Planning a Creative Stone Project
Find answers about Creative Stone showrooms, remodeling services, countertop materials, fabrication, installation and surface care.
Walk-ins are welcome during regular showroom hours, but an appointment is recommended when you need dedicated design assistance or access to a specific material or fabrication area. Contact Creative Stone to confirm current hours and availability.
Creative Stone has locations at 6253 Raeford Road in Fayetteville and 4598 Long Beach Road SE in Southport, North Carolina. Contact the team to confirm where a particular slab, cabinet, flooring product or other material can be viewed.
Creative Stone provides or coordinates kitchens, bathrooms, countertops, cabinets, flooring, backsplashes, sinks, hardwood refinishing, home additions and whole-home renovations. View the complete Creative Stone services directory.
Begin by contacting Creative Stone to discuss your location, project goals, preferred materials, measurements and estimate requirements. The team will explain the next steps for material selection, design, templating and installation.
Project timing varies based on material availability, final measurements, slab approval, fabrication requirements, installation conditions and the current schedule. Creative Stone will provide project-specific timing after the details and template are confirmed.
Countertop Material and Care Questions
Natural stone is valued for its durability, distinctive mineral patterns and one-of-a-kind appearance. Granite, marble and quartzite can provide long-lasting surfaces when the material is properly selected, fabricated, installed and maintained.
Quartz countertops are engineered surfaces made with quartz minerals, resins and pigments. Quartzite is a natural stone formed from sandstone under intense heat and pressure. Quartz does not require sealing, while most quartzite benefits from periodic sealing.
Common countertop slab thicknesses include 2 centimeters and 3 centimeters. Available thickness depends on the material, manufacturer, slab inventory and project requirements. Creative Stone will confirm the appropriate thickness for your selected surface and application.
For routine cleaning, use warm water, a soft cloth and a cleaner recommended for the specific surface. Avoid abrasive pads and harsh or acidic chemicals unless the manufacturer approves them. Natural stone may require periodic sealing, while engineered quartz generally does not.
Use a trivet or hot pad on every countertop material. Natural granite and quartzite are heat resistant, but intense or sudden temperature changes may affect the stone, seams or sealer. Heat can discolor or damage the resins used in engineered quartz.
Granite is durable, but it can crack or chip from heavy impact, inadequate support, cabinet movement or stress around cutouts. Properly sealed granite resists many stains, but it is not completely stain-proof. Prompt cleanup and appropriate sealing help protect the surface.
Small pits, mineral variations and natural fissures may be present in granite and other natural stones. These features are part of the material’s formation and are different from damage that occurs after fabrication or installation. The team can help you inspect and approve a slab before fabrication.
Slab Selection, Templating and Installation
It depends on whether the material is stocked, available as a remnant or requires a special order. Pricing may be based on the project’s square footage or the entire slab. Creative Stone will explain the applicable material and pricing requirements before an order is approved.
A countertop template is an accurate layout of the installed cabinets and surrounding features. It records measurements, sink and appliance locations, seams, overhangs, edge profiles and cutouts so the countertops can be fabricated to fit the space.
When multiple countertop pieces meet, the joint is filled with a color-coordinated adhesive. Seam placement and visibility depend on the slab pattern, layout, access and fabrication requirements. Support for an overhang depends on its depth, material, thickness and cabinet construction, so the requirements must be reviewed for each project.
