Quartz and Granite Countertops

Few upgrades change a kitchen as quickly as new countertops. Scarred laminate, chipped tile and stained surfaces make a whole room feel dated, while a clean run of stone pulls it together. We supply and install quartz and granite countertops in kitchens, bathrooms and commercial spaces, coordinating the slab, fabrication and installation so you deal with one team. The consultation is free, and our job is to help you pick the material that fits your kitchen and your habits, not just the one with the prettiest sample.

Granite: natural stone with character

Granite is quarried stone, so no two slabs are the same. That natural variation in color, crystal and movement is a big part of its appeal.

• Appearance: timeless and one of a kind, from quiet speckled patterns to dramatic veining.
• Durability: very hard and resistant to scratches and heat, which suits busy kitchens.
• Maintenance: clean with mild soap and water or a pH-balanced stone cleaner. Granite is porous to varying degrees, so it needs periodic sealing to resist stains.
• Lasting look: a well-sealed granite top keeps its appearance for many years with basic care.

Because every slab is different, we encourage you to see the actual slab, or at least a large section, before it's cut.

Quartz: engineered consistency

Quartz countertops are engineered from crushed natural quartz bound with resins and pigments.

• Variety: a huge range of colors and patterns, including convincing marble looks.
• Consistency: the pattern is uniform across the slab, so seams and multiple pieces match predictably.
• Low maintenance: non-porous and doesn't need sealing. Mild soap and water usually does the job.
• Strength: engineered to resist chipping, cracking and staining in high-traffic kitchens and baths.

Quartz has two limits worth knowing. The resin can be damaged by very hot pans set directly on the surface, so trivets are a must. And many quartz products aren't intended for outdoor use, since prolonged direct sunlight can discolor them. That matters for outdoor kitchens and sunny lanais.

Epoxy countertop coatings

If your tops are structurally sound but look tired, an epoxy coating poured over the existing surface is a lower-cost alternative to replacement, in solid colors, marbled effects or metallics. It's softer than stone, so cutting boards and trivets are essential. We cover how the coating is applied and cured on our epoxy flooring page, since the same resin process is used for floors and counters.

Side-by-side comparison

Edges, sinks and backsplashes

Edge profiles

The edge is the detail you touch every day. An eased edge is nearly square with softened corners and suits modern kitchens. A bevel adds a small angled cut that catches light. A bullnose is fully rounded, which is kinder to hips and small children. An ogee has a decorative S-curve that suits traditional cabinetry but takes more care to keep crumbs out of.

Undermount or drop-in sink

An undermount sink hangs beneath the stone, so you can wipe crumbs straight into the basin, and it needs a polished cutout. A drop-in sink sits on top with a visible rim; it's simpler to replace later and works with some sink styles that can't be undermounted. Either way, choose the sink before templating.

Backsplash options

A short stone backsplash cut from the same slab is clean and simple. A full-height slab backsplash makes a bold statement behind a range. Tile gives you the most choice of color and pattern; our tile installation crew can follow the countertop install.

How a countertop project comes together

1. Consultation: we look at your kitchen or bath, talk about how you cook and clean, and narrow down materials, edge profiles and sink style.
2. Cabinet check: stone needs a level, solid base. If your cabinets are being replaced, they go in first; see our kitchen and bathroom cabinets service.
3. Fixture selection: sink, faucet and cooktop models are chosen before templating so cutouts are exact.
4. Templating: precise templates capture your walls, which are rarely perfectly straight, and mark seams and overhangs.
5. Fabrication: the fabricator cuts, edges and polishes the slabs and makes the sink and cooktop openings.
6. Installation: tops are set, leveled and secured, seams are joined, and sinks are mounted.
7. Reconnection: plumbing is reconnected and the backsplash, if any, follows.

Tip: Hard water is common in our area. Wipe the area around the faucet dry after use. Mineral spots on stone come off easily when they're fresh but build up into a dull crust if left.

What affects the cost

Every countertop job is priced from measurements. The main drivers are:

• Material and grade: granite and quartz both range from entry-level to premium slabs.
• Square footage and the number of pieces, including islands and vanities.
• Edge profile: decorative edges take more fabrication time than an eased edge.
• Cutouts: each sink, cooktop and faucet hole adds work.
• Seams and layout: L-shapes, long runs and waterfall ends affect slab use.
• Tear-out: removing old tile or stone tops takes more time than laminate.
• Backsplash: a full-height slab backsplash uses more material than a short one or tile.

Our guide on what drives remodeling costs explains how scope and materials shape any project.

Vanity tops and bathroom counters

Everything above applies to bathrooms too, with a few twists: smaller pieces, integrated or undermount sinks, and more exposure to toiletries and hair products. Our guide to vanity top materials compares the options for wet rooms, and our bathroom vanity service covers the cabinet and top together.

Caring for your new tops

• Granite: clean with a pH-balanced cleaner, avoid acidic and abrasive products that can etch or dull the polish, and reseal when water stops beading.
• Quartz: use a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth; keep hot pans and harsh chemicals off.
• Epoxy: clean gently with mild detergent and water; avoid scouring pads.

Countertops across the Suncoast

We install countertops throughout Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties and south Hillsborough County. Find your community on our service area page. If countertops are part of a larger update, our kitchen remodeling page explains how we plan the whole room.