FAQ
Kitchen & Bath Remodeling FAQs: Straight Answers From Rockfab, Roanoke's Trusted Experts
Rockfab is a kitchen and bathroom remodeling company located in Roanoke, Virginia. We are proud to be a small business with 30 years of experience doing what we love and providing a service to our community. Our owner is a Class A contractor, and we have a full-time electrician on staff, so your project will never be delayed by subcontractor searches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Service Areas and Pricing
What areas does Rockfab serve?
Rockfab provides countertops and ready-to-install cabinets to customers who live within a two-hour radius of Roanoke. Our bathroom and kitchen remodeling services are available to customers who live within a one-hour radius of Roanoke.
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Roanoke, VA?
The cost of a kitchen remodel in Roanoke, VA varies significantly based on the materials, style, and amenities that you want included. We have something for almost every budget, so come on in and talk to a designer to find out more.
Does Rockfab offer free estimates?
Yes, Rockfab offers free estimates on all of our services. To get yours, message us on our website today!
Design and Getting Started
How long does a kitchen remodel take?
It depends on the scope of your project. A cosmetic update can move quickly, while a full remodel with layout changes, plumbing, or electrical work takes longer. We’ll walk you through a realistic timeline during your free estimate.
Do you have a showroom I can visit?
Yes! Our showroom is located at 3406 Orange Ave NE, Roanoke, VA, 24012. We’re open six days a week, with Sundays available by appointment.
Can I bring in my own design inspiration?
Absolutely! We encourage customers to bring in their own design inspiration so that our in-house designer knows your styles and tastes.
Does Rockfab handle the entire remodel or use subcontractors?
We handle the entire remodel. We have an electrician on staff, so there is no need to use subcontractors.
How to measure
What's in Stock and How Do I Best Take Care of It?
What countertop materials do you carry?
We carry a variety of countertop materials including: granite, marble, limestone, soapstone, travertine, quartz, and slate.
What is the difference between natural stone and engineered stone?
Natural stone is quarried from solid rock slabs in the earth. The most common forms of natural stone are granite, limestone, marble, sandstone, slate, travertine, onyx, and soapstone. Engineered stone is a man-made product composed of a blend of natural minerals (generally quartz) and man-made agents, such as polyester, glass, epoxy, and other ingredients.
Is granite easily scratched?
Granite is a solid-state countertop material that is extremely durable and is highly resistant to heat and scratching. However, Rockfab still recommends using protective devices such as potholders, trivets, and cutting boards!
How do I clean my granite?
Can rockfab clean stone?
Yes, and professional honing!
Which Type of Stone Is Right for ME?
Quartzite
Quartzite countertops in Roanoke, VA are one of the most sought after choices in kitchen design right now, and for good reason. Quartzite is a 100% natural stone, formed when sandstone is transformed by intense heat and pressure deep in the earth. The result is a stone that’s harder than granite, with the soft veining and elegant look of marble.
Quartzite holds up beautifully to heat and everyday kitchen use, and it resists etching from acidic foods far better than marble. Every slab is one of a kind. Rockfab hand selects premium quartzite and protects it with our proprietary 15-year sealer, so you can enjoy the look of marble with the strength your busy kitchen needs.
Quartz
Unlike natural-stone slabs, quartz is engineered in a factory. The resins give quartz its color, bind it together, and help make the material stain- and scratch-resistant and nonporous, eliminating the need for sealing. Some designs contain small amounts of recycled glass and metallic flecks, allowing a vast variety of shimmering colors and patterns.
Although it is slightly more durable than granite, keep in mind that quartz is more susceptible to fading in direct sunlight, and that if damaged or scratched, it is not as easy to repair as granite. Therefore, quartz is more popular for indoor flooring, veneers, and decorative tiles.
Granite
Marble
Marble is recognized worldwide as one of the most elegant and luxurious natural stones. Its high-gloss polish, style, and texture offer a wide range of rich colors, with options for veined or solid finishes. Due to its porous nature, it’s more susceptible to scratching and staining than granite, but it tends to become more beautiful over time. Marble is favored mainly for bathrooms, flooring, fireplaces, walls, and vanities.
Travertine
Travertine is uniquely characterized by natural patterns, veins, and cavities, giving it a subtle distressed, earthy appearance. To ensure a smooth, stain-resistant, and durable surface, travertine is often filled with cement, grout, or resin. If a more natural and unusual surface is desired, the filling can be left out.
Travertine is most commonly seen in outdoor and indoor tile flooring, vanity tops, fireplace surrounds, exterior cladding, outdoor patios, and specialty items such as sinks and light switch plates.
Slate
Known as a favorite choice of architects, contractors, and designers for its durable, non-absorbent, acid-resistant properties, slate is impervious to freeze-thaw cycles and versatile with any design style. Colors of slate are typically dark grey and black, but also come in shades of brown, yellow, pink, lavender, green, purple, red, and more. Its metamorphic composition makes it ideal for interior flooring, exterior landscaping, pool coping, shower enclosure, building cladding, and fireproof roof covering.
Soapstone
Quarried like granite and marble, soapstone is largely composed of the mineral talc and is thus rich in magnesium. The talc in soapstone gives the stone a smooth feeling, like rubbing a piece of dry soap.
Although it feels soft to the touch, soapstone is quite dense and resists staining. Soapstone is somewhat more prone to scratching and denting than granite, so extra care should be taken with it.
We recommend avoiding putting hot items on its surface, as it retains heat longer than most other stones. Typically, homeowners with traditional or vintage-style homes choose soapstone for outdoor kitchen and bathroom countertops.
Ready to Get Started?
If you still have questions about kitchen remodeling in Roanoke, VA that our FAQ page didn’t answer, we would love to hear them! Call us today or send us a message using the ‘contact us’ button at the top of this page.
For the best countertops, cabinets, and kitchen and bathroom remodels around, contact Rockfab today! Come by our warehouse any day that we are open and let our designer guide your remodeling experience.