Finding the best granite countertops fabricator for your bath or kitchen countertop installation is quite likely the most important decision you’ll make when buying granite countertops.
You’ll be spending a good chunk of money so it’s worth taking the time to research and hire a reputable countertop fabricator with the skill and experience to help you choose the right granite and deliver the beautiful, quality countertop you dreamed of.
No one expects consumers to be experts on stone fabrication or installation but the better educated you are, the better your odds for a smooth experience and a happily ever after. Here are a few things your granite countertops fabricator wish you knew.
Your granite countertops fabricator wants you to know your stone
granite countertops fabricator
Just a generation or two ago, consumers were limited to just a handful of stone choices, both in terms of type and color. Now you need only walk into a stone yard to see an astonishing range of granite, quartzite, marble, onyx, and more. Choose wisely. Harder stones like granite are workhorses, perfect for high-traffic kitchens where durability counts. Softer stones like marble and limestone require more care to ensure lasting beauty and can be better choices for bathroom vanities. Granite has been prominently used in European homes for centuries and many love how it patinas with subtle etches from use.
While your fabricator doesn’t expect you to be an expert you should have at least an idea of what you want or where you are going to use it. Some companies like us at Accent Countertops have countertop design experts that can assist you in this process. So if you have no idea or just starting feel free to visit our showroom and talk with a designer to help you choose the best material.
Your granite countertops fabricator would like you to know a little about Design Style
One of the best parts of a renovation for the homeowner is creating the exact design that they’ve envisioned, all the way to the edge profile of their countertops. However, the more ornate the edging, the higher the project cost will be. Your granite countertops fabricator wants you to understand that decorative, stacked edges provide an elegant look, but will require more material and more labor to create. Conversely, simple, streamlined edges are generally more budget-friendly.
Additionally, any designs that have broad movement and very distinctive veining will require more time and material to build a cohesive design. Because slabs need to be both cut to the shape of the countertop, and matched with pieces that have a similar design, your granite countertops fabricator may need to use more stone than they would when working with a monochromatic design. Otherwise, the final result would look disjointed, rather than sleek and elegant.
Your granite countertops fabricator wants you to know about the maintenance of granite countertops
Maintaining granite countertops is not very difficult actually. There are a handful of things you should always keep in mind to help prolong the life of your granite countertops.
Wipe down and clean after every use. So if you only cook once or twice per week. That would be your Salt Lake City Granite Countertop Fabricator’s recommended amount of times to clean your granite counters.
Apply sealer regularly; approximately once every 8 to 12 months. Remember to ask your granite countertops fabricator about which granite sealer they recommend using. Nowadays with advancements in technology, you can easily add this task to your iPhone or Android calendar and set it to repeat every 12 months! Simple.
Remember these four words: “soap and warm water”. That’s right. Don’t go breaking your budget buying expensive granite cleaners or “magic potions” that may or may not do a good job. Expert tip: if possible, use a clean microfiber rag (along with the soap and warm water).
Provide a Testimonial or Reference for your granite countertops fabricator
granite countertops fabricator
If your granite countertops fabricator did a good job for you and performed up to your expectations, then write out a short testimonial for him and agree to be a reference. Truly good contractors can be hard to find, so you should be happy to promote those that are.
But please don’t expect absolute perfection. Consider that hardly any restoration or Nevada and Utah countertops remodel job is without complications or unforeseen issues and even the best installers can have a problem.
