2cm Granite Countertops

We have started offering 2cm granite countertops at an extremely discounted rate! These countertops are still granite, with all the benefits of granite, but the edge is 2cm rather than 3cm or a built up 4cm edge profile. One thing to be careful with, with 2cm granite, is that it cannot do the average overhangs without several good, supportive corbels.

Many customers love the new option because they want granite tops, but want to keep the look of the kitchen simple. It also is a great option in bathrooms!

Granite vs. Solid Surface

When purchasing countertops it is often difficult to choose between Granite or Solid Surface such as Corian. Let me preface by saying that our shop fabricates and installs both Granite and Solid Surface countertops. Each have their pros and cons. I also should admit that I am pro-granite and as such, my post will most likely come across a little biased.

The main benefit of Solid Surface is that it is seamless. The seams are heated together, and are virtually invisible. Also, the countertops can be re-surfaced as the scratches become prevalent. The main cons of Solid Surface is that it scratches easily, and melts. We have replaced many Solid Surface Countertops that have warped over dishwashers, or under crock pots. We have had better luck with the actual Corian product, rather than a knock off brand.

Granite's main benefit is that it does not scratch or stain, and heat does not affect it. While we recommend using coasters, I have set many hot pans directly on my stone and have never had an ill-effect. I haven't tried it with glass, because I know you must be careful with glass and temperature or it could fracture. The granite stays looking new for much longer than Solid Surface as long as it is taken care of correctly. The main con of Granite is that much of it should be sealed every couple years. However, if Quartz is used, Quartz does not need to be sealed.

Chestnut Zodiaq Quartz desk

If you really like to uniform color and look of Solid Surface, Quartz can offer the same color tones, with all the benefits of granite.

Copper Sinks with Granite Countertops

Rainforest Brown Marble with Antique Copper Sink

More and more popular are undermount copper sinks with granite countertops. Copper bowls can be found for vanity sinks and kitchen sinks. Full copper tubs make a nice addition to copper bowls in a vanity. We use Smithy's copper sinks. They are affordable and beautiful, and come in both antique and brush finish. This picture is the antique finish, the brush looks more bronze.

Copper sinks can also be topmount or vessel in style, but our most popular is the undermount sink for ease of cleaning and sleek look.

Granite or Tile Backsplash

Customers are often concerned about whether to use a granite or a tile backsplash. Both look great, but it is often a difficult decision. I like to have customers consider a few items when deciding this;
1. What is their budget
2. What is the color scheme they are imagining
3. Will the area receive a lot of overspray?

First, budget. Doing a full high backsplash is absolutely beautiful. Each outlet can be cutout and then the cover plate painted to match the color of the stone (look at the picture included). This is beautiful, but expensive. Often the backsplash will cost as much as the countertop. Realize that the wall is generally 18" to the upper cabinet, and the countertop is 24", not a large difference in square footage. Plus you have to pay for each outlet cutout. Using a 4" or a 6" backsplash can still put the granite on the wall, but be much more affordable.

Mountain scape backsplash with painted outlets

Second, color scheme. Do you want the granite everywhere, or do you want to accent with a tile backsplash. Often when we do a quartz countertop in a solid color the customer does an extravagent tile backsplash that brings a new fun twist to the kitchen. These backsplashes often use glass and copper tiles in the splash.

4" backsplash and paint

Last, think of cleanliness. Granite is going to be easier to clean then a lot of grout lines in a tile splash. If the overspray is going to be a problem consider full high granite, or at minimum a 6" backsplash with an easy to clean paint above it.

Budget Kitchen Remodel

I love before and after photos, but can't get my guys  to remember to take enough of them :)!

Home remodel is a huge part of our business, and it is my favorite! It is so fun to go into a home and change the kitchen and baths to modernize the home, or just to change it up!

One option when remodeling the kitchen is to simply change the countertops. This kitchen had a white solid surface countertop, and we changed it to a beautiful Juparana Bordeaux Granite countertop. This customer kept her original cabinets, floor, and even her sink! She was able to save thousands and still dramatically change the look and feel of her kitchen! She is very happy with the end result.

This can be done in baths as well, where granite remnants can be used saving money on stone, and re-using sinks and faucets save hundreds of dollars.

This small re-model takes less money, less time, and less stress. We took out her old countertops, installed the new ones, and even hired the plumber to re-hook up the plumbing! The install only took one day, so she was only without the kitchen for 1 day!

Large remodels are also fun, but they take more money, time and planning. If you have a budget, but want to make a dramatic change, countertops are a great way to do this! It also has been shown to increase the value of the home when changing laminate or solid surface counters to Granite, Marble, or Quartz.

Cutting on Granite

Many clients ask me if it is okay to cut on granite. Granite is very hard, and will not scratch when using it to cut on. However, it will dull your knives. I have a drawer full of dull knives from being a little lazy and not getting out the cutting board, but my granite looks fantastic! In fact, the fabricators use razor blades to clean off the excess glue and debris on the stone from fabrication.
Marble, however, does scratch. Not only does marble scratch, but it will etch if bowls or cups are left on the surface for an extended period of time. I love the look of marble, but I would not put it in my kitchen because the upkeep is much more difficult with marble.
Quartz is also fine to cut on, and will have the same effect the granite has, which is to dull your knives, but not scratch the surface :)

Outdoor Kitchens

This is a spectacular outdoor kitchen that we just finished in Hurricane, Utah! This kitchen was done in 2cm Red Dragon with a 4cm chiseled edge. We custom built the kitchen to encircle the metal posts that hold the ceiling structure in place. Two highbars allow for friends and family to eat right where you are cooking and enjoy the atmosphere. This is a covered area, completely outdoor. The customer has added a spectacular outdoor theater close to the barbecue area. Also, a full bathroom is available in a room right off the covered barbecue area. The bath is adorned in travertine tiles floor to ceiling, with granite countertops. This outdoor kitchen area is made with the ease of entertaining many guests in a comfortable outdoor setting.

Choosing the Right Color!?

How to choose the right color is so important when remodeling kitchens and baths. With hundreds of colors to choose from, this can be a very stressful and daunting task! I want to share a few ways that I help my customers choose the color that is right for them. For this blogs sake, we will focus on the color of kitchen countertop.

First, look at your area and envision the shade: light, dark, or medium. This is a good first step. If you have light counters and want a dramatic change, you may want to switch to dark. If the room is small and not many windows, you may want to brighten the area with light cabinets. Look at the lighting, consider adding under-cabinet lighting if you do not have it. All these items can help you decide if a light or dark shade will look best in your kitchen.

Next, take a cabinet door with you shopping! And, if possible, also grab a piece of your flooring if you have an extra. When you are at the granite store and looking at all the slabs, it is very difficult to picture this in your home. It is extremely helpful to bring a piece of your kitchen with you and see how it looks with the stone. If you want to bring a paint sample you could .... but I don't find matching the paint as important. My reason is that paint is cheaper, and most people change the paint color several times before replacing the counter, cabinets, or floor. Therefore, paint can be changed simply and easily, and it is more important that you get the granite you want and if needed, change the paint color to enhance the stone!

Now that you are looking at colors that you like, you may consider price between your 3 favorite colors. Price is important, but realize that you could potentially have this stone in your home for the life of the home. A common question that I ask when it comes to price, is what is this home for. If it is a vacation home, or a home that you are preparing to sell, I have some fabulous basic colors that are inexpensive and often increase the value of the home. If it is a vacation home, and money matters, I may recommend a medium priced stone. However, if it is your home that you live in and you do not plan on moving soon, I recommend getting the stone you want, and cut costs elsewhere. Realize, as a granite fabricator, my money is made on the fabrication, and not on the stone, so whether the customer buys an inexpensive stone, or an expensive stone, I make the same amount of money. It is just so important to me that when the product is finished, the customer is happy. If they scrimp on the stone, when they were in love with another color, they almost always regret the decision.

Some last things to consider would be what you want to accent the stone with. For instance, if you love to accent in red, you may want Typhoon Bordeaux, which has light red veining that would be a lot of fun to decorate and bring red accents out!

Typhoon Bordeaux

Exotic Forest

Green Eucalypto

Typhoon Bordeaux

Lapidus

Tan Brown

Also, remember that a very dark stone will show dust and dirt easier than a light stone. But if you love dark stone, don't let this scare you away, as it is very easy to keep your stone clean :)

These are some colors of stone that are in our slab yard today :)

NEW SHOWROOM!

In this busy world, we at Stone Solutions, have thought of a new way to make shopping easier for you! We have added TILE to our new showroom! We are offering all of the same granite, quartz, and travertine, AND we have tile in ceramic, porcelain, travertine, and glass!

Developing the showroom has been so much fun! We have examples of showers with glass inlaid tiles, travertine with pebble floors, and modern 18x18 porcelain tiles with glass! It is spectacular and worth your time to come in and get ideas for your remodel project!

By having granite and tile in the same room allows you to match the colors easier with one convenient stop! Also, our pricing is super competitive and affordable so that your project can be completed within your budget allowance.

We have fun helping you design your remodel! Whether it be a contemporary feel with QUARTZ countertops, porcelain and glass flooring and backsplash, to a country home feel with travertine and granite throughout, we love helping you through the design process!

THANK YOU to Contempo Tile for contributing much of the tile for the showroom! Stephanie, Mark, and Chris are spectacular! If you find stone there that you love, we can offer the same great tile at the same great price!

Granite, Marble, Quartz or Travertine Countertops

Stone Solutions has been successfully serving the home building industry for more than two decades. The principles of Stone Solutions strength is our ability to provide the highest quality whether it be an installation in a new home or office, or in helping you create a dream kitchen or bathroom. By continuing to grow learn, and perfect, we are always an innovator in providing solutions for your project.

We specialize in Granite, Quartz, Travertine, and Marble.

Please come visit our Show Room and Slab Yard for all of your Natural Stone Countertop Needs!

Fax a drawing of your project to 435-635-7863 for a free estimate!
Please be sure to give us a way to contact you for any questions we may have.

Stone Solutions
875 W. State St.
Hurricane, UT

435-635-7866