Countertops: All You Need to Know from an Expert
I often have clients and friends who come to me and ask advice on countertops. Unfortunately, I am not the expert and anything I could possibly tell them is simply my best guess. The good news is I defer to someone who actually is an expert who can help lead not only me, but you in your next countertop decision! Here’s what my friend Jessica Richey, an interior designer at Wilshire Cabinets + Co in Oklahoma City.
With the plethora of choices on the market today, choosing the right countertops for your home can be an intimidating task. Whether you’re choosing a product for a remodel or a new build, countertops are not only one of the biggest investments you will make financially, they also significantly impact the look and feel of your space. As a professional interior designer, I help my clients in the decision making process from understanding the quality of different countertop materials to finding the look my clients love. I also help them understand the steps toward finding the function they need. Here are a few steps to help you get started!
Step One: Do Your Research!
Here are some of the most popular countertop materials and their properties so you compare your options.
1. Solid Surface
Man made material (Corian is a popular brand name)
Wide variety of colors and edge profile
Not heat resistant—will scorch and melt
Easily scratched and chipped but can be professionally repaired
Non-porous surface and resists bacteria
Some types are more chemical resistant than others
Will stain
Less expensive than natural stone or quartz
Sold per square foot
2. Granite
Natural Stone
Wide variety of colors, patterns, surface finishes, and edge profile
Heat-proof
Very hard —resists scratching, chipping, and etching but can be professionally repaired
Requires yearly sealing (homeowner can do this)
Resists stains
May contain natural elements that some see as “blemishes”
Sold either in whole slab or remnant
Cost is usually reflected in a range of five levels with level one being the least expensive and levels 5+ being the most expensive. Level one averages $50 per square foot.
3. Marble
Natural Stone
Wide variety of colors, patterns, finishes, and edge profiles
Offers some soft patterns and light coloration that granite does not
Heat-proof
Scratches, etches, and chips easily but can be professionally repaired
Requires yearly sealing (homeowner can do this)
Stains easily
May contain natural elements that some see as “blemishes”
Sold either in whole slab or remnant
Cost is usually reflected in a range of five levels with level one being the least expensive, and levels 5+ being the most expensive. Level one averages $60 per square foot.
4. Quartz
Man made with a mixture of crushed natural quartz and an acrylic binder
Wide variety of colors, patterns, finishes, and edge profiles
Heat resistant up to 600 degrees, but be careful here!
Very hard — resists scratching and chipping but can be professionally repaired
Does not require sealing
Resists stains
Will yellow or fade in direct sun
Perfectly uniform in color and texture
Sold either in whole slab or remnant
Cost averages $65 per square foot
5. Quartzite
Natural Stone
Wide variety of colors, patterns, finishes, and edge profiles
Tends to offer the softer patterns and light colorations similar to marble, but is much more durable.
Heat-proof
Extremely hard — difficult to scratch or chip, but can be professionally repaired
Requires yearly sealing (homeowner can do this)
Resists stains
May contain natural elements that some see as “blemishes”
Sold either in whole slab or remnant
Cost averages $80 plus per square foot.
Word of warning: Some stone yards are mis-labeling marble as quartzite, and users have been dismayed to find their countertops scratching and chipping easily when they expected something much more durable! Be sure and ask for a sample piece to test in order to make sure the product is truly quartzite not marble.
Step Two: Find a fabricator
The fabricator is the one that usually sells you your material and fabricates (cuts) and installs your countertops. I asked my friend Shara Castillo of Castlerock Countertops in Edmond, Oklahoma what a customer should look for when choosing a fabricator.
She said that great customer service is extremely important in order for the customer to feel confident throughout the process. In her business, she prides herself in being very hands-on so that there are not any surprises, and she has kept the company small in order to better serve her customers. Once you’ve chosen a stone, Shara said to be sure and ask the fabricator to give you a piece of the slab to take home and test. Cut on it, drop stuff on it, try and stain it etc. so that you will see first-hand how it performs before making a final decision.
After a stone or product is chosen, your fabricator will work with you to select a finish (such as polished, honed, or leathered) and an edge profile that you like.
The fabricator will send a professional out to your home or office in order to make templates for the tops. If it’s a new construction, the cabinets need to be set, and specification sheets for the appliances and plumbing fixtures need to be provided if possible.
Guest Blogger,
Jessica Richey
Next Steps:
When thinking about buying or selling a home, you probably have a list of questions a mile long not just about countertops, but about the process, expectations, and other features of the house. Know that I’m always happy to answer questions or point you to someone who can answer them better than I can (like my friend Jessica when it comes to countertops). Or, if you’re in the market to buy or sell a home, I’d love to talk to you. You can reach me at (405) 812-1204 or lauren@sargeantteam.net.
