5 Questions to Answer Before Choosing a Countertop
Choosing a countertop is about more than picking a color you love. You’ll also want to consider how it performs, how much maintenance it requires, and whether it fits your budget – all before making the investment. At Low Country Granite, we’ve walked plenty of our Savannah neighbors through these questions, and every year, we often hear the same “I wish I’d known sooner” stories. So, if you’re considering a kitchen remodel or bathroom refresh, read on to prepare yourself for the process.
Choosing your countertop first makes the cabinet decision a lot simpler. At Low Country Granite, we help homeowners coordinate both so the whole space feels cohesive.
Question 1: Do I Need to Choose My Countertop Before My Cabinets Are Installed?
Our advice: if you can, yes! In our experience, settling on the countertop before you design the rest of the space helps your home feel cohesive and custom. A beautiful marble countertop with gold veining, for instance, looks harmonious when the rest of the space (the cabinetry, lighting, flooring, and wall color) reflects the same warmth and brightness. By choosing your countertop before the other design elements, you can avoid the headache of repainting (or even replacing) cabinets later.
Question 2: Have I Actually Seen The Slab I’m Buying?
This is a question we often get, and our answer is: it depends. Quartz countertops are engineered stone surfaces, which means the finished slab is incredibly consistent and durable. So, when you view a sample in our showroom, it will look very similar to the slab that will be installed in your home. Quartz countertops are perfect for homeowners who find a showroom sample they love and want that same look carried through to their finished home.
On the other hand, quartzite, granite, and marble are natural stones formed deep within the earth over millions of years, making each slab one of a kind. This means the sample you see in our showroom can give you a general idea of what the countertop will look like, but ultimately, no two natural stone slabs are the same. For us, that unique look is what makes natural stone special!
Question 3: Does My Island Actually Fit Just One Slab?
Islands keep getting bigger, but most slabs have size limits, and islands longer than 10 feet often require more than one slab. The good news is that, as we’ll cover in the next question, you can strategically place seams so that even if your countertop is on the larger side, you can still get a seamless result. If you’re planning to visit our showroom, bring your island measurements. We can tell you if the stone you like comes big enough. And if it doesn’t, we’ll help you plan a seam that looks like part of the design.
Putting seams near the sink, where the cabinets provide support, keeps them secure and hard to spot.
Question 4: Where Will the Seams Be?
While virtually every countertop will have at least one seam, strategic placement can make them less noticeable. In our showroom, we typically position seams over solid cabinetry support, such as at a corner or near the sink, where they’re less visible and more secure. To help homeowners plan ahead, our team can provide a seam layout before fabrication to help folks know what to expect during installation.
Question 5: Is This Countertop Right For How I Use My Kitchen?
We saved the best question for last. In our opinion, asking yourself “Will This Countertop Work for How I Use My Kitchen” is one of the most important questions to ask before deciding on a countertop material. Choosing a surface that suits your lifestyle makes maintenance easier while keeping your space looking its best.
If you’re short on time, have a full house, and need a countertop that can handle hot pans and spills, we recommend granite or quartzite. Both natural stones handle heat and everyday wear very well. For routine care, simply wipe them with warm water and mild soap, and reseal about once a year to keep them in good condition.
If you love the way marble develops character over time, you’re in good company. We think its natural patina adds beautiful, old-world charm to a home. To preserve its appearance, use a gentle, pH-neutral cleanser and reseal once or twice a year.
And if you prefer to skip sealing altogether, quartz may be your best choice. Its nonporous surface resists stains and is easy to clean with soap and water.
Our team is always happy to chat. Stop by our Savannah showroom to explore slabs in person and talk through ideas with our team.
Ask Us Before You Decide
Stop by our showroom in Savannah, GA, to see granite, marble, quartzite, and quartz slabs in person. You can also browse our gallery for inspiration! If you have any questions or want to set up an appointment with our team, contact us. We’d love to have you!