20 Honest Answers for a Trouble-Free Countertop Installation

We are open from Mondays to Saturdays – 8 AM to 5 PM.

We close during lunch hours and on Regular Holidays.

Should you have any inquiries or concerns, feel free to send us a message here.

Both fabrication (polishing of edges) and countertop installation cost Php 400 per linear meter separately.

For the cutouts of the sink, cooktop, and wall-mounted outlets, we charge the following:

Drop-in Sink – Php 850 per set
Vessel Sink – Php 850 per set
Undermount Sink – Php 1,200 per set
Cooktop – Php 850 per set
Cable Grommet – Php 850 per set
Wall-mounted Outlet – Php 500 per set

To give you a ballpark figure of the total cost for your kitchen countertop installation, you send us the detailed plan for your project by sending it to us and filling in the details using this form.

A laminated edge is a particular edge profile that makes your countertop appear thicker. It is done by gluing a strip (usually 2 cm. to 3 cm. in width) of the same material underneath the countertop’s exposed edges.

It makes an 18 mm. thick granite appear 36 mm. thick. Hence, it is commonly referred to as a “double” edge profile here in the Philippines.

It is best on countertops that are supported by wooden cabinets as it conceals the plywood substrate underneath.

Compared to our standard edge profiles, laminated edges cost Php 800 per linear meter to fabricate.

One of the first few questions many homeowners ask us before having their countertops made is,

“Will it have seams?”

Depending on (1.) the size and layout of your countertop or island, and (2.) the availability of the slab size, the answer can either be a “Yes” or a “No.”

A simple wall-to-wall countertop with a length of a meter or two can be in one piece with a 0.60 m. x 2.40 m. granite slab size.

However, an “L-shaped” or a “U-shaped” kitchen countertop will likely have a seam. Owners may opt to use large format slabs should they prefer it in one piece. But, of course, this will cost more. Besides, this does not guarantee that the stone’s dimension would suffice the area required by your project.

Should a seam be unavoidable, incorporating it near a sink or the range is highly advisable. It will help cover most of the seam, leaving a minimum amount in view.

A professional granite installer will always try to minimize the number of seams required during layout and design and locate them in places as unobtrusive as possible.

Moreover, they will “color match” the joining adhesive to help reduce the seams’ appearance.

We highly discourage our clients from refabricating their existing kitchen countertops.

Considering that the countertop is already fixed, the fabricator may damage your kitchen cabinets and walls during the process. Hence, we do not accept this type of work.

Typically, it takes us two to four days to complete a project for an average kitchen. We need a day or two to fabricate the edges of the slabs and another day or two to install everything on site.

In some cases, however, specific designs and specifications require more attention to detail. Hence, we may need additional days to accomplish the project.

Do note, however, that all transactions are on a “first-come, first-served” basis only.

For granites, if you are not sure whether you need to apply a stone sealer or not, drop a small amount onto your kitchen countertop.

If the water beads up, you don’t have to worry about anything yet. But if the water soaks into the stone, you will need to have it sealed soon.

Sealing should be done once or twice a year for marbles to protect them from staining.

Lastly, for engineered quartz, sealing is unnecessary as its surface is highly dense. It does not have the porosity of natural stones. Hence, water or any form of liquid will only sit on the countertop’s surface. Just wipe off spills and drips after every usage.

For natural stones, such as granites and marbles, always seal your kitchen countertop as needed.

For engineered quartz, on the other hand, sealing is highly discouraged.

During every kitchen preparation, always remember to:

• Wipe up spills immediately;
• Use coasters or trays under all glasses, bottles, and cans;
• Always use a cutting board when cutting or chopping;
• Do not place hot pots and pans right off a stove or out of an oven directly on your countertop;
• Clean your countertop with a specially made stone cleaner.

All our materials are sold as raw slabs.

We can, however, custom-fabricate each piece to fit the measurement and the design of your kitchen countertop.

Just send us the detailed plan of your project so we can give you a rough estimate of the cost.

There is no standard height for backsplashes. Everything is customized to fit perfectly inside every kitchen.

Typically, most of our clients have it at 10 cm to 20 cm.

But, of course, it can go all the way up just below the upper cabinets if you prefer.

We source our granites mainly from India and China; on the other hand, our marbles are quarried in Greece.

At the same time, our onyxes and travertines are from Turkey.

Lastly, our engineered quartz is manufactured in China as well.

Granite, marble, and engineered quartz can be used in various applications, such as vanity tops, floor tiles, and even wall cladding.

Also, granite and marble’s surface can be flamed, or bush hammered to provide a non-slip texture for poolsides and pavements.

You can also check out our blog to learn more.

Granites and marbles have inherent characteristics, such as pits and micro-fissures, which may cause few concerns to some buyers.

Slabs are commonly sold in a polished finish, giving them a high-gloss appearance. Upon closer inspection, however, you may notice that some stones have resin-filled pits on the surface. A few may have hairline cracks.

These natural “imperfections” are unavoidable. But they do not affect the material’s hardness and strength.

To fix the natural flaws in stone, manufacturers apply resin:

• to fill the pits and fissures occurring on the surface;
• to make the stone smoother to touch; and,
• to improve the strength of the slab.

This technology has been the accepted solution in the stone industry for decades now. It has allowed stone manufacturers to reduce the number of broken pieces during production.

Moreover, it has enabled them to create thinner slabs, thereby (a.) lowering the cost and (b.) opening doors to new construction applications.

However, reinforced backing support (often a fiberglass mesh) is applied to protect marble, onyx, and travertine. Compared to granite, these stones are a bit more fragile, especially during transportation, fabrication, or installation. Hence, a solution to increase their durability is highly needed.

A primary concern, though, with resin fillers is their safety for kitchen countertop surfaces. The material applied to the stone surface must comply with government health standards. Stone manufacturers must always ensure that the treatment done is safe for kitchen use.

Resin provides an aesthetic fix to the stone’s natural flaws and ensures the strength of the slab itself. It improves the quality of the stone and, at the same time, reduces the cost of production. Furthermore, with the continuing development of this technology, we expect to see more improvements in the stone industry in the coming years.

We only sell granite, marble, and engineered quartz in slab forms at the moment. Should you need the materials cut into tiles, we can do it for you nevertheless.

Interested in buying granite tiles? Here’s a link to our price list.

We do not offer standard sizes for all our natural stones. Every kitchen requires full customization. Hence, our slabs have varying dimensions.

On average, however, our slabs have a depth of 0.60 m. and above. The length ranges from 2.40 m. to 3.00 m. And the thickness is 18 mm. +/-.

Quartz, on the other hand, are available in 1.40 m. x 3.00 m. and 1.60 m. x 3.20 m., depending on the design.

Yes, you can pick up the free stone sample(s) from any of our branches at any time during office hours.

Do note, however, that granites and marbles are natural products that will always vary in color, shading, veining, and texture. Every piece will vary to a degree, some more so than others. We suggest using a synthetic alternative, like engineered quartz or nano crystallized glass instead if this concerns you.

We require our clients to examine first the actual slabs before purchasing any of the materials.

We, unfortunately, are only based in Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro City, and Iloilo City at the moment.

For projects in Luzon, you may contact our affiliate in Manila, Saint Mark Construction Supply, at (02) 352 – 0195 for your stone requirements.

There is a delivery charge per trip. The costs depend on the following:

• distance of the project site from our warehouse;
• quantity of materials purchased;
• time of delivery.

Granite, marble, and engineered quartz each have their advantages and disadvantages.

If you need a surface that can handle day-to-day kitchen preparations, it is best to choose between granite or engineered quartz. If, however, you prefer having the elegance of marble, you can do so, too. Remember that the latter requires a little more upkeep and maintenance than the two other materials.

When choosing a countertop material for your kitchen, consider your budget and lifestyle before making your final decision.

Always remember that there is no such thing as a perfect countertop material. Every countertop material has its benefits and drawbacks.
To learn more about the pros and cons of each, here’s a comparison of all three materials: