Granite and Marble Near Me: Top 3 Best Suppliers 2024
Finding the Best Granite and Marble Near Me: Your Ultimate Guide
When searching for granite and marble near me, it's crucial to find reliable local suppliers who offer high-performance stone countertops for your home projects. Here’s a quick list of top local suppliers in the Atlanta area:
- Stone Atlanta: Known for custom work and competitive pricing.
High-quality stone countertops can transform your kitchen or bathroom into a luxurious space. They are durable, stylish, and add significant value to your home. But finding the right supplier requires knowing who offers the best combination of quality, selection, and service.
My name is Julian Guzman, and with over two decades of experience in the stone and countertop industry, I've seen the impact of well-chosen materials. Specializing in luxury remodels and bespoke installations, I can guide you to the perfect granite and marble near me for your project.
Granite and marble near me terms to remember:
Granite and Marble Near Me: Top Suppliers
Stone Atlanta
Located in Gainesville and Ocala, Stone Atlanta is a premier supplier of granite and marble countertops. They are not just stone countertop installers but offer a full range of custom work. Founded with the vision of providing high-quality stone products with quick turnaround times, Stone Atlanta has become a trusted name in the industry.
Local Suppliers: Conveniently located in Gainesville and Ocala, Stone Atlanta makes it easy for residents to access top-quality stone materials without traveling far.
Competitive Pricing: Stone Atlanta prides itself on offering competitive pricing. This means you get the best value for your investment, without compromising on quality.
Large Selection: Whether you're looking for granite, marble, or quartz, Stone Atlanta has an expansive selection. Their warehouses are stocked with high-performance surfaces to suit any design need.
Lifetime Warranty: Stone Atlanta backs their countertops with a lifetime warranty. This ensures peace of mind, knowing your investment is protected.
7-Day Turnaround: With a commitment to fast service, Stone Atlanta guarantees a 7-day turnaround for their projects. This quick service does not sacrifice quality, thanks to their experienced in-house team and advanced machinery.
In-House Design Support: Stone Atlanta offers in-house design support to help you choose the perfect stone for your home. Their experts are available to guide you through the selection process, ensuring your countertops match your aesthetic and functional needs.
Stone Atlanta
Stone Atlanta also serves the Lakeland, Ocala, and Leesburg areas. They specialize in granite, marble, and quartz, providing exceptional service alongside their high-quality products.
Exceptional Service: Customer satisfaction is a top priority. Stone Atlanta's knowledgeable staff provide detailed information on the proper use and care of your chosen stone, ensuring its long-lasting beauty.
Expansive Selection: Their locations in Lakeland, Ocala, and Leesburg boast thousands of slabs from around the world. This wide variety ensures that you can find the perfect stone to match your home's style.
Competitive Pricing: By importing stones directly, Stone Atlanta can offer competitive pricing. This allows you to enjoy luxurious materials without breaking the bank.
Convenient Locations: With locations near major highways, Stone Atlanta is easily accessible. Whether you're in Lakeland, Ocala, or Leesburg, you're never far from top-quality stone products.
Stone Atlanta
In addition to their other locations, Stone Atlanta in St. George offers a diverse range of natural stones, including soapstone, quartzite, and onyx. These materials add unique beauty and functionality to any space.
Natural Stone Variety: Stone Atlanta provides a wide selection of natural stones. From the classic elegance of marble to the rugged durability of soapstone, they have something for every taste.
Unique Materials: If you're looking for something truly unique, consider their quartzite or onyx options. These stones offer distinct patterns and colors that can transform any room into a work of art.
Exceptional Quality: Stone Atlanta ensures that all their stones are of the highest quality. Their experienced team oversees the mining, cutting, and finishing processes to deliver exceptional products.
Custom Work: Whether you need a custom countertop, backsplash, or other stone feature, Stone Atlanta's skilled craftsmen can bring your vision to life.
By choosing Stone Atlanta, you're not just getting a stone supplier; you're getting a partner in your home improvement journey. Their commitment to quality, service, and competitive pricing makes them a top choice for anyone searching for granite and marble near me.
Granite vs. Marble: Which is Better?
When deciding between granite and marble for your countertops, consider factors like durability, maintenance, cost, and heat resistance. Both materials have their unique advantages and drawbacks. Let's break down these aspects to help you make an informed decision.
Durability and Maintenance
Granite is renowned for its durability. It's a very hard, grainy magmatic rock, which makes it highly resistant to scratches and heat. On the Mohs Scale of Hardness, granite scores between 6 and 6.5, indicating its robustness. This makes granite an excellent choice for kitchen countertops where durability is crucial.
However, granite is porous and requires periodic sealing to prevent staining. Regular maintenance involves cleaning spills immediately and using a soft cloth with mild soap and water for routine cleaning. Avoid abrasive cleaners to keep the surface scratch-free.
Marble, on the other hand, is formed from limestone exposed to heat and pressure. It has a Mohs hardness rating of 3 to 4.5, making it softer and more prone to scratches and etching compared to granite. Marble can be a beautiful choice for areas with less traffic and wear, like bathroom vanities.
Marble's maintenance involves frequent sealing to protect against stains and etching from acidic substances like lemon juice or vinegar. Cleaning should be done with mild soap and a soft cloth, similar to granite.
Cost Comparison
When it comes to pricing, both granite and marble can be expensive, but there are some differences to consider.
Granite Pricing: The cost of granite countertops typically ranges from $50 to $200 per square foot, including installation. Factors like slab thickness, color, and pattern complexity can influence the price. Granite's durability and heat resistance often justify the higher cost, especially for kitchen use.
Marble Pricing: Marble countertops are generally priced between $60 and $250 per square foot, including installation. The cost can vary based on the rarity and quality of the marble. While marble tends to be more expensive than granite, its luxurious appearance can add significant value and elegance to your home.
Heat Resistance
Both materials offer good heat resistance, but granite has a slight edge.
Granite: As a magmatic rock, granite can withstand high temperatures without damage, making it ideal for kitchen countertops. You can place hot pots and pans directly on the surface without worrying about heat marks.
Marble: While marble can also handle heat, it's more susceptible to thermal shock. Placing extremely hot items on marble can cause cracks or discoloration. It's advisable to use trivets or heat pads to protect marble surfaces.
In summary, if you prioritize durability and low maintenance, granite is likely the better choice for high-traffic areas like kitchens. If you prefer a more luxurious and classic look and are willing to invest in regular maintenance, marble can add timeless beauty to your home.
Next, we’ll explore Quartz: The Durable Alternative, which combines the best features of both granite and marble while minimizing their drawbacks.
Quartz: The Durable Alternative
When it comes to choosing a countertop material, quartz is an excellent alternative to both granite and marble. Engineered from natural quartz crystals and resins, quartz countertops offer a combination of durability, low maintenance, and aesthetic appeal.
Benefits of Quartz
Durability: Quartz is one of the most durable countertop materials available. On the Mohs Scale of Hardness, quartz scores a solid 7, making it harder than granite and much more resistant to scratches and chips. This makes quartz ideal for high-traffic areas like kitchens.
Stain Resistance: Unlike natural stones, quartz is nonporous. This means it doesn't absorb liquids, making it highly resistant to staining from substances like wine, coffee, and oils. This feature is particularly beneficial in kitchens and bathrooms where spills are common.
Low Maintenance: One of the standout benefits of quartz countertops is their low maintenance. They do not require sealing, polishing, or any special cleaners. A simple wipe-down with mild soap and water is usually sufficient to keep them looking pristine.
Uniform Look: Quartz countertops offer a consistent and uniform appearance. Unlike granite and marble, which have natural variations, quartz can be engineered to have a more uniform look. This is great if you prefer a sleek and modern aesthetic.
Color Options: Quartz offers a wide range of color options, from bold and vibrant hues to subtle and neutral tones. This versatility makes it easy to find a quartz countertop that complements your existing decor.
Quartz vs. Granite and Marble
Maintenance: Quartz requires far less maintenance than both granite and marble. While granite needs periodic sealing and marble requires frequent sealing and careful handling, quartz remains low-maintenance throughout its lifespan.
Durability: In terms of durability, quartz outperforms marble and is on par with granite. Its nonporous nature and high hardness make it resistant to scratches, stains, and chips. However, it's worth noting that quartz is not as heat-resistant as granite, so using trivets and heat pads is advisable.
Appearance: Quartz offers a more uniform look compared to the natural variations found in granite and marble. If you prefer a more consistent appearance, quartz is the way to go. However, if you love the unique patterns and natural beauty of stone, granite and marble might be more appealing.
Cost: Quartz countertops can be comparable in price to high-end granite and marble. While the initial cost may be higher than some other materials, the long-term savings on maintenance and durability can make quartz a cost-effective choice.
In summary, quartz combines the best features of both granite and marble while minimizing their drawbacks. Its durability, stain resistance, low maintenance, and wide range of color options make it a versatile and practical choice for any home.
Next, we'll address some frequently asked questions about granite and marble to help you make an informed decision.
Frequently Asked Questions about Granite and Marble
Which is cheaper, granite or marble?
When it comes to cost, granite generally tends to be cheaper than marble. The price of granite countertops typically ranges from $50 to $200 per square foot, including installation. On the other hand, marble can cost between $75 and $250 per square foot, depending on the quality and type of marble.
Installation costs for both materials can also vary. Granite is heavier and more challenging to install, which might increase labor costs. Marble, being softer, requires careful handling and professional installation to avoid damage, potentially adding to the overall expense.
Which is better, granite or quartz?
Both granite and quartz have their own advantages and disadvantages, so the better choice depends on your specific needs.
Maintenance: Granite requires periodic sealing to maintain its resistance to stains and bacteria. Quartz, being nonporous, does not need sealing and is easier to clean with just mild soap and water.
Durability: Granite is highly durable and heat-resistant, making it ideal for kitchen countertops. However, it can chip if struck with heavy objects. Quartz is also very durable and more resistant to scratches and stains but is not as heat-resistant as granite.
Appearance: Granite offers a natural, unique look with various patterns and colors. Each slab is one-of-a-kind. Quartz provides a more uniform appearance and a broader range of colors, which can be beneficial for achieving a specific design aesthetic.
Is marble worth more than granite?
Marble often commands a higher price than granite, both in terms of material cost and perceived value. This is due to its luxurious appearance and historical use in high-end architecture and sculptures. Homeowners who choose marble often do so for its distinctive veining and timeless elegance.
Value: While marble can add a sense of luxury and increase the aesthetic value of a home, it requires more maintenance and is less durable than granite. Granite, being more affordable and easier to maintain, offers a practical value that appeals to many homeowners.
In conclusion, the choice between granite, marble, and quartz will depend on your budget, aesthetic preferences, and maintenance willingness. Each material has unique benefits that can improve the beauty and functionality of your home.
Conclusion
Choosing the right countertop material can be a tough decision, but knowing your options makes it easier. Whether you’re leaning towards the timeless elegance of marble, the durability of granite, or the low-maintenance appeal of quartz, each material offers unique benefits that can lift your home’s aesthetic and functionality.
Stone Atlanta specializes in high-performance stone countertops, making it a top choice for kitchen and bathroom remodels in the Atlanta area. With our extensive selection, competitive pricing, and a lifetime warranty, you can trust that you’re getting the best value for your investment.
One of the standout features of Stone Atlanta is our 7-day turnaround guarantee, ensuring you get your dream countertops quickly. Plus, our in-house expert design support is always available to help you choose the perfect stone and design for your space.
If you're looking for granite and marble near me, Stone Atlanta offers a seamless blend of quality, affordability, and exceptional service. We invite you to explore our granite selection and see how we can help bring your renovation dreams to life.
In summary, Stone Atlanta provides high-performance stone countertops with a focus on customer satisfaction. Our competitive pricing, lifetime warranty, and quick turnaround make us the go-to choice for homeowners in Atlanta. Let us help you transform your home with our beautiful and durable stone countertops.