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Kitchens & islands
Kitchen Countertops
A kitchen countertop does more work than any other surface in your house. It takes the cutting, the hot pans, the spills and the homework, and it sets the look of the whole room. HB Marble & Granite fabricates and installs kitchen countertops and islands in granite, quartz, quartzite, marble and porcelain, with the sink and cooktop cutouts, edges and backsplashes planned around how you actually cook.
HB project
Veined island and perimeter counters
Materials
Pick the Material for How You Cook
Each stone has a personality, and the right one depends on your habits more than on a sample in your hand.
01
Natural, heat- and scratch-resistant, with real variation from slab to slab. It’s sealed periodically.
02
Engineered, non-porous and consistent in color. It needs no sealing, but use trivets because the resin can scorch under direct high heat.
03
Very hard natural stone, often with marble-like movement. It needs sealing, and it’s worth asking us to confirm what you’re looking at, since some stones sold as quartzite are softer.
04
Classic veining, but softer. It etches with acids like lemon and vinegar and will develop a patina, which some cooks love and others don’t.
If you want to compare cost, the honest answer is that it depends on the specific slab, the edge, the amount of stone and the cutouts, not just the material name. Our countertop cost guide walks through the factors, and an estimate for your layout settles it.
Kitchen island · HB project
Kitchens
Islands, Seams and Slab Size
Islands are where planning pays off. Overhang for seating, support brackets, seam placement and the direction of the veining all need to be settled before anything is cut. Slabs only come in certain sizes, so a long island may need a seam, and we review that layout with you before fabrication.
Kitchens also change mid-project. When an island grows or a cabinet size shifts during a remodel, a larger or matching slab is sometimes needed, and it helps to bring that up early rather than late.
Details
Cutouts, Edges and Backsplashes
Edge and surface detail
Sink and cooktop cutouts depend on the exact models, so have your sink, faucet and range or cooktop chosen before templating. Undermount sinks, farmhouse fronts and drop-in ranges each need different cutouts.
Edge profiles change the feel of the room, from a clean eased edge to a thicker built-up look. Backsplashes can stop at a short splash or run as a full-height backsplash in the same slab, which gives you fewer grout lines to clean behind the range. You can see finished examples in our gallery, and browse stones on the colors page.
Replacement
Replacing Existing Countertops
Replacing tops is one of the most common kitchen updates we see. Ask about removing your old countertops when you request an estimate, so it’s settled in the plan from the start. The rest follows our usual countertop installation process: showroom visit, slab selection, templating at your home, layout review, fabrication and installation.
Questions
Kitchen Countertop FAQs
Another question about kitchens? Call the showroom and talk to someone who works with the stone every day.
What is the average cost of replacing kitchen countertops?
It varies with the stone, the square footage, the edge profile, the number of cutouts and whether old tops need to be removed. Two kitchens of the same size can price differently because of the slab chosen. A written estimate based on your layout is the reliable way to get a number.
What is the newest trend in kitchen countertops?
Full-height slab backsplashes, waterfall island ends, honed or leathered finishes, and soft, veined whites and warm neutrals are all popular right now. Natural quartzite with dramatic movement is also in demand. A trend should still fit how you cook and clean.
Which is cheaper, granite or quartz?
Neither is always cheaper. Both come in a wide range of colors and grades, and the specific slab matters more than the category. We can show you options in each material at the showroom so you can compare real slabs against your budget.
Do you remove old countertops?
Ask us about removal of your existing tops when you request an estimate. We’ll note it in the scope so nothing is a surprise on install day.
Free estimate
Get a free estimate for your countertops.
Call (239) 362-0404 or request an estimate to review your kitchen layout and choose a slab.