Stephen Alberts

The perfect pairing of granite countertops and cabinetry is a crucial facet of designing an aesthetically pleasing and functional kitchen or bathroom. This intricate process involves balancing colors, textures, and styles to achieve a cohesive, harmonious, and inviting atmosphere.

Granite, with its diverse range of patterns and hues, can either be a showstopper or a subtle backdrop. It’s a nuanced material that provides earthy, bold charisma to any interior space. In this guide, we’re taking an in-depth look at how to achieve stellar design visions with granite countertops and contemporary cabinetry.

Understanding Granite Countertops

Granite is an igneous rock formed under immense heat and pressure. This dramatic formation process ensures that granite surfaces are exceptionally resistant to scratches, heat, and everyday wear. Granite can easily withstand the demands of a bustling kitchen while enduring years of chopping, slicing, and exposure to hot cookware without losing its luster.

Granite also comes in a stunning array of colors and patterns. Its unique mineral composition results in a diverse range of options, from classic choices like elegant black and white to more exotic options with intricate veining with prismatic hues. This range allows homeowners to find the perfect granite slab that complements their interior design and personal taste.

While granite is resilient, it’s not entirely maintenance free. To preserve its natural splendor, countertop experts typically recommend periodic sealing to protect against staining and surface blemishes. Regular cleaning with a mild detergent and a soft cloth can help maintain its pristine appearance on a daily basis.

In short, granite countertops offer both beauty and durability. Their extensive variation in color and pattern can also greatly elevate your space’s aesthetics. With their incredible longevity and timeless appeal, granite countertops are a valuable addition to any home. Understanding their unique characteristics can help you make an informed choice when considering granite countertops for your living space.

Matching Granite with Various Cabinetry Styles and Colors

The key to achieving good matches lies in understanding the various elements of design that are at play—color, texture, and tone. When it comes to cabinets, there are virtually innumerable possibilities.

Dark cabinets, like rich espresso or deep mahogany, can create a striking contrast with lighter granite slabs, adding drama and sophistication to the space. Conversely, pairing light-colored cabinets with darker granite countertops offers an inverted version of the same theme.

For a unifying appearance, consider coordinating the undertones of your granite with the finish of your cabinets. Warm-toned granite complements wooden cabinets with red or yellow undertones, while cool-toned granite looks stellar with gray or white cabinets.

Texture is equally important here. A polished granite surface can provide a sleek, modern look that complements contemporary, minimalist cabinetry. In contrast, honed or leathered finishes cultivate a softer, more textured appearance that pairs beautifully with more rustic, traditional-style cabinets.

Considering Your Next Renovation Project?

In your quest to create the perfect harmony between your countertops and cabinets, remember that your choices will significantly impact your living space’s aesthetics and functionality.

If you’re in search of expert guidance and quality materials, look no further than Wise Stone Choice. Our team is ready to help ensure that your next home renovation project is a success. Contact us today—your ideal countertop design is just a call or click away!

Keep It Simple

You don’t need to use complicated or specialized chemicals on your natural stone counters for day-to-day cleaning. Use a pH-neutral cleaner, and your good to go!

Our Natural Stone Cleaner Recipe

Wise Stone Choice’s recommends mixing a few drops of blue Dawn dishwater soap into a spray bottle and filling the balance with water (the water should have a light blue tint) to create a pH-neutral cleaner.

Keep It Clean

To clean natural stone counters, wipe away any dust or spills with a clean, damp microfiber cloth or paper towel, then use the spray bottle of Dawn soap and water to mist the counters. Finish by using a dry microfiber cloth or paper towel to wipe the counters clean.

Clean It Quick

The key to keeping your natural stone looking new is to wipe up spills immediately and to avoid putting potential stain sources directly on the surface. These stain sources include bleach, ammonia, oils, fruit juice, sodas, coffee, fresh fruit, meats, makeup, or hot items. Be sure to use cutting boards, trivets, and coasters to avoid direct contact.

Gentle Is Best

Using acidic or alkali cleaners is a major cleaning mistake and can etch the counter’s surface over time. Acidic or alkali cleaners include Windex, Lysol, and any other cleaners that have lemon juice, vinegar, citric acid, citrus extract, essential oils, ammonia, or bleach as part of their chemical composition. You should also never use an abrasive pad, wire cleaner, brush or even a sponge, as they can scratch the surface. Instead, use a damp microfiber cloth or paper towel, which collects dust and dirt, rather that moving it around.

Sealing Counters

There are two types of sealers. Topical sealers provide a protective top layer and require reapplication every year or two, causing homeowners to sometimes shy away from natural stone. There are also impregnating sealers for natural stone that last up to fifteen years without reapplication. Wise Stone Choice uses the latter to have our customers avoid the headache of more frequent maintenance.

As you can see, proper sealing combined with safe cleaning methods can keep your counters looking new for many years. If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to us at (260) 749-8062 or stop at our showroom at 5733 SR 930 E, Fort Wayne, IN 46803.

In General How Much Does The Average Stone Countertop Cost?

The price of stone countertops can vary drastically with the two major factors impacting price: size of the project (square footage) and the stone selection. While edge profile, slab finish, and number of cutouts also factor into the price, they have a minimal impact–generally less than 10 – 15% of the overall project cost.

Stone Countertop Cost

Stone countertops cost on average $55 – $150+ per square foot installed but can go as low as $50 per square foot or as high as $250+ per square foot, depending on the material selected, grade, and finish. Stone countertops for a typical kitchen cost $2,475 to $6,750 with installation. An average countertop project covers 45 square feet of surface area along with approximately 30 linear feet of finished edge.

What Impacts the Slab Cost

Natural stone cost (Granite, Quartzite, Marble and Soapstone) depends on the slab size, grade, thickness, and color along with the associated pattern. Entry level stone (Class A or 0 depending upon the supplier’s labeling methodology) is the cheapest, with simple designs and abundant availability. Higher level stone slabs (Class B, C… or 1, 2…) cost more due to their unique color patterns and availability; the rarer the stone, the higher the cost.

Quartz (a man-made stone) pricing is driven by the colors and patterns in the stone. The same as natural stone, quartz counter pricing starts with classes A or 0 depending upon the supplier with the solid colors and simple patterns being on the lower classification side and the more detailed veining being classified in higher levels, with correspondingly higher pricing.

General Install Price Range Per Square Foot

Granite $50 – 250+
Quartz $50 – 150+
Quartzite $130 – 350
Marble $80 – $150
Soapstone $100 – $200

Slab Finish

Polished

The most common finish for stone counters. The polished finish makes the surface glossy. In natural stone this highlights the characteristics of the stone allowing the colors to be more vibrant.

Honed

This surface can also be referred to as matte or brushed in quartz, creates a very smooth surface without any gloss or reflection. To create this finish, the regular polish finishing process ends before the stone is buffed to create a flat finish. This is also sometimes called a satin finish. Honed finishes are common in stone floor environments to limit slippage.

Leathered

The leathered finish is exclusive to natural stone and is often referred to a brushed finish (this can confuse customers as quartz honed finish is sometimes referred to as brushed). This finish is created by taking a honed surface and running diamond-tipped brushes over the surface to add texture.

Edge Profiles

The standard profile that is included in the price of countertops is the pencil. The balance of the edges require additional time in the fabrication process, thus adding additional cost to the finished project. The additional price is based on the linear foot of profile edge and can cost anywhere from $15 to $100 based on the edge selected.

Pencil

Ogee

Demi Bull

Full Bull

Half Bull

Crecent

Quarter Bevel

Mitered

Chiseled

Cutouts

These generally consist of rectangular (sinks, cooktops, and outlets) and circular (faucets, reverse osmosis dispensers, soap dispensers, garbage disposal buttons, and pop-up outlets) holes that require additional fabrication to complete a successful countertop project. The planning and layout of cutouts required for a countertop project are integral in the smooth flow and delivery timing of the finished project.

With every countertop project being custom, in order for Wise Stone Choice to provide you with accurate pricing, a more detailed understanding of the material selection, the sink and cooking appliance that will be used, the edge profile and the associated faucet configurations will be needed to accurately estimate your project.

Stone Countertops: Dos And Don’ts

Installing stone countertops is a big investment in your home, and the last thing you want is for the stone surfaces to become accidentally damaged due to poor care habits. Natural stone surfaces made from granite, quartz, or marble all require varying degrees of care to maintain their durability and natural finish.

By following common maintenance and cleaning practices, you’ll be able to minimize any potential problems no matter what type of stone surface is in your home. Avoiding bad habits ensures that your countertops will retain their natural beauty for years to come, so follow these dos and don’ts to avoid potential costly repairs in the future.

Do Use Appropriate Cleaners

Natural stone and granite care begins by using cleaners that are properly pH balanced. A simple solution for this one you can buy at your local grocery store: blue Dawn dishwater soap. Simply mix a few drops of blue Dawn dishwater soap in a sprayer bottle and fill the balance with water (water should have just a slight blue tint).

This cleaning mixture will keep your countertops in the best condition without damaging the stone’s natural surface. Simply use this mixture by spraying on a light mist on the countertops and then wiping the surface clean with a soft cloth (microfiber or cotton) or a paper towel.

Don’t Use Abrasive Or Alkaline Cleaners

The number one mistake homeowners make is using the wrong cleaner on their stone countertops. Household cleaners, including bleach, ammonia, degreasers, vinegar, glass cleaners, or lemon will damage stone countertops with repetitive use.

Most household cleaners contain ingredients mentioned above or alkalis, acids, and other chemicals that can damage and etch natural stone. These can also decay any sealant that’s on natural stone, leaving your countertops more susceptible to staining.

Do Use Coasters, And Cutting Boards

It’s important to use coasters whenever setting bottles, glasses or stone cups on your stone countertop, especially those containing acidic beverages or alcohol. Cold glasses can leave condensation rings on the countertop, and acidic beverages may leak onto its surface. Both of these can potentially damage the stone.

You should also avoid using anything sharp on your stone countertop’s surface to avoid scratching. This includes cutting food on the stone surface, which will not only dull your knives, but scratch and scrape your countertop surface. Always use placemats under stone plates and cutting boards while preparing food.

Don’t Set Hot Or Wet Items On Stone Surfaces

Placing hot cookware or dishes directly onto natural stone can lead to thermal shock, potentially causing the stone to crack, break, or burn. There is also the possibility of grit, grease, and other food particles getting trapped between the countertop and the cookware, leading to surface scratching.

Never store liquids or other wet toiletries directly on top of stone countertops. Products like cooking oils, perfumes, colognes, haircare and nail items, creams, and lotions may leak. If spills from these products sit on the natural stone’s surface, the substance is likely to stain the countertop. Instead, store these products on decorative trays or shelving to prevent them from penetrating and staining your countertops.

Do Surface Clean

Cleaning your stone countertop will go a long way in preserving their quality, durability, and shiny appearance. Countertops should be dusted, cleaned, and disinfected regularly to ensure a long useful life in your home.

When cleaning your countertops, a mixture of blue Dawn dishwater soap in a spray bottle with water along with a soft cloth wiping cloth is sufficient to remove dust, crumbs and tougher spills. This cleaning procedure will also remove oils from your hands as the Dawn soap in a natural degreaser.

Don’t Let Spills Sit

Many food- and drink-related items can potentially stain natural stone countertops. These include acidic household cleaners, cooking oils, and liquids like coffee, fruit juices, wine, tomato sauce, salad dressing, and soft drinks. These substances have the potential to permanently stain natural stone if they remain on the stone’s surface for an extended period of time.

Spills should be wiped as quickly as possible to minimize the potential for damage to the countertop’s surface. Natural stones, like granite and marble, are porous and can absorb liquids if spills sit too long. Wiping away spills immediately will decrease the chance of staining.

Do Test The Countertop’s Seal

To protect your natural stone countertops, they should be properly sealed to reduce stain formation and slow down the rate at which spills absorb into the surface. Proper sealing of your countertops gives you more time to wipe up spills or messes before any potential permanent damage is done. There are two types of sealer, topical and impregnating. The topical is a product that provides a protective layer on top of the stone surface and requires maintenance every year or two, while the impregnating sealer is a longer term solution that lasts normally ten to fifteen years depending upon the porosity of the stone. Wise Stone Choice uses the latter to minimize ongoing maintenance for customers.

To find out if your stone countertops need to be sealed, a water drop test can be used by simply placing a drop of water on the surface. If after a few minutes, you notice the water drop widening from soaking into your countertop, it’s time to reseal. If the water drop size remains consistent the sealant is still in good condition.

Don’t Overseal The Stone

Excessive use of topical sealer can actually take away from the shine of your countertops, so always make sure you use the water test prior to moving forward with any resealing of countertops.

Additionally, it should be mentioned that man-made quartz does not require sealing.

So as you can see, with simple proactive maintenance and precautions you will be able to enjoy the beauty of your stone countertops for many years to come. If you have further questions, you can stop at our showroom at 5733 SR 930 East, Fort Wayne, IN 46803 or contact Wise Stone Choice at (260) 749-8062 and we would be glad to discuss in more detail.

Countertop Seams

One of the most common questions we receive from customers interested in stone countertop is, “Will my countertops have a seam?” This is understandable, as customers often envision counters as a picture-perfect slab. Unfortunately, due to slab size limitations of stone countertops (generally in the 60” X 125” range), most kitchens require a seam. The best way to enjoy your perfect countertop is to accept that slab size, the design pattern of the material, where the counters are being installed, and the associated access point size dictate the number of seams required in a countertop project.

If you desire to completely avoid seams, you will need to make your countertop selection early in the home and cabinet design process, having your General Contractor limit the size of the island or a single run of countertop to the slab material size. In addition, you also have to allow adequate space to accommodate the material’s length and width so it can safety be transported to the final installation destination within your home.

Just because seams are normally inevitable doesn’t mean you should be frightened of using natural or engineered stone for your new countertops.

Colors And Veining Patterns

While most homeowners understand that seams can never be truly invisible, they can still be made inconspicuously. The choice of colors and patterns will dictate the visibility of seams.

Generally lighter colors with limited patterns or veining create a natural contrast between the stone and the seam, which tends to make them more visible. This is why, when it works with your design, selecting darker colors with more patterns will tend to limit seam visibility. As you look through different slabs or you’re deciding between two stones, this is something you will want to consider if your project requires a seam.

Location Of The Seam

In the design process, the Programmer and Templator take into consideration the size of the slabs, the stone pattern, and providing proper seam support when choosing the seam placement. In most cases, taking these items into consideration allows for a long lasting seam.

What To Expect During Final Seam Positioning

The seam placement doesn’t have to be perfect during the early estimation stage of your countertop project. Information gained later in the process, specifically at template, allows the Programmer to precisely layout the countertop project and incorporate exact seam placement.

If you have concerns about slab layout and seam placement, please formally request from your Project Manager digital images for your review and approval prior to your countertop project moving forward in production. When doing this, prompt review and associated response is necessary to avoid potentially delaying your countertop installation date.

Seam Coloring And Size

When two or more stone pieces are joined together, your installation crew will use epoxy resins and polymers to create a strong durable bond. In an attempt to minimize the visibility of the seam, if necessary, your installation crew will tint the epoxy resins to mimic the base color of the stone. The Natural Stone Institute’s standard for acceptable seam width is 1/16 of an inch.

Lippage

Painstaking effort is made when installing countertops to avoid unevenness in the seam which is referred to as lippage. If necessary, your installation crew will shim the counters to level the surface, adjusting for a multitude of variables including different slab thicknesses, unlevel cabinetry, and any warpage that might exist in the material.

In the seaming process, the install crew uses a tool called a seam setter to assist in limiting any unevenness in the seam. The end goal is to have the seam as flat as possible. A good way to judge the quality of the seam, is to run a wine glass across the seam, pushing it back and forth at the center of the stem. If it passes over the seam without tipping that would qualify as a good seam. For reference, the Natural Stone Institute’s standard for acceptable seam lippage is 1/32 of an inch.

Set Realistic Expectations

The best way to approach seams is to set a reasonable expectation. While the Templator, Programmer, Fabricator and Installation Crew will do everything possible to make your countertop look great, remember that seams will not be completely invisible and perfectly flat. The best thing to do is work with your Project Manager to establish realistic expectations.

Working in tandem through these various steps with your designer and Project Manager will help Wise Stone Choice deliver the final countertop project you desire.

If you would like to discuss further, always feel free to reach out to Wise Stone’s staff at (260) 749-8062 or stop at our showroom at 5733 SR 930E, Fort Wayne, IN 46803.