever is most true and elegant about your personal choice of granite slab. Not only will your countertop design be beautiful and enduring, it will come with a story.

Which Granite Countertop is Best for Your Home?

Not sure where to start? We have helped thousands of homeowners choose the perfect granite for their kitchen and bathroom designs. Check out our granite gallery to see how each color and style of granite countertop looks in real kitchen examples. Contact us today to begin your countertop consultation with an enthusiastic granite expert. We look forward to making your vision of a beautiful home into reality.

The post Understanding Granite and How to Choose the Best Granite for Your Home appeared first on Arch City Granite & Marble.

While the prospect of completely renovating your house may be daunting and expensive, there are easy ways to facelift your house without breaking the bank. Most house sellers do not like the idea of spending money to sell a house. It doesn’t make sense as most of these renovation costs could lead to an ultimate loss. 

When it comes to the most desirable house features, buyers tend to look out for the kitchen space and the master bedroom. Therefore,  renovation of these two rooms could instantly increase your value. For kitchen renovations, granite additions are the magic wand to splurge your kitchen new in an affordable and long-haul way. 

This article will talk about the benefits of granite, the considerations before installation and the choice of installation.

Why You Should Consider Choosing Granite

Granite is a natural stone used for decorative purposes whose popularity has grown over the centuries. It was first associated with the rich and elegant because it was costly. It has, however, become more affordable as mining for granite becomes more extensive.

1. It Is A Rich Timeless Classic

All the world over, granite is highly regarded and associated with having class and elegance. It is one of the most sought after features when it comes to sales considerations. With the introduction of open space kitchen concepts, granite countertops have become the craze to show off your style to others without ever saying so much as a word.

2. It Is Durable And Easy To Clean

Granite, especially when finished well and polished, is easy to maintain and could last the house’s lifetime. The countertops made of granite can withstand high temperatures of up to 900 degrees, unlike most materials that scorch when you leave your pan on the counter. 

The durability of granite results from them being more robust, more rigid, and therefore capable of lasting longer than other materials. They have a scratch-resistant, scorch-resistant and stain-resistant nature. Granite surfaces have no rings or scratches, adding to the aesthetic value of the space. What’s more, their non-porous nature means that they don’t harbor germs and bacteria in your kitchen.

The ROI on granite investments is also very high due to the durability factor. The return could be up to 80 or 100 %.

Luna Pearl granite, white cabinets, white tile backsplash creating a clean white kitchen

Considerations For Installing Granite

1. Cost Considerations

The cost of granite typically varies between $40 and $140 per square foot for higher grade granite. The grade of granite refers to the two veins, markings, thickness and other factors that characterize the stone’s quality.  

As a result of these variables, the price of the finished project can range from $39 – $140 per square foot, installed. Most of the projects we complete for our customers fall into the range of $45 – $79 per square foot, installed.

Another cost consideration will be the installation cost. It is best to find an experienced company to install your granite correctly to avoid chips.

2. Aesthetic Considerations

Granite gives older homes a feeling of newness. To cut the cost of a full kitchen remodel, consider merely upgrading to a granite countertop. The countertops should match with or contrast with your drawers and floor plans to add a modern aesthetic touch to it.

For example, you may have black countertops with white drawers or white countertops to match an all-white drawer and floor kitchen plan.  You could also opt for neutral colors and patterns that complement your kitchen. Standard neutral color palettes will appeal more to buyers and increase the potential ROI when you sell your home.

If your installations are simply for sell purposes, remember that granite is a selling feature only when the market says it is. If the other homes listed in your area have granite, then the upgrade will help you be more competitive. However, when your granite addition raises the price too much, it might be best not to consider it or put it in mild proportions.

3. Pick Out Your Slab 

Most times, the slab that is in the showroom is not what is delivered to you. To avoid getting disappointed and having a pattern you disapprove of, or one that does not match your interior design vision, pick out the granite. You could place a request to approve the exact slab before it’s delivered. There will be no surprises on delivery.

It is advisable to pick out the 3cm slab for the kitchen granite addition. Slabs usually come in 2cm, 3cm and 5cm. 2cm is best for bathrooms. It may need extra support in terms of plywood.  The advantages of 3cm are that: 

• It doesn’t need extra support, 
• It won’t run you as much as thicker options. 

4. Select A Polished Finish For Easy Maintenance

Having a polished finish makes the stone pop out so beautifully. The shiny reflective surfaces of polished kitchen countertops make the kitchen look cleaner, more significant, and newer. Polish finishes are also the least porous as compared to other finishes such as honed or leathered. They are, therefore, the easiest to maintain. The other finishes will require consistent and specific. 

As part of the maintenance process, you can prevent visible stains with a darker color selection and consistent sealant use. Granite is prone to staining when in contact with heat and moisture. Use darker tones for busy kitchens to conceal any stains. Apply sealant at least once a year.

Granite Island with Waterfall edge

5. Work With Experienced Granite Fabricator And Installation Companies

Once you have chosen which slab to use, the next thing is to work with a professional who will cut, finish and install the countertops to your specifications. When the granite countertops are not installed properly, they are prone to have cracks, chips, and stains.

The Value Of Your Kitchen In The Market

As we mentioned earlier, kitchen spaces are a huge consideration for your sale. This one space can make or break your deal. That is why a kitchen upgrade is a necessity. An installation of granite countertops may seem like an excellent upfront expense, but the value it adds in terms of durability, aesthetics, and aesthetic appeal is feasible.

A kitchen remodel with granite could potentially increase your home value up by 25%. Granite will never need to be replaced, unlike laminate, butcher block, and solid surface countertops. However, you need to make sure that you partner with experienced fabricators such as our company at St. Louis Granite.

We offer you a wide variety of services in our gallery to choose from. Explore our gallery from the comfort of your home and contact us once you are ready to make a purchase.

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