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Making The (Up)Grade
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By Julie Catalano Photography courtesy of Currey Builders
Spending more time at home means ample
opportunities to look around and think,
“This place needs a new…something.” One
Texas-born company has the answer — sleek,
custom surfaces that combine beauty and
practicality to bring new life to our favorite spaces.
At Empire Countertops, a world of options awaits homeowners ready for next-level countertop surfaces — think immaculate new tabletops for outdoor dining or a snazzy desktop for working from home.
Founded in 1989, Empire Countertops has three customerfriendly showrooms in Texas. Each location offers skilled industry staff to educate the buyer on the many countertop options available. Locations include Austin, San Antonio, and a sparkly new Flower Mound location serving the DFW Metroplex slated for an August opening.
From large commercial installations to custom residential projects, Empire does it all. With a philosophy of impeccable customer service and industry knowledge, Empire partners with builders, architects, contractors and discerning homeowners across the state.
“It has been busier than ever,” says Austin showroom manager Morgan Monroe, “Customers will often provide their design and inspiration ideas. Our job is to help guide them towards the perfect product for their project. We are here to help turn that inspiration into reality, all the while keeping the budget in mind and project timeline on track.”
With constantly changing design trends and new products emerging, the amount of countertop choices can be overwhelming. Monroe is highly knowledgeable and walks us through Countertop 101 — something you can expect from any Empire team member:
GRANITE. “If you’re going for a more traditional look, granite is your tried and true. Like marble, it’s a natural stone quarried from the earth; no two slabs will be the same. We offer granites to fit any budget. Granite offers simple elegance and sets your project apart from the crowd.”
NATURAL MARBLE. “Elegant, timeless, beautiful. Everybody loves the look of marble. Like all beautiful things, marble requires a little extra loving care. Marble’s charm lies in the character that everyday wear and tear brings. In addition to the classic whites and grays, marble can be found in black, yellow, green, pink and gold for a stunning dramatic look. Marble is softer than other natural stone options and may not be the ideal choice for buyers concerned with imperfections that appear over time.”
QUARTZ. “If you’re looking for the marble look without the marble maintenance, engineered stone is the right choice. Made from one of the hardest minerals on earth, quartz is ideal for kitchens, bathrooms and other high traffic areas. The material consists of 93-97% ground quartz compressed with pigments, polymers and resins to make a nonporous surface. Stain-resistant, antimicrobial and kid-friendly, quartz products require very little maintenance. Design-friendly quartz comes in an eye-catching array of brands and colors.”
SOLID SURFACE. “Corian is the most commonly known brand of Solid Surface. People often remember this clean and seamless look as something they grew up with. It’s antimicrobial and easy to clean. Scratches can be buffed out for easy repair. Solid Surface is making a comeback in commercial settings that require a sterile environment or as alternative option for bathroom settings.”
SPECIALTY SURFACES: “Dekton® and Neolith® are name brand examples of a new generation of materials known as ultracompact surfaces. These products started the trend of ‘It’s not quartz, it’s not granite, what is it?’ These products are made using natural materials cured at extremely high temperatures. Specialty surfaces are a great option for indoor and outdoor applications, full-height backsplashes, fireplaces, countertops, outdoor kitchens and wall cladding.”
PORCELAIN. “One of the hottest trends going right now — large format porcelain slabs have made their way into the countertop world. Nonporous, easy to clean, light weight and an affordable price point make this product an amazing choice for full-height backsplashes, shower walls or fireplace surrounds. It comes in glossy, matte and textured options. The sky’s the limit for colors.”
Monroe says, “No project is too big or too small. We handle it all. Whether it’s a countertop for your powder bath or a new construction 10,000-square-foot home.” Empire fabricates and installs material to ensure a smooth process from project start to finish, and sources material from multiple vendors spanning the globe. “We offer multiple brands from multiple vendors and will procure material for you if you find something not currently in our lineup. For smaller projects, we offer a wide range of remnants to choose from. Remnants are a great way to save money without compromising on style,” she says. Pricing includes fabrication and installation of your favorite product. Empire can remove old countertops and offers a wide variety of sinks and faucets to complement any project.
To learn more, please call or fill out the contact form at www. empirefab.com. Empire showrooms are always open online. Inperson visits are currently limited to appointment only due to COVID-19 safety guidelines. Enjoy your time at home by having Empire freshen your space! u
EMPIRE COUNTERTOPS, LLC
Austin: 512-637-5240 | San Antonio: 210-651-3281 DFW Metroplex: 940-686-0000 www.empirefab.com
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