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.

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.

1. Built-In Desk with a Stone Desktop

With remote work at an all-time high, home offices and desks are at the top of this year’s list of home renovation projects. One of the most elegant things you can do with a home office is to create a built-in desk, perhaps an L-shaped desk taking up an entire corner of the room in a wide, spanning workspace. With solid dark hardwoods and fine carpentry, the perfect top to your built-in desk is a granite or marble desktop cut to fit.

2. Half-Walls Capped with Granite or Marble

Many homes have elegant half-walls separating the entryway from the living room, or the kitchen from the breakfast nook. These half-walls usually have a simple painted wooden cap, but they don’t have to be simple. Add a touch of timeless class to your half-walls and make those architectural features an unforgettable accent with granite or marble caps. Create a cool surface to lean on and a beautiful sight to enjoy each time you walk through your home.

3. Granite Laundry Room Counter

Your laundry room is another perfect place for a countertop, one we rarely talk about when discussing granite or marble. But who doesn’t want a beautiful space to do laundry and a wide surface on which to fold? Whether you already have a laundry counter or you’ve decided it’s time to build one, granite is a wonderful and nearly indestructible choice to make your laundry room a beautiful (and functional) part of your home design.

4. Stone Fireplace Mantle and Surrounds

Fireplaces are a classic place to install more granite or marble to accent the countertops and other features in your home. Clad the surrounds of your fireplace in the liquid look of veined marble or the classic grace of granite. Not only can you surround your fireplace with stone, you can also build yourself a beautiful fireplace mantle on which to place your family photos or favorite sculptures.

5. Marble Topped Bar

Does your home have a built-in bar, or are you building one? Instead of wooden bar top, cap your bar with solid marble or granite instead. With countertop quality stone, you can mix drinks or prepare snacks at your home bar in style and ease. If your countertops in the kitchen are already granite or marble, extend that style or even contrast it with a different color of stone mirrored in the design of your bar.

6. Solid Marble Vanity Top

Vanities are a luxury in many master suites and walk-in closets. There is something personally wonderful about having a distinguished place to prepare yourself each day or wind down each evening. Enhance that feeling of relaxed luxury with a marble vanity top. Feel the cool stone under your forearms when you lean forward to examine your appearance in the mirror and see how much lovelier your personal effects are when laid out over beautiful stone.

7. Cold Stone Serving Boards

For smaller pieces of marble or granite, you can decorate your home and make your events exquisite with stone serving boards. While granite and marble should not be used for cutting, there are few sights more appealing than a serving board with a lovely piece of polished stone supporting your deliciously dainty hors d’oeuvres.  Chill the boards before serving for a delightful cold platter that keeps the snacks upon it cool.

8. Granite or Marble Windowsills

Want to truly wow your guests with elegant home design? Try thin strips of granite or marble installed into each windowsill. Windowsills of wood and paint slowly take damage from moisture and use, but stone lasts for decades. Never needing a new coat of paint or protection from outdoor moisture, a marble or granite windowsill is an incredible, subtle accent to any classical style home interior design.

9. Stone Tub and Shower Enclosure

Don’t forget your bathroom enclosures. Your shower stall and tub enclosures are the perfect places to line the walls with creamy marble or polished granite. Treat yourself to cool, smooth stone each time you bathe and complete your bathroom design – reflecting the stone from your bathroom countertop or inspiring your new sink design.

10. Shower Seats of Granite or Marble

You don’t have to stop at the enclosure walls. If you’ve been dreaming of a shower seat for relaxation and hot water bliss, then granite or marble can also make the perfect shower seat. Enjoy the feel of cool stone against your skin and the delicious option to kick back as the warm water washes over you.

11. Granite Outdoor Kitchen Surfaces

Granite is the second most durable stone in the world, after diamond, so it’s perfect for your outdoor kitchen. If you’re designing or upgrading  your backyard cooking space, then extend your stone countertop design to your outdoor kitchen as well. Give your built-in grill the adjacent countertop of a lifetime or design a fully functioning kitchen on your patio that will be the envy of every neighbor.

12. Built-In Stone Shelves

Thin pieces of granite or marble can even be installed as unforgettable built-in shelving. Built-in shelves have always added a touch of class and timelessness to home design and you don’t have to settle for wood. Once you have framed the shelf, use granite or marble of your color choice to design the perfect combination of useful decor and beautiful storage.

13. Slab or Tile Backsplash

Want to use granite in a new way? Another use for marble or granite is as a backsplash anywhere water is run or food is cooked. You can clad your wall in a beautiful slab or use matching stone tiles to perfectly accent your kitchen and bathroom countertops.

14. Granite Dining Table or Coffee Table

A wonderful use for granite outside the kitchen is to create a custom dining table. Granite is durable and can withstand years of active family use  – for more than just eating meals. The solid stone will both look and feel amazing to gather around, sharing mealtimes, homework time, and family game nights. You can use a similar slab design to create a centerpiece coffee table of granite or marble to bring that stone solidity to the soft chairs of your living room.

15. Granite or Marble Lined Sink Basin

You can also use granite or marble to line your sink basin. With custom cut pieces fit together perfectly, your sink can be as beautiful as the countertops themselves. You might enjoy choosing a contrasting color of stone to truly make your granite or marble sink stand out in your interior design.

You can always find uses for granite and marble outside the kitchen. There are many other uses for granite and marble is a classic material to accent your home with. For more creative or classic ways to install beautiful stone surfaces in your home, contact us today!

The post 15 Creative Ways to Use Granite and Marble in Your Home appeared first on Arch City Granite & Marble.

Counters are among leading projects to transform a kitchen without a total rebuild. The countertops are the most visible, color-defining element of your kitchen. Expanses of clean, shining counters are what make a kitchen feel inviting, and the latest in hard stone countertops will always generate some enthusiastic buyers. Cabinetry can be updated with fresh paint or stain and new handles to match your beautiful new counters to fully reinvent the look and feel of your kitchen.

Now let’s talk about choosing the best counter materials and design to increase value in your home.

Choosing a Solid Stone Countertop

• Granite
• Marble
• Quartz
• Concrete
• Sandstone

When most people think about upgrading a kitchen, they think gleaming stone countertops. Cool granite or swirling marble are both seen as the definition of a luxury kitchen for the home gourmet.

• Granite

  • Granite counters were once the peak of mansion and penthouse design which then gained in popularity as the stone became more available in the decades after.  Granite is considered extremely hard and the cool gray and sometimes stormy striations are an elegant accent to any neutral or decoratively colored kitchen.

• Marble

  • Marble countertops come in a glowing variety of colors with unique fingerprint-like swirls of veining. However, marble is also a soft stone and in the kitchen, it’s been found a little too-easy to clip with knife tips or scrape with the underside of pans.

• Quartz

  • Quartz countertops are usually seen in white with elegant fractal veining. However, unlike marble it is extremely hard and resistant to scratching and non-porous. Quartz is at the highest price point on the current market. Quartz comes in a full variety of soft colors.

• Concrete

  • Concrete is a pourable solid stone at a significantly lower price point. Concrete is a heavy yet affordable option that is currently seeing a spike in popularity for modern countertop design.

• Soapstone

  • Soapstone is a long-time standard for counters. Soapstone has a cool, smooth texture at a lower price point, but is also well-known as a softer stone that is prone to scratches.

Improving Your Home Value with Granite Countertops

Wondering whether granite countertops increase home value? The answer is usually “yes”, provided your kitchen renovation succeeds in making the entire home feel more modern and welcoming. Granite counters add a touch of class and permanence to a home’s design. The same countertop could make a modern home feel older and an older home feel timelessly modernized.

Granite counters tend to cost between $50 and $100 per square foot. Consider both your current counter space and whether you’d like to add an island during your kitchen renovation.

Improving Kitchen Value with Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops do increase your home value, and not just for style alone. Quartz is harder than marble and smoother than granite. In an age of viral safety, quartz counters can be cleaned down to a molecular level. As crystalline molecules, solid quartz forms a perfectly smooth, non-porous surface with nowhere for germs to hide from spotless kitchen cleaning.

Quartz countertops are veined and gleam like marble, but do not scratch or chip easily. Quartz is also only marginally more costly in its per-foot price range. Quartz counters can be quoted between $60 and $200 per square foot, depending on your chosen style and slab. As a way to improve both the appearance and function of your kitchen, quartz is currently and remains the top choice.

Marble Countertops Increasing the Value of Your Home

There will always be buyers willing to pay for marble. Marble has defined luxury and expensive homes since Ancient Rome. Marble kitchen countertops will be as desired and enjoyed as marble-tiled bathrooms until the end of time. The soft, veined stone is known to be extremely sturdy, though unfortunately easy to scratch. With proper care and regular polishing, marble countertops are often the centerpiece of a luxury kitchen.

Marble always has potential to increase the value of a kitchen design, as long as the rest of the kitchen and home effectively match the lavish counters. However, because marble is also widely available, it enjoys a wide price-point, ranging from $40 to $150 per square foot.

Best Countertop Colors for Home ROI

Most countertops range between white, beige, and gray. Like choosing a wall color, most detail is in the subtle under-tones and the veins in your stone. If your kitchen is designed in warmer tones, you may choose a countertop with a yellow-white hue, while cool-color kitchens often look better to look for a cool blue-tinted white, gray, or natural blue quartz. The best way to increase your home value with countertop color choice is to enhance the home’s desirability with a coordinated color palette.

The best countertops for your home’s value can be decided by the home’s design, value, and the new interior experience you create. By ensuring that your entire home suits the new luxury of your kitchen and countertops, your kitchen remodel provides the most potential value.  Our brand specializes in luxury granite countertops for homeowners in every price point looking to increase the value of your kitchen or home. To explore your full range of options, come view our selection of modern granite countertops. Not sure what you want yet? That’s no problem at all, as countertop experts can help you decide on the perfect color, material, and style for your kitchen. We look forward to consulting with you on your kitchen design and the ideal countertop choice to complete your renovation plans.

The post Increase the Value of Your Home With New Kitchen Countertops appeared first on Arch City Granite & Marble.

With the threat of COVID-19, homeowners are turning to popular cleaning products to kill bacteria and viruses, but they could be doing more harm than good. Bleach, vinegar and cleaning products from household names like Clorox and Lysol can all cause irreparable damage to marble countertops. These cleaners, while potentially useful in stopping the spread of disease, can take the luster away from your stone surface and cause etching — a series of dull, permanent scars.

The Best Way to Clean Marble Countertops

The best way to clean a marble countertop is by using a spray bottle filled with a mixture of warm, soapy water. Using your preferred dish detergent, you can create a simple and affordable solution that is easy on the environment and much better for your stone surface than cleaners filled with abrasive chemicals.

Antibacterial soaps provide an excellent starting place, but for real disinfecting power against germs and viruses like COVID-19, we recommend adding isopropyl or rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is an excellent disinfecting agent that won’t harm, stain or etch your marble countertops. 

Preparing the mixture is easy and something you can do in just a few minutes at home. Fill a clean spray bottle with warm tap water. Then, add one drop of liquid dish detergent and four tablespoons of rubbing alcohol for every eight ounces of water, and gently rock back and forth to mix it together. 

Cleaning and Disinfecting Marble Countertops for COVID-19

We recommend cleaning your marble countertops at least once a day. If you spill liquids onto a marble surface, blot it dry as fast as possible using a towel to prevent stains. Alcohol is non-abrasive and you can use it throughout the day without damaging the surface of your stone. To clean your marble countertops:

• Prepare the surface: To prevent scratching, take a dry rag and gently sweep any loose crumbs and debris from your countertops. 
• Spray your countertops: Using your cleaning solution, thoroughly spray your counters and let the solution sit for at least one minute.
• Wipe your counters: Rinse the soap from your rag and wipe the leftover soap away to prevent streaking after drying.
• Dry your countertops: Blot your counters dry using a clean towel to remove any sitting water and leave your countertops shining.

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Making the right decision about the type of marble you want in your home can be difficult. Marble countertops are one of the most beautiful and elegant types of natural stone you can choose for your kitchen and provides a luxurious feel. When you come to Arch City Granite to see our collection of natural stone, you might feel overwhelmed by the number of choices. We are here to help you find the perfect slab of marble for your kitchen, bathroom or other project. Here are our insider tips on how to find the perfect marble slab for you and your home.

Perspective

Having the right perspective while looking through the marble slab selection can save valuable time and reduce your level of stress. Marble comes in many distinct colors and the patterns can vary greatly. Narrowing down your search beforehand can help you to envision your marble countertops more clearly. You can still have an open mind, but if your selection is focused, you will find what you are looking for with ease. Having the right perspective will keep you from wandering aimlessly. You might also want to know how much color variation you are comfortable with. This will aid in the decision-making process as you look at marble slabs that are the same color, but have subtle differences. Think of it as a piece of art that is also a functional piece of your kitchen. The slab you select should reflect your style.

Quality Check

Accidents can happen. If mishandled, marble can be cracked during the shipping process. If you have an eye on a perfect marble slab, feel free to really look at the slab. Natural fissures are fine, but cracks are bad. The best way to tell the difference is to run your fingernail across the surface. If your nail doesn’t catch, you are looking at a fissure. If your nail snags, then the slab is cracked, and you should move on to a different slab of marble. A fissure in the marble does not mean the integrity of the marble is compromised, it is part of that stone’s character and does not lessen the value or look of the marble at all. It is recommended to fully examine each piece of marble. It is our goal for you to love the piece we install; your satisfaction and positive reviews mean the world to us.

Feel free to give us a call

You are busy, and we understand. Making the trip to our store may be out of the way for you. If you want to save time, you can give us a call and ask if we have the type and color of marble slabs you want. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is happy to help answer all your questions, talk about colors, sizes, square footage and much, much more. We understand this is a big decision and we want you to feel as confident as possible when making it. Once we know the type of marble you like, we can pull those marble slabs for you, guide you to the pieces and give you a chance to compare similar color slabs. Our experienced staff is happy to assist you in any way you need, we look forward fitting your home with the perfect marble slab you will happy with for decades to come.

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Whether you are building a home or renovating your current home when it comes to the kitchen you will have a lot of different choices to make. You will be choosing from diverse types of cabinets, pulls, knobs, back splashes and of course, your countertops.

There are so many different countertop varieties out there. You have probably started thinking through all of the different choices. If you are considering marvelous marble countertops in your kitchen, you are certain to be wondering about the details.

At Arch City Granite, we want you to have the information you need to make an educated decision. If you are thinking of using marble countertops, we have put together a list of pros and cons associated with marble. That way you will have the information you need to make an informed decision. Whether you decide to go with marble, or one of our other types of stone countertops, you know that you will be getting expert fabrication and installation in your home. We are serious about stone and about countertops.

The Pros of Marble Countertops

• Cost: Not all marble countertops will break the bank. You can find good choices in common marble materials that can potentially cost less than higher grade granite, soapstone, quartz, or quartzite. Carrara marble (a gray version with softer veins) is a reasonably priced natural countertop material you can find on the market. Some Brazilian marbles are very beautiful and also affordable. Arabescus White and Arabescato Venato are few of the examples of Brazilian marble.
• Appearance: Marble has the look of elegance. It has that soft cool surface and beautiful veins of radiating color. As far as aesthetics go, it is hard to compete with marble. Its beauty can easily transform a kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room into pure elegance. Your choice of hues includes solid white, solid black and a range of variety colors in the rose, yellow, gray, green, white and black. Every marble countertop is unique and beautiful in its own right.
• Heat: Marble can handle the heat. You can easily place hot items on a marble surface. Marble does not radiate heat well, so things straight from your oven will be just fine on your marble countertops. Marble won’t yellow from heat. Because of its ability to handle heat, marble is often used for fireplace surrounds. Still though, you might want to use a hot pad, because marble can be scratched.
• Antimicrobial: There is a rumor out there that since marble is porous, it can harbor bacteria. It simply isn’t true. Marble is naturally antimicrobial. Microbes do not like living on marble. If you want to add additional microbial cleaning, you can use a light mixture of antimicrobial soap.
• Flexibility: Marble is naturally softer than granite or quartzite, but being softer gives it a unique advantage. If your kitchen needs more than just a rectangle slab, this is where marble’s softness becomes an advantage. Marble is easier to cut into odd shapes and can be outfitted with fancy edges.

The Cons of Marble Countertops

• Cost: Even though there are some slabs of marble that will cost less, if you want to have a wide selection, you will be paying for it. When it comes to marble, it is all about supply and demand. If you are looking at a rare type of marble like Calcatta Gold marble, you are going to pay a high price. If you are looking at a common variety, you can potentially save money.
• Acids: Acids will etch your marble countertops. Marble reacts with acid. If you spill juice, wine (especially red wine), or even vinegar, you can damage your marble. Marble will come with a sealant that will prevent the stain from setting in, but you will need to act fast. If you forget about the spill, you will end up with a stain that may not come out. For this reason, if you have little children in your home that are not old enough to clean up after themselves, you might want to go with a different product.
• Oils: Since marble is naturally porous, things like acids and oils have the tendency to sink into the surface. Certain types of oils that you use in your kitchen can seep through the surface and leave a stain. When it comes to marble, you will always need to clean up any spills.
• Scratching: Marble is one of the softer countertops. Geologists have a hardness scale that ranks the hardness of natural stone materials. Granite ranks around a seven, while marble ranks around three to five. Since Marble is soft, it is more likely to scratch or chip than harder materials. In order to protect your marble countertops, you will want to use hot pads and trivets. You will always want to use a cutting board because a metal knife can scratch the surface of a marble countertop.
• Maintenance: Marble comes with a seal coat that protects it. To keep your marble countertops looking their best, you will need to reseal them every 6 months to a year. Keeping the sealant in place will do a lot to protect your marble countertops. Avoid heavy use. The potential to scratch, chip, or crack a marble countertop will always be higher than other surfaces. Remember that any stains can easily become permanent; you will always want to clean up spills quickly.

Arch City Granite

If you have more questions about marble countertops, you can always come and see us. If you have questions, we have answers. We will be able to help you choose the right type of countertop for your home. Marble is a beautiful choice that will always make any kitchen magnificent. But before making a choice, you need to consider the positives and negatives.

Once you have decided, you can view our wide selection of full slabs and find the right color that will make your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room simply pop. If you decide to go with a different stone for your countertops, no worries, we can help you find the right material for your needs.

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