Stone & Granite Countertop Installers in Portland, OR

Portland Granite Counters

A countertop is the driving force of a kitchen and kitchen remodeling. One of the first things people notice about a kitchen, counters are the primary surface for food prep, small appliances, sink surrounds, and for smaller and temporary kitchen storage. It's impossible to maneuver in a kitchen without needing, at a moment's notice, to set something down.

In Portland, granite countertops are the most popular type of stone counter. Stone counters, themselves, are two and a half times more popular than laminate and more than four times as popular as solid surface. The rare combination of performance and beautiful textures is what makes granite one of the most coveted counters in the kitchen remodeling industry.

Finding Granite
Finding granite for your kitchen counter is as simple as seeking out a contractor who will show you various lines of granite. Not all granite is created equal, however, and you'll need more than looking at a sample to know everything you should about your granite. The quarry and the area of the quarry where the granite is from will affect the look, strength, and performance of the granite. It will also affect the cost. If you find bargain basement granite, beware that it may reflect inferior stone from the top layers of a quarry. It will still create a decent counter, but it will need extra care and attention, and it still won't last as long. The location of the quarry is yet another factor in the cost, as the transportation of the granite isn't cheap.

Counter Fabrication
Fabrication is the process that transforms a raw granite slab into the smooth and exact dimensions of your kitchen counter. Like hardwood flooring, it can be prefinished and then installed or installed and then sealed. Granite fabricators are often the forgotten agents in countertop installation, but they're also the most highly-trained and important person in the quality of the finished product. They'll be responsible for ensuring that openings for sinks and appliances are correctly fashioned, as well as the rounded, beveled, or otherwise edged corners of your counter. These professionals also account for why it may take a week or two to see your counter delivered to your home for installation.

Cost of Countertops
The average cost of a granite countertop installation in Portland is about $5,000, although we've seen counters cost as little as $1,200 and as much as $10,000. Less expensive counter installations generally reflect smaller bathroom counters, so don't be surprised when estimates come back between $5,000 and $10,000, especially for a larger kitchen counter. Granite tends to be on par with most other stone counters and just slightly more expensive than solid surface. Laminate counters, on the other hand, average only $1,400, but don't perform nearly as well or last as long.

Other Stone Countertops
Granite is one of the most coveted countertop materials on the market, but this doesn't necessarily make it the best. Other stone counters have unique characteristics, some of which are superior to granite. Quartz, for example, is stronger than granite and more stain resistant, although it can be susceptible to burn scars if you leave scalding hot materials on your counter for an extended period of time. Sandstone, soapstone, silestone, slate, and marble are all common and quality stone alternatives. They also have distinctive looks, grains, and make for solid kitchen counters.