GRANITE & NATURAL STONE KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS
One of the key pieces to any kitchen remodeling project will be the countertop. We help clients in Arlington, TX and throughout the Metroplex find the best countertop for their tastes and budget. Granite & other natural stones have a rich beauty that few other countertop materials can match. They are a natural-made product with a timeless aura and appeal and reveal some of nature’s finest work in their color, veining and texture. Natural stone countertops can take a high-quality kitchen to the next level visually and often become the centerpiece of the room. With numerous shades of colors, styles and veining, you are sure to find one that blends perfectly with your kitchen cabinets, flooring and walls.
Most natural stone slabs are very hard substances and resist scratches and will take normal wear and tear very well. They resist heat too, so its use near a range or cooktop is ideal. When you have to set down a hot pan fast, natural stone countertops can take the heat without being damaged or weakened. In the bathroom, placing a hair tool on it that is still warm won’t be a problem.
Granite and other natural stones can be very resistant to stains and generally won’t absorb liquids when they are properly sealed. Arlington Marble Inc. can seal your kitchen countertops correctly so that it maintains its attractive good looks indefinitely. Ask your sales consultant to include this option in your quote. Our hope is that when you think of kitchen remodeling Arlington, TX, you’ll think of Arlington Marble first!
STYLE & SELECTION
Selecting Slabs (Level 1, 2, 3, 4, etc). Granite and other natural stones will often be referred to as “Level 1, 2, 3 or 4, etc”. The most economical slabs are referred to as “Level -1”. As the color, veining, and “rarity” of the blends in each slab progresses, so does the price. Most importantly, you are sure to find a color, veining and texture that suits your taste and budget and our professional consultants are here to help you make the right choice that results in an Inspiring, Beautiful, Creation™.
Nature has provided breathtaking stone options, buried beneath the earth that are the result of incredible forces acting upon mineral combinations, resulting from heat and pressure over thousands of years. The array of color, texture, and veining is spectacular. Most everyone is familiar with granite and marble, but there are many other choices to consider for your countertops and bathroom vanities, including natural, quartzite, limestone, onyx and soapstone, just to name a few. At Arlington Marble, we’re experts when it comes to kitchen remodeling services, so feel free to ask any questions about your project.
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Granite
Granite comes in nearly any color you can imagine, and is an extremely durable, hard stone. It’s a high-performance countertop material for the kitchen. Its popularity is primarily due to easy care and maintenance. Cleaning such a countertop is simple with Arlington Marble’s own Diamond Repellent Blue Wash cleaning liquid, complimentary with every kitchen install. Granite is even more resistant to spills and dirt once it’s properly sealed.
Marble
A classic, elegant choice that has transcended the ages is Marble. Many color option exists, but white remains the most popular choice. Since marble is softer, it’s seldom used in kitchens, and more often used in bathrooms, fireplaces and bar-tops. When it is used in kitchen applications, homeowners need to be aware that it will develop a patina over time as it wears with us. For kitchens that are used regularly, we do not recommend marble.
Onyx
With its alternating band of color, onyx really stands out! It’s typically used in specific applications like a statement wall or bar top. It’s a delicate substrate, so it’s seldom used as a countertop or other frequent-use area, and typically restricted to being used as a back splash. If one does decide to use it as a countertop, proper precautions need to be taken to prevent staining or scratching. The right sealing agent and regular cleaning with the right agent is critical for success.
Quartzite
Since quartzite looks similar to marble, it’s often used as an alternative as it is much harder. It’s a great choice for a kitchen countertop as the white and grey colors look like other marble installations, making it a great alternative. Quartzite is also often used in stair steps, flooring and walls. When it’s first installed, it needs to be sealed to resist stains. Spills need to be picked up quickly with a damp cloth and mild soap. A regular cleaning schedule is critical for the long-term beauty of the product.
Soapstone
Soapstone is a durable alternative, but is softer than granite. It’s composed primarily of talc and is typically found in light grey hues. Tones of blue or green are often common in soapstone. It is also a heat resistant material, making it ideal for lining fireplaces. The soapstone will absorb the heat from the fire and retain it for hours later even after the fire is out. You’ll often see soapstone used in outdoor kitchens because it doesn’t absorb moisture, and is heat resistant.
There are several great choices when it comes to picking a natural stone for a kitchen countertop remodeling services in Arlington, TX. It comes down to personal preference, but it’s important to consider the factors noted above. You want to find the right material for the right application so you can enjoy the results of the project for many years to come. Our professionals at Arlington Marble Inc, are ready to assist you in selecting the perfect natural stone for your new construction, commercial project or remodel project in Arlington, TX and beyond. We also have quartz and other synthetic choices available which provide homeowners and designers with many additional choices. The goal is to make your next project an Inspiring – Beautiful – Creation™ so keep them in mind for your next kitchen countertops.
ARLINGTON MARBLE’S KITCHEN COUNTERTOP SUPPLY PARTNERS
QUARTZ & SYNTHETIC KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS
STYLE & SELECTION
The use of synthetic slabs for countertops and bathroom vanities has increased substantially over the last decade, as technology and production capabilities have evolved. These products are generally made with quartz sand as the primary filler, then color, veining and textures are combined with durable resins to create the look and feel of the finished product. They are produced in slab form and come in sizes ranging from 115 – 130” long by 63 – 80” wide, in 1.2cm, 2cm and 3cm thick.
The common term for these synthetic slabs now is “quartz”. The consistency, strength and overall performance is very high, often exceeding that of granite and other natural stones. When having to use multiple slabs on the same kitchen remodeling project in Arlington, TX, there is often greater consistency in color, texture and veining and for many projects, that can be an important factor. Most importantly, many of the manufacturers offer a warranty (10-yr up to Lifetime) to the original owner of product purchased, something no granite supplier has offered. For many, this warranty is a deciding factor that sways them to choose a synthetic product over natural stone.
ADVANTAGES TO SYNTHETICS
Synthetic slabs are generally stronger, more durable and more scratch resistant than most natural stones, and as a result, can cost more per sq ft than most Level 1/2 natural stone slabs. Some varieties of synthetic slabs will not polish or finish out as well on the edges because the resin can “burn” or “brown” during the polishing process. This holds true for a number of white products so consult with your sales professional/fabricator when selecting an edge profile to make sure you will achieve the desired look on your project. Overall, synthetic (or quartz) slabs have added a whole new dimension of choices, colors and textures to choose from to make your next project an Inspiring – Beautiful – Creation™ so keep them in mind for your next kitchen/countertop project.