4 Perks of Working With a Professional Stone Installer

They’ll Take Care of the Weight

 

This is definitely the most notable perk of working with a professional stone installer. Although they might seem innocent when laid flatly as a kitchen surface, stone countertops tend to come in at an incredible weight per square foot. Indeed, a large enough piece of stone can weight hundreds of pounds – in just one piece. Needless to say, most homeowners appreciate avoiding the critical step of carrying the granite into the home. Aside from the heaviness of the lift, carrying a stone into a house without the help of a professional can lead to incredibly injury as well as damage to the home if the stone is dropped. It’s best for homeowners to avoid going through the nightmare of DIY stone installation, instead contracting the work to professionals who are well used to hauling the stone.

 

Absolute Precision

 

Granted, stone countertop installation isn’t rocket science. However, in order for it to be done properly, it does require precise measurements and acute attention to detail. Indeed, when a stone countertop is installed by an amateur, their guests can usually tell the difference if they look closely enough, whether it’s because the stone is offset with the walls, or the cabinet caulking could have been avoided with a little re-adjustment of the stone. The joints of the stone, too, are a big factor. If there is one or several joints connecting your kitchen together, it’s important that these joints be attached and finished properly, with precision. Perfection on the installer’s part will be mostly unnoticeable, though imperfection will be discernible much more quickly.

 

Adaptation to Obstacles

 

Even if a homeowner manages to haul the stone into the house, there’s likely to be a series of obstacles that get in their way. For instance, a crooked wall can be meddlesome in ensuring that the countertop is installed in a mis-aligned manner. A homeowner, unable to identify and resolve the issue, might give up early at this point, saying that the misalignment is “good enough” however, a professional stone installer knows that the only way to proceed when facing a crooked wall is to cut it just enough for the corner of the countertop to slide into it. A crooked wall is only one of the examples of what could go wrong in a countertop installation. When issues arise, experience is the main thing needed to get things back on track.

 

A Reliable Installation

 

Most importantly of all, whether it’s for a kitchen or bath design in Sioux Falls, homeowners who work with professional stone installers are guaranteed a reliable installation, one that will last well into the decades to come.

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How to Choose the Right Stone for Your Kitchen

Many Materials to Choose From

 

When it comes to picking a stone material for your kitchen countertop, there are several options to choose from. Natural stones are found throughout the planet – basically, when an individual looks at a mountain, they’re looking at a potential quarry containing thousands upon thousands of stone tons, and there’s no telling what vivid variations of material lie beneath the mountain’s surface. While there are likely many more stone materials to uncover yet, homeowners currently have the option of choosing from the variety of popular stone countertop materials, including granite, marble, engineered quartz, limestone, and onyx.

 

Taking Kitchen Design Into Account

 

Even if a countertop material strikes homeowners as entirely irresistible, it’s important to factor in the other elements of the kitchen design before making a decisions. After all, since the countertops will be the visual focal point of the rest of the kitchen, the overall impression can really be thrown off if the choice of material isn’t right. Before even looking at their options, homeowners are advised to take all attributes of their kitchen design into consideration. Ensure that the choice of stone will flow smoothly with the flooring material, cabinets, wall colors, and even the appliances. Although the material provides a clear aesthetic boost, stone countertops are best used (in the visual aspect) when blended perfectly with the other elements of the kitchen design.

 

How Will the Kitchen be Used?

 

Homeowners should also consider how they intend to use their kitchen. Of course, it’s a given that the countertops will be used as working surfaces for cooking, but some families cook more than others. Indeed, some families only cook a few times per week in their kitchens, and in this case, it’s totally permissible to use a fragile, beautiful material as a countertop, since it’s likely not to get damaged as long as the homeowners are careful. On the other hand, if the homeowner cooks several meals per day on the working surface, it might be best to use a strong stone like granite. Still, differences between some material are trivial – in general, homeowners can choose any stone for their kitchen as long as they maintain it well and use it safely.

 

Get the Most From Providers

 

When finalizing their kitchen design in Sioux Falls with beautiful stone countertops, it helps to choose the right provider, and get the most out of them. There are a number of services providers can offer their customers, such as a meeting with the stone cutter to outline which sections of the material will be used in which areas of the kitchen. There’s a lot that a provider can do for their customers if they ask for their help.

 

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Do Marble Counter tops Work In a Kitchen?

Not All Stones Are Made Equally

 

From marble to granite to onyx to limestone, there is an incredible variety of stone materials out there, and the bulk of them can be made into kitchen countertops. Homeowners don’t exactly have an easy job of choosing between the various materials, and for good reason. Each unique stone brings its own advantages and disadvantages to the table. It all depends on what the homeowner’s needs are and how their kitchen is designed.

 

The Allure of Marble

 

It’s easy to see why homeowners would be attracted to marble as a potential kitchen countertop material. In terms of its history along, marble adds an incredibly attractive element to the kitchen. After all, the material was used throughout the ages of the past, in beautiful ancient Greek and Roman statues and buildings. Of course, homeowners don’t need to be versed in history in order to appreciate the aesthetic splendor of the material. In general, marble is less forgiving a material than granite, though it also has a certain visual fragility that brusque granites don’t.

 

The Demands of a Kitchen

 

It’s important to consider the pressure being put on the material being used as countertop surface. Indeed, some designers would say that the kitchen countertops are among the most high-traffic sections of a home. Because of children doing homework, the countless coffees and meals eaten over the kitchen island, and, of course, the hours and hours of cooking that the countertop will serve as surface for, it’s important to choose a material that will last through all this. The truth is that marble, although not quite as durable as granite or engineered quartz, is a hardy material when compared to the range of available materials for countertops. It is a stone, after all, so it’s going to take some impact (or neglect) to penetrate. Ultimately, granite is ideal, since it is more likely to resist damage. However, if the homeowner has fallen in love with a particular type of marble, then the choice should be clear to them.

 

The Choice is Yours

 

Ultimately, when choosing between marble or granite in Sioux Falls for a kitchen countertop, the choice really comes down to which material enamors the homeowner. Since these are all stone materials anyway, the differences between them can definitely be seen as subtle. Experiments will reveal differences in the durability of marble and granite, with the advantage probably being given to the latter. However, if the homeowner puts the time in to maintain the countertop (cleaning daily, sealing bi-annually, etc.), and they keep an eye out for dangerous impacts, it’s likely that they’ll enjoy their marble kitchen surface for decades to come.

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4 Benefits of Having Granite Countertops Installed

Living With Pure, Natural Beauty Every Day

 

By investing in granite countertops, homeowners treat themselves to the absolute highest aesthetics that home design has to offer. Granite comes in countless colors and patterns, each of them wholly unique. Depending on the homeowner’s tastes and their home’s decor, there’s a perfect choice of material waiting in a local Sioux Falls granite countertop store. Waking up every morning to that same brilliant surface never gets old, and it’s an aesthetic pleasure that the whole family is sure to enjoy.

 

A Strong Working Surface for Daily Use

 

Aside from aesthetics, granite provides as solid a working surface as any natural slab has to offer. As its own material, granite is incredibly difficult to penetrate. In most cases, it would take a heavy, sharp impact from a great height to crack the surface of the material. However, it should be noted that granite is not indestructible. Indeed, if a sharp, heavy, metallic object happened to fall on the material with enough impact, it might result in surface chipping, in which case the homeowner would have to put in a call for a service repair. Furthermore, granite in general is reliably strong, though not all granite materials are built alike. Some stones, for instance, are much less porous than others. Black granites have their pores bunched up much more closely together than sandier, veinier granites. Depending on how strong the specific type of granite is, it will be more or less resistant to the challenges presented in a kitchen.

 

An Investment That Will Last Decades

 

Another clear perk of granite countertops is their incredibly longevity. A countertop of any material will likely last a homeowner a decade if they tend to it well, though granite countertops can easily last three decades, or much more than that. It’s important to remember here that granite, before ever being installed in a home or put into a production line, acted as a section of a mountain for millions of years. If the material lasts that long before the homeowner ever uses it, a few more decades is surely no trouble at all for granite.

 

Raising the Value of Your Home

 

As if all of the above weren’t enough, granite is also a solid, reliable investment that is sure to add an attractive perk to a real estate listing should the homeowner ever decide to sell. Even after its long history of widespread, varied use, granite is still in incredible demand today. Although it might sound too good to be true, the truth is indeed that granite countertops, even after providing utility and beauty to a family for decades, can retain a significant portion of their value.

 

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Top 5 Things to Consider When Installing New Countertops

How to Remain in One’s Budget

 

One of the most important things a homeowner can do when visiting a countertops company in Sioux Falls is inform them about their budget. Many people feel as though keeping their budget a secret is a necessity, but in all actuality, this can be a nuisance. It is important for contractors and companies to know how much their clients are willing to spend on their countertop installation, as this can help them point them in the right direction. Once a budget had been discussed, professionals can show their clients which materials are ideal for their budget, and which ones are not.

 

How to be Cost-Effective

 

It is a common occurrence for homeowners to have a budget but want to overstep their means due to their love of a certain material. While sticking to one’s budget is a must, there are certain ways that homeowners can try and get what they want at a lower price — or at least a variation of it. Should homeowners have fallen in love with onyx countertops only to be surprised with how expensive they can be, they can always choose to have marble countertops installed instead. Marble countertops resemble onyx ones but are sold for a cheaper price. Find cost-effective solutions for one’s needs is definitely a priority. One thing to be wary of, however, if hiring an independent contractor to install stone countertops, however, as it is best to hire a team of professionals to take on this task. Should the piece be broken for whatever reason, this company will replace it while the other may not.

 

If Spending a Little More can be Beneficial in the Long Run

 

When planning a kitchen countertop replacement, many homeowners are going to stress over their budget and remaining inside of it. A good thing to remember, however, is that selecting rich materials like marble for one’s countertops can actually make one’s home more valuable. This can cause homeowners to make a large return on their investment when they sell the house.

 

If Hiring a Designer is Needed

 

Not everyone has an eye for style, which is why some people choose to hire a designer for their kitchen decor needs. If selecting a certain stone is something one needs help with, hiring a designer and bringing them along to countertop stores in Sioux Falls can be beneficial.

 

If any Kitchen Renovations are Needed

 

When having new kitchen countertops installed, it can be a good idea to make some small changes around the kitchen. Changing the color of the walls, or also replacing cabinets can help welcome the change with open arms.

 

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Get Prepared for Your New Kitchen Countertops

When it comes to granite kitchen countertops, Sioux Falls residents want to make sure that they are prepped and ready once the day for installation arrives. There are a few things you can do to make sure that your kitchen is in a state where the workers can come right in and get the process started. This will help to make everything go much smoother and easier for you and for those who are doing the work.

 

Plan to Use Somewhere Else Than Your Kitchen for Food Preparation

 

While the countertops are being removed and new ones installed, it is important that you find another place to prepare and cook food. The process generally does not take too long, so you might consider eating out for a few days. If you are going to prepare food at home, set up a temporary area in another room of your home to tackle it so that you are not in the way of those working.

 

Get All Objects Off of Your Countertops

 

When the workers come in to get your countertops taken care of, it is important that they do not have to spend time removing items from your counters. They should be able to get right into the work. Everything that can be moved should be taken off and put somewhere else. Just ensure that the counters are clear and that the items are out of the kitchen.

 

Ensure All Countertops Are Easily Accessible for the Workers

 

You might need to move some furniture around to make sure that it is easy for the workers to easily get access to your countertops. You want to ensure that there are no obstructions or anything in the way of the people who are doing the work. If you need to remove furniture, it is ideal to get it out of your kitchen completely because they are going to need space to set up their tools and other items that are needed to do the work. You can ask about what needs to be removed during your consultation.

 

Make Sure You Are Available at the Scheduled Times

 

Remember that someone is going to have to let the workers into your home, so you want to make sure that you or someone else that you trust is home to get the job done. They will give you a schedule that you can use.

 

You can see that there are a few quick prep actions that you need to take before you have your installation for granite kitchen countertops in Sioux Falls. It is important to do these because you want to ensure that everything goes as planned so that the job does not take more time than what was estimated.

 

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