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There’s nothing like the excitement of having stone countertops installed. You probably understand that it’s a big job that shouldn’t be taken lightly—but because of this, you might wonder just how long it will take to install your new countertops.

We expect our customers to be curious about the timelines of their installation. After all, it’s their kitchen that will turn into a construction zone. While the timelines of each project vary, we put this article together in order to provide a loose idea of what to expect on installation day when it comes to timing.

The Process

Here are the steps your countertop installers will take:

Countertop Removal

This portion of the installation process takes up a good chunk of time. If you haven’t already removed your old countertops, our team at Stone Concepts, Inc. is happy to do it for you. This could take anywhere from thirty minutes to a few hours, depending on the number of countertops that need to be removed and how difficult the process ends up being.

Material Transport

We take care of our stone slabs with the utmost care, which means we devote time and caution to the transport of these heavy materials. It takes a few minutes to bring the slabs in from our team’s vehicle to the installation location because we want to be as gentle as possible—not only to the slabs, but to your home as well.

Leveling and Securing

Having level and secure cabinets before countertop installation is key. Our team will ensure that everything is secure before setting your stone slab in its new place. This section of the process doesn’t take very long, but it’s important in ensuring that your countertops are installed correctly and in a way that allows them to last for many years. Our team will make sure to double check that everything is level, and we’ll also shim any gaps before moving forward.

Installation

This is another portion of the process that takes up a considerable amount of time. Our team does more than just lay down the stone slab—they take the time to set the seams and secure the countertop to avoid any problems down the road.

Detail Work/Cleanup

Finally, the installation team will remove any excess epoxy or caulk, sweep up the dust, and ensure your new countertops are tidy and clean. Our goal is to leave your kitchen looking better than we found it!

Timing of the Process

Our experienced team can usually get countertop installation jobs done in about two to three hours, but if a project is especially large, it could take up to eight hours. Installations aren’t always quick and easy, but Stone Concepts, Inc. always achieves beautiful results.

Get in touch with us today to begin your project!

Any homeowner knows that your countertop is the focal point of your kitchen. It’s a work surface that should be able to withstand the wear and tear of routine life.

Even the best countertop will start to show its age over time, and that’s when you need to start thinking about replacing your kitchen counters. From cheap materials like laminate to quality materials like stone, there’s always the possibility for your kitchen countertop to need a replacement.

Replacing your kitchen counters doesn’t have to break the bank, but there are a few important things to note before you go all in with this project.

Before You Replace

Here’s what you should consider before replacing your kitchen counters:

• The countertop you already have

If you’re replacing a material like laminate or solid surface, your job is pretty cut and dry. These slabs screw into place and are easy to change, especially if you’re replacing the counter just to sell your home. The job gets difficult when it comes to replacing stone materials, as they can crack or pit.

• The cabinets

If you’re swapping the countertop you have for a heavier material, you’ll want to ensure that your existing cabinets can support its weight.

If you plan on upgrading your cabinets in the future—just not right now—we’d advise you to hold off on replacing your kitchen counters until you’re ready to replace everything. This is because it might not be easy to remove an expensive slab of stone to redo your cabinets later, and you could be putting your countertop at risk for unnecessary damage.

• The plumbing

In most cases, even when your cabinets remain in place, a rimmed or self-rimming top-mounted sink will probably need to be replaced.

It’s very likely that you’ll have to replace your faucet as well. Now that you have this information, keep it in mind when you get the urge to replace your kitchen countertop and know that many other elements of the kitchen have to be replaced alongside it—even the garbage disposal!

• The backsplash

With your new kitchen countertop, you’ll want a new backsplash as well. These two elements should complement each other, and it’s unlikely that your new countertop will go with your old backsplash.

It’s also necessary to replace the backsplash at the same time as the countertop because it’s mounted on the top of the countertop itself.

• The old appliances

A lot of the time, your old appliances won’t gel with your new countertop. It’s like wearing an old, shabby pair of shoes with a brand-new outfit. Old appliances may stick out like a sore thumb against your bright and shiny new surface.

This isn’t always the case, though. When your appliances are modern and have been recently updated, they don’t have to be replaced.

• The lighting

If you have under-cabinet lighting, it may be difficult to figure out the wiring when you get around to re-installing it. It’s also important to note that under-cabinet lighting can cause quite the glare when it reflects off an ultra-shiny surface like a new countertop, so it’s something you might want to reconsider when you’re shopping around.

• Be mindful when you shop

Many people are tempted for inexpensive, prefabricated stone surfaces because those options are less expensive. But what’s important to keep in mind about these selections is that they’re typically only available in a few types of stones, and since they’re precut, they are created for a standard cabinet depth without taking the walls of unique seam locations of your kitchen into account.

While it may be more expensive, choosing custom countertops is most often the best way to go. When you work with professionals like us at Stone Concepts, who are skilled in design and installation, you can be sure you’re getting a quality product that is custom fit to your kitchen space.

Replacing Your Kitchen Countertops

Replacing your kitchen counters is a big deal. Let us help you through the process. Get in touch with Stone Concepts today at (978) 568-1911.

The months for outdoor hangouts, grill-outs, and parties are upon us, which means you’ll need the perfect countertop to tie your backyard lounge area together.

It’s important to note that not every material can be used for outdoor countertops. Take quartz, for example. This engineered stone is well-loved in indoor kitchens across the nation, but it should never be installed outdoors because it can fade under direct sunlight. Many people aren’t aware of this fact, along with many other facts about countertop types and their strengths and weaknesses, which is why we put this article together.

The last thing we want is for you to install a countertop outdoors that loses its good looks and integrity over time. At Stone Concepts, we make sure you have the best of the best.

Read on to learn more about the types of materials that work best for outdoor countertops.

Granite

Granite has been a top choice for outdoor countertops for years because of how durable it is. This material takes no issue with wind, rain, snow, or any of the other elements—that is, as long as you keep it sealed.

This material will not suffer under direct sunlight, either, but it’s important to note that a dark slab of granite will soak up the sun and become hot!

There are many different types of patterns and colorations when it comes to granite slabs, which means you can put across any vibe you have in mind for your backyard. Granite is known for its unique designs, so your countertop is sure to stand out.

What’s more, granite is extremely easy to clean. You don’t need any special chemicals; all it calls for is soap and water.

Quartzite

Quartzite is one of the toughest natural stones—and one of the most beautiful. It mimics granite in the way that it holds up well against weather and the elements as long as it remains sealed, and as long as it stays sealed, it is not friendly toward germs and bacteria either. It is a great asset for anything installed outdoors.

This countertop requires little maintenance, similarly to granite. Its looks have been compared to marble because of its unique veining patterns, and it would be a great, eye-catching addition to any modern backyard.

Quartzite also doesn’t have a problem with direct sunlight or heat. It is heat resistant and can handle hot pots and pans being set on it just as granite can.

Marble

Some people may think that marble, a more sensitive stone, is not suitable for the outdoors. That may be correct for some—but not for everyone. What’s interesting about marble is the fact that, with the presence of rain and other elements, it has the tendency to age naturally. Rain creates etch marks in the stone, and these give marble a rustic aesthetic that many people find beautiful.

Much like granite and quartzite, marble slabs need to be sealed in order to maintain their integrity outdoors. Hint: If you want your slab to be a bit tougher, go with a honed finish instead of a polished one.

One more thing—avoid acidic substances around your marble slab at all times! This not only includes cleaners, but also liquids like red wine, lemon juice, and vinegar as well. These substances can stain your stone permanently.

Porcelain

Porcelain is an extremely durable engineered stone—but, unlike quartz, our other engineered stone, it fares well outdoors.

Porcelain doesn’t mind the sun or the rain, and its patterns and colorations are extremely versatile. Its aesthetics can mimic the look of a number of natural stones.

This material is durable in the way that it is resistant to scratches and other wear that you might see in an outdoor kitchen.

Choosing Your Outdoor Countertop

Much like with indoor countertops, there are plenty of outdoor countertops to choose from. To learn more about materials that perform well outside, get in touch with us at Stone Concepts today.

At Stone Concepts, Inc., we understand that choosing between countertop materials isn’t easy. Unless you’re an expert on natural and engineered stones, you might feel lost trying to find the differences between all the countertop options in front of you.

One of the most difficult countertop debates is the one surrounding granite vs. quartz. While these two materials have a lot in common, there are a few traits that set them apart from each other as well. In this article, we’ll give you the pros and cons of each stone along with a brief rundown on their details to make your decision easier to handle.

Quartz

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Quartz is one of the hardest materials you can find—it can be likened to the toughness of concrete.
• Its patterns are uniform and predictable.
• It’s stain resistant and unwelcoming to bacteria.
• It involves very little maintenance.
• It’s a somewhat flexible stone, making it unlikely to crack and straightforward to install.

Cons:

• It’s possible for quartz to become discolored in direct sunlight.
• It’s not as heat resistant as natural stone.
• It doesn’t have the natural uniqueness that natural stone is known for.

Quartz is an engineered stone, which means that a small percentage of polymers and resins are included in its composition. These additives seal the natural pores of quartz and create a nonporous surface that never needs to be sealed.

Even though quartz is nonporous, it does not perform well outside—so it’s wise to choose another material for your outdoor kitchen. Under direct sunlight, quartz has the potential to fade, which can degrade its quality and looks over time.

Granite

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Granite is a recyclable material that contains no harmful chemicals.
• It’s very heat resistant.
• It’s very hard and therefore scratch resistant.
• It comes in many unique patterns and colorations.

Cons:

• The patterns can be busy or inconsistent.
• It needs to be resealed periodically, as it is a porous stone.
• Chipping, while not likely, is possible.

Granite is a natural stone that is sourced from quarries within the earth. It is an igneous stone made of mica, feldspar, and quartz, and it’s known for its unique, bold patterns. It can be found in homes across the nation and is well loved because it is extremely durable and can last for generations.

Just as much as it’s loved inside, people love granite in their outdoor kitchens as well. Unlike quartz, it has no problem with direct sunlight or the elements.

A Debate for the Ages

At Stone Concepts Inc., we know that deciding between granite and quartz is not an easy task, but we’re here to help you make a choice that you feel good about.

To learn more about these high-quality stones, get in touch with us today.

After you decide to swap out your existing countertop for one made of granite, you imagine the end result is luxurious. Granite countertops can amp up the beauty and functionality of any kitchen with their toughness, durability, and looks. It’s no wonder that homeowners across the nation are gravitating toward them!

But while the vision of the result might be lovely, imagining the installation process might have your brain muddled. We find that many of our customers don’t know how to prepare their kitchens for granite countertops or the installation. And when it comes to this process, they’re not quite sure what to expect.

Here’s the deal: some of the prep for your new granite countertops is your responsibility, and some things are up to Stone Concepts, Inc. In this article, we’ll tell you about what you should handle in order to make everyone’s job a little easier.

Steps to Prepare

Here are the steps you can take to prepare for your new granite countertops:

• Make sure your cabinets are permanently installed. Then make sure they can handle the weight of a granite countertop.
• Have your sink delivered and get it ready to be installed so our team can make a template that fits the sink perfectly.
• The same can be said if we need to make any cuts for the faucets. Make sure they’re on site before the day of installation.
• Double-check the height of your countertops to make sure they’ll be at a height every member of your family can work with.
• Make sure that the empty spaces along the range or refrigerator can support the weight of a countertop.
• Be prepared to make last-minute decisions on installation day—like about sink styles and things of the like.
• If you’re curious, you can ask where the seams of your granite countertop will end up and how our installers plan on blending them in.

Final Touches

After the countertop is placed, the sink will go in its spot and get secured with silicone. Then the faucet holes will be drilled—but the sink isn’t ready for use just yet. Your plumber will have to come in and hook everything up before it’s usable.

It’s a good idea to make sure your kitchen is well ventilated; the fumes from the epoxy and silicone can be dangerous. Until the odor is gone, keep a few windows open to air out the space.

As the final step, we recommend picking out a backsplash. You might pick one that complements the coloration of your granite for a streamlined look, or something bold that stands out from the rest of your kitchen.

After the backsplash, your installation is complete, and you’re free to enjoy your new granite countertops.

To get started on your granite project today, get in touch with Stone Concepts, Inc. at (978) 568-1911.