How we template and cut a granite countertop, step by step
A look at how granite goes from rough slab to installed countertop at our shop, and why seams end up where they do.
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Plain talk about your countertops.
Notes from the shop on picking stone, caring for it, and what we have learned templating and installing kitchens across the Midlands. No sales pitch, just the truth as we know it.
Is travertine worth it for a kitchen?
Travertine has a warm, old-world look that a lot of people fall for, but it comes with real tradeoffs in a working kitchen. Here's a plain look at who it fits and who should look elsewhere.
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Is dolomite worth it for a kitchen?
Dolomite splits the difference between marble looks and granite toughness, but it's not a perfect stand-in for either. Here's what actually holds up and who should think twice.
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Is Taj Mahal Quartzite worth it for a kitchen?
Taj Mahal Quartzite gives you a soft, warm look with real durability, but it isn't cheap and every slab is a little different. Here's what to weigh before you commit.
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Is engineered quartz worth it for a kitchen?
We walk through what quartz actually does in a working kitchen, from the first cut to years of daily use, so you can decide if it fits your house.
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Does spending more on stone mean better quality?
Prices swing a lot within the same material, and that swing isn't always about quality. Scott walks through what actually drives the price on a slab and when paying more is worth it.
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Myth: all white stone is marble
White and veiny doesn't mean marble. Quartzite and quartz can wear the same look and behave completely differently in daily use. Here's how to tell them apart before you buy.
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Is soapstone worth it for a kitchen?
Soapstone has a quiet, old-world look and a totally different personality than granite or quartz. Here's what it actually lives like in a working kitchen, and who tends to love it versus regret it.
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Does marble stain? A step-by-step look at what happens
Marble can stain because it's porous, but sealing and quick cleanup keep most spills from becoming permanent. Here's what actually happens from spill to stain, and how to stay ahead of it.
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