A Fourfold Company
Since 2013, we've offered fabricator-direct finishes, streamlined just for property pros in Saint Louis, MO and beyond.
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Okay, let's talk about the question that's probably keeping you up at night: What are countertops made of? And if I get new ones, what should mine be made of?
You've got granite fans over here acting like it's the only "real" option. Quartz people swearing it's the future. Someone on Pinterest just told you about ultra-compact surfaces (what even IS that?). And your mother-in-law keeps saying "But what about marble?" while conveniently forgetting that marble stains if you look at it wrong.
Deep breath. We're going to break this down so you can make a decision you'll actually be happy with in five years.
What it is: Actual rock. Like, dug-out-of-the-earth, formed-over-millions-of-years, nature-made-this rock. We cut it, polish it, seal it, and boom—countertop.
The deal: Every slab is unique. You get nature's artwork, complete with veining, sparkly bits, and color variations. This means you need to actually go look at the exact slab you're buying. Yes, it's extra effort. Yes, it's worth it.
Fun fact: Some granite slabs weigh over 1,000 pounds. Our fabricators are basically superheroes with really good chiropractors.
What it is: About 90-95% ground-up quartz crystals mixed with resins and pigments. It's engineered, manufactured, and controlled within an inch of its life.
The deal: Consistency is the name of the game. See a sample? That's exactly what you're getting. No surprises, no drama. Modern quartz can look like anything—solid colors, marble lookalikes, even granite patterns.
Fun fact: Quartz is actually harder than granite on the Mohs scale. Science!
(What's the Mohs Scale you ask? That's a lesson for a different day.)
What it is: Think Dekton, Neolith, or similar brands. These are made by subjecting raw materials to extreme heat and pressure, basically recreating what happens deep in the earth but in a factory.
The deal: Nearly indestructible. Heat resistant, UV resistant, scratch resistant, stain resistant—basically resistant to everything except your budget. These are the luxury sports cars of countertops.
Fun fact: You can literally use these outdoors. They don't fade in sunlight. Show-offs.
What it is: Natural stone, softer than granite, gorgeous, and the inspiration for about 73% of all kitchen Pinterest boards.
The deal: It's STUNNING. It's also going to stain, etch from acids (yes, even lemon juice), and require you to baby it. If you're okay with a patina that develops over time, marble ages beautifully. If you need perfection, this is not your material.
Fun fact: Michelangelo carved David out of marble. Your wine stain is part of a grand artistic tradition. (That's what we tell ourselves.)
It's Heavy. REALLY Heavy.
A kitchen's worth of stone can weigh 500-1,500 pounds. Our team moves this stuff with specialized equipment. Please have your floors and cabinets ready to support actual geological weight.
Seams Happen.
Unless your kitchen is tiny, you're getting seams. We make them as invisible as possible, but they exist. On granite, seams are more visible because each slab is unique. On quartz, they blend better because of consistency. We'll show you where seams will be before we fabricate.
Tolerances Are Real.
Stone is cut to within 1/16" tolerance. Your cabinets, walls, and floors? Probably not that precise. We work with what we've got, but please know that backsplashes and trim exist for a reason.
Installation Day Is Controlled Chaos.
We're bringing hundreds of pounds of stone into your kitchen. There will be dust (we minimize it). Things will be loud. You'll want to be somewhere else. But when we're done? Magic.
Damage Can Happen (But We Work Hard to Prevent It).
Stone can chip, especially on edges and around sink cutouts. This is why edge profiles matter (see our other blog post!). Granite can crack under extreme impact. Quartz can scorch. Ultra-compact is nearly bulletproof but can chip if you really try. We fabricate and install with extreme care, but stone is still stone.
✅ You want the real deal—nature's artwork in your kitchen
✅ You cook a lot with hot pans and don't want to think about trivets
✅ Sealing twice a year doesn't sound like a big deal
✅ You want a one-of-a-kind piece
✅ You like the idea of having actual ancient rock in your house
✅ You want zero-drama countertops
✅ Consistency matters more than uniqueness
✅ You have a busy household and can't keep up with maintenance
✅ You like the idea of a manufacturer's warranty
✅ You'd rather use trivets than deal with sealing
✅ You want the absolute best performance
✅ Budget is less of a concern than durability
✅ You're installing outdoors or in high-use areas
✅ You want bragging rights at dinner parties
✅ You like saying "virtually indestructible" out loud
✅ You're willing to embrace imperfection
✅ Aesthetics trump practicality
✅ You understand that patina = character
✅ You don't have kids who spill grape juice
✅ You've accepted that some stains are just part of the story
Here's the thing: there is no wrong choice. There's only the wrong choice for you.
⭐️ Are you a neat freak who never puts hot pans down? Quartz is fine.
⭐️ Do you cook like a tornado and need a surface that can take it? Granite or ultra-compact.
⭐️ Do you want your kitchen to look like a European villa and accept the consequences? Marble, baby.
The best way to decide? Come see this stuff in person. Touch it. Look at it under different lights. Imagine living with it during your messiest cooking moments. Ask us the questions you found on Reddit at 2am.
We've got all these materials at Rock Creek Granite, and we've worked with enough homeowners to know that the "perfect" material is different for everyone.
👉 Schedule a visit and let's figure out what works for your kitchen, your lifestyle, and your reality. We'll show you samples, talk about fabrication, explain where seams will go, and answer every question you've got.
📧 Email us at audrey@rockcreekgranite.com or visit www.rockcreekgranite.com to book your appointment.
Bring your Pinterest board, your honest concerns, and your list of "but what about..." questions. We've heard them all, and we're here to help.
Rock Creek Granite: Where we help you choose the right stone, not just the prettiest one.