Looking for a natural stone countertop can be overwhelming. This blog will walk you though the process and show that working with a responsible, highly reviewed, and hardworking fabricator, the process is a breeze.
Do Your Research
Be honest with yourself about the lifestyle you live. Are you always busy, have kids, cook a lot, entertain a lot, clean frequently, etc. These kind of things can change which countertop makes the most sense for you. You can always contact us, and we can talk you though recommendations based upon your lifestyle. We also encourage you to check out our blog for more information.
Here are some blogs on the pros and cons of both natural and manufactured stone:
- Travertine – Understated Beauty
- Soapstone – Simply Stunning
- Considering Quartzite
- Thoughts on Quartz Countertops
- Showroom Showdown – Granite vs. Quartz
Visit The Showroom
First thing’s first, visit a showroom. Here you can talk to knowledgeable professionals about maintenance, price, availability, installation, lead time, etc. Let the staff know what kind of lifestyle you are leading. Let them know if you have time to regularly care for your countertop or prefer it to be maintenance free. You can also chat with the staff about taking samples home.
Plan The Kitchen Layout
If you are doing a complete renovation or updating your appliances, you will need them to be purchased and placed before measuring for a new countertop. Countertops are typically the last purchase in a kitchen renovation. Make sure your cabinets are in place before your installation measurements are done.This is also the time to purchase your faucet, stove top, fridge. These pieces will add extra cuts to the countertop.
Choose Custom Features
Have an idea of any custom features you have in mind, such as custom thickness, edge profiles, finish, island juts, etc. If you want more information on some of the custom features, check out these blogs:
- Consider This: The Countertop Edge
- Choosing a Countertop Based On Finish
- Consider Your Backsplash
Many people decide to use their countertop stone as their backsplash. If that is the case, make sure you are discussing that with your fabricator and installer. If you are thinking about doing a tile backsplash, that can be done before or after countertop installation.
Choose Your Slab
Now for the fun part – visiting your supplier to choose your perfect slab. Slabworks has hundreds of available slabs in our inventory. This gives homeowners a chance to see the veining, and unique qualities of each one.
Fabricator Measurement
Once you have everything planned and chosen, your fabricator will come measure. Some fabricators will even make a template. This is when the fabricators will also discuss where seams would be, how much overhang you would like, the radius or corner type, etc.
Installation Day
Your fabricator will then cut, transport and install the stone. The installation can take anywhere from a couple hours to a day or more. Fabricators also recommend letting your countertop rest for 24 hours before really putting your countertop to the test.
Planning for a kitchen renovation is exciting, and here at Slabworks we work with you from showroom to installation to assure the outcome is exactly what you wanted. If you are planning a kitchen renovation or new construction this spring, reach out and see how we can help!
