Kitchen countertops take a fair amount of abuse over time. Installing a countertop that can withstand that abuse generally means going with a traditional granite, quartz, quartzite or other solid surface countertop material.
There are many reasons that installation of these countertop materials requires hiring an expert.
There is a lot of advice online about installing countertops yourself. Many of these articles discuss materials that can be installed much easier than granite, quartz or quartzite. In an article highlighting the best DIY countertops for kitchens the article lists countertop paint kits, epoxy kits, peel and stick contact papers and butcher block options.1
The finished countertop hinges on the skill of the DIY installer and the durability and ease of installation of the product. While some of these options may look good for a time, they can’t beat granite, quartz, or quartzite for beauty and longevity.
Why Count on the Pros
The process of choosing the right countertop material is critical. A countertop sales professional works with each homeowner to determine their specific needs. A homeowner’s needs will be different if they cook and bake in their kitchen as opposed to someone who rarely uses the kitchen except when entertaining.
Appearance and Function
The overall look may take precedence over function if a kitchen isn’t used regularly and this may mean that a kitchen countertop surface that is more beautiful than functional may work. A countertop company will also have many slabs of a product, such as marble, granite, quartz or quartzite from which a homeowner can choose.
There are 12 common types of granite alone.2 These include Ubatuba, Giallo Ornamental, Santa Cecilia, Kashmir White, New Venetian Gold, Bianco Antico, Tan Brown, Baltic Brown, Volga Blue. Black Pearl, Black Galaxy, and Absolute Black.
They all have distinct veining, movement and coloring. Quartzite can come in white, gray, blue, cream, green or red. Unlike quartzite, which is actual stone, quartz is a man-made engineered product so “you can find quartz countertops in practically every color and style you can imagine.”3
Custom-fit Installation
Precise measurement is another critical reason to bring in a countertop professional. To avoid as many seams as possible, countertop materials are fabricated in large sections. One small error in measurement can mean that an entire slab of countertop material must be re-fabricated. Cabinet and sink cutout measurements must be exact. Mistakes are costly.
Expert Handling
Countertop materials, especially those made of natural stone, are heavy. Granite that is ¾ inch thick weights about 13 pounds per square foot; at 1-1/4 inch thick the weight increases to about 19 pounds per square foot.4 A standard kitchen island is four foot by two foot, although the trend is for larger kitchen islands. A ¾” thick granite countertop slab for a standard kitchen island would weigh about 104 pounds; a 1-1/4” thick slab would weigh about 152 pounds.
Without proper help, tools and expert knowledge injury is a concern when installing heavy countertop materials.
Seamless Workmanship
While mismatched materials are a trend in the kitchen where metal accents blend well with wood and stone, having a mismatched pattern in your countertop material won’t look good. Professional countertop fabricators and installers are experts at making patterns and veining match from slab to slab for a cohesive look.
Many countertop companies guarantee your satisfaction with the job and offer warranties. A professional installer can also handle any post-installation issues and can provide expert advice on how to care for your new countertops, making a professionally installed countertop a wise investment for your home. #####
Talk to Oak Creek’s Countertop Installation Experts
For expert advice and custom countertop fabrication, Wisconsin Granite Design in Oak Creek is here to help. With more than 20 years of countertop and remodeling experience, we’ll help you choose the right countertops for any space.
Visit our fully stocked countertop showroom, explore your options, and speak with a designer for a free estimate. You’ll quickly see why homeowners throughout the Milwaukee area trust us for quality countertop solutions.
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1, The 10 Best DIY Countertops for Kitchens, 4/2026
Link: https://10best.how/diy-countertops-for-kitchen?utm_source=Bing&utm_medium=Search&t_source=64&utm_campaign=13399&msclkid=d88abeaaf5661f3576bbd758b27790af
2 What Are the Most Popular Types of Granite? By Christopher Miller, 1/1/2026
Link: https://marble.com/articles/what-are-the-most-popular-types-of-granite
3 What is Quartz Made of? Facts and Information by Christopher Miller, 1/1/2026
Link: https://marble.com/articles/what-is-quartz-made-of
4 Weight of Granite: How Much Do Slabs Weigh? By Kyle Murray, 1/1/2026
Link: https://marble.com/articles/weight-of-granite