Countertop Materials
The Process
Remodeling: The process of replacing your existing countertops is not as daunting or invasive as you might expect. The removal of your old countertops and the installation of your new stone countertops typically takes about 5-8 hours, depending on the complexity of the job. We are usually in and out within a day. A good majority of the mess is made in our shop and not your home. We pride ourselves on our ability to perform “top swaps” with minimal disruption to your home or your routine.
To begin this journey, simply come into our shop at your convenience. You are welcome to bring rough countertop measurements with you or we can coordinate a time to come take preliminary measurements.
New Construction: If you have cabinet shop drawings or blueprints, we can create proposals for any number of materials. Once you have selected your material, we can reserve your slabs, either at our shop or one of our distributors. We can then coordinate an installation date which works for you or your GC.
Countertop FAQs
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The short answer: anywhere from $45 per sq foot on up. This includes installation.
The long answer: It ultimately depends on your stone selection and a few other factors. Please contact us for a proposal. I promise we won’t hound or harass you like a car dealership. We will send you the proposal then wait for you to make a decision which is right for you and your budget.
Being a commodity, the pricing for stone slabs can vary based on several economic factors. This is why we don’t typically have pricing displayed on our website. The cost for slabs is relatively volatile and they are subject to change from week to week.
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We will speak of these stone categories in pretty general terms. There are always exceptions to these statements.
Granite: Granite is a natural stone that is often the most economical solution for countertops. Most species of granite are not particularly porous or stain prone. They are sometimes available in both 2cm and 3cm thickness. Granite can generally take extreme temperatures without issue.
Quartz: Quartz or engineered stone is a manmade product comprised of pulverized quartz sand and epoxy resin as a binder. It typically has a pure white background that is not easily found in natural stones. The major benefit to quartz is that it is nonporous. It is nearly impossible to stain quartz materials. It is one of the most “life-proof” materials we have available. The only Achiles heel for quartz is extreme temperatures. It should never be subjected to temps above 550F.
Quartzite: Unlike quartz, quartzite is a natural stone similar to granite. Quartzites are inherently HARD (7+ on the Mohs scale). They are usually very beautiful slabs with flowing veins. In some cases, the materials can be backlit with LED lights due to their translucent properties. Quartzite materials can be more porous than other natural stones. Sealants and, in some cases, special care are recommended. Most will agree that these stones are usually worth the extra care as they tend to be extremely beautiful!
Marble: Marble tends to be more porous and a bit softer than granite. It generally requires more care and protection than granite. With the exception of a few marble types (Fantasy Brown, Portinari and a few others) we do not recommend marble for kitchen applications. If you MUST have it in your kitchen, we will likely steer you towards a leathered finish. This is less susceptible to acid etching than a polished finish. Marble countertops are beautiful and they are relatively affordable at this time. With the proper sealants and caution, they can be a great solution.
Cambria: Cambria is THE domestically produced quartz material. They are able to produce patterns and colors that no other quartz manufacturer can duplicate. There are several advantages to using Cabria over other quartz brands: 1) They have a lifetime warranty and actually stand behind it. 2) Cambria has a lifetime chip repair service for FREE! You chip it, they fix it. 3) They do not discontinue colors/patterns. If you need to add additional material in 5+ years, rest assured they will be able to match your existing stone. Cambria tends to be on the premium side of the quartz price scale BUT it is easily justified when you consider the overall quality and the aforementioned benefits.
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Home Depot and Lowes do not fabricate countertops. They partner with a 3rd party fabricator (like us!) to fabricate and install countertops. They then markup that fabricator’s cost for margin. As a result, we can beat their pricing on most, if not all, stones.
The big box stores do not show you your whole slab. You are allowed to select from a small sample at the store location. With natural stone like granite and quartzite, your actual slabs may differ from the sample in both color and pattern. When dealing with an actual fabricator such as Artistic Interiors, you get to select your actual slabs, and you will participate in the process of laying out the vein pattern and so forth.
I guarantee you that the process of dealing with ANY independent fabricator will be head and shoulders above the big box store experience.
When dealing with Artistic Interiors, everyone who touches your countertops or enters your home is our full-time employee. We do not use ANY contract labor or 3rd party installers. As a result, you have ONE COMPANY who is solely accountable for the finished product.
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A “top swap” is not as invasive or time consuming as you might think. The installation process happens in a single day. You are able to plumb the sink(s) the following day. You should not be without a functional kitchen for more than 36 hours.
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The answer is “yes” in a majority of cases. We are typically able to remove your existing countertops without any collateral damage to your backsplash or cabinetry. If you would like to replace your tile splash, we have you covered!
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The short answer: not as much as you might think.
The long answer: All stones behave differently, and some require more care and prevention than others. We will educate you on which stones are trouble-free and which ones are more susceptible to stains and so forth. Our goal is the same as yours: we want you to enjoy your investment with zero regrets for years to come. During the sales process, we will educate you and steer you away from any stone which will not live up to your expectations or use case. Meaning, we will likely steer you away from a soft, white marble for a kitchen application. While they are pretty, they will not live up to the demands of most kitchens. We actively participate in your decision process for this very reason.
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It all depends on your material selection. Quartz requires no sealant. When it comes to granite, some stones are more porous than others. With marble and quartzite, we offer a wide assortment of sealants based on the properties of the stone. If you want the ultimate in protection, with an optional stain warranty, we recommend Endure Ceramic Sealants. They are a 3rd party sealant company who can install a permanent ceramic coating to protect your investment. Contact us for details.
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We have a trailer and will travel just about anywhere. Our standard coverage area is from Blackwell to Norman, from El Reno to Shawnee. Within that geographical area, there is no trip charge. Generally speaking, if you will make the trip to our shop for material selection, we will make the trip to your house for installation.
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If you are one of our retail clients, there is a lifetime warranty on seams and sink mounts.
Builder clients receive a 2-year warranty on all seams and sink mounts.
As far as the material goes, quartz or engineered stones are backed by a manufacturer’s warranty, and it will vary based on the manufacturer.
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Yes! Our bids will typically include a separate line item to remove and haul off your existing countertops. If you would like to eliminate that charge, you are welcome to remove the existing tops yourself.
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Yes! We have a whole host of granite, quartz, quartzite and marble slabs on display. If we do not have something which catches your eye, we also partner with OKC metro area slab distributers. These suppliers have THOUSANDS of slabs on display. You will have no shortage of options in your search for new materials.
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Absolutely! We have hundreds of remnants available. These are ideal for bathroom vanities or utility rooms. In most cases, this is the most economical approach.
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Nope! We will make you a single windowsill or a trivet. Unlike the big home improvement store, there is no job too small for us.