Deciding on the interior finishes for your custom home can be one of the most challenging tasks to building a new custom home. Fortunately, many builders provide help in this department, with on-staff design coordinators, and rooms full of samples to help you decide on everything for your new home. We all know how important it is to pick the right cabinets and flooring; however, many homebuyers don’t realize the significance of countertop selections for kitchens and baths. There are so many styles, materials, and colors to choose from, so we are breaking down the best countertop choices for custom homes on Long Beach Island.
Granite
We have all heard of granite countertops and in the past they have been the most popular choice for kitchens and baths. Granite is a natural material that is mined from quarries in India, Brazil, Norway, Italy and China. The largest granite mine in the United States is located near Barre, Vermont. Each piece of granite is a work of art within itself, as no two are exactly alike. Many buyers choose to go to the stone yard to select specific pieces of granite for their custom homes. With much to consider in colors and veining to coordinate with your cabinets and flooring, granite is a great choice for it’s durability, resistance to stains and scratches, and it’s easy to clean. Granite comes in a variety of finishes including polished, sandblasted, brushed and flamed.
Quartz
Quartz is an engineered stone (some refer to it as Silestone® which is a brand name of Quartz) created from chunks of stone mixed with resins and coloring. It has become the leading countertop material of today, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association. There are several advantages to quartz including it’s ability to stand up to acidic foods, and it doesn’t need to be sealed like granite. It’s scratch and chip resistant and is considered a “green” building material because it is made from waste stone and doesn’t require mining slabs or shipping them. Some manufactured quartz countertops don’t offer the “natural” look and tend to have a more uniform or consistent look, although manufacturers are starting to figure out better ways to mimic natural looking stone. Keep in mind there are “natural quartz” and “quartzite” which are solid-stone alternatives to granite and are mined like granite, not manufactured.
Concrete
With an endless array of colors, textures and shapes, concrete countertops are quickly becoming a unique alternative to more popular countertop choices like granite and quartz. With all the advantages of solid surfaces, concrete countertops can also be molded into any shape. This feature provides more design options for homebuyers looking for a more customized look. With the durability of granite and quartz, custom concrete countertops are versatile and provide more flexibility; however, they require more time to produce and require a higher budget. Because concrete takes many years to fully cure, countertops will change over time and become even more unique with age. They offer a unique look for any custom home but also require regular maintenance such as sealing.
Selecting finishes for your new custom home on Long Beach Island can be a stress-free process especially when your homebuilder provides samples and a staff member to help you through your selections appointments. Stonehenge Building & Development offers their homebuyers the latest products, as well as expert help with selecting the right finishes. If you can’t find what you are looking for in our selections room, we’ll take you to our suppliers and help you select the perfect finishes for your home. When it comes to countertops, we offer the best materials, choices, and installation options that work with all budgets. If you are building a new custom home on Long Beach Island, we are here to help. Contact us today, or click here to view our portfolio for ideas.