Installing natural stone slabs in Toronto homes is an art and a science. If you’re considering adding the beauty of a natural stone countertop to your kitchen or bath, be sure to hire the right contractor and fabricator. Finding a good contractor and fabricator can make a huge difference to your new home build or to your home renovation. We often hear horror stories about botched installs -- granite veins that don’t line up at the seams or color mismatches, stone that doesn’t fit the cabinets or doesn’t line up with the sink, or installers that leave the kitchen filthy or damaged in some way. With good professionals at the helm, your countertop installation is more likely to go smoothly, and you’re far more likely to be satisfied with the result!

 

You want to hire professionals who have the right kind of experience and a great track record. Ask if neighbours, friends, co-workers, or family members can recommend a good contractor and/or fabricator; you may end up with a short list of people who have been pre-screened by people you trust. If you can’t get enthusiastic recommendations from people you know, you can try searching websites. Make a list of good prospects and arrange to meet with them. Ask to see jobs that they’ve completed and whether you can contact a previous client.

 

 

In decades past, stone countertops were out of reach to all but the wealthiest homeowners. Quarrying stone was extremely difficult to get and work intensive, with output from a quarry often very small. With the development of machinery designed to do most of the "heavy lifting” – literally and figuratively – quarries were able to produce stone faster and more easily. This means that the beauty of granite and marble countertops have become more affordable. Creating an elegant and luxurious home atmosphere has never been easier!

 

Choosing between granite and marble can be difficult, and the ultimate choice depends more on your personality and preferences than it does on objective criteria. Marble is a luxurious and elegant choice that requires a bit more care than other surfaces. Granite is extremely durable and available in a myriad of colours and patterns. Factors that can influence your decision about type of stone include design considerations, budget, and more.

 

When you visit a natural stone showroom to choose your slab, knowledgeable staff should be able to help you decide on a piece of stone that fits your taste, home, and lifestyle. Choosing a smaller, independent stone importer with a large inventory of slabs is recommended.

 

 

Even after choosing the slab, there are still many decisions for you to make. These may include:

• Finish. Do you want a honed (matte) finish, or a highly polished one? Various specialty finishes may also be available.
• Edges. What kind of edges would you like on your stone? Choices include squared, squared and mitred, bullnose, eased and mitred, ogee, and marine edge.
• Backsplash. You will need to decide how the backsplash should be configured, if you choose to have one.

With the right contractor, fabricator, and stone supplier, installing granite or marble countertops in your home will rock your world in the best way possible!