Kristy

Taking the first step in a countertop remodeling project can be overwhelming. It can ease stress to know exactly how the countertop installation process works.

When you partner with Washington Marble Works, you’ll have the opportunity to tour our showroom to see what materials jump out at you. With our skilled experts, the process of acquiring your new countertop won’t just be easy—it’ll be fun too.

Selection

At Washington Marble Works, we offer the best quality granite, marble, quartzite, and quartz slabs. In our showroom, you’ll find a variety of design options so you can choose a specific pattern and color that matches your style. After you make a choice, we’ll give you a price estimate, then you’ll sign a contract that guarantees materials, products, and the schedule of installation.

Template

To make sure we cut your slab to the correct size, we’ll need to create a template. On your scheduled template date, our experienced technicians will come to your home to take measurements for your new countertop.

Fabrication

After we take measurements, your template will be digitized so adjustments can be made. From there, we use top-of-the-line technology to cut the slab with the utmost care, precision, and accuracy. After the slab has been cut, it will be checked for quality, then edged and polished.

Installation

On the day of installation, our team will arrive at the scheduled time and get to work safely installing your countertops. The amount of time it takes depends on your space, edge details, and the type of countertop. The project might take a bit longer if your old countertop needs to be disassembled and removed.

As long as you clear the intended space and keep children and pets out of the installation area, the project should go off without a hitch. Once your new countertop is installed, our team will go over important information with you so that you know how to take care of your investment for years to come.

Top-Quality Installation

At Washington Marble Works, we believe that high-quality countertops deserve high-quality installation. To get started on your project, get in touch with us today.

One of the greatest things about kitchen design trends is that they are always changing. As of late, many architects, designers, and decorators have been gravitating toward a “mix and match” look that combines two different cabinet colors or two different countertop colors.

While interesting, this trend is easy to get wrong. Keep reading to see if your kitchen space is right for the two-toned look.

Does My Kitchen Work?

Before you get invested in the two-toned look, first take stock of your kitchen layout. Unfortunately, if you only have a single countertop or a handful of small wall counters, the mix and match look probably won’t do your space any favors. But you can always add an interesting tile backsplash for some visual appeal!

An ideal two-toned kitchen is medium to large in size with an island in the middle. Use of the island is so the two-toned style looks purposeful, not accidental, and it gives you space to show off the pop of color while keeping the room balanced.

Cabinet vs. Countertops

Some people get so excited about the two-toned style that they want to mix and match the cabinets and the countertops. While we understand the enthusiasm, it’s best to stick to mixing just one component of your kitchen. Four different colors can quickly turn “interesting” into “hectic.”

By sticking with the two-toned style for just one of the components, you allow the rest of the details to play their important roles in the painting that is your kitchen. If you’re mixing and matching your countertops, your white cabinets are the furthest thing from boring. That shade plays an important role in the overall color scheme of the room.

What Stones to Use

If you decide to go with the two-toned countertop look, you’ll want to choose colors or patterns that complement each other. Stay away from mixing stones that look too similar, as this can cause your mixing and matching to look accidental instead of innovative.

Play it safe by choosing a consistent and solid stone pattern for the countertop near the wall, and jazz it up with an exotic pop of color for the stone on the island. The solid countertop along the wall will create the perfect backdrop for your island to take center stage.

For example, if your kitchen has white cabinets, Absolute Black granite would be a great choice around the perimeter with a pop of white or gray stone for the island.

This rule doesn’t just apply to the stark contrast of black and white, it can extend to earthier colors as well. For example, in a kitchen with warmer tones, you could put Absolute Black granite on the island and use a neutral-colored stone for the perimeter countertops. This way, the Absolute Black slab would act as an anchor to tie the room together.

Soft, dark-gray stones with lighter veins always make a great choice for the quieter half of a duo. This color complements many other shades.

If you’re looking to spice things up a bit, you could always pair a soft, white stone with a bold and confident pop of color for the island—something like a royal blue or a flamboyant red. As long as you choose colors that meld cohesively instead of clashing, you’ll be good to go.

Your Two-Toned Countertops

These tips should give you a good springboard to get started on planning your mix and match kitchen. Before you dive in, it’s essential to consider all of the details in your space to avoid any potential clashing shades. The colors that you choose and the places you put them can make or break your entire remodeled room, so choose wisely and carefully.

But decorating is also supposed to be fun, so don’t forget to trust your instincts and do what feels right for your kitchen. After all, you know what best catches your eye! And at the end of the day, Washington Marble Works is here to help. To talk more about two-toned countertops, get in touch with us today.

Marble is one of the oldest and most classically beautiful natural stones, formed from limestone exposed to huge amounts of pressure within the earth. It’s been popular for a very long time, dating all the way back to Ancient Greece and ancient Rome.

The Ancient History of Marble

Much like today, marble drew in the Ancient Greeks and Romans with its striking beauty—but it was much harder to acquire then. To get it out of the earth, they used hammers and wedges, and this took a lot of manpower and time. After the marble slab was freed, they used pulleys, winches, levers, and wooden beams to get it where they wanted it to go.

Since it was so difficult to come by, marble was a material used in the mansions of the extremely wealthy. It could also be found in churches and government buildings.

In these establishments, marble was commonly used for figurines, pillars, and flooring. It was used for so many applications because of the unique colorations available due to the presence of varied minerals. For example, calcite typically creates white marble, hematite creates red, and limonite creates green and yellow.

Marble in the Present

Society began building with marble over two thousand years ago, but it’s still just as prevalent today—maybe even more so than back then. Its sophisticated and unique aesthetic is appreciated all over the world.

Since the method of acquiring marble has advanced significantly, it’s not just for the ultra-rich anymore. Now you can find marble all over—in homes, commercial spaces, and places of worship in the form of flooring, walls, and countertops.

The Beauty of Marble

If you’re interested in variety, marble is the stone to choose. People today enjoy its diverse coloration options, just like the Ancient Greeks and Romans did.

Installing marble in your home brings an air of luxury and high-class living. Because of the way marble takes advantage of natural light, a pure white slab has the potential to create a bright, striking kitchen in a modern home.

But white is far from the only option. There are many colorations, shades, and veining patterns to choose from, all of which are capable of creating different moods in a remodeled room. Because marble is created from within the earth, every slab is unique.

Marble Benefits

The beauty of marble goes much deeper than the surface. This natural stone is long-lasting, as made clear by the thousand-year-old structures that still stand today. If the marble columns of the Parthenon are still standing in 2022, there’s no doubt that your marble countertop will last.

While some people shy away from the price that comes with marble, it’s important to view this stone as an investment. Just look at how long it can last—clearly, you won’t have to pay to replace your countertop in the near future. That alone will give you a return on your upfront investment. Marble countertops can also increase the resale value of your home, which is another way to pay yourself back.

Maintaining Marble

In order to help marble’s beauty stand the test of time, it involves a degree of maintenance that’s a bit higher than other natural stones. First up on the maintenance list is making sure that your marble slab is sealed and gets resealed periodically. Marble is a very absorbent stone, and this coat of sealant helps protect it from liquid damage, along with any potential chipping.

Acid is no friend to marble. Never use acidic cleaners when maintaining your slab—instead, use gentle dish detergent (or soap), warm water, and a soft cloth. Also, be aware that spills from substances like red wine have the potential to stain your stone.

Marble’s Past, Present, and Future

Marble, once reserved for only the rich, can now be enjoyed by people of all statuses around the world. If you’re interested in learning more about this classic natural stone, contact Washington Marble Works to talk to our experts.

Granite countertops can be found in all types of residences and commercial spaces across the nation and the world. This countertop material is popular and highly sought after because of its durability and timeless looks, but there’s much more to granite than meets the eye.

Before you decide on your new countertop, it’s best to know the ins and outs of the material. We put this article together in order to give you the rundown on granite—from what people love about it to what they could do without.

When you decide what countertop material to use for a remodel, you should be familiar with every facet of that material. This article is a great resource to help make your decision, so if you’re on the fence about granite, keep reading.

The Pros of Granite

There are plenty of benefits when it comes to this natural stone:

• It can increase the value of your home.

Natural stone is all the rage these days, which means that home buyers are looking for it. Much like marble and quartzite, having granite countertops installed in your home will rank it higher in a buyer’s mind.

Granite has a sophisticated, high-end appeal, and it’s a wise investment for both indoor and outdoor countertops. People love how long these countertops last.

• Granite is sustainable.

Granite lasts for generations, which means that it’s unlikely you’ll ever need to replace your countertops—this is an eco-friendly aspect of these countertops that many people appreciate. Granite is also readily available, and it comes ready in its natural form with no alterations needed.

• It’s tough and durable.

Granite is one of the sturdiest natural stones that you can find. It’s heat resistant, and it’s not vulnerable to staining or scratches either. As long as you take care of it properly and reseal it regularly, it will last for generations.

Granite’s heat resistance goes over well with a lot of people. This makes it a great asset in the kitchen, especially if you live in a home with kids who don’t always exercise caution around the countertop.

• It’s classy.

Granite is available in many patterns and colorations, and each variation has a certain degree of class. Because granite is formed within the earth, every slab is different. Even if your entire neighborhood has granite countertops, there will be no other slab exactly like the one in your home. It’s like having your own piece of art installed.

The Cons of Granite

As many benefits as there are to granite, it’s not perfect—nothing in life is. Here are the cons of granite:

• It can be expensive.

If you’re on a tight budget, granite might be difficult for you to swing because it can get expensive. Remember: the thicker the slab, the more you’ll pay.

You also need to factor installation into the equation because you’ll want your new countertops to be installed by a professional.

• It can crack.

If a heavy object is dropped on granite, especially on the corners, it is possible for the surface to chip or crack. It doesn’t happen often, but it is possible.

Because granite is such a heavy stone, cracking can occur if it is not installed correctly—that is, installed by someone who is not a professional. Granite’s bulk and weight are a major reason why it should always be handled by the pros.

• It comes in earthy colors.

Though this isn’t a downside for most people, granite isn’t a countertop that’s known for its ultra-vibrant colors. It’s formed by mother nature, so it is limited to colors that the earth can create.

There are plenty of naturally occurring patterns and veining designs to choose from, but granite colorations are not made to order.

Your Granite Countertop

Making a choice regarding granite countertops means weighing the pros and cons and deciding what really matters to you. If you need help deciding, get in touch with us at Washington Marble Works. We’d be happy to assist you.

Quartz is one of those countertop materials that get people asking questions. They’re surprised to learn that these countertops are not natural stone—they are what we call “engineered stone.”

After finding out that quartz countertops are not natural stone, they want to know how it compares to the natural stone that we have in stock so that they can decide which choice is right for them. Your countertop is something that will remain in your home for years—maybe even generations—and you want to make sure that you’re making a worthy investment. And making a good investment means comparing the choices in front of you.

If you’re shopping at Washington Marble Works, your choices for countertops are quartz, granite, marble, and quartzite. In this article, we’ll detail some of quartz’s best qualities and see how our natural stone options hold up in the same categories.

Maintenance

Quartz:

Quartz is known for being a low-maintenance stone. It’s naturally nonporous; this is because of the 5–7 percent of the resins and polymers that are included in its makeup. They seal the pores that the stone quartz is made with, essentially doing what sealant does for natural stone countertops but permanently.

Even without sealant, your quartz countertop is not a friendly environment for bacteria or germs—and that’s due to its nonporous nature. Liquid damage and staining won’t be an issue, either. For kitchens and bathrooms, two rooms that see a lot of liquid and spills, this is great news.

To clean quartz, all you need is a paper towel, soap, and water—no fancy cleaners or chemicals. You can’t get much more low maintenance than that.

Natural stone:

Natural stone countertops, unlike quartz, are naturally porous. You can close those pores by sealing your countertop during the fabrication process and then periodically when your countertop needs it. If you don’t seal your natural stone countertops, they will become vulnerable to staining and liquid damage.

As for cleaning, soap and water will do just fine on natural stone countertops as well. But instead of a paper towel, we recommend using a soft cloth to avoid scratches.

Durability

Quartz:

Quartz has no problem withstanding everyday wear and tear. It also is impervious to heat damage, chips, scratches, and liquid damage. Quartz is built to last, and you can make sure it lasts even longer if you take the correct precautions, like setting down hot pads.

Natural stone:

Different types of natural stone have different degrees of durability. Granite and quartzite, for example, are extremely tough stones. They are basically held to the degree of quartz when it comes to durability. Marble, on the other hand, is known for being a bit softer. That doesn’t mean it’s easily breakable, but it should be taken care of with a gentle hand in order to make sure it lasts.

The Investment

Quartz:

With quartz countertops, you get what you pay for. They aren’t the cheapest option on the market—but if you’re looking to create the kitchen or bathroom of your dreams, do you really want the cheapest option out there? Probably not.

Due to the fact that quartz doesn’t ever need to be resealed, you can save a lot of money down the line. Homebuyers are also fans of quartz countertops, so having them installed will also raise the resale value of your home.

Natural stone:

Natural stone is around the same ballpark price as quartz. If you want an exact number, get in touch with us, and we can give you an estimate based on your space and the material that you want. Keep in mind that natural stone will always be a bit more expensive, though, because of the need for resealing down the line. But the good news is that natural stone will raise the resale value of your home as well.

Appearance

Quartz:

Since quartz is a man-made material, its appearance tends to be predictable and seamless. If you’re someone who values the look of a steady pattern and doesn’t appreciate irregularities in the look of your stone, then quartz is a great choice for you. If uniformity and consistency are important for your kitchen or bathroom, choose quartz.

Natural stone:

Natural stone comes from the earth, and its patterns cannot be controlled. This is something that many people love about it—because it means that no two slabs of any natural stone are alike, and every piece is unique.

Is Quartz Your Choice?

Hopefully, knowing the differences between quartz countertops and the natural stone that we stock here at Washington Marble Works can help you decide which stone is right for you. If you’ve still got questions or would like to learn more about quartz, give us a call at (253) 891-1823 for a consultation.