Options and Upgrades – Countertops

When building a home, it could seem daunting to think of the endless options for light fixtures, hardwood floors, or door knobs. So we at Stone Mountain Builders want to help shed a little light on some of our most popular upgrade options within our a relatively common section of your home – countertops. 

Let’s take a look at our favorite standard granite countertops that can come with your home.

There is no way you could go wrong with installing our natural and classic granite countertops in your home. It is a staple almost every future homeowner requires. Stone Martin Builders offers a variety of styles when it comes to granite with a selection ranging from stone with subtle yellow undertones to a beautiful and rich steel gray granite. One of our favorites from our standard collection is the Moon White Granite. The Moon White Granite is a beautiful mixture of white with specks of copper throughout it. This finish is perfectly matched with copper hardware sinks, drawers, and other kitchen appliances, which has become increasingly popular over the years. It is also neutral enough to go with any style of finish you choose for your kitchen or bathrooms.

However, we offer a unique selection of granite and quartz countertops you can upgrade as well if you’re looking for that custom look and feel of veiny countertops or elegant finishes outside the typical looks. Quartz has the beauty of natural stone with a more durable and lasting finish – more resistant to stains and scratches than porous granite countertops.

Here’s some different elements to consider when choosing your countertop type and style.

1. Appearance

Granite comes in many different colors and patterns due to the way it’s formed. Because of this, no two countertops of granite are the same. Every piece is unique to you and your home. Granite shows slight, natural variations in the hue of the stone, with colors that range from earth tones to blues, greens, and roses. A clean line look that is preferred in countertops is hard to achieve with granite because of the uniqueness of each piece. There are limitless options when it comes to what granite pattern you can choose from.

Quartz has exploded recently in terms of popularity. This is mostly due to the fact that quartz can be easily customized to have any colors you want to be incorporated while still having that stone look we all love. Quartz can be so easily customized because it is manufactured. This makes it easy for a consistent look throughout the countertop. The coloration of quartz is more consistent, and it is available in a  wider array of colors since they are produced with pigments added to the quartz. Quartz makes the search for a countertop that fits your color scheme easier than granite because it is so easily customizable.

1. Maintenance

For times when spills or daily life happen, try to wipe down the granite countertop daily or as needed using only water. No matter what granite should be cleaned daily with soap and water for best results. Certain oils and acids can stain the granite, so it is important you know what these products are in order to protect your countertops. Never use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners on your countertops, even if you think the stain or mess needs it. These types of cleaners can scratch, pit, and etch the surface of the stone permanently. Hot pots and pans can be set down on granite without damaging it. The stone needs to be sealed at installation and resealed on a regular basis. For longevity purposes, consider getting your granite resealed once a year.

The resins in quartz countertops make them considerably more resistant to staining than granite. Because of its hard surface, it does not need to be resealed like granite. It also has the benefit of being less susceptible to harboring bacteria because the resins make the surface less porous. Due to the non-porous nature of the material, stains and spills are not easily absorbed into the surface and quartz is incredibly resistant to staining and corrosion from oils, liquids, and most household cleaning products, which makes clean-up and fairly easy job. However, setting hot objects on your quartz countertop can lead to cracks and damages. Hotpads are a must when placing things on quartz.

1. Durability

Granite is a durable material that’s resistant to heat and many other kitchen elements. Due to its porous nature though, there can be some staining if spilled liquids are left sitting and damage can be done if your counter receives a high impact blow. It is very hard to scratch granite. You can actually cut fruits and vegetables right on top of granite and risk more damage to the knife than the granite. Also for your kitchen that is filled with beautiful natural lighting, you will not have to worry about discoloring and fading over time from the sun because granite is very weatherproof.

Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus, more durable. Granite and quartz are about equal when it comes to resisting scratches or chips. Similar to granite, quartz is so strong that it will, in fact, quartz is nearly indestructible, and because it isn’t porous like granite, it’s easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria-free. In the area of durability, engineered stone – quartz – has the advantage over granite.

Both have a lifespan of 25-50 years depending on the level of care they are given and how they are used.

At the end of the day, you cannot go wrong when it comes to selecting for our collection. Stone Martin Builders has gone the extra mile and picked the best possible options for your kitchen countertops and every other aspect of your home. Whether granite or quartz, you are guaranteed a beautiful and durable countertop that will last you years.