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).
Cultured stone is typically easier to cut compared to natural stone. Because it’s lightweight and porous, cutting cultured stone doesn't take as much effort. The process of cutting cultured and natural stone is the same; however, you may spend more time cutting through natural stone.
Yes, it is possible to cover old countertops with new ones. Using a countertop overlay to cover your existing countertop is a good way to get a totally new surface without removing your old countertops. This method can be more cost-effective and less time-consuming than a total replacement.
Undermount sinks have clips that attach to the countertop, but they have pros and cons. They are heavier than drop-in sinks, so they only work with sturdy countertops like natural stone and are a more expensive option. You might need someone to help you install the sink, depending on its weight.
Silestone® is a brand of quartz countertops; one isn’t necessarily better, but they have their differences. Silestone® costs slightly more than the average quartz countertop because you’re paying for the brand name and unique features. For example, Silestone® is often more sustainable than regular quartz because you can purchase varieties made with recycled materials. It also has antibacterial properties and design options some homeowners prefer. Plus, you can use it across your whole kitchen rather than solely for countertops.
Yes, Corian® and other solid surface countertops can be cut with standard woodworking tools like a circular saw or a jigsaw, but using the correct blade is crucial for the best results.
The recommended blade is a tungsten carbide-tipped blade, often called a solid-surface planer or triple chip grind blade. This type of blade is hard enough to cut through the material effectively. For a jigsaw, a fine-tooth down-cutting blade should be used.
It is important to note that a diamond blade is not necessary. Diamond blades are designed for harder materials like natural stone, concrete, or brick, and Corian is not a natural stone.
Using blades designed for wood is not recommended as they can cause microfractures that weaken the countertop's edges. While a tungsten carbide blade provides a much cleaner cut, the resulting edge will still be rough and must be sanded and smoothed to prevent microfractures from developing over time.
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.
Are you getting close to deciding on Caesarstone® countertops for your home? Discover all the details behind Caesarstone® countertop costs in this guide.
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