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Products / How to Choose

How to Choose

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HOW TO CHOOSE

You've decided to replace or purchase new countertops. Now what? There's a multitude of different countertop products out there. Each choice offers varying cost, weight, durability, upkeep & aesthetics. Natural stone comes from the earth, Quartz is man-made stone, & Solid Surface is an acrylic product. So how do you really know which one is the best for you?

Consider Your Lifestyle: Are you going to worry about your kids or guests spilling something on your tops? If you have young children, a counter that needs extra care & maintenance might not be worth the hassle. Some materials are just not suited for high traffic areas. For example light colored marble has a tendency to stain so using it in a kitchen where cooking is done regularly may not be a good idea. Dark solid surface colors show scratches more visibly than lighter ones. Therefore the dark colors are used best as accents.

Maintenance: Granite tops require sealing around once a year. Though it is a very simple application some people may prefer a more maintenance free material.

What Type of Sink: Almost any style sink can work with most countertop materials. But if you want a seamless sink made from the same material as the counter, you're limited to solid surface.

Are Seams an Issue: All stone products will have visible seams. Solid surface products have smooth, virtually invisible seams. However, some of the newer colors imitate the movement of granite. It's next to impossible to match up veining at a seam. Keep this in mind when selecting materials & colors if seams are a problem.

Consider the Finish: Granite tops are sold polished or honed. Honed stone has a tendency to stain more than polished. So again, honed light colored stone may not be the best choice for a well used kitchen.

Appearance: Engineered Stone & Solid Surface generally have a very uniform appearance that is going to be consistent throughout your tops. Natural stone does not. It's natural not perfect. Most stones have movement in them that may not be the same from one end to the other. Granite contains fissures that occur naturally & are not considered a defect. Consequently natural stone may not be recommended for those who prefer surfaces that are uniform & flawless.

Cost: Are you limited to how much you have to spend? Depending on the color you choose Acrylic products tend to be the least expensive, followed by Granite, & then engineered stone. However, some color levels of Solid Surface can run you as much as Stone.

Warranties: Solid Surface & Quartz countertops all hold some sort of material defect warranty. Most are for around 10 years. The length varies depending on the surface. Natural stone only has a one year installation warranty.

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