Summary: Sandy homeowners who visit our showrooms are often looking for a material that strikes the perfect balance between the natural environment, their historic neighborhoods, and a modern aesthetic. The good news is that we have four material choices that all work well in Sandy homes.
Situated about twenty miles south of Salt Lake City, Sandy is an older town with roots dating back to the 1800s. As such, many of its homes are found in older neighborhoods with a certain amount of charm. Remodeling the kitchen in one of these homes presents homeowners with an interesting choice: which countertop material works best?
The good news is that there is no right or wrong answer. Instead, there are choices homeowners need to consider based on what they want to accomplish. Whether you are hoping to find the perfect intersection of history, lifestyle, and geology, or you prefer a mid-century aesthetic that shows off Sandy’s hidden past, there is something for everyone.
Here at Bedrock Quartz, we have seen firsthand how the right countertop material can truly transform a kitchen space. When Sandy homeowners visit one of our showrooms, they are not just looking for another stone. They are looking for a brand-new surface that will function as it should but still have a certain aesthetic appeal. That being the case, the four materials we specialize in are perfect for Sandy kitchens.
Preserve the Charm With Granite or Marble
Sandy is home to some of Utah’s most beautiful neighborhoods. Those neighborhoods are known for their mature trees and established architecture. If you own a home in one of these neighborhoods, your goal might be to modernize without taking away the heart and soul of the house.
We recommend preserving some of the charm you have come to know and love with one of the following material selections:
1. Granite: The Workhorse
Granite works extremely well in Sandy homes because it offers a visual depth that mimics the natural textures of the surrounding environment. In more traditional kitchens, honed or leathered granite provides a softer and more historical look than high-gloss countertops.
One of granite’s major advantages is its heat resistance. If your family does a lot of baking or canning – which just happen to be traditions that run deep in Sandy – granite allows you to set down hot pots and pans without fear. Still, we recommend using potholders or trivets.
2. Marble: The Timeless Classic
Marble is another great option for Sandy homeowners. It has been used in kitchen architecture for thousands of years. Though your Sandy home isn’t that old, a marble countertop bridges the gap between Sandy’s classic past and her modern future. It expresses what you love about the natural Earth while offering a brightness that opens up smaller, older kitchens.
Homeowners should be aware that marble is a bit softer than granite. It does tend to take on a patina over time. For some homeowners, the small scratches and etchings marble is known for are not flaws. They are a record of the memories and meals shared over many years.
Materials Inspired by the Wasatch Front
You might prefer to align your kitchen with the unique geographical pocket in which Sandy sits. On the one side are the rugged, snow-capped peaks of the Wasatch Front. On the other is the high desert valley. Perhaps you’re looking for an interior that reflects this dramatic difference via materials and colors.
1. Quartzite: Rugged Sophistication
Quartzite is a natural metamorphic rock that begins its life as sandstone. Thanks to the combination of time, intense heat, and pressure, it has become a beautiful stone that looks as rugged as anything in Utah. At the same time, it offers a very sophisticated look.
Quartzite might be your best choice if you are looking for a material that reflects a local aesthetic. Quartzite often features sweeping, dramatic veining that looks a lot like marble, but is still as hard as granite. Color choices are also pretty impressive. You can get everything from earthy sand tones to colors that look more like the rocks of Little Cottonwood Canyon.
2. Granite: Add Movement to Your Look
Granite is a good choice here as well. For a truly Wasatch-inspired look, choose a granite that features movement. You are looking for veining that flows like water or behaves like shifting tectonic plates. Movement in grays, charcoals, and whites can give your kitchen a cathedral look that reminds you of the mountains.
The Best of Both Worlds With a Modern Material
There is one Bedrock Quartz material we haven’t mentioned yet: quartz. It is an engineered material that is family-friendly and easier on the budget than granite, marble, or quartzite. Many of our Sandy customers are looking for a transitional design that blends the warmth and comfort of Sandy’s history but still introduces the clean lines and low-maintenance requirements of modern living. Quartz is the perfect material for such designs.
Quartz is a modern marble made up of about 90-95% crushed natural quartz and 5-10% resins and pigments. Because it is engineered, it can be manufactured to look exactly like expensive marble or your favorite granite. You can even get quartz in solid colors.
It is perfect for Sandy families because of its properties. For example, quartz is nonporous, so it never needs to be sealed. It also handles heat and impact energy extremely well. For the busy professional and empty-nest couple alike, quartz represents a countertop that will remain beautiful for years with very little maintenance.
We Can Help You Make the Right Choice
With so many choices to work with, you might not know which material is best for your kitchen. No worries, the experts here at Bedrock Quartz specialize in helping homeowners figure it out. We invite you to visit any of our Utah showrooms whenever you are ready to begin your project.
Our showroom staff will walk you through kitchen layout, lighting, your normal workflow, and a number of other factors that all play into material choices. We want you to pick the perfect slab. We want you to end up with a kitchen countertop you will be proud of for as long as you live in your home.
FAQs
What is the best material choice for Mountain Modern homes near the Wasatch?
While ‘best’ is often a matter of preference, we tend to recommend quartzite as the premier choice for a mountain aesthetic. It offers a rugged and sophisticated look with veining that mimics local geology.
I love white marble, but I’ve heard it stains. Is that true?
White marble is difficult to keep clean and looking new for busy families. Quartz is typically a better alternative. It can be made to look like marble.
How does Utah’s hard water impact countertop material choices?
Hard water can leave stains on any type of kitchen surface. Therefore, maintenance is the real key. Countertop choices should be made with maintenance capabilities in mind.
Do natural stone countertops require a lot of maintenance?
They require some maintenance, but not as much as you might imagine. As long as you keep your countertops sealed and protect them by using trivets, cutting boards, etc. they should hold up very nicely.
