Welch Tile & Marble is a family owned business founded by Richard Welch in 1987. His son Dan Welch is current company president with over 28 years of ceramic tile and stone experience. Dan is the current president of National Tile Contractor's Association (NTCA), the largest tile contractor association in the world. The company employs a staff of over 50 full-time tile professionals, including Dan's siblings Rick, Aaron, Jennell, and Marnie. Truly family owned and operated, rooted in the foundation of quality work and a satisfied customer, Welch Tile's work has been showcased at many of West Michigan's premier landmarks including the JW Marriott, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, and the DeVos Convention Center. The company has a full-team of residential tile experts including designers, project managers, and tile mechanics who are all CTEF certified (the tile trades premier certification).
Cutting stone comes with a number of safety hazards. First and foremost, if you’re not comfortable with the equipment required to cut stone, including blades and grinders, you could easily injure yourself. The heavy machinery also poses a risk to your ears if you don’t wear proper ear protection; similarly, you need to wear eye protection to keep debris from irritating your eyes.
However, the biggest risk from cutting stone comes from the stone dust. When breathed in, stone dust can be a huge hazard to your lungs. Always wear a face mask when cutting stone to prevent inhaling stone dust, and thoroughly clean the work area when you are finished.
To avoid injury, we recommend hiring a stone-cutting professional, rather than attempting this job yourself.
Natural stone is formed in deep layers of the Earth through natural processes over thousands of years. The solid composition formations become massive rock beds, or quarries, from which miners extract them.
Granite is heavier than quartz, since it has a higher density. Quartz is made up of engineered stone, which is why it tends to weigh less than granite. Most granite countertops are ¾-inch thick and weigh about 13 pounds per square foot.
Quartzite is more expensive than granite, largely because of its rarity. Granite is naturally more common. A granite slab generally costs $40 to $60 per square foot (excluding super-rare types), while quartzite slabs cost anywhere from $50 to $150 per square foot.
With both materials, it’s usually more affordable to purchase stones that are readily available in your location. You may need to import other stones, which come at a higher cost.
Both marble and quartz are decent kitchen countertop choices for different reasons. Marble provides an elegant look that’s sure to attract eyeballs, which can add value to a home. However, this isn’t the most durable material around and is easily scratched and stained. Quartz may not offer a classic look like marble, but it is available in a wide range of colors and patterns. It’s also durable, with the ability to resist scratches and stains.
The Spalding, MI homeowners’ guide to stone countertop services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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