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Through-Body vs. Non-Through-Body Countertops: What You Need to Know

It’s the newest trend for 2025: what countertop is better, though-body or non-through-body? It’s a question we often hear from clients visiting our showroom or hitting us up online.

Weirdly enough, the answer can be simple or complex (or both!) depending on the situation. When selecting stone countertops for your kitchen, understanding the composition and design can significantly impact both aesthetics and longevity. 

Let’s delve into their differences to help you make an informed decision.

What Are Through-Body Stone Countertops?

through body stone

Through-body stone countertops have consistent color and pattern throughout the entire slab. This means that if the surface chips or is cut, the exposed area will display the same design, maintaining visual consistency.

Advantages:

  • Durability: Minor damages are less noticeable due to the uniformity.
  • Design Flexibility: Ideal for intricate edge profiles and visible cuts.
  • Longevity: Retains aesthetic appeal over time.

Pro Tip: If you’re planning for features like waterfall edges, through-body countertops ensure a seamless look.

What Are Non-Through-Body Stone Countertops?

non through body stone

Non-through-body countertops have designs printed or applied only on the surface. The underlying material may differ in color or pattern, which can become evident if the surface is chipped or cut.

Advantages:

  • Cost-Effective: Generally more affordable than through-body options.
  • Variety: Offers a wide range of surface designs and finishes.

Considerations:

  • Maintenance: Chips or scratches may reveal the underlying material, affecting aesthetics.
  • Design Limitations: Less suitable for areas where edges or cuts are visible.

Pro Tip: For areas with less exposure to potential damage, such as bathroom vanities, non-through-body countertops can be a stylish and economical choice.

Making the Right Choice

Your selection between through-body and non-through-body stone countertops should align with your kitchen’s design needs, usage patterns, and budget.

  • High-Traffic Areas: Opt for through-body countertops for durability and consistent appearance.
  • Budget-Conscious Projects: Non-through-body options offer aesthetic appeal at a lower cost.

Pro Tip: Consult with a professional to assess which type best suits your specific kitchen layout and usage.

Ready to Upgrade Your Kitchen?

At Cutstone, we specialize in providing high-quality stone countertops tailored to your needs. Our experts are here to guide you through the selection process, ensuring you choose the perfect countertop for your home.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and explore our wide range of options.

Marble vs. Soapstone Countertops: Which is Best for Your Home?

Choosing a countertop material is one of the most impactful decisions you can make during a kitchen or bathroom renovation. Both marble and soapstone have distinctive looks and practical benefits, and each brings something unique to a home’s overall character. Here at CutStone Company, we often help homeowners compare these two natural stone options as they narrow down the right fit for their lifestyle and design preferences.

The Classic Appeal of Marble

Marble has long been associated with elegance and timeless beauty. Known for its soft veining and luminous surface, this stone instantly elevates the feel of any room. Whether used in a traditional kitchen or a minimalist, modern space, marble draws attention without overpowering the surrounding design elements. Its natural patterns are highly varied, ranging from subtle gray veining to dramatic dark swirls, giving every slab its own identity.

One of the main reasons people gravitate toward marble is the feeling of luxury it brings. When paired with high-end finishes and thoughtful lighting, a marble countertop can become the centerpiece of the entire room. While marble is somewhat softer than other stones, professional sealing and routine care help preserve its appearance and reduce staining.

Soapstone’s Subtle Strength

Soapstone offers a unique, understated beauty. It gives a look that’s both rich and quietly confident. Typically available in shades of gray with hints of green or blue, soapstone develops a natural patina over time that adds to its charm. The surface tends to darken with age and use, creating a warm, lived-in aesthetic that appeals to those who appreciate character and texture.

Unlike marble (and other natural stones), soapstone is non-porous, meaning it resists staining without the need for sealants. This quality makes it particularly appealing in busy kitchens, where spills and messes are part of daily life. While it’s less glossy than marble, soapstone holds up well to heat and is less likely to show etching from acidic foods or cleaners. While it might be a less common choice than marble, it’s a great choice for a lot of homes.

Maintenance and Longevity

marble kitchen counters in mid century home

Every countertop material has its own maintenance needs, and understanding them can help homeowners make a decision they’ll be happy with long-term. Marble requires a bit more attention to keep its surface looking fresh. It should be sealed regularly, and acidic substances like citrus juice or vinegar should be cleaned up promptly to avoid etching.

Soapstone is lower maintenance in many ways. While it can scratch more easily than harder stones, its surface is easy to sand and re-oil, which helps conceal wear and restore its depth of color. Many people even come to appreciate the small marks that build up over time, seeing them as part of the stone’s evolving look.

Making the Right Choice for Your Home

Both marble and soapstone have long-standing reputations for beauty and durability. They bring different strengths to the table, both functionally and stylistically. Marble impresses with its refined appearance and light-reflecting qualities, while soapstone delivers quiet strength and a tactile, timeworn charm. 

When selecting between them, consider how you use your kitchen or bathroom each day, as well as how you want the space to feel. At CutStone Company, we help homeowners explore these choices with expert guidance, precision fabrication, and thoughtful design advice. Whether you lean toward the polished luxury of marble or the resilient character of soapstone, we’ll help you find the perfect fit for your home. Contact us today for a free quote and discover how stone countertops can elevate your space.

The Most Durable Quartz Countertops: Brands and Finishes That Last the Longest

If you want a durable, lightweight, and beautiful countertop, quartz is the surface for you. ​Quartz countertops have become a preferred choice for homeowners seeking a blend of durability and aesthetic appeal in their kitchens and bathrooms. And while we tend to think of granite and other natural stone countertops as the most durable countertops, quartz is pretty tough, too! Certain finishes and brands are known for their longevity and performance, and understanding these reputations can help you find the quartz countertop that enhances your space and stands the test of time.​

Exploring Durable Quartz Finishes

The finish of a quartz countertop significantly influences its appearance and maintenance requirements. Among the various options, polished, honed, and chiseled finishes are notable for their distinct characteristics and durability.​

A polished finish is the most common choice, offering a glossy, reflective surface that enhances the stone’s natural colors and patterns. This finish provides a vibrant and luxurious look and creates a non-porous surface that is highly resistant to stains and easy to clean, making it ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. ​

In contrast, a honed finish delivers a matte, non-reflective surface that offers a subtle and sophisticated aesthetic. While it provides a contemporary look, it’s important to note that honed quartz surfaces can be more susceptible to showing fingerprints and smudges, necessitating more frequent wipedowns to maintain their appearance. ​

A chiseled finish presents a more rugged and natural profile, adding a unique, rustic charm to the countertop. This finish is particularly popular in spaces aiming for a more organic or industrial design aesthetic. It offers a distinctive look and feel thanks to its textured surface.

Understanding Quartz Brands

Quartz vs. Butcher Block

When you have a quartz countertop installed, the fabricator makes the countertop– but doesn’t make the slab! In other words, they measure, cut out, shape, and make your countertop perfect, but they start with a slab from a manufacturer. Three of the leading manufacturers of durable quartz countertop slabs are Cambria, Caesarstone, and MSI Surfaces, all of which have established themselves through consistent performance and customer satisfaction.​

Cambria is celebrated for its high-quality quartz surfaces that combine natural quartz with pigments and binders to create strong, compact slabs with exceptional performance. Their countertops are naturally durable, low maintenance, and available in an extensive array of designs and colors, so they’re a versatile choice for your kitchen or bathroom.. ​

Caesarstone has been a pioneer in the quartz countertop industry since the 1960s, focusing on manufacturing products with incredible strength. Their engineered quartz surfaces are non-porous, scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, and can withstand heavy daily use for years, making them a reliable choice for both residential and commercial applications. ​

MSI Surfaces is one of the largest quartz manufacturers and offers several grades of quartz. The most durable is Q Premium Natural Quartz, an engineered stone countertop surface created by combining a higher percentage of natural quartz crystals with resins, pigments, and other additives than their other grades of quartz. This process results in a durable, non-porous surface that requires no sealing and is resistant to stains and scratches, making it ideal for busy households.

Choose Cutstone Company for Your Quartz Countertops

quartz with granite

No matter what brand or finish you choose for your quartz countertops, you need a reliable fabricator to create and install your countertop. Without a good fabricator, it doesn’t matter what the finish or quality of the quartz is; you put your investment at risk when you try to install it yourself. But don’t worry– that’s what we’re here for! At Cutstone Company, we’ve been installing quartz countertops in bathrooms and kitchens like yours for 20 years! Reach out today for a free quote for your countertop project. 

Top Myths About Quartzite Countertops That You Shouldn’t Believe

Quartzite has gained attention as a premium choice for natural stone countertops, offering beauty and strength that homeowners admire. But with its growing popularity, a number of misconceptions have emerged that can lead to confusion or hesitation during the selection process. 

At Cutstone Company, we often help clients navigate through the noise and get the facts about what quartzite really is—and what it isn’t. Understanding the truth behind these common myths can help you make more informed choices for your home.

Myth 1: Quartzite and Quartz Are the Same

One of the most common misconceptions is that quartzite and quartz are interchangeable, but while they might sound similar, they are completely different materials. Quartzite is a natural stone formed under intense heat and pressure, while quartz is engineered from crushed stone and resins. 

Quartzite has the unique veining and variation found in other natural stones, while quartz has a more uniform appearance. Each material has its own strengths, but they should not be confused. Choosing quartzite means choosing a true natural stone, with all the individuality and strength that come with it.

Myth 2: Quartzite Is Too Fragile for Kitchens

Because of its elegant appearance, some assume quartzite is delicate or prone to damage. In fact, quartzite is extremely durable and hard; in fact, it’s harder than granite. It holds up well in kitchens, resisting scratches and standing up to the daily wear that comes from cooking and cleaning. This makes it an ideal option for homeowners who want a countertop that performs without sacrificing appearance. With proper sealing and care, quartzite is more than capable of handling high-traffic spaces.

Quartzite Countertop Designs

Myth 3: Quartzite Is Difficult to Maintain

Quartzite is used frequently as a marble substitute, but that’s led to people thinking that it’s as sensitive as marble. This has created a misconception that quartzite requires constant upkeep, which can deter homeowners looking for lower-maintenance options. 

The reality is that all you have to do to keep quartzite looking great is wiping it down with mild soap and water keeps it looking its best. Like other natural stones, quartzite does benefit from periodic resealing, but this is a quick process and not an everyday chore. When maintained properly, quartzite countertops continue to shine and perform for years.

Myth 4: All Quartzite Looks the Same

Quartzite offers more variety than many people realize. From soft whites and grays to rich, warm tones with dramatic veining, the range of colors and patterns is expansive. Some slabs have a sophisticated marble-like appearance, while others resemble granite. Each piece is unique, shaped by the natural conditions under which it formed. With so many options, quartzite can match a wide range of personal styles and design preferences.

Myth 5: Quartzite Is Too Expensive for Most Budgets

While quartzite is often viewed as a luxury material, that doesn’t mean it’s out of reach. Pricing varies depending on the specific variety, availability, and slab size. There are plenty of quartzite options that offer competitive pricing alongside more common stones. It’s an investment in durability and design that adds value to your space. 

Personalize Your Countertops with Custom Designs

Myth 6: You Can Tell Quartzite by Appearance Alone

Quartzite can resemble other stones, especially marble, which sometimes leads to mislabeling. It’s easy to mistake one for the other based on looks. That’s why working with experienced fabricators is essential, so that you know exactly what you’re getting and how to take care of it. 

Quartzite is an amazing countertop stone. If you’re exploring quartzite countertops and want to learn more from experts who love and understand this stone, we’re here for you at Cutstone Company. Discover true natural beauty and durability when you contact us today for a free quote for your new quartzite countertop!

Enhancing Small Bathrooms with Sleek and Functional Countertops

Renovating a small bathroom can feel like a challenge– there’s not really that much space to move around! But with the right design choices, it becomes an opportunity to create a stylish, functional, and efficient space. 

One of the most impactful elements of bathroom design is the countertop. Choosing the right material enhances the look of the room and improves the functionality and longevity of the space. For small bathrooms, sleek and functional countertops are key to maximizing space without sacrificing style.

Choosing the Right Material for Small Bathrooms

When working with a small bathroom, it’s important to choose a countertop material that offers both elegance and durability while keeping the space feeling open and airy. (We know: that’s a tall order!) Materials like quartz and granite are ideal because they provide a polished, modern appearance while being easy to maintain. For a minimalist look, solid colors such as white, gray, or black can make a bathroom feel larger and brighter. These shades reflect light, creating an illusion of openness, which is especially helpful in small rooms.

For those seeking a touch of luxury, marble is a great option. Its timeless appeal and unique veining bring sophistication to any bathroom. While marble does require some maintenance, its beauty and durability make it a worthwhile investment. If you prefer a more budget-friendly option, engineered quartz countertops provide a similar appearance to natural stone but at a lower cost, with less upkeep.

Maximizing Space with Streamlined Designs

In a small bathroom, every inch of space counts. Streamlined countertop designs help create a sleek, uncluttered look. A floating vanity or wall-mounted sink can make the space feel more open by allowing the floor to remain visible, adding the illusion of extra space. When selecting a countertop, it’s important to consider both size and shape. A rectangular or oval shape maximizes surface area while avoiding harsh, angular lines that might overwhelm the room. Rounded edges and soft curves contribute to the bathroom’s sense of tranquility and open space.

Durability and Easy Maintenance

Bathrooms are high-moisture areas, so selecting a countertop material that is both durable and easy to clean is essential. This is one reason that quartz is so popular; unlike natural stone, it’s non-porous, which means it resists water damage, stains, and mold growth. These properties make quartz particularly well-suited for small bathrooms, where moisture can accumulate more easily. 

Additionally, quartz and granite require minimal maintenance, which is ideal for busy households… and those who don’t want to waste under-sink storage space on cleaning supplies! Simply wipe down the surface with a mild cleanser to keep your countertop looking fresh. 

Customizing Your Bathroom Countertop

Even in a small space, you can customize your countertop to suit your unique style. Edge profiles, finishes, and integrated sinks allow for a high level of personalization. A sleek, straight edge or a subtle curved profile adds modern sophistication. Choosing a matte or honed finish can create a softer, more understated look, while a polished finish adds extra shine and elegance.

Renovate Your Bathroom With Us

Upgrading your small bathroom with a sleek, functional countertop is one of the most effective ways to enhance the space. Contact Cutstone Company today for a free quote and expert advice on selecting the perfect countertop for your bathroom renovation. Let us help you make your small space shine!

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