Stone Cooking Area Countertop Materials - Advantages And Disadvantages Of Typical Stone Countertops

One of the hottest trends in home design today is stone kitchen countertops. These durable, heat-resistant, luxurious counters can be a beautiful and practical accessory for any home. But all of the different kinds of natural and engineered stones around, selecting the right one for your residence can seem to be daunting. It might take some time to analyze, but each of these counter materials really have positives and negatives, so it is imperative that you find out what the first is befitting the needs you have.

Granite Countertops

Granite is a type of sort of igneous (volcanic) rock that forms beautiful crystalline textures. A difficult kind of rock, granite is suitable for use as being a counter in bathrooms and kitchens because it is both heat and scratch resistant. Granite is made by pressure and heat over hundreds of years, so no two bits of this natural stone are ever exactly alike. This one-of-a-kind characteristic is specially attracting homeowners who would like a very unique space. Granite countertops can be purchased in many naturally occurring colors and patterns, from neutrals to striking blues and greens. Piece of rock countertops like granite do typically increase the valuation on your home greater than engineered stones like quartz as buyers tend to gravitate toward natural materials.

However, despite its prestigious reputation, granite countertops really have several disadvantages. First of all, granite is a relatively porous stone, meaning it needs to be chemically sealed to resist stains. The sealing process is not hard, however it must occasionally be repeated; many people consider this dependence on routine maintenance a negative. Secondly, granite is often an expensive material. While granite tiles can be used instead of granite slabs to cut back the price of the countertop, not every person are able to afford a granite countertop.

Marble Countertops

Many homeowners are drawn to the luxurious appearance of marble countertops. The distinctive appearance of marble can dramatically boost the price of your home, as it is often typically considered a prestigious, sophisticated material. Furthermore marble countertops would be the preferred surface for serious bakers because the cool stone is fantastic for pie crusts, pastries, and also other baked goods. Marble countertops can be found in a tremendous selection of colors from delicate blushes to vibrant blacks, each uniquely formed obviously.

Marble has some distinct drawbacks as being a countertop material. To begin with, marble is often a much softer stone than granite, so that it has a greater tendency to scratch and mar than granite countertops. Additionally, polished marble is vulnerable to etching when acidic liquids are forever spilled onto it. These spots and marks can destroy the finish of your countertop; you can avoid this issue by choosing a honed finish as opposed to a refined finish, but many homeowners prefer the appearance of polished marble. Finally, marble is a porous, absorbent stone, meaning it will stain. Although some homeowners much like the patina their marble countertops develop over time, many do contemplate it a drawback.

Soapstone Countertops

You're likely informed about soapstone from the secondary school chemistry lab; those black tables were created from soapstone. Today soapstone is starting to become popular in kitchen countertops due to its extreme stain resistance. Additionally it is heat resistant will not etch.

One problem with soapstone counters is because they are only accessible in a small number of dark colors. Soapstone generally is a grayish color anyway, eventhough it is usually oiled into a black finish for residential and commercial use. Soapstone counters are also susceptible to scratching. However, soapstone counters can be sanded to get rid of nicks and mars, and this inclination towards scratching is not always viewed as a huge shortcoming.

Limestone Countertops

Limestone can be a sedimentary rock with qualities just like marble. For sale in a wide range of neutrals and whites, limestone countertops have a smooth appearance, unlike granite. Formed from sand and the shells of aquatic life, limestone frequently includes small fossils and shells; some homeowners particularly value this phenomenal element of limestone countertops.

However, like marble, limestone is really a soft rock: it tends to stain and scratch easily and is also vunerable to etching. Your limestone counter could be sealed to aid prevent staining and etching, but limestone just isn't suited to high use areas including kitchens.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops are created from an engineered stone created from 93% quartz, pigment, and resin. This stone counter material has many of the qualities of granite, but with no upkeep issues. Quartz countertops are heat and scratch resistant and won't stain. And, unlike granite, quartz never should be sealed. Being a man-made material, quartz counters have a very uniform color and pattern. Some homeowners do prefer this consistent check out the unique areas of gemstone. Additionally, it ensures that if a segment of your quartz countertop is broken, an identical replacement section can be had from the manufacturer without concerns about matching.

Eventhough it might appear that quartz countertops are inherently superior, they actually do have many drawbacks. The principal dilemma is that despite the same cost, engineered quartz counters don't boost the worth of your house just as much as granite countertops do. Home buyers choose to natural material in the man-made counter, so you should take this into account if you're remodeling your kitchen area as an investment. Additionally, although quartz counters are built to mimic natural look of granite, many people think that quartz lacks the depth and beauty of granite. To be certain which look that suits you, ensure you see examples of both natural and engineered stone. Finally, with quartz your color and pattern options are more limited as compared to stone. You can find a great number of colors available, but in particular when you're trying to exactly satisfy your existing color scheme you could like the limitless rainbow of natural stone.

Corian Countertops

Corian is yet another kind of engineered stone much like quartz. This kind of solid surface stone countertop offers a lot of the benefits of granite and quartz in addition to several unique benefits. Like granite and quartz countertops, Corian countertops are heat, stain, and scratch resistant. It is also nonporous, in order that it won't must be sealed. Moreover, Corian contains the added benefit to be certified kosher. Unlike granite, Corian countertops can be totally integrated with Corian backsplashes and sinks to create a visually seamless surface.

Nonetheless, Corian also does have disadvantages. It's heat resistant, only to 212?F. Higher temperatures will damage your counter, so you'll almost always should protect your Corian countertop from hot objects. Also, like with quartz, some individuals choose the natural look of granite to the uniform and consistent appearance of Corian. Corian countertops are also purely available in limited colors and patterns, which some individuals dislike.

With your pros and cons at heart, now you are furnished with the information you'll want to pick the perfect kitchen countertop material for your home. Go to your local stone countertop showroom or installer to view samples and learn a little more about making your perfect of beautiful stone countertops a reality.

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