Selecting the ideal stone for your countertop can be overwhelming with so many options, each with its unique features. Whether you’re remodeling a kitchen or bathroom or designing a new home, these FIVE essential steps will guide you in making an informed decision and ensure you choose a stone that matches the lifestyle, budget, and aesthetic goals of your next project.
Step 1: View the BEST CHEER Stone GROUP’S STONE Guide
The first step in choosing your countertop is to familiarize yourself with the options available, and there’s no better place to start than the BCS Stone Guide. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of various stone types, including natural stones like Marble, Granite, Soft Quartzite, Dolomite and Quartzite, as well as engineered stones such as BCS Engineered Stone.
Each type of stone comes with its own strengths in durability, maintenance, and appearance. For example, marble is known for its elegance and unique veining, but requires more maintenance due to its porous nature. Granite is a highly durable natural stone that’s resistant to heat and scratches. Quartzite is often chosen for its hard surface, comparable to granite, and the beauty of marble. Engineered Quartz combines durability and low maintenance, ideal for high-traffic kitchens and bathrooms.
The BEST CHEER STONE GROUP Stone Guide offers valuable insights, including price ranges, maintenance requirements, and where each material works best, such as indoor vs. outdoor applications. It also includes a handy guide for surface texture and stone edges. Reviewing this guide allows you to narrow down your preferences based on your needs, aesthetics, and daily habits. See guide above. The guide is also located conveniently at the Anaheim Showroom.
Step 2: Determine Your Budget
Budget plays a crucial role in deciding on the stone material for your countertops. Natural stones like Quartzite are often on the higher end of the price range, while engineered stones like BCS Engineered Stone offer an excellent balance of affordability and resilience.
Consider these factors when establishing your budget:
- Material Cost: Certain stones are inherently more expensive, with price tiers, levels 1-5, available in the BEST CHEER STONE GROUP Stone Guide to help you anticipate costs.
- Installation Fees: This includes labor, edging options, and any custom modifications.
- Maintenance: Some stones require sealing, polishing, or special cleaning agents. While Engineered Quartz is virtually maintenance-free, Marble and Granite may need periodic sealing.
By setting a realistic budget, you can focus on materials that fit your price range while meeting your style and durability requirements.
Step 3: Decide on Prefabs or Slabs
- Prefabs Options: Prefabs are precise stone pieces, which means they come in standard sizes and may be limited in customization but are generally more affordable and quicker to install. BEST CHEER STONE GROUP offers a wide selection of prefabricated stones, ideal for clients on a budget or for quick remodels.
- Slabs Options: Slabs offer complete control over dimensions, edge details, and design, making them ideal for unique spaces or specific design visions. Slabs are often cut from large blocks of stone, allowing you to select areas with specific veining or colors.
Choosing between prefabs and slabs depends on your budget, time constraints, and desired level of customization.
Step 4: Check the Image Kiosk or Visit the BCS Website
At this stage, it’s helpful to get a more realistic sense of how each stone looks. BEST CHEER STONE GROUP provides an Image Kiosk in-store where you can preview the stone’s true texture, veining, and color variations.
Alternatively, visiting the Best Cheer Stone GROUP website gives you access to a vast digital gallery where you can view close-ups of stone samples, color options, and patterns. The website also provides details on each material’s suitability, such as heat resistance, maintenance, and other critical factors.
Step 5: Visit the Showroom Warehouse to See the Actual Stone
While online images and kiosks are helpful, nothing compares to seeing the stone in person. The next step is for your contractor or professional trade to schedule an appointment with us BEFORE visiting the showroom or warehouse to minimize waiting time. This allows you to inspect full slabs, evaluate the scale, and appreciate the stone’s unique characteristics. Many stones, especially natural ones like granite and marble, have one-of-a-kind patterns that are best appreciated up close.
When visiting the showroom, consider the following tips:
- Bring Samples: If you have paint or cabinet samples, bringing them along can help you visualize how the countertop will complement your design.
- Touch and Feel: Stone textures vary widely, from the smoothness of polished marble to the subtle texture of honed granite.
- Check Light Play: Natural and artificial lighting can impact how a stone looks, so viewing the stone under various lighting conditions can be insightful.
Visiting the showroom is an opportunity to interact with stone experts, ask questions, and ensure you’re confident in your choice.
Selecting the perfect countertop material is a significant decision that combines aesthetics, functionality, and budget. Following these five steps—starting with the BEST CHEER STONE GROUP’S Stone Guide, setting a budget, choosing between prefabricated stone or custom slab, using the Image Kiosk or website, and visiting the showroom—will help you make an informed choice to elevate your next project.
For more details and to begin your stone journey, visit the Best Cheer Stone GROUP near you.
