Stephen Alberts

Quartz countertops are rapidly gaining in popularity in recent years. They are durable, more resilient than granite, and easy to care for. Quartz comes in almost every imaginable shade and pattern to match a homeowner’s vision.

Is quartz countertops material a natural stone like granite or marble? While it’s certainly possible to hew quartz countertops from natural quartz slabs, most of the “quartz” used for this purpose is actually engineered stone composed of ground-up stone particles and a highly durable polymer resin.

The result is a sleek, stain-resistant, extremely hardy, low-maintenance countertop that can stay beautiful for decades with proper care.

THE STAGES OF MAKING QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS

1. Mining and Weighing

Every quartz countertop begins its journey in a quartz quarry. Brazil and India are two of the major world suppliers of quartz countertops material, but there are quarries in the U.S. as well.

The rough stone extracted from the ground contains about 90% quartz. The stone then undergoes a crushing process in a giant grinder. A coarser grind will give the finished product flecks of color, while a fine grind will result in a smooth appearance.

2. Combining with Resins

Polyester resins, pigments, and other components are then added to the crushed quartz. The manufacturer may also add metallic flakes or grains of glass for a more interesting look. All of this will determine the appearance of the finished slab of quartz countertops material.

3. Creating the Slabs

The mixture of crushed quartz, resins, and pigments undergoes enormous pressure to compact the materials into a strong, durable, non-porous slab. The non-porous nature of quartz makes it highly stain-resistant.

Depending on the design, a quartz slab can be almost indistinguishable from natural granite or marble. The slabs can have a uniform color or preserve the beautiful shades of natural agates — the possibilities are endless.

4. Curing and Finishing

The quartz slabs then go into special kilns for curing, which gives them a permanent seal. The last stage of the process includes polishing the slabs with diamond abrasive to give them a beautiful smooth shine.

5. Fitting and Installation

After choosing your quartz slab in a showroom or warehouse, the quartz fabricator technician will visit your home, take precise measurements, cut the quartz slab to fit your kitchen or bathroom, and polish the edges. Then the team will carefully install the countertop.

Caring for your quartz countertops material is easy as long as you adhere to these simple rules:

• Use a non-abrasive sponge and mild detergent for cleaning

• Use hot pads rather than placing hot objects like pots and pans directly on the countertop

• To prevent chipping, be careful not to drop heavy objects on the countertop surface

BELLA CASA COUNTERTOPS & STONE: QUALITY QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS IN LITTLETON, COLORADO

Give your kitchen or bathroom design the perfect finishing touch with prime quartz countertops from Bella Casa Countertops & Stone. We are a Littleton-based family business that has been in operation for 20 years. Call us at 720-702-4991 or fill out our website form for a free quote.

Marble is a popular countertop choice among homeowners who want luxury and style. Although marble countertops are high-maintenance compared to granite or quartz, the natural beauty of this stone will enhance every kitchen or bathroom design.

However, choosing the right cabinets to match your marble can be tough.

What color cabinets go with marble countertops? Will certain hues clash and make your marble look worse?

If you are adding marble to your home, read over these helpful tips.

WHAT COLOR CABINETS GO WITH MARBLE COUNTERTOPS?

Marble countertops are available in various shades such as white, cream, tan, rose, green, and charcoal. The characteristic swirls, veins, and flecks in the marble result from the presence of mineral impurities like iron oxides or chert. No two blocks of marble are ever the same, so each countertop has a unique pattern.

When you consider what color cabinets go with your marble countertops, you have two main options. You can choose a color that harmonizes and blends in with the countertops or opt for a contrasting color to make the marble “pop” as a kitchen design element.

WHITE

If you have white marble countertops with dark veining, you might choose cabinets in the veining shade to accentuate the marble. If you prefer white cabinets for a lighter, more spacious-looking kitchen, you can use splashes of the darker color to “break up” the white.

TAN AND BEIGE

Off-white, beige, and tan marble countertops will look best next to accentuating colors such as peach, yellow gold, mocha brown, apricot, or taupe. You will get an even more appealing look if the cabinets match the color of specks or grains in the marble.

You might also choose cabinets in the same color palette as your marble countertops, only a shade or two lighter or darker – for example, beige cabinets with tan marble.

ROSE

Pinkish-rose marble countertops often look great next to solid-color cabinets in warm shades of brown and natural wood. Or you can go with white cabinets for a classic look that never fails to please.

GREEN

Green marble countertops will give your kitchen or bathroom a stunning, unique look, but picking the perfect cabinet color can be more of a challenge. White is always a choice you can resort to, but if your green marble has a vein of grey, tan, or brown, you can choose a color matching the vein.

For a more original look, consider cabinets in a shade of green lighter or darker than the countertops to create a coordinating color scheme.

BLACK AND GRAY

Gray and black marble create an elegant, luxurious look, but dark countertops tend to dominate the space and will usually look best next to cabinets in a contrasting color such as white, off-white, pale yellow, or light gray.

BELLA CASA COUNTERTOPS & STONE: QUALITY MARBLE COUNTERTOPS IN LITTLETON, COLORADO

Are you still trying to figure out what color cabinets go with marble countertops in your home? Bring the classic elegance of marble into your home with prime marble countertops from Bella Casa Countertops & Stone. We are a family business that has been serving the Littleton, Colorado area for 20 years. Call us at 720-702-4991 or fill out our website form for a free quote.

Can you customize granite countertops? The short answer is yes!

It is a natural stone with several patterns and colors, and you can customize it to any shape you choose. If you’re planning on remodeling your kitchen, you should consider adding a custom-made granite countertop to the new features you’re acquiring. Granite is one of the best materials for kitchen countertops because of its durability, timelessness, and value it adds to your home.

When you’re getting your granite countertop, you’re guaranteed to have a one-of-a-kind design because the pieces will be cut from a unique piece of stone. You can choose what areas of the stone to highlight and where that is placed

HOW GRANITE COUNTERS ARE CUSTOMIZED DURING PRODUCTION

You can customize your kitchen countertops in several ways, from creatively crafted standard materials to custom-ordered materials creatively prepared by designers. Here are some inspirations to help you personalize your granite counters.

COLOR

Based on the existing color scheme in your home, you can choose from the different shades of granite— pink, gray, white, and black. If you’re unsure which shade of granite will fit your home correctly, you can seek expert opinions from our professional designers. Choose a granite color that will give your countertop a personalized look.

Some popular granite countertop colors include Azul Platino, Barcelona, Black Savannah, Cartier, Crema Bordeaux, and Galaxy Black. You can use any of these colors to customize your granite countertops.

EDGES

You can customize your granite countertop edge with a traditional or modern edge treatment. Your granite countertop can be cut to any shape of your choice. For clean-lined designs, straight or eased edges are the most appropriate, and it looks perfect on most granites and styles. The live edge will work best if you have intricately patterned granite or want to make a particular element in your kitchen more obvious. The waterfall edge is a continuous edge taking the granite all of the way to the floor.

Other granite countertop edge options are the quarter round (pencil) edge, beveled edge, double bevel, eased edge, square edge, half bullnose, bullnose, and ogee edge. Your edge can match and enhance the style of your home and your unique granite piece.

GRADE

There are several levels of granite for countertops. Level 1 (low-grade granite) is the entry-level granite, with simple designs and stand color. Level 1 granite is thinner (about 3/8 inches). Builders use it for building apartments and prefab remodeling.

Level 2 granite or mid-grade granite has more colors than low-grade granite. Level 3+ is the third granite grade, and it has the best quality and most unique patterns, designs, and colors. Granite tiers can go up to more exotic and rare pieces of stone. The prices of these granite grades differ; hence, you should request one that suits your pocket-size when choosing the granite for your countertops.

HOW CUSTOMIZED GRANITE COUNTERTOPS ARE MADE

Once you have decided what you want your custom granite countertops to look like, a trained technician visits your home to take your countertop measurements. We use a digital templating machine to measure the countertops and produce a computer file. The digital templating method eliminates human errors and ensures that measurements are accurate.

An expert produces a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) where clients suggest modifications that meet their taste. An accurate measurement increases the chances of having a perfect kitchen countertop.

Here are the processes involved in the fabrication process of custom granite countertops:

MEASURING AND CUTTING

Once the homeowner makes a choice, how are granite countertops made to fit their kitchen?

To start, the granite fabricator will take precise measurements for the project. Then they use modern diamond blades and the waterjet cutting technique to cut the stone with high precision, creating intricate custom shapes and unique edgings.

CUTTING THE STONE

After the measurements and modifications are complete, the production team reviews the specifications to ensure they are accurate. A specially designed digital camera is installed over the ANTEA CNC bridge saw to take a picture of the granite slab placed on the saw table and put it on the operating monitor of the CNC saw.

The kitchen drawing is now placed over the slab picture, helping to correctly locate the joints and eliminate defects in the stone slab. Once the layout is complete, the slab is cut automatically, producing a stone with accurate dimensions.

CNC FABRICATION

After cutting the stone to the desired dimensions, the pieces are lifted with a vacuum lifting machine to a CNC machine. It is on this machine that we fabricate the granite countertop pieces.

The fabrication process includes designing the custom edges, polishing the edges, cutting out the spaces for cooktops and under-mount sinks, and drilling faucet holes. The CNC machine allows faster production and enables us to meet the client’s desired shape with the highest possible precision.

FLAT EDGE POLISHING

We make high-quality flat polishing for all countertop pieces with straight edges using a flat edge polishing machine. Whatever polishing ideas you want to customize your countertops with should be discussed with our team of professionals.

HAND FABRICATION AND QUALITY CONTROL

Once the CNC fabrication is complete, we place the countertops on tables designed for handling granite. A professional hand fabricator then inspects the countertops and makes improvements where needed.

Such modification may include eliminating sharp edges and fixing chips in the edge profiles. After the inspection, we use a sealer to seal the pieces, and we thoroughly clean the countertops. Finally, your custom-made countertop is now ready for installation in your home!

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROJECT!

If you have a vision for your home that you want to bring to life, it’s essential to contact a company with experience and quality service. Bella Casa Countertops and Stone is a member of the International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA), meaning we adhere to the highest standards in the stone and surface industry.

Tell us about your project, and we will get back to you with a quote that can’t be beaten

Granite is a go-to surface for kitchen and bathroom countertops, thanks to its durability and easy maintenance. This natural stone comes in many shades, including black, gray, pink, and white.

But, how are granite countertops made? How does a rough rock turn into a modern-looking counter?

Let’s look into the process of making granite countertops.

GRANITE MINING

Every granite countertop starts its journey as raw granite rock in one of the many quarries around the globe. Brazil, India, China, and Canada are among the world’s biggest granite sources.

Granite is an igneous rock and forms when magma, underground molten rock, cools and solidifies. The main components of granite are quartz and feldspar. Granite mining is a complex and sometimes dangerous process involving explosives and powerful machinery.

CUTTING AND POLISHING

Once miners extract granite blocks from the quarry, the blocks are transported and cut into slabs with the help of giant, powerful saws.

Advanced technology, such as diamond wire cutting saws, has been a game-changer for granite production. Today, cutting granite is a lot faster, easier, and more accurate than a few decades ago. This has reduced the price of the finished product and allowed more homeowners to add granite countertops to their kitchens.

POLISHING

It takes a good amount of polishing to turn rough granite slabs into silky-smooth surfaces. To achieve this, granite facilities use slab polishing machines with diamond pads. With each stage of polishing, a finer diamond polishing pad is used until the slab has a smooth finish.

This step only polishes the top surface and doesn’t touch the rough edges of the granite slab.

SHIPPING AND FABRICATION

Once they are polished, the slabs are transferred to shipping containers and travel to their destination by boat. After off-loading in ports, the slabs will pass into the hands of wholesale granite suppliers all over the country.

Wholesale suppliers sell granite slabs to fabricators – companies that use granite for home projects like countertops.

A good fabricator will handpick granite slabs with an eye for quality and aesthetically pleasing patterns. After that, the slabs will travel to warehouses and showrooms where homeowners come to browse through the selection and choose their countertop materials.

MEASURING AND CUTTING

Once the homeowner makes a choice, how are granite countertops made to fit their kitchen?

To start, the granite fabricator will take precise measurements for the project. Then they use modern diamond blades and the waterjet cutting technique to cut the stone with high precision, creating intricate custom shapes and unique edgings.

FINISHING TOUCHES

After the machines have done their job, the fabrication technicians will inspect each project and add finishing touches such as hand-polishing.

Finally, the granite fabricator will carefully transport the finished pieces to your home and install them. The installation team will drill faucet holes, attach sinks, and add sealant. Then the granite is ready to go.

BELLA CASA COUNTERTOPS & STONE: QUALITY GRANITE COUNTERTOPS IN LITTLETON, COLORADO

Bring the natural beauty of granite into your home with premium quality countertops from Bella Casa Countertops & Stone. Our family-run business has been serving Littleton for 20 years. Call us at 720-702-4991 or fill out our website form to get a quote.

You finally selected the perfect marble countertop for your kitchen, only to face a new dilemma—your backsplash. Choosing marble countertop backsplashes may seem daunting with so many choices.

Read on for a few helpful tips that will help you find the right backsplash for your new marble countertop.

SET YOUR BASE PARAMETERS

Installing a backsplash protects your walls, makes cleanup more manageable, and can complement your marble countertop. When it comes down to finding the right marble countertop backsplashes, the variety of options can be overwhelming. Before setting foot in a showroom or picking up a sample, you may want to establish some parameters.

Determine a budget for your backsplash and stick to it. You probably don’t want to fall in love with something you can’t afford. Overspending on one element could leave your remodeling project incomplete until the next paycheck. Skimping on materials can lead to a suite of other issues, so consider longevity when making your selection.

Accounting for the installation process and materials is critical. Getting home after shopping only to find out you forgot grout is going to take the wind right out of your sails.

Do not forget to measure your space! Knowing the exact size of the area you need to cover is crucial. Depending on the size of your kitchen area, the cost of a magnificent marble countertop backsplash could quickly spiral out of control.

Having your measurements for reference will be a tremendous help when making the purchase. For example, smaller kitchens may not accommodate busy or large pieces. Larger areas may not look quite right with small, intricate tiles.

CONSIDER COLORS AND PATTERNS

It makes sense that you would choose a backsplash that complements the colors in your marble countertop, so you may want to start with a color wheel. You could choose a color that complements the veins in your marble countertop.

Complementary colors aren’t your only option. You could choose contrasting colors to set off the unique features in the marble. Either way, drawing out the colors in the marble veins is an excellent idea because you don’t want your backsplash to fight the elements that drew you to the countertop in the first place!

The pattern is another aspect to consider, especially if you have dramatic movement in your marble countertop. If you have a monochromatic countertop with little color variation, choose a vibrant backsplash to pair with the subtle patterns. For bold designers, mix and match to create a unique design that pulls everything together!

Another possibility you can consider is extending the countertop with extra marble for the backsplash. This approach generally creates a clean, uniform look that’s cost-effective and timeless.

EXPERIMENT WITH MATERIALS

Marble countertop backsplashes can involve a variety of materials, which gives you a lot of wiggle room. You could experiment with multiple materials to achieve the look you desire.

Of course, it helps to remember that backsplashes protect your walls, so they tend to get messy. You may want to prioritize materials that make for easy cleanup. Keep in mind that larger tiles use less grout, meaning less cleaning on your part.

You may also want to consider the maintenance required for each type of backsplash. For example, you can expect to thoroughly clean and reseal a natural stone backsplash at least twice per year. Also, some backsplashes stand out because of their shine. Evaluate if a natural stone backsplash, for example, is worth the upkeep.

ADDITIONAL TIPS AND TRICKS

Though colors and materials should narrow the field, you may still have a few contenders left. To help determine the best backsplash for your kitchen, it’s a good idea to install your countertop first.

With your marble countertop in place, you can address the remaining samples to see which work best overall. A useful tip that helps simplify the decision-making process is eliminating options that do not fit with the rest of your kitchen.

You may find that some marble countertop backsplashes only pop under specific lighting conditions. Is your kitchen too dark? Maybe the backsplash clashes with your kitchen fixtures and furniture. Use this strategy to whittle down the options, and eventually you’ll have your winner.

READY TO ADD A CUSTOM MARBLE COUNTERTOP BACKSPLASH TO YOUR KITCHEN?

If it’s time to update your kitchen with marble countertops and backsplashes, we’ve got the look you seek. Our professionals will guide you through every step of the process to bring your vision to life.

Based in Littleton, Bella Casa Countertops and Stone has served Colorado residents since 2001. We’re ready to help you create your dream kitchen. Contact us at 720-839-1189 or reach out online to discuss your project.