How to Pick the Perfect Stone Slab for Your Remodeling Project
How To Pick The Perfect Stone Slab
When you're planning a kitchen or bathroom remodeling project, you'll be making dozens of decisions about everything from paint to finishes on the fixtures! One of the more enjoyable decisions is choosing the stone for your countertops, backsplashes, and other decorative accents.
If you do some research, you'll find plenty of information online about natural stone slabs, from determining the best species to match your lifestyle, to interesting applications, like mixing stone choices for the island and countertops.
So, do you know how to select natural stone slabs for your project?
When it comes to choosing final slabs, it is often easier said than done. With the growing number of discoveries of stone deposits happening every year, the number of choices continues to grow significantly. Inevitably, with more options comes more confusion.
In this post, we'll look at some considerations when narrowing your choice and how to best approach shopping for your new countertops.
Key Points To Consider When Narrowing The Field!
When choosing the perfect stone slab for your project, there are some important considerations to look at to help you narrow your choices. Basically, you start by defining your preferences and understanding how you're planning on using the space. For example, if you love to bake, having a marble countertop to work with dough can make your life much easier. If you prefer a low-maintenance stone, you might want to consider quartzite.
Bathroom Vanity Countertops: Which Material is Right For You?
In terms of aesthetics, your kitchen or bathroom design will incorporate multiple elements. When balancing your design, these elements need to complement each other. Here are three considerations to help you choose a stone slab.
1. Consider Your Overall Design
Consider the color scheme and design of the finished kitchen before buying a stone slab. Ask and answer some basic questions about your aesthetic. For example:
• Would the overall look trend lighter, or is a dark tonality more your style?
• What are the colors of the primary elements of your kitchen, ie. Flooring, cabinetry, wall color?
• Do they complement or contrast each other?
Answering these basic questions will refine the process and eliminate choices that don't fit your established criteria. Once you've determined a color palette, decide on your cabinetry style and finish, whether it's traditional, modern, or transitional. The vertical planes of the cabinetry will have the most visual impact, and the rest of your design goes from there.
2. Flooring and Countertops
Your choice of flooring with help you to further narrow your stone choices. You'll have many more flooring options than stone slab selections for the kitchen or bathroom, so you'll want to consider the type, color, and finish of your flooring carefully. The flooring is another dominant element in your design. Your choice of flooring materials will have a direct influence on your decision as to which stone slab best compliments it!
3. Stone Type and Finish
Considering whether granite, marble, soapstone, quartzite, or limestone is best will help finalize your decision. Each stone offers pros and cons, and each performs differently. This is where defining your use and considering your lifestyle will play a significant role. Take into account the color, pattern, and texture of the stone, and make sure to pay special attention to the bigger picture. Small samples can look drastically different than full stone slabs. You will also want to consider the different finishes available. For example, polished, leathered, antiqued, or honed each have their own unique look and will play a huge role in the finished design of your kitchen or bathroom.
Tips For Your Big Shopping Day
When purchasing a stone slab for your remodeling project, one of the most fun days you'll have is the day you visit the stone yard to choose your stone slab. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your shopping trip!
Don't Rush It! Take Your Time Choosing Your Slab.
Visiting a stone yard can be a little daunting and overwhelming. Take your time, wander around. If you've narrowed your choices to a couple of species, for example, granite and quartzite, focus on those. Take notes on which stone slabs you like. Compare colors and movement. Look at the stone from different angles, up close and far away. Take photos of any likely contenders so you will remember them.
Bring Interior Design Samples
Remember, your cabinets, flooring, and paint colors will influence your final choice, so make sure to bring samples! The more, the merrier. Bring cabinet samples, floor tiles, paint chips, wallpaper of fabric samples.
Consider How You're Planning on Using the Stone
Make sure to tell the stone rep how you'll be using the stone, for example, a fireplace surround, kitchen countertops, flooring, vanity countertops, bathroom floors, walls, or any other application you might consider. Sometimes if it's a small application, they may have remnants lying around the yard that offer you substantial savings!
Consider maintenance requirements. Some surfaces like granite or quartzite require less maintenance than others, like marble. Some stones like certain marble or soapstone may change their appearance or develop a patina over time. Know in advance what to expect!
Pick Several Stone Samples Options
When choosing a natural stone like marble, granite, quartzite, onyx, limestone, or travertine, much of the fun is choosing your slab. In a larger yard, they will move the slab using a forklift to give you a chance to see it in its entirety in various lighting. Stone slabs are sliced like bread to fabricate your countertops. There is likely not much variance between adjacent slabs, but make sure you carefully examine and slab you choose. Look for small cracks or minute imperfections.
Remember, Fabrication Makes A Difference!
Choosing the stone is the important first step. When choosing a fabricator and installer, always ask for references from clients, review portfolios and recent jobs, and check for any online reviews. Choosing natural stone for your home is a smart investment that will add plenty of functionality and aesthetic beauty. Picking the right stone slab for your remodeling project will provide you with a durable, beautiful, and luxurious material that will look great for years to come!
If you are considering a kitchen or bathroom remodeling project and you're not sure how to choose a stone slab, give the experts at Stonelink Marble & Granite a call at (508) 393-0720. Stonelink Marble & Granite now serves all of New England. Let us show you our beautiful selection of stone slabs and help you choose the perfect one for your home!