Whether building your dream home or renovating your existing one, choosing countertops to transform your kitchen or bathroom is a big deal. You don't want to make a mistake because you'll have to live with your choice for a long time, so it's best to ask the right questions before installing your countertops to ensure your choice is wise. Let's take a look at three key questions you need to ask as you prepare for quartz or granite countertop installation.

1. Do You Offer Natural or Manufactured Options?

When you choose a natural stone surface for your countertops, you will need to invest in the maintenance of the surface. Manufactured surfaces are virtually maintenance-free but may show signs of damage sooner. According to Bob Vila, the home improvement guru, you can seal granite to prevent chemicals and other materials from seeping in. Given the durability of sealed granite, if you opt for granite countertop installation, it will most probably outlast the rest of your home. On the other hand, quartz countertops cost less and require minimal maintenance.

2. Do You Offer Slab Viewing Before Installation?

It is a good idea to view the slab that will be cut to fit your kitchen or bathroom before it's made into your countertop. Viewing the actual slab will give you a better idea of whether it fits your home well. This is especially true if you chose granite because it's a natural stone with irregular colors, veins, and patterns. When choosing quartz, viewing the slab beforehand is less important because it is manufactured, and the colors and patterns are uniform and usually true to what you saw in a catalog picture.

3. What Type of Guarantee Do You Offer on the Material?

Ask your slab supplier what type of guarantee or warranty they offer. Ensure they tell you all the terms and conditions and that you understand how long the guarantee will last and what it covers. It should cover things like repairing accidental chips on the surface, removing food stains, or polishing minor scratches. Granite countertop installation is resilient to chips and stains (after sealing), but a quartz surface is heat sensitive. It may develop stains if you forget to use a protective board before placing a hot pot on it. Quartz is also more likely to chip.

Choosing a countertop material for your kitchen or bathroom brings together all the design features in the space. Asking the above questions before you commit to your quartz or granite countertop installation will help you choose something you will be happy with. Contact Elite Design Granite K&B LLC today to get started on your countertop installation.