At Connecticut Stone, we genuinely believe that a great kitchen is the heartbeat of the household. So much of what we do daily happens in our kitchens, from sharing meals and connecting with family to finishing schoolwork and creating lifelong memories. With all this in mind, don't you and your loved ones deserve the kitchen of your dreams?
If you're ready to design your ideal kitchen, choosing the right materials for your project can make all the difference. When it comes to selecting materials, there are many factors to consider — from your unique lifestyle and design preferences to your budget and everything in between.
With so many material options to choose from, having an experienced team to help you is vital. At Connecticut Stone, we can guide you towards the right products to suit your exact needs, budget, and lifestyle while also being your one-stop-shop for fabrication and installation!
The material you select for your kitchen countertops is extremely important. Choosing a material that's durable and fits in with your overall design tastes can be difficult, but our team is here to help you make an informed selection. Not sure where to begin? There are a few stone options we carry that are especially popular for use in kitchen countertops.
Natural quartzite is an excellent option for kitchen countertops, offering similar aesthetic qualities to marble with greater durability and hardness. If you're looking for a countertop material offered in a wide range of colors with beautiful and elegant veining, this could be a great choice for your kitchen. Because of its hardness, quartzite is also practical for high-traffic areas, such as island prep spaces. Compared to other natural stones, it also requires less maintenance, making it a popular go-to for active households.
If you prefer something a little more classic and timeless and want to create a truly luxurious look and feel inside your kitchen, you can't go wrong with marble countertops. Marble has been the material of choice for high-end residential design for decades because of its unique aesthetic qualities.
Compared to some other natural stones, marble can be more prone to staining and etching (the main culprits being lemon, wine, etc.), so regular maintenance in the form of protective sealing is important. Marble is known to stand up to the test of time. However, similar to how hardwood flooring can show wear after years of use, marble may need to be refinished and refreshed from time to time as well. Even with the proper care and regular cleaning, depending on how much use the countertops get, it can be challenging to keep them looking like new as long as possible.
Granite has been a longstanding favorite in kitchen countertop materials for many years — and for good reason. Its durability and practicality make it an ideal choice for active households. It is available in a wide range of colors and patterns from different quarries around the world, so you can find a slab that suits your unique tastes.
From a maintenance perspective, granite is also relatively easy to care for. It is naturally heat- and scratch-resistant, though applying a sealant periodically will provide additional protection and longevity.
Engineered quartz (also known as man-made quartz) is another popular option to consider for your kitchen countertops. This material is made of about 90%-97% natural quartz and mixed with resin and pigment to create a one-of-a-kind look.
If you're looking for a countertop material that's as close to maintenance-free as you can get, engineered quartz is a great choice. Not only is it resistant to scratches and heat, but unlike many natural stone options, most engineered quartz does not require regular sealing (with some exceptions for slabs with matte or concrete finishes).
A relatively new category in kitchen countertop materials, sintered stone is essentially a fusion of natural and recyclable products created during a process involving intense heat and pressure. This process bonds elements together to create a durable countertop material that is lightweight, UV-resistant, and long-lasting. Compared to many natural stones, sintered stone is created to allow nearly 0% absorption, making it extremely resistant to staining and discoloration.
At Connecticut Stone, we're proud to carry this innovative material option from top brands like Neolith and Dekton.
As a sedimentary stone formed at the basin of the sea, limestone is an eye-catching choice in kitchen countertop material. Clients love that you can typically find fragments of shell and sea life inside each slab of limestone. Meanwhile, it is available in a wide range of color and pattern options to suit most kitchen designs.
One of the most important things to keep in mind about limestone from a maintenance perspective is that this countertop material is susceptible to acidic products, including vinegar and wine, etching over time. It is possible to cut down on etching by promptly cleaning up spills and avoiding using acidic cleaning products on limestone. Regular sealing is also important to keep limestone looking its best.
Also known as steatite, soapstone is a versatile quarried stone that is extremely practical for use in kitchen spaces. Compared to other natural stones, soapstone offers less porosity and very dense construction, making it very stain-resistant.
Typically, soapstone is gray, black, or green in color and can be found with or without veining to suit your design tastes. However, while some people like soapstone in its natural state, others like to periodically oil the stone with mineral oil. This enhances and darkens the natural color of the material and covers up any scratches from daily use. Overall, it is an excellent material choice for kitchen countertops, especially for those looking for a low-maintenance option in a neutral color.
While stone is a popular material choice for kitchen countertops, you can also incorporate it into a stunning backsplash. Backsplashes serve an important function in a kitchen. While they protect from stains, splatters, and more, they also offer a wonderful opportunity to make a statement in the kitchen. Because they are at eye level when you walk into the room, it’s the perfect place to choose a material that makes an impact. Here are a few of the best ways to use stone in your kitchen backsplash design.
One of the most common applications is a stone tile backsplash, which is easy to install and can add a lovely focal point to your kitchen space. Stone backsplash tiles are available in a wide range of styles, shapes, and finishes to suit your tastes. They're also relatively easy to keep clean.
Another option to consider is a mosaic backsplash, which offers more in the way of design creativity. Whether you're looking to achieve a subdued chevron pattern or something a little bolder, you can make it happen with the right combination of color and pattern.
If you're really looking to make a statement with your kitchen backsplash, consider a full-height stone slab backsplash that runs from the tops of your counters to your cabinetry or ceiling. You can use the same material you selected for your countertop for a more seamless look or mix things up with a different stone. Either way, you'll create a stunning focal point in your kitchen. Plus, because a full slab will be used, you won’t have to worry about keeping grout lines clean.
Glass backsplashes are becoming increasingly popular in modern kitchen design. We offer a wide selection of glass tile options, whether you're looking for something contemporary, modern, industrial, or anywhere in between!
In addition to stone countertops and backsplashes, many homeowners are also now incorporating the beauty of natural stone and even porcelain into their kitchen flooring.
Both options have some inherent advantages to consider. In general, porcelain tile flooring tends to be the more cost-effective option. Likewise, porcelain does not require regular seal coating to protect it from the elements, saving homeowners time and hassle.
On the other hand, natural stone flooring provides an unrivaled, one-of-a-kind beauty and offers a natural and organic element to your design, rather than something man-made.
Interested in working with the Connecticut Stone team on your kitchen design? While each project is one-of-a-kind, there are some general steps you can expect from the process.
Whether you're renovating or taking on a new build, we ask that you share your kitchen plans with us as soon as possible. If your home is new construction, you will probably have a drawing to share with us; when possible, please provide both plan view and elevations so we can best assist you.
For kitchen renovations, you may not have access to existing plans — and that's okay. Providing us with detailed photos of your existing kitchen, as well as measurements and dimensions, is typically enough. This should include measurements not only of your existing space but key dimensions for your dream kitchen as well. For example, if you know that your new island will measure 10 feet and want your countertop to be a single piece, we need to be aware of this before making any material recommendations.
If you've already selected some materials for your new kitchen design, we also ask that you share them with us as early on in the process as possible. This may include anything from cabinetry samples to paint swatches and hardware. Seeing these materials can help us get a better feel for your design, making it easier for us to tailor recommendations.
Even if you haven't selected any materials for your kitchen design yet, you may have inspiration photos saved from resources like Houzz and Pinterest. If this is the case, be sure to share these images with our team, as it gives us a better idea of what style, color, and materials interest you.
We would love to meet with you one-on-one to discuss the details of your project in detail. We’re happy to offer both Zoom and in-person consultations with our experienced team members for your convenience. These appointments are an excellent way to learn more about your project, including your specific budget and aesthetic design tastes. From there, we can make some recommendations and even provide you with an estimate for your project.
Once you know which type(s) of stone you will be using in your kitchen design, it's time to select your slabs! This is an exciting process for many of our clients. We currently offer three convenient ways in which you can pick your slab(s):
Select from one of our recommended slab importers. We work with a variety of quality slab importers throughout New England, which allows us to find the perfect slab for your kitchen project — even if we don't have it in-stock at our stone yard. This is a great option if you need a particular length to create your single-piece island or need a specific thickness to accommodate your millwork. Allow us to conduct the preliminary research for you and share photos of recommended materials; from there, you can schedule an appointment to browse materials in-person. Once you select a slab, our importers can ship it directly to us for processing.
Once you've selected the slab(s) for your kitchen design, we will need to schedule a site visit to template your new countertops. This will ensure that we have all the measurements we need to fabricate your stone exactly right. Once your materials are fabricated, we can coordinate with you to schedule the installation of your beautiful new stone.
We understand that you have options when it comes to who you trust with your kitchen design and materials. At Connecticut Stone, we pride ourselves in providing our clients with the greatest selection of quality stone products and accessories across the United States. Meanwhile, with more than 70 years of experience, our knowledgeable and friendly team is always here to help you through every step of your project. We want you to love every square inch of your new kitchen!
Specifically, when you work with Connecticut Stone on your kitchen design project, you'll enjoy:
Because we can fabricate and install, we can assist you through every step of the process.
We only carry the industry's most trusted brands — and because we've developed partnerships with many of them over the years, we're able to offer the best materials at competitive pricing.
From your first consultation to the final installation of your stone and beyond, our team is here to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have.
So are we! Schedule your free design consultation by giving us a call at (203) 882-1000.
Still have questions? Check out our FAQ below for answers to commonly asked questions about the kitchen design process. You can also reach out to our knowledgeable team for more information!
An appointment is not required to visit our showroom, which is open to the public during set business hours. However, whenever possible, we recommend calling ahead to schedule an appointment so we can find out a little more about your project and match you up with the best possible team member for assistance.
Yes, we are happy to remove and dispose of your existing countertops. However, we will need to schedule a site visit to confirm a demo price with you.
Absolutely! We encourage you to view your stone in-person before fabrication begins. This allows us to review the stone with you and discuss which specific features you may want to capture (or avoid) in your countertop.
To template your countertops, we will need sinks and faucets to be on-site at the time of templating. We will also need all kitchen cabinets to be permanently installed by this point. If your cabinets are adjusted even slightly after a templating appointment, please contact us right away to schedule another visit — as even slight variances will impact the final fit of the stone.
Lead times can vary based on the specific material, degree of difficulty, and other factors. The best way to determine approximately how long fabrication will take for your project is to speak directly with your Connecticut Stone team member.
Yes! Pop-up outlets are becoming increasingly popular because they hide unsightly outlets, which can be otherwise distracting in a pretty backsplash. We would be happy to assist you with incorporating pop-up outlets into your kitchen design.
Waterfall legs are achieved when we wrap the stone from the countertop down the side of the millwork (cabinetry) until it meets the floor. This feature is popular in kitchen design today, creating a contemporary look that clients love. As an added bonus, stone tends to wear better than millwork in the long-run, so waterfall legs are a practical design choice as well.
The best way to clean your kitchen countertops will ultimately depend on the exact material(s) you've chosen. For example, our favorite product for cleaning natural stone countertops is Revitalizer Cleaner and Protector, and for engineered quartz, we recommend Quartz Tile Cleaner. In general, however, you should avoid using any abrasive or scouring cleaners on stone countertops, as these can cause scratches. Acidic cleaners, such as those containing lemon juice and/or vinegar, should also be avoided. You can find out more about cleaning your kitchen countertops and explore some recommended products in this blog post.
As part of our standard business practice, we always seal countertops upon installation when needed. However, many stones will need to be re-sealed every several months for maximum protection against stains, discoloration, and other damage.
Of course! We're able to make custom sinks out of most countertop materials, and we'd be happy to help you through the process. However, please note you will need to provide us with a drain to fit into your new sink.
Most polished engineered quartz countertops do not need to be sealed. Honed, matte or concrete finishes may clean up easier with a coat of impregnating quartz sealer. However, be sure to speak with a Connecticut Stone team member before sealing your engineered quartz countertop as this could void the manufacturer's warranty.
We recommend Stonetech Quartz & Tile Cleaner for the best results. This cleaner comes ready-to-use in a convenient spray bottle and can be used for your daily cleaning needs.
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