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Kitchen Renovations

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!

Popular Kitchen Countertop Options

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.

Quartzite

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.

Marble

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

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

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).

Sintered Stone

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.

Limestone

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.

Soapstone

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.

Backsplash Material Options

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.

Stone or Ceramic Tile Backsplash

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.

Mosaic Backsplash

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. 

Full-Height Slab Backsplash

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 Backsplash

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!

Kitchen Floor Material Options

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.

The Kitchen Design Process: What to Expect

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.

Why Design Your Kitchen With Connecticut 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:

One-stop shopping

Because we can fabricate and install, we can assist you through every step of the process.

A wide selection of quality brands

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.

Unrivaled customer service

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.

Ready to start your kitchen project?

So are we! Schedule your free design consultation by giving us a call at (203) 882-1000.

Kitchen Design: Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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