Tips For Buying Countertops In Raleigh NC

In the “City of Oaks,” there’s nothing more mesmerizing than a beautiful home. One you enjoy hanging around in all the time!

This region is filled with impressive properties offering unique styles, personalized colors, and inspiring renovations. Among these renovations is the traditional countertop, which continues to be a part of the house people spend a lot of time on.

While investing in a brand-new countertop seems ideal, it’s not always as straight-forward as you would like it to be. This is why, as an expert fabricator for over 22 years, we’ve put together this list of tips for buying countertops in Raleigh North Carolina.

We’d love to hear your thoughts, or let us know if we can help you find granite countertops in Raleigh NC.

1) Start with the Materials

Let’s begin with the materials.

Your countertop can differ depending on what it’s made of. Each material has a list of pros and cons, which means it’s important to compare them before investing.

These materials can include:

* Quartz
* Granite
* Recycled Glass
* Concrete
* Marble

Starting with quartz, you get an engineered stone, which is comprised of resins, pigments, and stone chips. This wholehearted material is often sought after in Raleigh because of its unique appearance and charming selection of colors. Plus, it is well-appreciated for looking almost identical to traditional stone.

With quartz, there are several advantages including durability. This material can last for a long time and is best for high-traffic areas with kids. If you’re going to be using knives, hot pots, and other equipment in the kitchen, it makes sense to look at quartz as a potential option. It can easily handle a tremendous amount of abuse without breaking down. It’s also waterproof, which makes it perfect for certain types of sinks.

Of course, not everything is perfect when it comes to a quartz countertop. This material also has sharp edges, which need to be rounded off or they can lead to injury.

Granite is another option available to property owners and you can put this on your list if the goal is to invest in a unique material. Granite generally tends to work well in high-traffic areas and can handle spills with relative ease.

However, granite also has issues when it comes to sharp corners, which need to be accounted for during the installation process. Speak to a qualified professional to learn more about these edges and how they’re going to be rounded off. It’s the only way to feel safe around them, especially with children.

The third option is recycled glass, which is often underestimated as a potential material for modern countertops. However, it looks impressive once the colors and styles blend into something incredibly special. This material is regularly appreciated for having a modernistic look and is easily resistant to high heat and cuts.

On the other hand, recycled glass doesn’t do well with stains. This is why it’s important to remain careful around it because it doesn’t work well with larger spills.

The final option among the most common materials would be a concrete countertop. This is generally created by a local fabricator and is customized based on your requirements.

While it looks impressive, it doesn’t have the same durability as other comparative materials. This means you can end up dealing with unwanted chips and/or scratches as time goes on.

With all of this information in hand, it’s important to take your time and see which one works best. Some will prefer concrete while others are going to want to stick to quartz. The options are out there and it’s all about comparing them and making sure you end up with a great fit.

2) Create a Theme

Do you have a theme in mind?

This is important because you want to visualize how the room is going to look once the countertop is installed. This includes potential patterns, colors, shapes, and any other detail relevant to the countertop’s appearance.

Sometimes, you may decide on a certain material but it’s not going to flow with the rest of the room. This is why confirming a theme for your room is essential. For example, some may want to go with a traditional look, while others will want something more contemporary. These little details matter when it is time to choose a countertop.

3) Set a Budget

As you go through these tips for buying countertops in Raleigh, one critical factor is money, right? This is why it’s important to set a budget – the right budget for you. It can be hard to match style, quality, price, and an experienced fabricator, but we do have some affordable and cheap granite countertops for you if interested.

You are going to have multiple expenses associated with a renovation project like this. These expenses can include buying materials, installation (labor), mixing materials, and making customized adjustments. On their own, these costs may not seem like a lot but they do add up and become cumbersome when you don’t have a proper budget in place.

Set the budget well in advance and use this as a guide for what you buy and what you don’t.

4) Measure Everything

Measurements are a must and this is something homeowners ignore.

You need to have detailed measurements for the room and where the countertop is going to go. If you choose a professional, they can help with the measurements during the initial consultation.

However, you want to make sure the measurements are accurate before reaching out to a fabricator. These measurements include where the sink is going to go and how the room’s layout is going to be.

5) Focus on the Sink

The sink is essential and might be the most important piece of advice you’re going to get here.

You want to think about how the sink will fit once the countertop is installed. In some cases, you are going to want a top-mounted sink, while others are going to want an under-mounted sink. With an under-mounted sink, you will have to go with a waterproof countertop because water is going to splash everywhere whenever you use it.

Think about these details as you go through various tips for buying countertops in Raleigh North Carolina.

6) Don’t Forget the Warranty

Yes, the warranty is just as important as the initial cost. So be sure to ask about it.

You want to make sure the countertops, fabrication, or installation come with some type of warranty to ensure you’re covered. This allows you to make adjustments and feel safe with the investment.

Final Thoughts

These tips for buying countertops in Raleigh are essential when it’s time to spend your hard-earned money.

According to recent studies, homeowners are spending thousands of dollars on renovations annually. In fact, the U.S. market alone spends over $400 billion annually in home improvement related projects, such as renovations, repairs, remodels etc! Yes, I said 400 BILLION!

This illustrates how the industry is growing and why it’s important to find a world-class service before bringing in a new countertop.

With these tips, you are going to be well on your way to a wonderful investment and it’s going to change the entire look of your room. Take the time to go through each tip and make sure the final look is in line with your needs.