Countertops
The Kitchen Showcase partners with leading retailers that carry countertops from the leading brands. Worktop surfaces come in the full range of materials, so you can choose the perfect material for your personal style and functional needs. The only limits are your imagination and budget!
We believe in giving you, the customer, the best pricing possible so go directly to the fabricator through our exclusive relationship with colorado’s finest granite, marble, quartz, and stone company!
Colorado Springs showroom
719-266-0408
Centennial showroom
720-405-1100
greenacresgranite.com
Take a moment to learn about the differences between
- Natural stone countertops
- Quartz countertops
- Solid surface countertops
- Wood countertops
- Metal countertops
- Glass countertops
- Laminate countertops
Natural Stone Countertops
Natural stone countertops look beautiful and create a a one-of-a-kind showpiece for your room. But just as important, a natural stone countertop can be a great way to improve the resale value of your home.
Here are some of the key differences between the natural stone options.
| Material | Key Features | Maintenance / Use |
|---|---|---|
| Granite View some of our current selections |
100% natural stone Stain resistant Scratch resistant Heat resistant Price Range: $$-$$$$$ |
Requires sealing about twice a year, depending on the granite |
| Marble | 100% natural stone Heat resistant Price Range: $$-$$$$ |
Susceptible to staining from acidic materials Not advised for kitchen use |
| Soapstone | Heat resistant Durable, yet softer than granite Price Range: $$$ |
Higher maintenance than most natural stone products Apply mineral oil to improve the luster of the stone |
| Slate | Inexpensive Available in many earth-toned colors Tends to have an uneven surface Price Range: $-$$$ |
More brittle than other natural stone countertops |
| Travertine | Multiple pitted holes and troughs in surface create a distinct look Holes can be filled with a grout to match the color of the stone Price Range: $-$$ |
Versatile uses (countertops, tiling, etc.) Susceptible to staining from acidic material |
Surface Finishes (Information for finishes from Percoco Marble)
We offer the following surface finishes for stone in addition to the factory finish: polished, honed, leathered, and carresed. Please refer to the definitions below for more information on each finish. Note that some finishes are only available as factory finishes.
It should be noted for countertop use that only the polished, honed, caressed and leaterhed finishes are recommended.
Factory
The finish put on the slab at the processing facility (factory) before being exported. Generally polished for most marbles and granites, and honed for most shist and limestones. Slates mostly come as cleft face. Additionally some materials are available in multiple finishes (ie a stone may be mostly exported polished, but a smaller quantity is exported honed).
Polished
This is the standard factory finish for most granites and marbles. A polished surface is highly reflective and the least porous of the finishes available. Polished marbles can be etched with many household acids and cleaners. On-site surface refinishing is NOT recommended and can be spotty at best.
Leathered
Leather Finish on Ubatuba Granite
This finish adds texture to the surface. Additionally, it closes the pores (compared to honing) and retains the color better than honing. While a leathered finish has a sheen to it, it is no where near as reflective as a polished surface. A good analogy would be that a leathered finish is like a matte finish on a photograph whereas a polished surface is like a glossy photograph. Please note that the amount of texture will vary from stone to stone and some stones will not leather (especially extremely uniform materials). Leathering is preferred to honing for blacks and other very dark materials. For example the amount of texture on Absolute Black is minimal and very fine grained, and the finish is much more uniform than honing Absolute Black. Leathering starts with a honed surface and adds texture, and is a completely different process than river washed (see below).
Caressed
This finish adds gloss to the leathered finish above. Starting with a leathered finish and then “polishing” the high spots. This of couse closes the pores more than the leathered finish, but not as much as a polished finish.
Honed
This is the standard factory finish for schists and most limestones (most of which will NOT take a polish). Honing a polished material opens up the pore making it more susceptible to staining than the same material in a polished finish. At home re-finishing is possible, and the end result will vary from stone to stone (see re-finishing in our care and cleaning section). Honing will “grey out” or fade the color of the stone, this is more noticeable on darker materials than on lighter materials. A color enhancing sealer is available and may be used to restore the color (if desired). Also note that very dark materials (especially blacks) tend to end up with an un-even finish and a honed finish is not recommended.
Quartz Countertops
So you love a natural look, but you crave as little maintenance as possible… Consider Quartz! Quartz countertops can be strikingly beautiful, and they’re much lower maintenance than natural stone products. They also tend to be stain and scratch resistant.
Some quartz countertops contain a small percentage of resin, making them susceptible to surface stains from hot pans.
| Brand | Key Features | Maintenance / Use |
|---|---|---|
| DuPont Zodiac | Engineered with pure quartz crystals Durable Scratch resistant Heat resistant Smooth, nonporous surface Price Range: $$-$$$ |
Will retain its luster for many years without sealants or waxes |
| Silestone by Cosentino | Manufactured from natural quartz Stain and scratch resistant Heat resistant 60 quartz countertop colors Price Range: $$-$$$ |
Maintenance free Good for kitchen, bathrooms, wet bars, fireplace surrounds and other uses |
| Cambria | Pure natural quartz Has the natural look of granite, with superior strength and durability Nonporous Price Range: $$-$$$ |
Maintenance free Avoid the use of strong or abrasive cleaning products (not heat, chemical or fracture proof) |
| Caesarstone | Nonporous Stain and scratch resistant Heat resistant Cost-effective (can be installed in thinner forms) Price Range: $$-$$$$$ |
Almost maintenance free Ideal for kitchens, vanities and more |
| Ice-stone / Vetrazzo | Durable 100% recycled material Made of Portland cement and glass Environmentally friendly (reduces glass to landfills) Price Range: $$$$ |
Porous, so more susceptible to staining Sealant required |
| Radianz by Samsung | Durable and impact resistant Hygenic (certified safe for direct contact with food; resistant to bacterial growth) Stain resistant Heat resistant Price Range: $$-$$$ |
Almost maintenance free No sealing or polish required |
| Hanstone | Natural quartz with high-quality polymer resin Nonporous Durable GREENGUARD certified Price Range: $$-$$$ |
Low maintenance No sealing required Ideal for countertops, vanities, bar tops and other surfaces |
Solid Surface Countertops
Solid surface countertops are known for their stain resistance, durability and resistance to many household chemicals and solvents.They are nonporous and have strong color consistency.
| Brand | Key Features | Maintenance / Use |
|---|---|---|
| Corian | Nonporous Stain resistant Resistant to mold and mildew Susceptible to heat Price Range: $$ |
Can be used for sinks and backsplashes to create the illusion of seamlessness No sealing required |
| Surrell (by Formica) | Solid surface Ideal for a contemporary look Available in a variety of colors and finishes Can be designed for an integral sink Price Range: $-$$ |
|
| Gilbralter (by WilsonArt) | Half-inch, 100% acrylic based surface Nonporous Resistant to heat, mold, mildew and most stains Several designs with pre-consumer recycled content Price Range: $-$$ |
Tough stains can be buffed away Scratches can be repaired |
| Avonite | Info Coming Soon… | Almost maintenance free Ideal for kitchens, vanities and more |
Laminate Countertops
Laminate countertops are made from composite materials. In recent years, they’ve come a long way in terms of appearance. Many resemble natural patterns you’d see in organic stone.
In addition to serving as a cost-effective countertop solution, laminates tend to be stain resistant and have high color consistency. We carry several brands of laminate countertops, including Formica and WilsonArt.
Price Range: $-$