Once you find that perfect slab of granite, you may think your countertop renovation troubles are officially over. But hire the wrong contractor, and you could find your counters improperly installed or damaged. Choosing the wrong contractor can cost you in both stress and fix-it costs. So how can you make sure you’ve found the right contractor for the job?

How to the Best Contractor for Granite Installation

1. Ask around. When in doubt, phone a friend. Ask them to share the pros and cons of their bathroom or kitchen renovation, so you’ll have a better grasp of what to look for. If they were happy with their installation, ask for the contact information of the contractor they hired for the project.
2. Talk to the pros. In many cases, your fabricators will carefully measure, cut, and install granite countertops themselves. If installation isn’t a service provided by your fabricator of choice, ask them to recommend a contractor. Fabricators typically have insider information about the best in the business, and they also have a vested interest in making your project a success.
3. Look online. While you can’t trust every online review, Google, Yelp, and Facebook reviews are a good indicator of whether a contractor is hard working, honest, and affordable.
4. Get several estimates. You wouldn’t buy a car after only test-driving one model. Narrow it down to a handful of contractors, then talk to each about the project parameters and timeline. Get a written estimate of the cost of installation, so you’re not surprised by additional charges down the road.
5. Go with your gut. If you don’t like the contractor you’re working with, the project will become a major headache. Choose a contractor who’s upfront, friendly, and shares a vision for your remodel.

To learn more about installing granite countertops, call Williams Fabrication in Woodstock, GA.

Quartz countertops have a lot of advantages. They’re lighter than granite and come in just as many unique colors and patterns, and are so easy to clean! Here are some tips for cleaning your beautiful quartz countertops.

First, as with any countertop you should clean up spills immediately. Quartz resists staining, but stains will still set if given time! Glass cleaner and a nonabrasive sponge will take care of many heavier spills. Tricky stains like permanent marker or cooking grease will need special attention, but in general you should be able to wipe up spills with no problems.

For everyday cleaning, either gentle wipes or a mild solution of soap and water applied with a nonabrasive sponge or cloth will do just fine. Quartz resists bacteria, but if deeper cleaning is called for, spray a gentle, nonabrasive surface cleaner on your countertops and let sit for up to ten minutes before wiping away. 

When cleaning your quartz countertops, there are definitely some things you want to avoid! Never use scouring pads or abrasive cleaners, as they can scratch or dull the surface of your beautiful counters. Harsh chemical cleaners that are either very acidic or very alkaline will also cause damage. If bleach or oven cleaner ever comes in contact with your quartz, rinse it immediately and thoroughly with plenty of water! For general maintenance and to keep your countertops looking beautiful, also avoid exposure to high heat, and never cut anything without a cutting board.

If you have questions about cleaning your countertops, don’t hesitate to call Williams Fabrication in North Atlanta!

When selecting the best countertops for your home, it can be difficult to decide between quartz and granite. WIlliams Fabrication in North Atlanta offers a great selection of both granite and quartz, and both options have their pros and cons. How do you decide which to get?

• Granite is mined directly from the earth, and aside from being cut into manageable sizes and polished, it basically comes to you as it was mined. We offer granite in many beautiful colors and unique patterns, so you can pick the one that best suits your decor. 
• Quartz is what is called engineered stone, which is to say that it is created by mixing ground quartz, a small quantity of polyester, and pigments. It is possible to manufacture quartz in almost any color or pattern. Many of our quartzes come with 25 year manufacturer guarantees! 

Again, there are pros and cons to both materials. Both granite and quartz are beautiful, strong, and resist bacteria–quartz was actually created for use in hospitals. Granite is very hard and heavy, and resists heat, scratches, and bacterial contamination. Quartz is lighter than granite and much easier to replace if you change your mind about it, because unlike granite, quartz is not sealed onto the counter. Granite lasts forever, which can be good or bad depending on how decisive you are! Quartz has less impact on the environment, especially in transportation.

Whether you want quartz or granite, or haven’t made a decision yet, come down to our showroom in Woodstock and take a look at what Williams Fabrication has to offer!

Why did the DIY craze become so popular? People started realizing that there was no reason to shell out cash for straightforward home improvement projects. Doing-it-yourself is a great way to expand your skillset, invest labor into your home, and bond with your spouse (or wind up sleeping on the couch). But which home projects are DIY-ready, and which require a professional hand?

Kitchen Countertops: DIY or Hire a Professional?

Installing a countertop is a little more straightforward the rewiring the house, and you’re unlikely to electrocute yourself or burn anything down if you mess up. But installing a natural stone countertop can still be dangerous. Granite, quartz, and marble countertops require special equipment to install. You may need a belt sander, scribing tool, filing tool, hand saw or jigsaw, drill, or stone sealant to complete the project. Natural stone countertops are heavy and unwieldy, and in most cases, measurements must be exact. Since you’ve already called Williams Fabrication to cut and prep the stone, it’s easy to let us handle the installation as well.

When can you install a new kitchen countertop yourself?

• If you have the necessary equipment, experience, and manpower to move and install the stone
• If you know how improper installation of stone can cause stress fractures
• If you’re installing a tile or laminate countertop
• If you have the time to invest in a DIY countertop project

Before deciding to do a DIY countertop installation, contact Williams Fabrication. We’ll help you find a countertop that fits your budget, labor and all.

Do you ever sit in front of the TV, enraptured by How It’s Made? There’s something about behind-the-scenes looks that captures our attention, and nothing is more captivating than discovering how the items we use everyday are designed, created, and shipped out for our use. Williams Fabrication is giving you a peek into our world. Learn how stone countertops are made, polished, and installed in your home.

How Stone Countertops Are Made

If you’ve ever seen an episode of the Flintstones, you know the basics of how granite, marble, and quartz countertops are made. First you saddle up the dinosaur . . .

Okay, okay. Here’s how natural stone countertops are actually made.

1. Start in a quarry. A quarry is an excavation pit where stone is cut or blasted from the earth to be used in building materials. Some quarries contain veins of multiple varieties of stone, while others contain primarily one type of stone. Quarries themselves haven’t changed much since ancient times, only the technology we use to remove the stone.
2. Fire up the equipment. There are three basic types of equipment used for fabricating natural stone: saws, polishers, and routers. Saws cut huge chunks of stone from the earth. Diamond wire saws (yes, they’re embedded with actual diamonds) quickly cut through even the hardest stone. A smaller bridge saw shapes the chunks of rock into kitchen countertops, bathroom sinks, or anything else the stone destined to become. Polishers grind away the rough outer layer, leaving a gleaming slab of marble, granite, or quartz. Finally routers hone the edge and cut decorative designs so it fits homeowners’ specifications.
3. Make it yours. Once the stone is cut and polished to perfection, it’s time to install a new countertop in your home. Enjoy the strength, durability, and unique beauty of your natural stone kitchen.

Want to see step #3 in action? Contact Williams Fabrication in Atlanta.