Slab granite and quartz countertops have become the standard for those in the market for a new home or existing home. Adding granite or quartz slab countertops to your existing home instantly increases its value while changing the look of your kitchen and bathrooms.
Real estate agents cite the timeless durability of slab counters in the kitchen as a major selling point. Granite and quartz slab counters have quickly risen to be the most popular surface used for kitchen countertops. If you’re in the market for new countertops, you should definitely consider granite and quartz slabs. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Educate Yourself
All granite and quartz slabs are not created equal. Granite from around the world is quarried with a wide variation of colors and sizes, each unique to its individual block of stone. Quartz is a manufactured product made of 90% granite and 8-10% resins, polymers and pigments. Quartz has many light color selections including solid colors. Quartz is made to be more consistent in size and color, lending it to fast becoming a designer favorite. Quartz cannot be used outside due to UV rays which discolor and change the surface of the quartz. Quartz is not heated tolerant like granite.
Choosing your granite or quartz purely from pictures in a catalog or from small samples is not suggested. One of the unique characteristics of granite is the natural color variation. Quartz also should be seen in person to appreciate the true beauty of the material. Always visit a supplier in-person to see the types and color variations.
Alternative Slab Countertops
The most recent countertop alternative is porcelain slab countertops. The porcelain slabs offer a wide variety of colors, textures, granite-like durability, which can be used outside and are heat resistant. Most countertop suppliers are offering porcelain slabs. Porcelain slabs do require additional tools and training to fabricate and install.
Fitting Your Design
Depending on which slab material you choose, they range in color from black to white, many shades of brown, blue and red. There is also variation in the veining and crystal composition of each slab.
While picking the right stone can be a matter of personal choice, there are some basic rules to follow.
Just like paint colors, lighter slab colors can make a small room look bigger and more open. Likewise, a dark-colored slab can make a small kitchen feel even smaller.
If your kitchen is big, roomy and well-lit, your choices are almost endless because any slab has the potential to look good in it. But for smaller, darker kitchens, your choices will be more limited because dark countertops can make the space feel gloomy and confining.
You should look for a color that contrasts and pairs well with your cabinet materials. Depending on the look you’re aiming for, dark-colored slab can look amazing when paired with lighter stains of wood cabinetry.
The other colors in your decor will play a role in your choice, from the flooring, the paint on the walls, the kitchen hardware and appliances you’re using. Some cabinet and countertop companies have designers to help you make the right choice.
If you think you might soon sell your home, you need to consider what potential buyers might think about the countertops you select. You wouldn’t want to choose something that could fall quickly out of style or be a particularly strong, polarizing color. Conservative choices should win out in this case.
Be careful with your selection and educate yourself about the wide variety of granite, quartz and porcelain products on the market, and you can add beauty and value to your home for years to come.
