Ace Countertops
type: Organization
brand: Ace Countertops
contact point: ContactPoint
  area served: US
  contact type: sales
description: Countertops templated, fabricated, and installed by Ace's own crew — quartz, granite, marble, and quartzite. Free in-home quote, honest pricing, no mystery fees.
has certification: GREENGUARD-Certified Surfaces Available
has certification: Low-VOC Adhesives & Sealers
has certification: Remnant Reuse Program
has credential: Accredited Natural Stone Fabricator
has credential: Certified Quartz Fabricator
has credential: Licensed & Insured (Illinois)
has offer catalog: Countertop services
interaction statistic: reviews-counter
knows about: Countertop Installation
knows about: Countertop Fabrication
knows about: In-Home Templating
knows about: Quartz Countertops
knows about: Granite Countertops
knows about: Marble & Quartzite Countertops
knows about: Backsplash Installation
knows about: Sink & Faucet Installation
knows about: Ace Services
legal name: Ace Countertops
makes offer: Free In-Home Quote
makes offer: Undermount Sink Included
member of: membership-1
member of: membership-2
slogan: You give money, we give countertop.
sub organization: Ace Countertops — Elk Grove Village

Ace Countertops
type: WebSite
has part: Countertop services
has part: Service area
has part: Homeowner guides
has part: The Ace blog
has part: Careers
has part: Events & promotions
has part: Financing
has part: Current offers
has part: Privacy Policy
has part: Terms of Service
has part: Warranty
has part: Frequently asked questions
language: en-US
publisher: Ace Countertops

Ace Countertops
type: Brand
slogan: You give money, we give countertop.

Countertop services
type: CollectionPage
about: Ace Countertops
audience: Builders & Contractors
audience: Remodeling Homeowners
description: Every countertop service Ace performs.
language: en-US
is part of: Ace Countertops
main entity: Countertop Installation
main entity: Countertop Fabrication
main entity: In-Home Templating
main entity: Quartz Countertops
main entity: Granite Countertops
main entity: Marble & Quartzite Countertops
main entity: Backsplash Installation
main entity: Sink & Faucet Installation

Service area
type: CollectionPage
about: Ace Countertops
audience: Builders & Contractors
audience: Remodeling Homeowners
description: Where Ace fabricates and installs.
language: en-US
is part of: Ace Countertops
main entity: Ace Countertops — Elk Grove Village

Homeowner guides
type: CollectionPage
about: Ace Countertops
audience: Builders & Contractors
audience: Remodeling Homeowners
description: The homeowner library on countertops, materials, edges, and care.
language: en-US
is part of: Ace Countertops
main entity: Countertop Edge Profiles: Shapes, Costs, and Trade-Offs Explained
main entity: Countertop Questions Homeowners Actually Ask — Honest Answers
main entity: Cabinet Door Styles, Explained: Shaker, Slab, Raised Panel, and What They Really Cost
main entity: The 9 Mainstream Countertop Materials, Compared Honestly
main entity: Quartz vs. Granite vs. Quartzite: What Actually Matters
main entity: Budget Countertops, Honestly: Laminate, Butcher Block, and Solid Surface
main entity: Backsplash Materials Compared: Ceramic, Porcelain, Glass, Stone, and Slab
main entity: Backsplash Patterns and Grout: The Choices That Change Your Quote
main entity: Should You Paint Your Cabinets or Replace Them? An Honest Guide
main entity: What a Professional Cabinet Paint Job Actually Involves
main entity: Choosing a Kitchen Sink When You Are Replacing Countertops
main entity: Sink Reveals, Cutouts, and Faucet Holes: What to Settle Before Stone Gets Cut
main entity: What Your Home's Era Says About Your Kitchen Remodel (Midwest Edition)
main entity: Remodeling a Chicago Bungalow Kitchen: Constraints, Costs, and Smart Moves
main entity: Opening Up a Postwar Kitchen: Ranch, Split-Level, and Cape Cod Playbooks
main entity: Remodeling a Chicago Bungalow or Galley Kitchen: A Practical Guide
main entity: When to Remodel a Kitchen in Illinois: Seasonality, Scheduling, and What Winter Does to Cabinets
main entity: LRV, Undertones, and Light: How to Read a Kitchen Color Before You Commit
main entity: The 60-30-10 Kitchen: Proportion and Contrast Rules That Keep Bold Choices Livable
main entity: Paint, Reface, or Replace? How to Choose the Right Cabinet Upgrade
main entity: Framed vs. Frameless Cabinets: What Actually Changes
main entity: How to Judge Cabinet Quality: Boxes, Doors, and Drawers
main entity: Stock, Semi-Custom, or Custom: Which Cabinet Tier Fits Your Project
main entity: A Field Guide to Kitchen Design Styles: What Each Name Really Means
main entity: Is Modern Farmhouse Over? What the Numbers Say — and What Comes Next
main entity: Kitchen Layouts Compared: Real Minimum Dimensions for L, U, G, Galley, Single-Wall, Island, and Peninsula
main entity: The Work Triangle, Work Zones, and the Clearances That Make a Kitchen Work
main entity: Undertones First: How to Build a Kitchen Color Combination That Lasts
main entity: Proven Kitchen Color Combos by Design Style: Countertop, Cabinets, Backsplash, Hardware
main entity: Paint, Replace, or Retile? Honest Answers to the Kitchen Questions Homeowners Actually Ask
main entity: How Durable Is Each Countertop, Really? The 8-Factor Matrix
main entity: Five Countertop Durability Myths That Cost Homeowners Money
main entity: What Kitchen Updates Actually Cost in Chicago's Northwest Suburbs (2026)
main entity: How to Budget a Kitchen Remodel: A Framework That Survives Real Quotes
main entity: Light Your Kitchen in Layers: Task, Ambient, and Accent Done Right
main entity: Kelvin, CRI, and Why Your Countertop Looks Different at Home
main entity: Make a Small Kitchen Live Large: Color, Light, and Scale
main entity: Bungalow, Condo, Ranch: A Layout and Storage Playbook for Compact Midwest Kitchens
main entity: The Forever-Home Kitchen: Counter Heights and Clearances That Work at Any Age
main entity: Pulls, Light, and Low-Glare Finishes: The Small Choices That Decide Whether a Kitchen Ages With You
main entity: Kitchen Trends 2025-2026: What's In, What's Out, and What Actually Lasts
main entity: Trend-Proofing a Midwest Kitchen: Which 2026 Trends to Follow — and Which to Skip
main entity: Cabinet Hardware, Explained: Sizing Rules, Finish Families, and Mixing Metals
main entity: Round Two: The Questions Homeowners Ask Once the Quotes Come In
main entity: Countertop Questions Nobody Answers Until You Ask
main entity: Countertop Care by Material: The Honest Owner's Manual
main entity: What Skipping Kitchen Maintenance Actually Costs
main entity: Backsplash Grout Care: Sealing, Cleaning, and Knowing When to Regrout
main entity: Countertop Replacement, Start to Finish: The Timeline Nobody Hands You
main entity: Paint, Counters, Backsplash: The Right Order for a Kitchen Refresh
main entity: What New Cabinet Boxes Unlock That Paint Never Will: A Storage Reality Check
main entity: Corner Cabinet Storage, Compared: Lazy Susans, Pull-Outs, and Honest Prices
main entity: Pantry Storage That Works: Roll-Outs, Pull-Outs, Drawer Towers, and Walk-Ins
main entity: How Long Kitchen Projects Really Take, Phase by Phase
main entity: Cabinets, Then Countertops, Then Backsplash: Why the Order Matters
main entity: The Midwest Kitchen Remodel Calendar: When to Book, Start, and Finish
main entity: What a Kitchen Remodel Really Returns at Resale in Chicagoland
main entity: The Resale Math on Surface-Level Kitchen Updates: Countertops, Cabinet Fronts, and Paint
main entity: The Countertop Mistakes That Cost Homeowners the Most
main entity: Backsplash and Cabinet Mistakes That Show Up After the Crew Leaves
main entity: Why Kitchen Remodel Budgets Blow Up: Five Money Mistakes
main entity: A Greener Kitchen Remodel: What Actually Reduces Waste (and What Is Mostly Marketing)
main entity: Green Labels Decoded: GREENGUARD, FSC, KCMA ESP, and Low-VOC Claims
main entity: Low-VOC Cabinet Finishes: Healthier Air Without Giving Up Durability
main entity: How to Choose a Kitchen Remodeler in Chicago's Northwest Suburbs
main entity: Kitchen Remodel Permits in Chicago's Suburbs: When You Actually Need One

The Ace blog
type: CollectionPage
about: Ace Countertops
audience: Builders & Contractors
audience: Remodeling Homeowners
description: Honest takes on materials, pricing, and getting a kitchen done right.
language: en-US
is part of: Ace Countertops
main entity: Quartz vs. Granite: the honest pick for a working kitchen
main entity: What a countertop really costs (and where the mystery fees hide)

Careers
type: CollectionPage
about: Ace Countertops
audience: Builders & Contractors
audience: Remodeling Homeowners
description: Open roles on the Ace crew.
language: en-US
is part of: Ace Countertops
main entity: job

Events & promotions
type: CollectionPage
about: Ace Countertops
audience: Builders & Contractors
audience: Remodeling Homeowners
description: Seasonal countertop offers and events.
language: en-US
is part of: Ace Countertops
main entity: Summer Sink-Included Event

Financing
type: CollectionPage
about: Ace Countertops
audience: Builders & Contractors
audience: Remodeling Homeowners
description: Ways to spread a new kitchen over time.
language: en-US
is part of: Ace Countertops
main entity: 12-Month 0% APR

Current offers
type: CollectionPage
about: Ace Countertops
audience: Builders & Contractors
audience: Remodeling Homeowners
description: Countertop promotions Ace is running right now.
language: en-US
is part of: Ace Countertops
main entity: Free In-Home Quote
main entity: Undermount Sink Included

Countertop services
type: OfferCatalog
item list element: Countertop Installation
item list element: Countertop Fabrication
item list element: In-Home Templating
item list element: Quartz Countertops
item list element: Granite Countertops
item list element: Marble & Quartzite Countertops
item list element: Backsplash Installation
item list element: Sink & Faucet Installation
number of items: 8
provider: Ace Countertops

Financing options
type: OfferCatalog
item list element: 12-Month 0% APR
number of items: 1
provider: Ace Countertops

Ace Countertops — Elk Grove Village
type: HomeAndConstructionBusiness
address: PostalAddress
  address country: US
  address locality: Elk Grove Village
  address region: IL
  postal code: 60007
  street address: 2260 Elmhurst Rd
area served: Northwest Chicago Suburbs
branch of: Ace Countertops
geo: GeoCoordinates
  latitude: 42.0039
  longitude: -87.9703
has credential: Accredited Natural Stone Fabricator
has credential: Certified Quartz Fabricator
has credential: Licensed & Insured (Illinois)
has map: https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=42.0039,-87.9703
has offer catalog: Countertop services
has offer catalog: Financing options
makes offer: Free In-Home Quote
makes offer: Undermount Sink Included
opening hours specification: OpeningHoursSpecification
  closes: 17:00
  day of week: https://schema.org/Monday
  opens: 08:00
opening hours specification: OpeningHoursSpecification
  closes: 17:00
  day of week: https://schema.org/Tuesday
  opens: 08:00
opening hours specification: OpeningHoursSpecification
  closes: 17:00
  day of week: https://schema.org/Wednesday
  opens: 08:00
opening hours specification: OpeningHoursSpecification
  closes: 17:00
  day of week: https://schema.org/Thursday
  opens: 08:00
opening hours specification: OpeningHoursSpecification
  closes: 17:00
  day of week: https://schema.org/Friday
  opens: 08:00
opening hours specification: OpeningHoursSpecification
  closes: 14:00
  day of week: https://schema.org/Saturday
  opens: 09:00
parent organization: Ace Countertops
price range: $$

Northwest Chicago Suburbs
type: GeoCircle
description: Serving Elk Grove Village, IL, Schaumburg, IL, Arlington Heights, IL, Des Plaines, IL, Mount Prospect, IL, Palatine, IL, Hoffman Estates, IL, Rolling Meadows, IL, Itasca, IL, Wood Dale, IL, Bensenville, IL, Roselle, IL
geo midpoint: GeoCoordinates
  latitude: 42.0039
  longitude: -87.9703
geo radius: 24140

Countertop Installation
type: Service
area served: Northwest Chicago Suburbs
audience: Builders & Contractors
audience: Remodeling Homeowners
category: Countertop Installation
description: Our own crew sets your slab level, seamed tight, and sealed — most kitchens in a single day.
offers: Free In-Home Quote
provider: Ace Countertops
service type: Countertop installation
subject of: Countertop Questions Homeowners Actually Ask — Honest Answers
subject of: The 9 Mainstream Countertop Materials, Compared Honestly
subject of: Budget Countertops, Honestly: Laminate, Butcher Block, and Solid Surface
subject of: Should You Paint Your Cabinets or Replace Them? An Honest Guide
subject of: What a Professional Cabinet Paint Job Actually Involves
subject of: What Your Home's Era Says About Your Kitchen Remodel (Midwest Edition)
subject of: Remodeling a Chicago Bungalow Kitchen: Constraints, Costs, and Smart Moves
subject of: Opening Up a Postwar Kitchen: Ranch, Split-Level, and Cape Cod Playbooks
subject of: Remodeling a Chicago Bungalow or Galley Kitchen: A Practical Guide
subject of: When to Remodel a Kitchen in Illinois: Seasonality, Scheduling, and What Winter Does to Cabinets
subject of: LRV, Undertones, and Light: How to Read a Kitchen Color Before You Commit
subject of: The 60-30-10 Kitchen: Proportion and Contrast Rules That Keep Bold Choices Livable
subject of: Paint, Reface, or Replace? How to Choose the Right Cabinet Upgrade
subject of: Framed vs. Frameless Cabinets: What Actually Changes
subject of: How to Judge Cabinet Quality: Boxes, Doors, and Drawers
subject of: Stock, Semi-Custom, or Custom: Which Cabinet Tier Fits Your Project
subject of: A Field Guide to Kitchen Design Styles: What Each Name Really Means
subject of: Is Modern Farmhouse Over? What the Numbers Say — and What Comes Next
subject of: Kitchen Layouts Compared: Real Minimum Dimensions for L, U, G, Galley, Single-Wall, Island, and Peninsula
subject of: The Work Triangle, Work Zones, and the Clearances That Make a Kitchen Work
subject of: Undertones First: How to Build a Kitchen Color Combination That Lasts
subject of: How Durable Is Each Countertop, Really? The 8-Factor Matrix
subject of: Five Countertop Durability Myths That Cost Homeowners Money
subject of: What Kitchen Updates Actually Cost in Chicago's Northwest Suburbs (2026)
subject of: How to Budget a Kitchen Remodel: A Framework That Survives Real Quotes
subject of: Light Your Kitchen in Layers: Task, Ambient, and Accent Done Right
subject of: Kelvin, CRI, and Why Your Countertop Looks Different at Home
subject of: Make a Small Kitchen Live Large: Color, Light, and Scale
subject of: Bungalow, Condo, Ranch: A Layout and Storage Playbook for Compact Midwest Kitchens
subject of: The Forever-Home Kitchen: Counter Heights and Clearances That Work at Any Age
subject of: Pulls, Light, and Low-Glare Finishes: The Small Choices That Decide Whether a Kitchen Ages With You
subject of: Kitchen Trends 2025-2026: What's In, What's Out, and What Actually Lasts
subject of: Trend-Proofing a Midwest Kitchen: Which 2026 Trends to Follow — and Which to Skip
subject of: Cabinet Hardware, Explained: Sizing Rules, Finish Families, and Mixing Metals
subject of: Countertop Questions Nobody Answers Until You Ask
subject of: Countertop Care by Material: The Honest Owner's Manual
subject of: What Skipping Kitchen Maintenance Actually Costs
subject of: Countertop Replacement, Start to Finish: The Timeline Nobody Hands You
subject of: What New Cabinet Boxes Unlock That Paint Never Will: A Storage Reality Check
subject of: Corner Cabinet Storage, Compared: Lazy Susans, Pull-Outs, and Honest Prices
subject of: Pantry Storage That Works: Roll-Outs, Pull-Outs, Drawer Towers, and Walk-Ins
subject of: How Long Kitchen Projects Really Take, Phase by Phase
subject of: The Midwest Kitchen Remodel Calendar: When to Book, Start, and Finish
subject of: What a Kitchen Remodel Really Returns at Resale in Chicagoland
subject of: The Resale Math on Surface-Level Kitchen Updates: Countertops, Cabinet Fronts, and Paint
subject of: The Countertop Mistakes That Cost Homeowners the Most
subject of: Why Kitchen Remodel Budgets Blow Up: Five Money Mistakes
subject of: A Greener Kitchen Remodel: What Actually Reduces Waste (and What Is Mostly Marketing)
subject of: Green Labels Decoded: GREENGUARD, FSC, KCMA ESP, and Low-VOC Claims
subject of: Low-VOC Cabinet Finishes: Healthier Air Without Giving Up Durability
subject of: How to Choose a Kitchen Remodeler in Chicago's Northwest Suburbs
subject of: Kitchen Remodel Permits in Chicago's Suburbs: When You Actually Need One
subject of: Countertop Care & Maintenance Guide

Countertop Fabrication
type: Service
area served: Northwest Chicago Suburbs
audience: Builders & Contractors
audience: Remodeling Homeowners
category: Countertop Fabrication
description: We cut, profile, and polish your slab in-house so the piece that shows up is the piece we made for your kitchen.
provider: Ace Countertops
service type: Stone fabrication
subject of: What a countertop really costs (and where the mystery fees hide)
subject of: Countertop Edge Profiles: Shapes, Costs, and Trade-Offs Explained
subject of: Cabinet Door Styles, Explained: Shaker, Slab, Raised Panel, and What They Really Cost
subject of: Edge Profiles Guide

In-Home Templating
type: Service
area served: Northwest Chicago Suburbs
audience: Builders & Contractors
audience: Remodeling Homeowners
category: In-Home Templating
description: A precise laser template of your actual cabinets — no guesswork, no gaps, no "close enough."
provider: Ace Countertops
service type: Digital templating

Quartz Countertops
type: Service
area served: Northwest Chicago Suburbs
audience: Builders & Contractors
audience: Remodeling Homeowners
category: Quartz Countertops
description: Low-maintenance engineered quartz in every look from crisp white to deep-veined marble-alike.
provider: Ace Countertops
service type: Engineered quartz countertops
subject of: Quartz vs. Granite: the honest pick for a working kitchen

Granite Countertops
type: Service
area served: Northwest Chicago Suburbs
audience: Builders & Contractors
audience: Remodeling Homeowners
category: Granite Countertops
description: Natural granite with the kind of movement no two slabs share — sealed and ready for real cooking.
provider: Ace Countertops
service type: Natural granite countertops

Marble & Quartzite Countertops
type: Service
area served: Northwest Chicago Suburbs
audience: Builders & Contractors
audience: Remodeling Homeowners
category: Marble & Quartzite Countertops
description: Show-stopping natural marble and hard-wearing quartzite for the kitchens that want the real thing.
provider: Ace Countertops
service type: Natural marble and quartzite countertops
subject of: Quartz vs. Granite vs. Quartzite: What Actually Matters

Backsplash Installation
type: Service
area served: Northwest Chicago Suburbs
audience: Builders & Contractors
audience: Remodeling Homeowners
category: Backsplash Installation
description: Glass, ceramic, and stacked-stone backsplashes that finish the wall your new countertop deserves.
provider: Ace Countertops
service type: Backsplash tile installation
subject of: Backsplash Materials Compared: Ceramic, Porcelain, Glass, Stone, and Slab
subject of: Backsplash Patterns and Grout: The Choices That Change Your Quote
subject of: Proven Kitchen Color Combos by Design Style: Countertop, Cabinets, Backsplash, Hardware
subject of: Paint, Replace, or Retile? Honest Answers to the Kitchen Questions Homeowners Actually Ask
subject of: Round Two: The Questions Homeowners Ask Once the Quotes Come In
subject of: Backsplash Grout Care: Sealing, Cleaning, and Knowing When to Regrout
subject of: Paint, Counters, Backsplash: The Right Order for a Kitchen Refresh
subject of: Cabinets, Then Countertops, Then Backsplash: Why the Order Matters
subject of: Backsplash and Cabinet Mistakes That Show Up After the Crew Leaves

Sink & Faucet Installation
type: Service
area served: Northwest Chicago Suburbs
audience: Builders & Contractors
audience: Remodeling Homeowners
category: Sink & Faucet Installation
description: Undermount sinks cut and polished into the stone, faucets set and plumbed while we're already there.
offers: Undermount Sink Included
provider: Ace Countertops
service type: Sink and faucet installation
subject of: Choosing a Kitchen Sink When You Are Replacing Countertops
subject of: Sink Reveals, Cutouts, and Faucet Holes: What to Settle Before Stone Gets Cut

Free In-Home Quote
type: Offer
area served: Northwest Chicago Suburbs
availability: https://schema.org/InStock
description: A real measure and a real number, at your kitchen, at no charge. You keep your money until there's a countertop to trade it for.
item offered: Countertop Installation
offered by: Ace Countertops — Elk Grove Village
potential action: Claim this offer
price: 0
price currency: USD
seller: Ace Countertops — Elk Grove Village
valid from: 2026-01-01
valid through: 2026-12-31
warranty: Lifetime Installation Warranty

Claim this offer
type: ReserveAction
object: Free In-Home Quote
target: EntryPoint
  http method: GET
  url template: https://acecountertops.com/offers/free-in-home-quote/claim/

Undermount Sink Included
type: Offer
area served: Northwest Chicago Suburbs
availability: https://schema.org/InStock
description: Book a full kitchen in quartz or granite and the undermount sink cutout and a stainless sink are on us.
item offered: Sink & Faucet Installation
offered by: Ace Countertops — Elk Grove Village
potential action: Claim this offer
seller: Ace Countertops — Elk Grove Village
subject of: Summer Sink-Included Event
valid from: 2026-07-01
valid through: 2026-09-30

Claim this offer
type: ReserveAction
object: Undermount Sink Included
target: EntryPoint
  http method: GET
  url template: https://acecountertops.com/offers/undermount-sink-included/claim/

Frequently asked questions
type: FAQPage
about: Ace Countertops
language: en-US
is part of: Ace Countertops
main entity: Undermount or drop-in - which sink style should I choose?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Undermount gives you wipe-straight-into-the-bowl cleanup and a cleaner look, but it needs a solid-surface countertop, costs more to install ($500-$1,400 vs $300-$900), and is clamped and bonded to the slab, which makes future replacement harder. Drop-in is cheaper, works on laminate, and swaps out easily later, but the rim collects grime and its caulk line needs renewing every few years. If you are buying stone counters anyway, undermount is usually worth it; on a budget laminate refresh, drop-in is the honest answer.
main entity: How far can my island top overhang for stools before it needs brackets or legs?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Common fabricator guidance is about 10-12 inches of unsupported overhang for 3cm granite or quartz, only about 6 inches for 2cm granite, and never more than one-third of the total countertop depth cantilevered. Seating overhangs usually run 10-16 inches deep, which is exactly the range where hidden steel brackets — typically spaced every 18-24 inches — earn their keep. This is not fussiness: an unsupported stone overhang is fine until a guest leans on it or a kid climbs it, and then it snaps at the weakest point. Brackets are cheap; a cracked island top is not.
main entity: I want a new backsplash now but new countertops in a few years. Is that a mistake?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Usually, yes - do the counters first or accept that some tile work gets redone. Replacing a countertop later disturbs the bottom of the backsplash: old 4-inch splash strips come off with the counter and leave a bare band, new counters often differ in thickness or overhang, and prying out the old top can crack the lowest tile course, which rarely meets the new counter line cleanly. If you truly cannot wait, use a removable or low-cost interim option - paint, peel-and-stick, or an inexpensive field tile you will not mourn - and save the tile you love for after the counters. Sequencing is the cheapest design decision you will make.
main entity: Should I pick the countertop color or the cabinet color first?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Pick the countertop first if it is patterned stone, because slabs are far less flexible than paint: there are thousands of paint colors and only a few hundred slabs in any local inventory. Choose the slab you love, then pull cabinet and wall colors from its undertones — a warm-veined white quartz wants warmer whites and woods, a cool gray granite wants cooler paint. Doing it backwards is how undertone clashes happen: counters and cabinets that each look fine alone and subtly wrong together.
main entity: Should the backsplash match the countertop or contrast with it?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Let one surface talk. If the countertop has bold veining or heavy movement, quiet the backsplash - a plain field tile or a slab of the same stone reads calm and intentional; if the counter is quiet, the backsplash is your chance for pattern, color, or handmade texture. Matching everything exactly can flatten a kitchen, and two competing patterns is the most common regret designers see. A practical test: set your actual countertop sample against tile samples in daylight and again under warm evening light before committing - undertones that clash in person often looked fine online.
main entity: Do all my counters need the same edge profile?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: No - mixing edges is standard practice, not a compromise. A common approach is a decorative or mitered edge on the island, where hands and eyes land, with a plain eased or pencil edge on the perimeter, which saves several hundred dollars and creates deliberate visual hierarchy. Just keep one profile per continuous run of countertop so the transition never happens mid-counter.
main entity: What is a sink "reveal," and which one should I ask for?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: The reveal is how the countertop edge meets an undermount bowl. Positive leaves a sliver of sink rim showing - forgiving to fabricate, easy to clean, the common default. Zero (flush) aligns counter and bowl perfectly - the sleekest and easiest to keep clean, but precision work that costs more. Negative overhangs the bowl - streamlined, but the thin lip can chip and the hidden rim under it can harbor grime and mold. Most fabricators follow the sink manufacturer template unless you request otherwise; confirm the choice in writing before fabrication, because it cannot be changed after the cutout is made.
main entity: Do buyers around here care whether my counters are quartz, granite, or laminate?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: They care, but less than the condition of the whole room. Zillow listing analysis found homes mentioning quartzite sold about 5.3% above expectations and quartz about 3% - yet the minor-remodel spec that recoups the most in Cost vs. Value uses laminate counters. In most Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana mid-market listings, quartz or granite is the expected standard for an updated kitchen, and going a tier above your neighborhood rarely returns the difference. Clean, current, and consistent with nearby comps beats material one-upmanship.
main entity: Can I just cut on the countertop instead of a cutting board?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: You can, but somebody loses either way. On quartz and granite the counter usually wins — the surface is harder than knife steel, so you dull your knives quickly while occasionally leaving fine scratches in the resin or risking a small edge chip. On marble, soapstone, solid surface, and wood, the counter loses and the marks are yours to keep. There is also a mundane reason cooks use boards: countertops near the sink and stove carry cleaning-product residue, and seams and caulk lines harbor what boards do not. Cutting boards are cheaper than either new knives or professional re-polishing.
main entity: Can I set hot pans directly on granite or quartz?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Granite tolerates brief contact with hot cookware better than almost any counter, but repeated heat can degrade the sealer and a very hot pan on a cold slab risks thermal shock — so a trivet is still the smart habit. Quartz is a harder no: its resin binder scorches and can crack from sudden temperature change, and manufacturers explicitly exclude heat damage from their warranties. One trivet by the stove protects a four-figure counter; it is not a hard trade.
main entity: How long will new countertops actually last?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: The slab usually outlives the style: granite, quartz, and quartzite routinely serve for decades, and the Natural Stone Institute notes that both resined and unresined granite slabs "will outlast most of our lifetimes." What actually ends a countertop is usually everything around it — a failed sink seam, water-swollen cabinets below, a chipped edge, or the finish simply falling out of fashion after 15-20 years. Laminate and butcher block are the exceptions: their lifespan is set by water management at the seams and sink, often 10-20 years unless meticulously maintained.
main entity: Can butcher block work as the main countertop, or only as an island accent?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: It can be the whole kitchen if you go in with the right expectations. Wood is the most affordable path to warmth — roughly $35-$120 per square foot installed as of 2026 — but it demands a relationship: regular oiling or a film finish, immediate wiping around the sink so end grain never sits wet, and acceptance that knife marks, dings, and stains become either patina or a weekend sanding project. Many households compromise by putting wood on a low-water zone like an island or baking counter and stone or laminate around the sink, which is exactly where wood counters tend to fail.
main entity: Do I need special heat-resistant tile behind the range?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Ordinary ceramic and porcelain tile are fired in a kiln at well over 1,000 degrees - your range cannot hurt them, so no special product is needed for heat. What actually suffers behind a cooktop is everything around the tile: cement grout absorbs grease and discolors, natural stone like marble can etch and darken from splatter and aggressive cleaners, and quartz slab has resin binders that manufacturers protect with required clearances from burners. Choose the tile for looks and cleanability - glossy glazes wipe down easiest - and put the worry into grout choice and sealing instead. A stainless or glass-and-metal mosaic accent behind the range is a style decision, not a safety requirement.
main entity: Can I put a hot pan on a quartz countertop?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: No — and this is the single most common regret reported by quartz owners. The stone content is heat-tolerant but the resin binder is not: Caesarstone’s own guidance says the resin withstands only about 150C/300F, that cookware straight from the oven "will burn the countertop," and that even moderately hot pots left sitting can discolor the surface. The resulting brown or yellow scorch ring is a resin burn that professionals can sometimes — not always — polish out, and virtually every manufacturer (Caesarstone, Cambria, Silestone) excludes heat damage from warranty. Keep trivets within arm’s reach of the range; the habit matters more than the material.
main entity: My kitchen gets strong afternoon sun. Will quartz fade by the window?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Ordinary indoor daylight is generally fine — manufacturers say fading is rare inside and mostly a problem when indoor-grade quartz is installed outdoors. The risk zone is a countertop that sits in direct, unfiltered sun for hours every day, where UV can slowly yellow the resins or soften dark pigments over the years. If your slab will live in a sunroom or under a big south- or west-facing window, consider UV-filtering window film or blinds during peak sun, or look at porcelain, granite, or quartzite, which are fully colorfast. And never spec standard quartz for an outdoor kitchen — UV damage there is excluded from warranties.
main entity: Which countertop material is the most durable overall for a busy family kitchen?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: There is no single winner — each top performer has one weak spot. Porcelain and quartzite lead on heat and scratch resistance; quartz leads on stain resistance and zero upkeep but cannot take hot pans; granite is the best all-rounder with no rating below 4 once sealed. Porcelain's caveat is brittleness: a heavy pot dropped on an edge can chip it. If your household is hard on surfaces in every way at once, sealed granite or true quartzite gives you the fewest rules to remember; if your main risks are spills and stains rather than heat, quartz is easier to live with.
main entity: What is a slab backsplash, and is it worth the money?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: It is one fabricated panel - usually the same quartz as your countertop - covering the wall with zero grout lines, and it is the easiest-to-clean backsplash that exists: cooking splatter wipes off a nonporous sheet with no joints to scrub. Expect $50-$120+ per square foot installed, and order it when the countertop is templated so both come from coordinated slabs and one fabricator trip. Skip it if the budget is tight (tile delivers more look per dollar), if you like changing style every few years, or behind a pro-style range where prolonged direct heat can scorch quartz resin - full-height porcelain slab handles heat better.
main entity: Is laminate still a legitimate choice, or is it just "cheap"?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Modern laminate is the honest budget answer: $15-$40/sq ft installed (2026 guides) — a fifth the cost of stone — with convincing stone-look prints and respectable scratch performance. Its real weaknesses are water and heat: the particleboard core swells permanently if water gets into a seam or the sink perimeter (the most common laminate death in homeowner issue data), and a hot pan scorches it with no repair path. It is a strong choice for rentals, flips, tight budgets, and low-traffic kitchens; it is the wrong choice around heavy sink use, or if you want an undermount sink, which most laminate cannot support.
main entity: Will new countertops pay off when I sell?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: There is no countertop-only line in the industry benchmark, but the closest proxy is strong: the 2025 Cost vs. Value report (Zonda) put the midrange minor kitchen refresh — new counters, refaced fronts, updated appliances — at roughly full payback (about 107% of cost recouped nationally, per trade-press summaries), while major kitchen remodels recoup only 35-50%. The realtor consensus is that dated counters suppress offers more than premium ones raise them, because buyers screen listings by kitchen photos first. If you are selling within a couple of years, choose neutral mid-price quartz or granite over exotic materials — you are buying listing photos, not a decade of living.
main entity: Can I save money by tearing out the old countertops myself?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Usually less than you would hope, and the risk lands on you. Tear-out is typically a small line item on a countertop quote because crews do it fast and haul the debris away. DIY removal risks cracking the tile backsplash you planned to keep, gouging cabinet frames, and wrestling a cast-iron sink or heavy stone sections that do not go out with curbside trash. If you do it anyway, confirm the fabricator will still take responsibility for cabinet condition at template, and figure out stone disposal before demo day — a ten-foot run of granite is a genuinely awkward thing to own.
main entity: Is skipping countertop and grout maintenance really that expensive?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: The gap is bigger than most people expect. A bottle of stone sealer is $15-30 and a tube of caulk is about $10; on the other side of the ledger (as of 2026 cost guides), professionally restoring an etched and stained marble counter typically runs $1,200-3,500, regrouting a stained backsplash costs roughly $150-400, and water sneaking through a failed caulk joint can mean mold and cabinet repairs well beyond that. Almost every expensive kitchen-surface repair starts as a skipped ten-minute task.
main entity: How much should I budget for a kitchen backsplash?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: For a typical 30-40 sqft kitchen backsplash, national data puts most tile projects at $500-$1,500 installed, with $1,000 a fair planning number - and Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana metro labor generally tracks those national norms. Material moves the number most: ceramic runs roughly $12-30/sqft installed, porcelain $13-35, glass $18-43, marble tile $30-150, and a quartz slab $50-120+. Add 10-20% if you want a herringbone, chevron, or mosaic layout, and budget separately for tearing out an existing backsplash and patching drywall.
main entity: Is laminate worth considering, or is it a waste of money?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: At $15-40/sq ft installed it is the only counter that comes in under four figures for a whole kitchen, and modern large-scale prints like Formica 180fx read far better than the laminate of the 1990s. The honest trade-offs: damage is permanent (no sanding or re-polishing), hot pans scorch it, seam water swells the core, and undermount sinks are usually off the table. It is a smart choice for rentals, short-horizon flips, and tight budgets — and a poor choice if you plan to stay 15 years and cook daily.
main entity: Which layout gives the most counter space for the money?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: A galley delivers the most usable counter per square foot because both walls work and there are no corners; a U-shape delivers the most total counter but pays for two blind-corner cabinets and a corner seam or two in the countertop. Single-wall kitchens are cheapest to build but almost never reach the roughly 158 inches of counter frontage a fully equipped kitchen wants. Corners are the hidden cost driver: every blind corner adds specialty hardware and countertop fabrication charges, which is money a straight run does not spend.
main entity: Why does my countertop fabricator insist on having the sink before templating?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Because the opening is cut to your exact sink, not to a spec sheet. Fireclay in particular can vary up to 2% in size out of the kiln, and the reveal - how the counter edge meets the bowl - is set permanently by that cut. If template day arrives without the physical sink, you risk a re-template fee (commonly $75-$150) or, far worse, a cutout that does not fit. Have the sink delivered to the house before the template appointment, along with the faucet spec sheet.
main entity: Does the backsplash go in before or after the new countertop?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: After - always. The tile needs to die into the finished counter surface, and the counter-to-wall joint gets flexible caulk rather than grout so seasonal movement (a real factor in Midwest freeze-thaw humidity swings) does not crack the line. Slab backsplashes are the exception in scheduling: they are templated together with the countertop and installed by the same fabricator, often the same day. Tile typically follows countertop installation by a few days and takes one to two days including grout cure.
main entity: Undermount or drop-in sink — and does my countertop choice make that decision for me?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Partly, yes. Solid materials — quartz, granite, quartzite, porcelain, solid surface — take undermount sinks happily. Traditional laminate generally cannot, because the exposed particleboard core at the cutout would swell with water, so laminate almost always means a drop-in (rim-on-top) sink. Undermount looks cleaner and lets you sweep crumbs straight into the basin, but it adds cutout-polishing cost and the sink must be on site at template. Drop-ins are cheaper and far easier to swap later. Whichever you choose, the sink model must be final before fabrication — the cutout is custom to it.
main entity: Should I insist on seeing my actual slab and approving the layout before they cut?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: For any veined natural stone or premium quartz, yes — and a good shop will offer it before you ask. Slabs with the same name vary lot to lot, and where the fabricator places your countertop pieces on the slab decides which veins land on the island, where the pattern breaks at seams, and what gets wasted. Ask for a slab viewing and a layout approval; many shops send photos with your pieces drawn on the slab. It costs you an hour and prevents the single most common countertop dispute: "that is not what I picked out in the showroom."
main entity: Is it worth replacing just the countertops, or does it only make sense as part of a full remodel?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Countertop-only replacement is one of the most common kitchen projects precisely because it works: if your cabinet boxes are sound, level, and firmly anchored, a fabricator can template and install new tops without touching the rest of the room — typically $2,000-$10,000 all-in versus $25,000+ for a broader remodel (2026 national pricing guides). The honest caveats: stone is far heavier than the laminate it usually replaces, so water-damaged or wobbly cabinets need repair or bracing first, and a crisp new counter will make tired doors and a dated backsplash more noticeable. Many homeowners pair the counter swap with a backsplash refresh or cabinet paint for exactly that reason.
main entity: Which goes in first - the countertop or the backsplash?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Countertop first, always. The tile needs a finished, level surface to sit flush against; setting tile first risks cracked tile during counter installation and visible gaps if the counter edge is not perfectly level. Standard practice is a thin flexible caulk joint - not grout - where tile meets counter, so the two surfaces can move independently without cracking.
main entity: Do I really need to buy my sink before the countertop is ordered?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Yes — the physical sink (or at minimum its exact spec sheet) must be on site at template day, because the cutout is traced from it and an undermount rim cannot be guessed. This is the single most common last-minute ambush in homeowner project timelines: the templater arrives, there is no sink, and the whole schedule slips 3-7 days. Buy the sink and faucet when you order the counters, and confirm the mounting style — undermount, drop-in, or farmhouse each changes the cutout, the price, and in the farmhouse case the cabinet itself.
main entity: I am doing cabinets, countertops, and a backsplash - what order should they happen in?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Cabinets first, countertops second, backsplash last. Countertop fabricators will only template after the cabinets are set, level, and permanent, and tile needs to sit down on the finished counter. If cabinet painting is part of the plan instead of replacement, paint before the new backsplash goes in, so tape lines and overspray risk land on the old wall rather than new tile. Running these out of order is one of the most common scheduling mistakes in kitchen refreshes.
main entity: How do I keep a butcher block countertop from being destroyed around the sink?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Water, not knives, is what kills wood counters. Standing water at the sink rim, seams, or dishwasher edge swells the wood, turns it black, and can eventually fail the glue joints. Three habits prevent nearly all of it: wipe up standing water promptly instead of letting it sit, keep the finish maintained (oil at least monthly, more often near the sink — when water stops beading, it is overdue), and make sure the sink cutout edges were sealed at installation. Many designers simply put stone or solid surface on the sink run and reserve wood for the island, which is the lowest-stress arrangement of all.
main entity: Can an undermount sink really fall off the countertop?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: A properly installed undermount is held by mechanical clips or anchors plus silicone - not adhesive alone - and does not simply fall. The failures you read about almost always trace to caulk-only installs or a heavy cast iron bowl hung without support brackets. Ask your installer what physically carries the load, and do not store heavy items pressing on the bowl. If a sink ever starts to sag or the rim seam opens, water is reaching the seam and the cabinet below - have it re-supported promptly, not just re-caulked.
main entity: Do I really have to seal a marble or travertine backsplash?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Yes - plan on one to three applications a year, with the zone behind the range needing it most; travertine, being more porous, wants it more often than marble. Know what sealer does and does not do: it slows staining from grease and splatter, but it cannot stop etching - the dull marks acids like lemon juice, vinegar, and wine leave on contact. Clean only with pH-neutral stone cleaners (no vinegar, ammonia, or bleach) and a stone backsplash stays beautiful with far less drama than a stone countertop.
main entity: Are concrete countertops as low-maintenance as they look?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: No — concrete is one of the highest-maintenance counters despite its industrial toughness. It needs resealing at least yearly (plus waxing in between), acids etch both the sealer and the cement paste, and hairline cracks from curing and settling are considered normal, not defects. Budget-wise it is also not a shortcut: at $65-135/sq ft installed you are paying artisan labor rates. Choose it for the custom look, not to save money or effort — or get the same aesthetic in a concrete-look quartz.
main entity: Why does my marble counter have dull rings and spots even though I sealed it?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Those are etch marks, not stains — a chemical reaction where acids (lemon, wine, tomato, vinegar, even some cleaners) dissolve a microscopic layer of the marble itself. Sealer only slows liquids from soaking in; it cannot stop a surface reaction, which is why sealed marble still etches. Light etching on polished marble can be buffed out with marble polishing powder; deep or widespread etching needs professional re-honing. If you are still choosing your finish, honed marble hides etching far better than polished.
main entity: How do I keep the butcher block near my sink from turning black?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Black marks are water stains — standing water reacting with the wood. Three habits prevent them: towel-dry the area around the sink every time (never let water pool), oil the wood monthly with food-grade mineral oil including the sink cutout edges, and top with a beeswax board cream so water beads instead of soaking in. If black spots have already formed, oxalic-acid wood bleach followed by sanding and heavy re-oiling can reset the surface — a repair no stone counter offers.
main entity: My quartz has gray pencil-like marks that soap will not remove. Are my counters scratched?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Almost certainly not — those are metal marks, a thin transfer of aluminum or steel left when a pot or utensil dragged across the hard quartz surface, and they sit on top of the finish rather than in it. A white plastic eraser or a damp melamine sponge used gently in circles usually lifts them; for stubborn spots, a drop of nonabrasive cleaner helps. Avoid dry melamine sponges or heavy pressure, which can dull the finish, and never attack the marks with abrasive powder. If one truly will not budge, call your fabricator — quartz polishing compounds exist, but that is a pro job.
main entity: The quartz near my sunny window looks slightly yellowed. Is that possible, and can I stop it?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: It is possible. The resin binder in engineered quartz is UV-sensitive; ordinary window glass filters a lot of UV, so indoor discoloration is uncommon, but a countertop that takes hours of direct sun every day for years can fade or yellow — white and pale slabs show it most. Existing yellowing does not sand or polish out the way surface damage might. Prevention: blinds or curtains during peak sun, or UV-blocking window film, which lets daylight in while stopping most UV. This same resin sensitivity is why standard quartz is not warranted outdoors — for patios and outdoor kitchens, use porcelain or a specifically outdoor-rated line.
main entity: Will a mitered edge seam split or chip over time?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: A properly fabricated miter is joined with color-matched epoxy and lasts decades on a horizontal countertop, so seam failure is rare. The realistic risk is a hard knock directly on the mitered corner, which can chip the joint - and a repair at a seam is more visible than one in the field of the stone. Softer stones like marble are more vulnerable than granite, quartzite, or quartz; use pH-neutral cleaners and do not let acidic liquids sit on the seam.
main entity: How am I supposed to choose from a tiny sample chip?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Do not — chips are for narrowing, never for deciding. A 3-inch square cannot show veining movement, pattern repeats (printed quartz veins do repeat), or how a color shifts across ten feet of counter, and homeowner research consistently finds the chip-to-slab leap the single scariest decision of the project. Visit the stone yard and view your actual slab upright in daylight, take a sample home to check it against your cabinets in both morning and evening light, and for veined stone ask the fabricator for a slab-layout preview showing exactly which part of the slab lands on which counter.
main entity: The caulk at my sink is dark and the seam looks swollen — how big a deal is this?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Bigger than it looks: the sink perimeter is the universal countertop killer in homeowner issue data, and dark, soft, or lifting caulk means water is already getting through. On laminate and butcher block, moisture swells the substrate permanently; on stone, it works at the seam adhesive and the cabinet below — in replacement timelines, recaulking bought about a year once swelling had started, and untreated sink-edge leaks progressed to rotted sink-cabinet floors within 2-3 years. Strip and recaulk at the first darkening (a $15 DIY job with silicone rated for kitchens), and treat a soft or spongy substrate as a replacement conversation, not a caulk conversation.
main entity: Can chips, scratches, and etch marks be repaired, or do I need a new counter?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Repair is real and underused: stone chips fill with color-matched epoxy or UV resin (a $150-$400 service call is typical), granite and marble can be re-polished or re-honed in place, marble etch marks respond to polishing powder on gloss finishes and mostly disappear into honed ones, and butcher block sands back to new. The hard cases: quartz heat scorch (resin damage is usually permanent), laminate (no good repair — damage generally means replacement), and any crack that crosses a sink corner or a seam, which is structural and tends to spread. Rule of thumb: cosmetic damage is repairable; anything that moves, leaks, or grows is not.
main entity: Which edge profile chips the least?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Rounded profiles - full bullnose, half bullnose, demi bullnose, and to a slightly lesser degree eased and pencil - resist chips best because there is no sharp corner to act as a stress point. A dead-square edge chips most easily, especially on softer stones like marble; granite, quartzite, and engineered quartz tolerate crisper edges much better. No edge is chip-proof, so if your household is hard on counters, pick a rounded profile in a harder material rather than counting on the edge shape alone.
main entity: My counters still work fine — they are just worn and dated. Is it frivolous to replace something that is not broken?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: You are not imagining the effect: in homeowner-interview research, the most common trigger for replacement is not failure but the moment a freshly cleaned counter still reads as dirty — hazy polish, etch rings, a thicket of knife marks, grout that never comes clean. Countertops are the surface you touch and look at more than any other in the house, and replacing them is a bounded few-week project rather than a gut renovation, so the payoff-per-disruption is unusually high. The honest test: if what actually bothers you is the cabinets or the layout, new counters alone will not fix that feeling — better to admit it before you spend.
publisher: Ace Countertops

Quartz vs. Granite: the honest pick for a working kitchen
type: BlogPosting
about: Quartz Countertops
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-05-01
date published: 2026-05-01
language: en-US
is part of: The Ace blog
publisher: Ace Countertops

What a countertop really costs (and where the mystery fees hide)
type: BlogPosting
about: Countertop Fabrication
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-04-10
date published: 2026-04-10
language: en-US
is part of: The Ace blog
publisher: Ace Countertops

Countertop Edge Profiles: Shapes, Costs, and Trade-Offs Explained
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Fabrication
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Countertop Questions Homeowners Actually Ask — Honest Answers
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Cabinet Door Styles, Explained: Shaker, Slab, Raised Panel, and What They Really Cost
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Fabrication
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

The 9 Mainstream Countertop Materials, Compared Honestly
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Quartz vs. Granite vs. Quartzite: What Actually Matters
type: HowTo
about: Marble & Quartzite Countertops
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Budget Countertops, Honestly: Laminate, Butcher Block, and Solid Surface
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Backsplash Materials Compared: Ceramic, Porcelain, Glass, Stone, and Slab
type: HowTo
about: Backsplash Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Backsplash Patterns and Grout: The Choices That Change Your Quote
type: HowTo
about: Backsplash Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Should You Paint Your Cabinets or Replace Them? An Honest Guide
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

What a Professional Cabinet Paint Job Actually Involves
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Choosing a Kitchen Sink When You Are Replacing Countertops
type: HowTo
about: Sink & Faucet Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Sink Reveals, Cutouts, and Faucet Holes: What to Settle Before Stone Gets Cut
type: HowTo
about: Sink & Faucet Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

What Your Home's Era Says About Your Kitchen Remodel (Midwest Edition)
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Remodeling a Chicago Bungalow Kitchen: Constraints, Costs, and Smart Moves
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Opening Up a Postwar Kitchen: Ranch, Split-Level, and Cape Cod Playbooks
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Remodeling a Chicago Bungalow or Galley Kitchen: A Practical Guide
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

When to Remodel a Kitchen in Illinois: Seasonality, Scheduling, and What Winter Does to Cabinets
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

LRV, Undertones, and Light: How to Read a Kitchen Color Before You Commit
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

The 60-30-10 Kitchen: Proportion and Contrast Rules That Keep Bold Choices Livable
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Paint, Reface, or Replace? How to Choose the Right Cabinet Upgrade
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Framed vs. Frameless Cabinets: What Actually Changes
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

How to Judge Cabinet Quality: Boxes, Doors, and Drawers
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Stock, Semi-Custom, or Custom: Which Cabinet Tier Fits Your Project
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

A Field Guide to Kitchen Design Styles: What Each Name Really Means
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Is Modern Farmhouse Over? What the Numbers Say — and What Comes Next
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Kitchen Layouts Compared: Real Minimum Dimensions for L, U, G, Galley, Single-Wall, Island, and Peninsula
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

The Work Triangle, Work Zones, and the Clearances That Make a Kitchen Work
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Undertones First: How to Build a Kitchen Color Combination That Lasts
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Proven Kitchen Color Combos by Design Style: Countertop, Cabinets, Backsplash, Hardware
type: HowTo
about: Backsplash Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Paint, Replace, or Retile? Honest Answers to the Kitchen Questions Homeowners Actually Ask
type: HowTo
about: Backsplash Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

How Durable Is Each Countertop, Really? The 8-Factor Matrix
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Five Countertop Durability Myths That Cost Homeowners Money
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

What Kitchen Updates Actually Cost in Chicago's Northwest Suburbs (2026)
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

How to Budget a Kitchen Remodel: A Framework That Survives Real Quotes
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Light Your Kitchen in Layers: Task, Ambient, and Accent Done Right
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Kelvin, CRI, and Why Your Countertop Looks Different at Home
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Make a Small Kitchen Live Large: Color, Light, and Scale
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Bungalow, Condo, Ranch: A Layout and Storage Playbook for Compact Midwest Kitchens
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

The Forever-Home Kitchen: Counter Heights and Clearances That Work at Any Age
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Pulls, Light, and Low-Glare Finishes: The Small Choices That Decide Whether a Kitchen Ages With You
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Kitchen Trends 2025-2026: What's In, What's Out, and What Actually Lasts
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Trend-Proofing a Midwest Kitchen: Which 2026 Trends to Follow — and Which to Skip
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Cabinet Hardware, Explained: Sizing Rules, Finish Families, and Mixing Metals
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Round Two: The Questions Homeowners Ask Once the Quotes Come In
type: HowTo
about: Backsplash Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Countertop Questions Nobody Answers Until You Ask
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Countertop Care by Material: The Honest Owner's Manual
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

What Skipping Kitchen Maintenance Actually Costs
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Backsplash Grout Care: Sealing, Cleaning, and Knowing When to Regrout
type: HowTo
about: Backsplash Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Countertop Replacement, Start to Finish: The Timeline Nobody Hands You
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Paint, Counters, Backsplash: The Right Order for a Kitchen Refresh
type: HowTo
about: Backsplash Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

What New Cabinet Boxes Unlock That Paint Never Will: A Storage Reality Check
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Corner Cabinet Storage, Compared: Lazy Susans, Pull-Outs, and Honest Prices
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Pantry Storage That Works: Roll-Outs, Pull-Outs, Drawer Towers, and Walk-Ins
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

How Long Kitchen Projects Really Take, Phase by Phase
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Cabinets, Then Countertops, Then Backsplash: Why the Order Matters
type: HowTo
about: Backsplash Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

The Midwest Kitchen Remodel Calendar: When to Book, Start, and Finish
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

What a Kitchen Remodel Really Returns at Resale in Chicagoland
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

The Resale Math on Surface-Level Kitchen Updates: Countertops, Cabinet Fronts, and Paint
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

The Countertop Mistakes That Cost Homeowners the Most
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Backsplash and Cabinet Mistakes That Show Up After the Crew Leaves
type: HowTo
about: Backsplash Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Why Kitchen Remodel Budgets Blow Up: Five Money Mistakes
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

A Greener Kitchen Remodel: What Actually Reduces Waste (and What Is Mostly Marketing)
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Green Labels Decoded: GREENGUARD, FSC, KCMA ESP, and Low-VOC Claims
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Low-VOC Cabinet Finishes: Healthier Air Without Giving Up Durability
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

How to Choose a Kitchen Remodeler in Chicago's Northwest Suburbs
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Kitchen Remodel Permits in Chicago's Suburbs: When You Actually Need One
type: HowTo
about: Countertop Installation
audience: Builders & Contractors
author: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-07-21
date published: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Homeowner guides
publisher: Ace Countertops

Summer Sink-Included Event
type: SaleEvent
description: Book a full kitchen this summer and the undermount sink is included.
end date: 2026-09-30
event attendance mode: https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode
event status: https://schema.org/EventScheduled
location: Ace Countertops — Elk Grove Village
offers: Undermount Sink Included
organizer: Ace Countertops
start date: 2026-07-01

12-Month 0% APR
type: LoanOrCredit
annual percentage rate: 0
description: Spread a full kitchen over a year with no interest for qualified buyers.
loan term: QuantitativeValue
  unit code: MON
  value: 12
provider: Ace Countertops

Accredited Natural Stone Fabricator
type: EducationalOccupationalCredential
credential category: Accreditation
description: Trained and accredited in natural-stone fabrication and installation.
recognized by: Natural Stone Institute

Certified Quartz Fabricator
type: EducationalOccupationalCredential
credential category: Certification
description: Factory-certified fabricator for premium engineered-quartz surfaces.
recognized by: Engineered Stone Program

Licensed & Insured (Illinois)
type: EducationalOccupationalCredential
credential category: Certification
description: Fully licensed and insured home-improvement contractor.
recognized by: State of Illinois

Countertop Care & Maintenance Guide
type: DigitalDocument
about: Countertop Installation
description: How to keep quartz, granite, and marble looking new.
encoding format: text/html
publisher: Ace Countertops

Edge Profiles Guide
type: DigitalDocument
about: Countertop Fabrication
description: Every edge we offer, illustrated.
encoding format: text/html
publisher: Ace Countertops

job
type: JobPosting
date posted: 2026-06-15
description: Join the install crew setting countertops across the northwest suburbs. Reliable, careful, and clean.
employment type: FULL_TIME
hiring organization: Ace Countertops
job location: Place
  address: PostalAddress
    address locality: Elk Grove Village
    address region: IL
title: Install Crew Helper
valid through: 2026-12-31

job
type: JobPosting
date posted: 2026-06-15
description: Cut, profile, and polish quartz and natural stone in our Elk Grove Village shop. Experience preferred, craftsmanship required.
employment type: FULL_TIME
hiring organization: Ace Countertops
job location: Place
  address: PostalAddress
    address locality: Elk Grove Village
    address region: IL
title: Stone Fabricator
valid through: 2026-12-31

membership-1
type: ProgramMembership
hosting organization: Elk Grove Village Chamber of Commerce
member: Ace Countertops
program name: Elk Grove Village Chamber of Commerce

membership-2
type: ProgramMembership
hosting organization: Natural Stone Institute
member: Ace Countertops
program name: Natural Stone Institute

Privacy Policy
type: WebPage
about: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Ace Countertops

Terms of Service
type: WebPage
about: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Ace Countertops

Warranty
type: WebPage
about: Ace Countertops
date modified: 2026-01-01
language: en-US
is part of: Ace Countertops
main entity: Lifetime Installation Warranty
main entity: Manufacturer Surface Warranty

Lifetime Installation Warranty
type: WarrantyPromise
description: Our workmanship — seams, level, and fit — is warranted for the life of the countertop.
duration of warranty: QuantitativeValue
  description: lifetime
warranty scope: labor

Manufacturer Surface Warranty
type: WarrantyPromise
description: Engineered-quartz surfaces carry manufacturer warranties up to a lifetime residential term; we register yours.
duration of warranty: QuantitativeValue
  description: up to lifetime
warranty scope: materials

Builders & Contractors
type: BusinessAudience
description: GCs and remodelers who need reliable countertop fabrication and on-time installs for their projects.
geographic area: Chicago Metro, IL

Remodeling Homeowners
type: PeopleAudience
description: Northwest-suburb homeowners updating a kitchen or bath who want an honest number and a clean install.
geographic area: Northwest Chicago Suburbs, IL

Ace Services
type: DefinedTermSet
has defined term: Countertop Installation
has defined term: Countertop Fabrication
has defined term: In-Home Templating
has defined term: Quartz Countertops
has defined term: Granite Countertops
has defined term: Marble & Quartzite Countertops
has defined term: Backsplash Installation
has defined term: Sink & Faucet Installation
publisher: Ace Countertops

Countertop Installation
type: DefinedTerm
in defined term set: Ace Services
term code: countertop-installation

Countertop Fabrication
type: DefinedTerm
in defined term set: Ace Services
term code: countertop-fabrication

In-Home Templating
type: DefinedTerm
in defined term set: Ace Services
term code: in-home-templating

Quartz Countertops
type: DefinedTerm
in defined term set: Ace Services
term code: quartz-countertops

Granite Countertops
type: DefinedTerm
in defined term set: Ace Services
term code: granite-countertops

Marble & Quartzite Countertops
type: DefinedTerm
in defined term set: Ace Services
term code: marble-quartzite-countertops

Backsplash Installation
type: DefinedTerm
in defined term set: Ace Services
term code: backsplash-installation

Sink & Faucet Installation
type: DefinedTerm
in defined term set: Ace Services
term code: sink-faucet-installation

reviews-counter
type: InteractionCounter
interaction type: ReviewAction
user interaction count: 0

GREENGUARD-Certified Surfaces Available
type: Certification
about: Ace Countertops
description: Many of our engineered-quartz surfaces are GREENGUARD Gold certified for low emissions.
issued by: UL GREENGUARD

Low-VOC Adhesives & Sealers
type: Certification
about: Ace Countertops
description: We use low-VOC adhesives and sealers so your kitchen is safe to use the day we finish.

Remnant Reuse Program
type: Certification
about: Ace Countertops
description: Usable offcuts become vanities, shelves, and cutting boards instead of landfill.