Decades ago, laminate countertops were a popular choice among homeowners due to their affordability and versatility.
In recent years, however, homeowners have begun to prefer natural stone for kitchen countertops, and for good reason.
Not only are stone countertops extremely durable and long-lasting, but they’re also extremely functional and aesthetically pleasing.
In many ways, natural stone countertops can become a focal point of any beautiful kitchen design, with quartz and granite being among the most popular stone choices.
Is it Time to Replace Your Kitchen Countertops?
There are many reasons you may want to consider replacing your existing kitchen countertops.
For starters, if you’re looking to revamp the look of your kitchen, installing new and modern countertops is one of the best ways to make that happen.
This is especially important if your existing kitchen countertops are made of dated materials, such as laminate or tile.
New stone countertops can give your kitchen a fresh, high-end look that may even improve the resale value of your home.
Not to mention, kitchen remodels provide some of the best return on investment (ROI) of any home renovation project out there.
Or, perhaps your existing countertops are simply beginning to wear down. You may notice some scratches, burn marks, or other damage to your solid surface counters—or perhaps the grout in your tile countertops has become discolored and grody-looking.
Fresh, stone countertops can breathe new life into your kitchen and provide greater durability that any other material out there.
And, of course, if you’re thinking about purchasing a new construction home, you will likely have your choice of countertop material.
Stone is a great choice here because it will provide you with that high-end look and long-lasting durability. Contact us today for granite countertop installation near St. Louis.
Popular Stone Options to Consider
As you shop for stone countertops, there are many specific options to consider. Right now, granite is among the most popular types of stone chosen by homeowners for countertops.
This natural stone has more than 200 different color choices available, and prices range greatly. You’ll find granite countertops for anywhere from $45 to $125 per square feet installed.
Quartz is another popular kitchen countertop option; this man-made stone is manufactured by mixing mineral quartz with epoxy glues to hold the material together.
From there, pigments are added to achieve the desired color. One of the main advantages of quartz over granite is that it is naturally stain-resistant.
Therefore, quartz doesn’t need to be re-sealed every few years to protect against stains. Typically, quartz costs about $55 to $100 per square foot installed.
Marble and soapstone are other stone options that are sometimes used for kitchen countertops. Homeowners who select these options tend to care more about the aesthetics than functionality.
After all, while these stones are quite durable, they aren’t nearly as hard or long-lasting as granite and quartz.
When to Shop for Countertops
If you’re planning a full kitchen remodel or are designing a kitchen for a new-build home, you may be wondering when the best time is to shop for countertops.
Generally, countertops are among the first choices you’ll want to make (along with cabinet color) when it comes to designing a kitchen.
From there, you can begin exploring back splash tile, sinks and faucets, and other smaller components.
No matter where you are in the process, our experts at Arch City Granite & Marble, Inc. can help you select the right stone and slab to suit your design needs.
Why Trust Arch City Granite & Marble, Inc.?
At Arch City Granite & Marble, Inc., we have more than 10 years of experience in serving St. Louis and the surrounding areas, and we’ve successfully completed more than 4,000 stone projects for our customers.
We also have full stone slabs in our showroom for clients to look at in-person; we believe this helps buyers best envision how the stone is going to look in their home in ways that looking at a tiny stone sample simply cannot.
We’re also proud to maintain an A+ ranking with the Better Business Bureau.
In most cases, we’re able to have new stone countertops installed anywhere from 10 to 14 days. After you’ve selected your stone, we’ll also come out to your home and perform a digital measuring of your kitchen; this will allow us to ensure the most precise and quality installation possible.
We are equipped with the most modern CNC stone fabrication machines, water jet cutting machine and CNC Bridge saw. This, in combination with expertise from our in-house stone fabrication experts and installers, enables our team to deliver high quality standards consistently.
We’re also members of Marble Institute of America, which sets the stone fabrication and installation standards. We meet or exceed all standards set by MIA.
Whether you’re looking to remodel your kitchen, design a brand new kitchen for your next home, or simply replace your existing countertops, Arch City Granite & Marble, Inc. is here to help with countertop installation in St. Louis.
Visit our showroom today to see our wide selection for yourself and get started on selecting your new countertops!