Our Process | Artistic Granite & Marble

1. DESIGN CONSULTATION

Our professional sales staff are available in our showroom, ready to help you at the planning and designing stage of your project. Artistic Granite & Marble provides free on-site measure and bidding for countertop, tub surrounds, showers, and walls for natural stone and quartz.

We have a large selection of remnant materials available in our yard for smaller projects such as outdoor BBQs, bathroom vanities, laundry tops, and custom furniture tops. New inventory arrives daily. We suggest you call ahead for an appointment so that we may provide you with our undivided attention. We look forward to assisting you in the planning and creation of your project!

2. STONE SELECTION

Factors to Consider when Selecting a Natural Stone

You have many options when it comes to beautiful, long-lasting natural stone for your home’s interior and exterior: Granite, Marble, Quartz-based stone and Travertine just to name a few. While there are numerous types of natural stone to consider, some are better suited than others to particular uses in and around the home. We can help you explore your options and offer guidance on the right stone for your project.

Color

Natural stones are available in a beautiful array of colors. For instance, the color of granite and marble can range from classic white and soft beiges to pinks, rich corals, greens, blacks, and multi-colored pieces. Unlike the repetitive sameness of materials produced by machine or assembly lines, natural stone’s naturally varied appearance has wonderful character and creates a one-of-a-kind effect anywhere it is used. These natural variations will appeal to some and not others. Once you have selected a particular slab, we highly suggest that you identify any areas of the stone that you would like to avoid prior to fabrication. In most cases, we can accommodate this request.

Finish

Natural stone can be ordered from the quarry or factory in many different finishes for a distinct appearance. Some colors are limited to polish only, but many are not. A polished finish has a glossy surface that reflects light and emphasizes the color and marking of the stone. This finish is typically used on countertops, walls, furniture tops, and flooring. A honed finish is a satin-smooth surface with relatively little light reflection. This finish is preferred for surfaces where a softer look is desired. It is also ideal for high-use surfaces where a polished surface could dull over time. A leathered finish adds texture to the surface and offers a sheen but is not as reflective as a polished finish. The texture will vary from stone to stone and not all selections are available. We highly suggest that you hand select this finish in your material before purchasing.

Thickness

Slab materials come primarily in two thicknesses: 2 cm and 3 cm. 2 cm, or ¾”, is most commonly used in smaller applications like bathroom or laundry countertops. If 2 cm is used in the kitchen, it is usually fabricated with a laminated “glued together” edge which adds twice the thickness, bringing it to 1 ½” thick at the edge. This edge detail allows for added edge design options. 3 cm, or 1 ¼” is more common in kitchen applications and has become more popular for use throughout the home. It also tends to be more durable in the fabrication and installation process.

3. TEMPLATING

At this stage, our templating team will visit the site of your project and build a template, or physical representation, of your finished countertop's size and shape. They will record all necessary measurements and notes. For new construction, this may begin as soon as your cabinet boxes have been installed. For a remodel project, your existing countertops need to be removed in order to create the template, so that we can take accurate measurements. The templating process provides our fabricators with precise plans to ensure a perfect fit of your finished stone tops.

4. FABRICATION

Artistic Granite & Marble offers stone slab fabrication and installation of granite, quartzite, marble, quartz, soapstone, travertine, and other natural stones in both new construction and remodels. Projects are fabricated at our location in Meridian, ID.

During this stage, our skilled fabricators transform raw stone slabs into beautifully finished surfaces for your home. They follow the templates from the previous step and hand create the stone surfaces that will fit perfectly in your planned spaces. At Artistic Granite & Marble, we know time is important to our customers and we work hard to get the project completed quickly while still prioritizing quality construction. Our experienced fabricators and installers are some of the best in the industry and strive to make each project their personal priority.

5. INSTALLATION

Our expert team of installers take pride in making sure that the finished pieces fit perfectly to enhance the beauty and function of your space. Most kitchen installation projects take around four to six hours to complete. During installation, we ask that homeowners provide ranges, cooktops, faucets, and any other accessories that require custom holes and cutouts in the countertop to enable our installers to accurately complete the installation of your surface. The countertops are ready for immediate use after plumbing is installed.

6. COMPLETION

Upon completion, our expert installers consult with homeowners to discuss all aspects of the installation to ensure your complete satisfaction. We are happy to answer any and all questions at this time.