Estimating your Granite Job

In order to determine the square footage needed for granite countertops, draw the kitchen and measure the back walls, and front of the counters. Square footage is determined by multiplying (in inches) the length times the width, then divide by 144 to get the sq. ft. When multiplying the width, make sure you add about 2 inches for granite overhang.

Backsplash should be measures the same way. For instance, if you have a 48 inch cabinet and want backsplash on the back wall of 4", you would take (48 x 4) / 144 - 1.3 sq. ft.

You can then take this sq. ft. and multiply it by the square foot price that the shop offers for stone and installation. Other costs would include undermount and topmount sink cutouts, cooktop cutouts, outlet cutouts, and the such.

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.

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 :)

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!