Measuring for Natural Stone Countertops

Accurately measuring a space, and the materials that will fill and structure that space, is the first and most important step to completing a project as quickly and pain-free as possible. Measurement is the breakfast of construction—just as breakfast is the start of your day, measurement is the start of your project, and just like breakfast, everything that follows depends upon it.

            

Accurate and thorough measurements save money in two ways. First, they prevent buying too much of a material… or too little. How many projects have been botched because the contractor has run out of a certain material that will take weeks to back order from the supplier? With stone, knowing how much to order is paramount, because suppliers often have a limited amount, and if one slab of stone is available today, it may be sold out in a week’s time. Plus, there is always a chance that the second time you order the stone the price will have gone up in relation to its reduced availability. Since stone is sold by the square foot, the price of the material for your countertop may vary greatly, depending on the type of natural stone you choose. 

            

The second way accurate measurements save money is by saving time. This is a win-win, because, aside from high quality, what are you looking for in a contractor’s work? That’s right: you want it done quick, and at low cost.

           

Some customers provide measurements to the contractor who installs their natural stone in order to save them a trip to the project site just to take those same measurements. Relaying those numbers over the phone or by email potentially saves you money on labor and saves the contractor money on gasoline. And it lowers your carbon footprint to boot!

            

Measuring the space for a countertop is as simple as frying an egg—and it’s just as easy to get it wrong, if you’re not careful. The important detail to remember is where to start your measurements. Will you set the stone flush against the wall, or should you allow for a border? Be sure to measure the space for your stove and other appliances. It is important to talk to your contractor about the best methods of taking your measurements. Be sure to ask him or her about any details specific to your project that you need to keep in mind. If possible, take pictures of your space with the measuring tape clearly visible, and email them to your contractor for evaluation.

             

Natural Stone for Kitchen Countertops

What is the best natural stone to use for a kitchen countertop? There’s not a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Ultimately you will have to take a look at a wide range of samples to decide what best suits your kitchen. But it’s helpful to keep a couple of ideas in mind before shopping. 

When you hear the word stone, you immediately think of a hard, durable substance, something heavy, something that will break other things before it’s ever broken. Scissors cut paper, but rock breaks scissors. With the word stone, you probably think of rough gravel rubbing against your bare feet before you think of, say, the softness of baby powder. But baby powder is made of stone, just like gravel. The hardness of a stone is one of its defining characteristics. Talc, the substance of the talcum powder you pat on your baby’s butt, is the softest stone. Everyone knows that the diamond, aside from being a girl’s best friend, is the hardest stone. 

            

What does this have to do with your kitchen counter? The hardness of the stone you choose for your countertop will determine the kinds of activities you can perform on its surface (for instance, some stones discolor under high heat, while others are more heat-resistant). The stone’s hardness also affects how you will clean the countertop, and other measures you will have to take in order to keep it smooth and maintain its sheen.

            

Let’s compare and contrast the two most popular stones for kitchen countertops: marble and granite.

            

Granite is composed mostly of silicate or quartz, which makes it very durable and resistant to acid. Therefore, it’s easy to clean with mildly acidic cleaning solutions.

            

Marble is composed mostly of calcium carbonate. As a result, it is extremely sensitive to acidic solutions, and a neutral cleaning agent should be used.

            

Note: you never want to use a harsh or abrasive cleaning product on any natural stone surface. This is a fairly common mistake for first-time buyers, and while sometimes the etch marks that result can be buffed away, it almost always winds up ruining the appearance of the slab permanently.

            

It’s also important to remember that these qualities vary depending on the stone—some granites are harder than others, and the same goes for marble. When you start to zero-in on your choice of stone, be sure to ask the dealer about the specific qualities of the stones you like, and the best way to clean and maintain them. 

We will post more on this topic throughout the week. Be sure to leave a comment--was this post helpful? Do you have further questions? Want to share your knowledge and experience on this topic? Let us know!