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Replacing Ceramic Countertops

When replacing an existing ceramic countertop it is important to understand how the countertop was constructed before attempting to remove it. A typical tile countertop is built of three layers, the tile surface, a cement board underlayment, and a plywood subdeck. Prior to the availability of...

Edge Profiles, Which is Best?

Whether your countertop material is granite, marble, quartz or solid surface the edge profile you choose will have a dramatic effect on the look of your new countertops. Which profile is best? It is really a matter of taste and budget. Countertops generally come in three...

How to Seal a Granite Countertop

The two questions we are asked most often are, “How do I know if my countertops need to be sealed?” and “How do you seal a granite countertop?” You can perform a simple test which will indicate whether or not your countertops need to be sealed....

How to Install a Dishwasher Under a Granite Countertop

If you own a dishwasher and are having new countertops installed you will have to reinstall the dishwasher anti-tip clips. Anti-tip hardware keeps the dishwasher from tipping forward when the front door is opened and the dishracks are pulled forward either for loading or unloading. The...

Countertop Overhangs

A customer recently asked us to install an 8 foot long granite bartop that was 18 inches wide on a 4 ½ inch wide pony wall separating the kitchen and dining room. He wanted a 2 inch overhang on the kitchen side of wall which left...

Templates for Granite Countertops

For over 10 years Solid Surface Designs has been at the forefront of integrated digital fabrication. Employing laser templating, water jet cutting and CNC finishing have transformed how granite and quartz countertops are custom made and installed. Prior to the introduction of digital lasers, templates were...

The Durability of Granite and Quartz Countertops

Countertops fabricated from granite and quartz are famous for their beauty and durability. The ability of natural and man made stone to resist scuffs and scratches comes from on it’s mineral composition. In 1812, the German mineralogist, Friedrich Mohs, devised a system to classify the relative...

Choosing The Right Faucet for the Right Sink

The kitchen sink and faucet you choose will be the focal point of your kitchen countertop project. When you are designing new countertops there are two important questions to ask. First, does the sink you want fit the cabinet you have? Second, will the faucet you...

Phenix Marble

The geologic history of Southwest Missouri is written in the weathered faces of limestone bluffs that gaze out over deep forested valleys and by the bands of rock strata exposed by nearly every building project in the area. The Ozark Plateau was once the bed of...

Quartz Countertop Warranties

Most of us buy products that come with a warranty and assume the longer the warranty the better. When it comes to quartz countertops that may or may not be true. It’s critical to understand what your warranty actually covers and what it excludes. Most importantly,...

Pits, Fissures and Watermarks

Many granite varieties have natural characteristics such as “pits,” “fissures” or “water-spots” which can be a source of needless concern.”Pitting” occurs because of the crystalline composition of granite. As granite was formed and cooled deep beneath the earth’s surface small empty pockets developed between the various...

Sink Openings in New Countertops

One of the easiest ways to transform the look of your kitchen or bathroom is to install new countertops or vanity tops on existing cabinets. When buying new countertops most homeowners also want to upgrade their sinks and faucets. But unless you are replacing an existing...

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