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When you’re planning a new kitchen, the sink choice may not feel like the biggest decision on the list. Cabinets, countertops , and layouts usually take center stage. But the type of sink you choose, undermount or top mount, can have a big impact on both the installation process and the long-term durability of your countertops. After 27 years in the shop and out in the field, I can tell you there’s a clear winner. Why Top Mount Sinks Cause Trouble Believe it or not, we really dislike top mount sinks. They create more problems than most homeowners realize. The issue starts with the way the stone has to be cut. To drop a top mount sink into place, more stone must be removed, leaving thinner sections in front and behind the sink opening. For example, with a typical undermount sink, you’ll have: 3 ½ to 4 inches of stone in the front 3 ½ to 6 inches in the back That gives the countertop strength and stability. On top of that, we reinforce the sink cutout using a process called “rodding.” We flip the slab, cut small channels, and epoxy in fiberglass rods. This adds structure and helps keep fragile stone from breaking. With a top mount sink, you’re often left with only: 2 to 2 ½ inches of stone at the front 2 to 2 ½ inches in the back. That lack of material makes the whole section weaker and prone to cracking. In fact, I’d say at least one out of every two top mount kitchen sinks we’ve seen develops some kind of fracture over time. Cracks, Repairs, and Headaches Once a crack shows up, even a good repair will usually leave a visible mark. The countertop may still function, but nobody wants to see that line every time they walk into the kitchen. When homeowners invest in stone, they’re looking for beauty and durability, not hidden stress points. That’s why we do everything we can to steer people away from top mounts. Cost and Value Some people think a top mount sink will save money. From our perspective, there’s no difference. We don’t charge more for one type of cut versus the other because we pre-cut sink holes in the shop. Whether it’s an undermount or top mount, the labor is essentially the same. The only cost difference comes from the sink itself. Undermount sinks are often a little more expensive than top mounts, but the investment pays off with a cleaner installation, fewer issues, and a longer service life. Everyday Living: Cleanliness and Convenience Durability is the big factor, but the daily experience matters too. Undermount sinks make life easier. You can wipe crumbs or spills straight into the sink without catching debris on a rim. There’s no edge for water and grime to collect around, which keeps things more sanitary. Kitchens are meant to be used every day, and an undermount simply holds up better to that reality. Our Recommendation From the fabrication shop to the job site, we’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. Top mount sinks weaken stone and often lead to cracks. Undermount sinks stay stronger, look cleaner, and help your countertops last. There’s no savings in going with a top mount, but there’s a real risk of problems down the road. If you’re in the planning stage of your remodel or new build, give careful thought to your sink choice. An undermount will serve you better in the long run.  Bring a sketch and come see us at our Prescott showroom . Let’s find what makes you feel good and build it into a kitchen that works for your life. Designing Surfaces For Your Life

Start with the Heart of the Kitchen In most homes, the kitchen island isn’t just a surface—it’s a centerpiece. It’s where conversations start, where the kids do homework, where friends gather while the meal is cooking. For a lot of people we work with, the island becomes the heartbeat of their kitchen. So it makes sense to give it some visual weight and design presence, something that makes people pause and say, wow. One way to do that is by giving the island countertop a little extra thickness. What Does “Extra Thickness” Actually Mean? Standard countertop material, especially premium natural stone like granite or quartz, typically comes in a 3cm (roughly 1¼") thickness. It’s strong, elegant, and doesn't require a sub-top like thinner materials do. But when a homeowner wants to make their island a real showpiece, we can create the illusion of a thicker slab, say, 6cm—by laminating the edge. That means we bond an extra piece of stone along the front edge to give it that substantial, double-thick look. From across the room, it reads bold, modern, and custom. It’s a simple upgrade that can make a big statement. Why Just the Island? Here’s the truth: the island is often where our clients fall in love—with a unique stone, a dramatic pattern, or a color that just sings to them. But covering every counter in the kitchen with that same material can get expensive, fast. That’s where design—and budget—strategy comes into play. A common approach we suggest is this: Choose your dream material for the island, and pair it with a more cost-effective, complementary surface on the perimeter countertops. It creates contrast, adds dimension, and lets you stretch your budget without compromising the vision. Here’s why it works: The island is usually the natural focal point in the kitchen layout. Guests often gather around it—it’s a social and visual hub. Thicker edges on the island add presence without overwhelming the whole kitchen. Pairing with simpler surfaces on the perimeter keeps the overall look balanced. We do this kind of split-design approach a lot, and it never feels like a compromise. If anything, it turns into a smarter, more curated outcome. Statement, Not Show-Off When someone walks into a kitchen and sees that extra-thick island top, it sends a message, but it’s not about showing off. It’s about confidence in your style. It’s about choosing a focal point that reflects you. And it’s about making intentional decisions that elevate the space without blowing the budget. There’s also a craftsmanship angle to all of this. Laminated edges require precision and care. Done right, they’re seamless. That’s something our team takes pride in, delivering polish and quality you can feel in every edge. Things to Consider Before Going Bold Extra thickness isn’t for every project. It involves more material, more fabrication time, and more cost. So before going that route, we usually help clients think through: Where’s the visual focus? If it’s the island, that’s a strong case. Does the kitchen layout support contrast? Separate colors and thicknesses work best with a thoughtful design flow. Is it in the budget? If not, there are other ways to create impact—unique edge profiles, waterfall sides, or just an incredible stone choice. You don’t need a thick edge everywhere. One bold move, on the island, can hit just the right note. Your Kitchen, Your Statement At the end of the day, the best kitchens reflect the people who live in them. If there’s a material that speaks to you, but the price tag on doing your whole kitchen in it feels out of reach, don't walk away from it—let’s find a way to feature it. Start with the island. Build your design around it. That’s how a statement becomes a story. Bring a sketch and come see us. Let’s find what makes you feel good. Designing Surfaces For Your Life 

Engineered, But Not Artificial When people hear the word ‘engineered’ in the context of quartz countertops, they sometimes assume it means fake, or somehow less than natural stone. But here’s the truth: engineered quartz is built from one of the hardest, most durable minerals on Earth, natural quartz. It’s not a knockoff. It’s a purpose-built product designed to deliver strength, style, and consistency. We’ve worked with quartz for years now, and we’ve seen just how far the technology has come. If you’re curious about what exactly goes into these countertops, here’s a closer look—straight from the shop floor to your kitchen. So, What Is Quartz Made Of? Engineered quartz slabs are made from about 90–95% crushed natural quartz, blended with resins and pigments to create a solid, uniform surface. The result? A highly durable material that’s non-porous, low-maintenance, and available in just about any color or pattern you can imagine. Here’s a quick breakdown of the core ingredients: Natural Quartz: This is the base of the product. Pure quartz is typically white or translucent and incredibly hard—perfect for surfaces that see a lot of use. Pigments/Dyes: To get all those beautiful colors and patterns, manufacturers use colorants to tint the quartz. These can range from subtle creams and grays to deep blues, greens, and bold, marbled mixes. Resin Binders : These act like the glue that holds everything together. They also help create that smooth, sealed finish that makes quartz resistant to stains, moisture, and bacteria. The real magic happens in how these components come together. Inside the Manufacturing Process Every quartz manufacturer has their own twist on how they make their slabs, but the general steps are pretty similar across the board. Here’s a simplified look at the engineered process: Crushing & Mixing : Raw quartz is ground down into different sizes—some fine like sand, others more coarse for texture. It’s then blended with pigment and resin in large mixers. Molding & Compression : The mix is poured into molds and pressed using vibration and vacuum systems to eliminate air bubbles and make sure it’s completely compacted. Curing : The slab is baked at high temperatures to harden and set the resin. This turns the mixture into a dense, solid surface. Cutting & Polishing : Once cured, the slabs are trimmed to size and polished to create different finishes—from glossy to matte to leathered textures. Quality Control : Each slab is inspected for color consistency, structural integrity, and surface finish before heading out to fabricators like us. The slabs typically come in what we call jumbo sizes, around 65 inches by 130 inches. That gives us plenty of flexibility to design for kitchens, bathrooms, and other spaces without awkward seams or waste. Why Choose Quartz? Every material has its strengths. Quartz has become popular for a reason—it gives people the look they want with the performance they need. We see it chosen most often by homeowners who want: A consistent look across large surfaces Low maintenance (no sealing needed) Stain and scratch resistance Modern colors and marbling that mimic natural stone Durability that holds up over time And because quartz is engineered, you’ll find more pattern control and repeatability, something that’s tough to guarantee with natural stone. Designed with Intention Quartz isn’t a shortcut. It’s a smart material for people who want the look of stone without the unpredictability. It’s engineered, yes, but it’s engineered with intention, using one of nature’s strongest elements as its foundation. If you’ve been curious about quartz and whether it’s right for your project, come walk through our showroom. We’ll walk you through the options, show you some slabs in person, and help you decide what feels right. Bring a sketch and come see us. Let’s find what makes you feel good.  Designing Surfaces For Your Life

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When people think about quartz countertops , the first thing they often hear is “it’s good for resale.” And that’s true, it’s a solid investment. But what doesn’t get talked about enough is how quartz actually feels to live with every day. Not just how it looks in a listing photo, but what it’s like to walk into your kitchen every morning and run your hand across the surface that’s part of your routine, your family, your life. At Greenlee, we help people choose surfaces they’ll love not just today, but for years to come. So let’s go beyond resale and talk about what quartz really offers in daily living. Worry-Free Surfaces for Busy Lives We all want a home that looks great—but it has to work great too. That’s where quartz really shines. It’s what we call a “worry-free surface.” Once it’s in your home, it’s not something you need to babysit. You just enjoy it. Quartz is engineered to be strong, smooth, and consistent. It doesn’t ask for much in return, just a quick wipe with water and a little dish soap, and you’re good to go. No sealing. No special products. No stress. That kind of peace of mind makes a real difference when you’re moving through your day. The Everyday Benefits That Make Life Easier Whether you’re making coffee in the morning or prepping dinner at night, your countertops are always in use. Quartz is designed to keep up. Here’s what customers love most about it: Low Maintenance – No resealing, no polishing—just clean and go. Scratch Resistant – Holds up to knives, keys, and day-to-day wear. Stain Resistant – Less worry with spills, especially in busy kitchens. Consistent Look – What you see is what you get—no hidden flaws or surprises. Non-Porous – More hygienic and resistant to bacteria buildup. You’re not constantly worrying about rings from a cup or whether the kids left something sticky on the counter. Quartz lets you focus on the people and the moments in your home, not the upkeep. Beauty That Doesn’t Beg for Attention Quartz surfaces have come a long way in terms of design. Whether you’re into clean whites, soft veining, or bold marbling, there’s something in the quartz family that’ll speak to your style. And because it’s engineered, you get consistent color and pattern throughout the slab. That means what you fall in love with in our showroom is what you’ll see in your home. But what makes quartz special isn’t just how it looks—it’s how it blends into your life. It can be the quiet, elegant backdrop to your family gatherings or the clean canvas that makes your cabinetry pop. It doesn’t steal the spotlight unless you want it to. It’s Not Just About Looks—It’s About Living People don’t always think about the little ways their countertops shape their day. But I see it all the time—someone walks into the shop overwhelmed with choices, and then they find the surface that feels like them. You can see it in their face. They’re picturing it already. Quartz gives you that confidence. That quiet comfort. It’s not just for resale, it’s for real life. Come See What Feels Right If you’re looking for something that’s both beautiful and practical, quartz is the right place to start. It’s easy to live with. Easy to care for. And most importantly, it’s something you can feel good about every time you walk into your kitchen or bath. Bring your ideas and come see us . Let’s talk about what fits your space, your routine, and your style. Designing Surfaces For Your Life

Picture this: you walk into your kitchen, set your phone on the counter, and—without a cord, without a plug—it starts charging. No clutter, no cables hanging down, no need to fish around for the charger someone borrowed and didn’t put back. That’s FreePower. At Greenlee, we’ve been getting more and more questions about this technology, especially as people design kitchens, bathrooms, and workspaces that are not just beautiful—but functional, smart, and clean. So here’s a simple breakdown of how it works, how we install it, and why homeowners love it. It’s the Same Tech—Just Smarter You’ve probably used a wireless charger before. A little puck or pad you keep on your nightstand or desk—set your phone down and it starts charging. FreePower uses the same principle: inductive charging . But instead of sitting on top of the counter, it lives underneath. What makes FreePower different is how it’s designed to work through dense materials like granite, quartz, and marble. It’s not just a stronger signal—it’s a smarter system that uses a field of tiny charging coils working together to find your phone wherever you place it. The result? A wireless charging experience that feels seamless, looks invisible, and fits beautifully into your daily routine. How We Install It Under Your Countertop We integrate FreePower during our fabrication process—right here in our shop. Once you’ve selected your stone and we’re preparing it for installation, we use our CNC machine to cut a precise pocket on the underside of your slab. That’s where the charging hardware fits, perfectly recessed and flush with the surface. Here’s how it works step by step: Precision Pocketing – We create a cavity in the bottom of your countertop for the charger. Trim Ring Installation – A custom trim ring is added to secure the charger cleanly. Charger Mounting – The FreePower unit is installed snugly, without affecting the top of the stone. Plug & Play – Once it’s in place and connected to power, it’s always on and ready. There’s no visible hardware. No special dock. Just a subtle marker on the surface (optional) and the magic of drop-and-charge. Why Homeowners Are Choosing FreePower For most people, it’s not just about having a cool feature—it’s about making life a little easier. Whether you’re charging your phone in the kitchen while cooking, in the bathroom during your morning routine, or at a side table while you relax, FreePower becomes part of the flow of your day. Here’s what customers say they love most: No More Cords – Less clutter, cleaner counters, and no more lost or frayed charging cables. Always Ready – The charger stays in place—just set your phone down and go. Versatile Placement – Works in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, offices, and bedrooms. Smart Compatibility – Charges most modern phones and devices that support wireless charging. Custom Integration – Fits seamlessly into your countertop without changing the look. It’s one of those features you don’t think you need —until you have it. Then you can’t imagine going back. Designed for Real Life We get excited about this stuff not because it’s high-tech, but because it fits so naturally into everyday living. At Greenlee, we’re always looking for ways to help your home feel not just beautiful, but lived in and loved. FreePower is one of those modern touches that makes your countertop more than just a surface. It becomes part of your lifestyle. Come See It in Action Want to see how it works for yourself? Come by the showroom. We’ll walk you through the materials that work best with FreePower and show you exactly how we integrate it into your custom countertop. Bring a sketch and come see us. Let’s find what makes you feel good. Designing Surfaces For Your Life 

There’s something special about standing in front of a raw granite slab , running your hand across the surface, and imagining it in your own kitchen or bath. The natural movement, the color shifts, the way it catches the light—no two pieces are exactly the same. That’s what makes granite such a bold and beautiful choice. But it’s also what makes picking the right one so important. At Greenlee , we’re here to guide you through that choice so your countertops don’t just look good—they feel right in your home. After all, you’re going to live on these surfaces every day. Let’s make sure they’re a perfect fit. Start with the Big Picture: Wild or Mild? Before we even start comparing slabs, I always ask folks one simple question: Do you want your countertop to be the star of the show, or a supporting role in the room? Some people fall in love with those wild, bold patterns right away. Others are looking for something more subtle and calming. There’s no right or wrong—it just comes down to your personality and the kind of feeling you want to experience when you walk into the space. When you know whether you’re going “wild or mild,” everything else falls into place a little easier. Coordinate with Cabinets, Not Just Counters One of the most important relationships in your kitchen or bathroom is between your countertops and your cabinetry. They sit right on top of one another, so they’ve got to work together visually. You’ll want to decide whether you’re going for a complementary blend or a high-contrast look. Either can be beautiful—what matters is that they don’t compete for attention in the wrong way. A bold cabinet paired with a bold countertop can feel overwhelming fast. Here’s a quick list of what we look at when helping customers choose their granite: Cabinet Color & Tone – Are they warm or cool? Light or dark? Painted or stained? Backsplash Plans – Will it be quiet or showy? This can help balance the overall design. Flooring Considerations – Wood tones, tile patterns, or other elements near the counters. Natural Light – Some stones look dramatically different in bright vs. dim spaces. Lifestyle & Use – If you do a lot of cooking or hosting, you may want something more forgiving visually. Understanding Movement and Pattern Another piece of the puzzle is the movement in the stone. Some granite slabs are filled with sweeping veins and dramatic shifts in color. Others have a more “static” or uniform look—consistent patterning that feels a little more controlled. If you want your countertop to make a statement, a high-movement slab might be just the thing. But if you prefer a cleaner, more modern look, something with subtle variation might be a better choice. Keep in mind that granite is a natural material. What you see in one part of the slab might not be exactly what you get across the whole counter. That’s part of the charm—and why we always encourage customers to come in and see the material in person. Our Best Advice? Come See It. There’s only so much you can figure out from a photo or a sample. Granite is a natural, dimensional surface—and it reacts to light, space, and surroundings in ways that just don’t translate on a screen. At Greenlee, we help you look at your full design—cabinets, wall color, flooring, and more—so you can feel confident in your slab selection. Bring in a sketch. Snap a few photos. Walk the yard with us. You’ll know it when you see it. We’ve been doing this for 27 years, and we’re still in awe of these stones. Come feel the craftsmanship for yourself. Let’s Make It Yours Your countertop isn’t just a surface—it’s part of the rhythm of your home. Picking the right granite slab isn’t about rules. It’s about feeling good in your space every day. Designing Surfaces For Your Life

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