Can a Remnant Save You Money During Your Renovation?

Kitchen renovations are one of the most involved home improvement projects you can take on, but well worth the time and money because the kitchen is the activity center of most homes. The countertops you select can often be one of the most significant investments you make in your renovation, but quality materials will last for the lifespan of the house. 

To save money, you have options that do not include skimping on inferior materials. To reduce the cost burden of adding high-end countertops, consider using a natural stone remnant. There are a few ways you can save money by purchasing a remnant or by planning for how to use any remnants you may end up with from the slab you buy. 

Using Your Remnants

When buying stone countertops, most homeowners will purchase a single slab. Depending on your countertop’s size, there could be significant portions of the stone that you don’t end up using. Instead of wasting them, you and your contractor may be able to find some creative ways to use as much of your slab as possible. 

Leftover stone from your kitchen may be just the right size to use as part of your backsplash. You may even be able to upgrade a small bathroom vanity or use it as a flooring transition from one area to another. Remnants can also add beauty and style to your shower niche or bring a touch of elegance to your laundry room. 

Depending on how much you have leftover, you may even be able to do a grand project like adding a sophisticated border to your fireplace or updating the countertop in your outdoor kitchen. Use your imagination and get creative with the nearly endless ways that you can repurpose your leftover stone.  

Purchasing a Remnant for Your Remodel

If you’re the kind of person who likes exploring for hidden treasures, you may love rummaging through the remnant yard at a natural stone company like Alpha. We have a “stone yard” full of leftover remnants of marble, quartz, granite, and many other materials. Many of our remnants are leftover after projects with builders and are available for a steal. 

A remnant is a terrific solution for those with smaller kitchens, especially if you need less than 60 square feet of countertop. Quartz is a combination of fabricated and mined material that is virtually indestructible and popular as a choice for countertops. Quartz comes in slabs, and the remnants from those slabs are definitely less expensive than purchasing an entire slab. Granite and marble can also be purchased in remnants that can save you considerable costs while still adding beauty to your kitchen. 

Smaller kitchens often have countertops that are sectioned into pieces. The sectioning provides an excellent opportunity to use remnants to update the area since you do not have to worry about exactly matching patterns or seams. You can stick to the same color group and create a beautiful countertop surface. 

If your countertops are functional, but you want to add some WOW factor, there are many ways a remnant can help you achieve the look you want without breaking the bank. Consider adding an island, done with a remnant countertop, that complements the existing perimeter countertop in your space. You can also incorporate smaller remnants into your backsplash to tie the look together. 

You can also use remnants to complement each other, such as one piece for an island and smaller remnants with complimentary stone for smaller countertop sections. Done correctly, the overall look will be cohesive and sophisticated, without the expense of large slabs. 

Where Remnants Will Not Work

In large projects, seams are necessary to prevent stress cracks in the countertop. However, experienced fabricators can create seams that add to the design (like a matchbook seam) or melt into the countertop to be nearly invisible. 

Attempting to do a large kitchen with remnants can pose a problem because no two slabs are alike. Mixing and matching remnants can create a mismatched feel to your space. The finished result may not be something that most homeowners would like, which is why large projects work best with full slabs.

Is a Remnant Right for Your Project?

The beauty of stone countertops come from their unique look. For the most aesthetically appealing results from remnants, stick to small spaces, different rooms, or areas separated enough to compliment without clashing. 

If you’re interested in learning more about using a remnant to revamp your space, stop by and browse our collection or schedule a design conversation to get started on your project today.