Marietta Countertops helps Alpharetta homeowners replace aging builder counters, plan new islands, and choose surfaces for outdoor kitchens. Much of the city was built in a short span, so many kitchens here are now due for an update at the same time.
Alpharetta is a city in northern Fulton County. Its downtown is 26 miles north of downtown Atlanta. Roswell lies to the south and west, Johns Creek to the southeast, and Milton to the north.
Settlers built the New Prospect Camp Ground beside a natural spring near today’s downtown. It later served as a trading post. The town was known as Milton until 1858, and it was chartered as Alpharetta on December 11, 1858. It was the seat of Milton County until 1931, when that county merged with Fulton during the Great Depression. The name may come from Alfarata, a girl in a 19th century song, or from alpha, the first Greek letter.
Alpharetta stayed small for a long time. It had 3,128 people in 1980. Then it grew to 13,002 in 1990, 34,854 in 2000, and 57,551 in 2010. The 2020 census counted 65,818. Today the city is known for tech firms and data centers, the Avalon mixed-use district that opened in 2014, and the Big Creek Greenway trail. Facts in this section come from Wikipedia.
When a city grows that fast, many homes get the same few finishes. Many Alpharetta kitchens from the 1990s and 2000s came with a tan or speckled granite and a tile backsplash. The stone itself often still works. What owners want to change is the color, the sink, or the shape of the island.
Light quartzite and quartz are common upgrades. Quartzite is a natural stone that is hard and handles heat. Quartz is engineered, so the pattern is more even from slab to slab. Our guide on quartz vs. quartzite explains the differences in plain terms.
Bigger homes often have room for a larger island with seating. Plan for knee space under the overhang. Longer overhangs usually need hidden brackets or legs so the stone does not crack. If you entertain outside, an outdoor kitchen countertop has its own rules. Georgia summers bring heat and sun, and winter can bring a hard freeze. Some engineered surfaces are not meant for outdoor use, so check the maker’s guidance. Granite and porcelain are popular outdoor choices.
The island is also a good place for a second sink or a waterfall edge that runs down to the floor.
Many Alpharetta homes are full, with kids, home offices, and frequent guests. A counter project means the kitchen is out of use for a short time. You can make it easier by setting up a small station in another room with a microwave, a coffee maker, and paper plates.
Install day is loud. The old top has to be pried off, and the new stone is often cut and polished on site for small fixes. If you work from home, plan to be on calls in another part of the house. Pets do best behind a closed door.
After install, wait for the plumber to reconnect the sink before you run water. Most stone can be used for light cooking the next day. Ask about care for your exact material, since granite, quartz, and quartzite each have their own simple routine.
You can, but matching old stone is hard. Many owners choose a contrasting island top on purpose so it looks planned.
Usually, yes. The old tile often breaks when the top comes off. It is a good time to pick a new backsplash that suits the new surface.
No. Quartzite is a natural stone cut from the earth. Quartz is made from ground stone and resin. They look alike but care and pricing differ.
Want to talk about your Alpharetta kitchen? Call Marietta Countertops at (470) 427-6789, Monday through Saturday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
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