Marble Countertops in Thornton, CO
We measure, supply and fit marble countertops in kitchens and bathrooms across Thornton, Colorado.
- Quotes in writing
- 20 areas covered
Thornton Countertops fits marble countertops in homes across Thornton. We measure your cabinets first, then have each marble slab cut to fit them.
What marble is
The U.S. Geological Survey says marble forms when limestone is heated and squeezed by natural rock-forming processes, which turns its grains into new crystals. It says marble is usually light colored and is made of crystals of a mineral called calcite, locked together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. The colored streaks in marble are bits of other minerals, it says. The National Park Service lists marble among the rocks that form when high temperatures and pressure act on a rock and change it.
We fit marble in kitchens, on islands and on bathroom vanity tops.
How soft marble is
The National Park Service rates minerals on the Mohs hardness scale. That scale measures how well a mineral stands up to scratching. On the Park Service's chart, calcite is 3, a copper penny is 3.5 and a steel nail is 6.5.
On any marble top we fit, we'd have you use a cutting board for knives and set hot pans on a stand or pad.
Marble and acids
The U.S. Geological Survey says that when acids in polluted air and rain react with the calcite in marble, the calcite dissolves. On buildings and statues, it says, that leaves the surface rough and wears away carved details.
On a marble countertop we fit, we'd wipe up lemon juice, vinegar, wine and tomato sauce as soon as they spill.
Marble and silica dust
OSHA says stone contains crystalline silica, and that very small silica particles, at least 100 times smaller than ordinary sand, are made when stone is cut, sawed, ground or drilled.
Whoever you hire, ask where your slab will be cut and how they keep the dust down.
What sets the price of marble
We price marble countertops for your house once we've measured, and you get that quote in writing. Our price depends on the slab you choose, how much counter we cover, the edge you pick, and how many holes we cut for the sink and the cooktop, the burners set into the counter.
Can't decide on a stone yet? We can quote more than one. We also fit granite, quartz and quartzite.
What to get in writing
Ask for these in writing, whoever you hire:
- The name of the marble and the thickness of the slab.
- A drawing of the layout, with every seam and cutout marked.
- Which edge you are getting.
- Where the slab will be cut and shaped.
- Whether taking out and hauling away the old countertops is in the price.
- Who disconnects and reconnects the sink, faucet and cooktop.
Questions about marble countertops in Thornton
Do I need a permit for new marble countertops in Thornton?
Not for the countertops themselves. The City of Thornton lists replacing cabinets and counter tops among the inside projects that don't need a building permit. Plumbing, electrical or structural modifications do need one. If your new marble top means moving the sink, we'll check with the city's building division with you before we start.
Is marble natural stone or engineered stone?
Natural. OSHA lists marble and granite as natural stone, and describes engineered stone as man-made. NIOSH says engineered stone is also known as quartz. If you want engineered stone instead, we fit quartz countertops too.
Is marble the same as quartzite?
No. The U.S. Geological Survey says quartzite is mostly quartz and forms from sandstone. On the Park Service's Mohs chart, quartz is 7, well above calcite.
Is marble the same as limestone?
No. The U.S. Geological Survey says limestone forms when shells, sand and mud settle at the bottom of oceans and lakes and harden into rock over time, and that you can usually see bits of shell in it. It says limestone is more porous than marble, meaning it has more small openings, the gaps between those bits of shell.
How do I clean marble countertops?
FoodSafety.gov says to wash countertops with hot, soapy water, especially after they've held raw meat, poultry, seafood or eggs. It also says never to thaw or marinate food on the counter.
Can you replace my old laminate with marble?
Yes, we can take out old laminate or tile tops and fit marble in their place as part of a countertop replacement job.
Can you put in a backsplash at the same time?
Yes, we can. Once the marble is set, we do backsplash installation, facing the strip of wall just above the counter with tile or stone that goes with it.
Can you fix a chip in a marble countertop?
Send us a photo, or we can come out and look. We'll tell you whether a countertop repair will hold or the piece should be replaced.
Get a quote for marble countertops
Call us, or send the quote form with your ZIP code and the rooms you want done. We'll measure, go through marble slabs and edges with you, and give you a written quote. To see the other countertops we fit, go to the Thornton Countertops home page.
Ready to talk about your countertop job?
Send the quote form with your ZIP code and what you need. We will get back to you with a written quote.