Granite has a reputation as the “affordable natural stone” countertop option. That reputation is partly true, but it does not tell the whole story. A basic, widely available granite slab can start around $55 per square foot installed, while rare exotic slabs with dramatic...

You’ve chosen your slab. You’ve debated the edge profile, fallen for a particular run of veining, and signed off on the material. But between that decision and the day your new countertops are set in place, one quiet, precise step does more to determine...

Quartz now holds 51% of the US countertop market — the highest share of any single material — and in Chicago, installed prices range from $60 to $150 per square foot. That is a wide range. And if you have already gotten two or...

Installation day is the moment your kitchen or bathroom finally comes together. The slab you chose, the edge profile you deliberated over, the veining you fell in love with — it all becomes real. A little preparation the day before and a clear sense...

Replacing countertops is one of the upgrades that can change the feel of a kitchen or bathroom almost immediately. The surface becomes a visual focal point, but it also needs to handle daily use. For homeowners in Chicago, countertop decisions often involve a mix...