Adam polishing out a sink cut-out in a Verde San Francisco counter top. Adam fabricates stone like no one else. He started out as a stone carver in Hungary.
The Do’s and Don’ts When Buying Granite Countertops
The preferred choice for today’s countertops in San Diego is undoubtedly granite. Due to its durability, beauty and uniqueness there is no other countertop material that is as popular. However, not all granite and not all San Diego fabricators are equal.
Many San Diego slab yards are less than discerning in what they sell for kitchen countertops. Granite slabs can vary dramatically in density and hardness and therefore yield different results for durability. A stone called Cosmos is carried in most slab yards because it is stunning to look at and sells well. However, it can be a poor choice for a heavily used kitchen as it is not as durable and scratches easily. In fact it is not granite at all. My bet is, most of the consumers who purchased this stone had no idea that it was not granite and that easily scratches. Don’t rely on the slab yard to inform you as many don’t. Perform your own scratch test on the corner of the slab; it is easy and quick.
Finding a knowledgeable and skilled fabricator is your highest priority… even before your search for the perfect slab. These are the guys who work with the stone every day and know its characteristics. They can help guide your selection.
Your research into finding a fabricator should include the following:
- Make sure they carry the appropriate licenses and insurance for your state. In most states this can easily be done on line.
- Check with your local Better Business Bureau. If there are many complaints and/or unresolved complaints, move on.
- Go to their place of business and check out their fabrication facility. A clean, neat and orderly shop tells you what these people are about and what kind of quality they are likely to deliver.
- Get the names and phone numbers of the very last three customers they did work for. Don’t let them cherry pick a job they did 6 months ago. Call these home owners and get feed back about quality and service of work performed.
After you have selected your fabricator the real fun begins. Be sure to take a drawer or door front of your cabinets with you to the slab yard. Putting the drawer up to the entire slab will help you coordinate colors and give you a feel of how the granite will look in your home.
Granite vs Quartz – Which is Best?
Maintenance & Durability
Although a majority of our customers choose granite, both countertops are at the top of the market for durability and low maintenance. Granite countertops can be permanently sealed and our warranty on the stone is better than what you will get with the quartz manufacturers. You are unlikely to have issues with either granite or quartz. Both are hard and resistant to scratching. Both are at the top of the market for durability and little to no maintenance.
Color and Style
Here is where I see the best use for the two options: If you are going for a more euro/modern look, a solid colored quartz is more likely to give you that. If you kitchen is more traditional or transitional, granite may be a better alternative.
In my opinion, quartz colors that try to mimic the look of granite look like fake granite. Just get the real deal rather than something that tries to look like something it is not. However, if you want a solid color and are going more modern look, quartz is more likely to give you that.
Cost of Quartz vs Granite
An entry level granite will be less than an entry level quartz. Generally, granite will be a little less than quartz but it can also be more depending on the color. There are other factors that affect the cost and that is the size of the slabs and the size of your countertops. The size of your countertops will determine how many slabs you need. Quartz slabs are smaller in size and if you have and island or peninsula it can result in having to buy more slabs and having a higher waste factor.
It is difficult to give an straight forward answer as there are so many variables. If you were thinking quartz is less than granite it is not… generally. In certain cases it may be, but not by much.
Another Kitchen Island with a Seam
Another large island with a seam. Installed in a home in Carlsbad. The granite is River White. The seam will be virtually invisible.
Quartzite Fireplace Surround
Beautiful California Dream quartzite fireplace surround. Not the easiest to make but they sure stand out!