Stone Kitchen Countertop Materials - Benefits and drawbacks of Common Stone Countertops
One of the hottest trends in home design today is stone kitchen countertops. These durable, heat-resistant, luxurious counters certainly are a beautiful and practical addition to any home. But with all of the several types of natural and engineered stones out there, selecting the right one for your home can seem daunting. It might take a little time to analyze, but each of these counter materials do have benefits and drawbacks, so it's important to evaluate which one is right to your requirements.
Granite Countertops
Granite is a common kind of igneous (volcanic) rock that forms beautiful crystalline textures. A difficult type of rock, granite is perfect for use as a counter in kitchens and bathrooms because it is both heat and scratch resistant. Granite is formed by heat and pressure over more than 100 years, so no two bits of this natural stone are ever exactly alike. This one-of-a-kind characteristic is specially appealing to homeowners who want a truly unique space. Granite countertops can be found in a variety of naturally occurring colors and patterns, from neutrals to striking blues and greens. Natural stone countertops like granite do typically increase the value of your house a lot more than engineered stones like quartz as buyers tend to gravitate toward natural materials.
However, despite its prestigious reputation, granite countertops do have several disadvantages. For starters, granite is really a relatively porous stone, meaning it must be chemically sealed to resist stains. The sealing process is simple, nonetheless it must occasionally be repeated; some people consider this need for routine maintenance a negative. Secondly, granite tends to be an expensive material. While granite tiles can be used instead of granite slabs to reduce the price of the countertop, not everyone can afford a granite countertop.
Marble Countertops
Many homeowners are drawn to the luxurious appearance of marble countertops. The distinctive appearance of marble can dramatically increase the value of your property, since it is normally considered a prestigious, sophisticated material. Furthermore marble countertops will be the preferred surface for serious bakers as the cool stone is ideal for pie crusts, pastries, and other baked goods. Marble countertops may also be available in a huge selection of colors from delicate blushes to vibrant blacks, each uniquely formed by nature.
Marble does have some distinct drawbacks as a countertop material. To begin with, marble is a much softer stone than granite, so it includes a greater tendency to scratch and mar than granite countertops. Additionally, polished marble is susceptible to etching when acidic liquids are invariably spilled onto it. These spots and marks can destroy the final of your countertop; you can avoid this issue by selecting a honed finish instead of a polished finish, but most homeowners choose the appearance of polished marble. Finally, marble is a porous, absorbent stone, meaning it will stain. While some homeowners just like the patina their marble countertops develop through the years, many do consider it a drawback.
Soapstone Countertops
You're likely familiar with soapstone from your high school chemistry lab; those black tables were created from soapstone. Today soapstone is becoming popular in kitchen countertops due to its extreme stain resistance. Additionally it is heat resistant and will not etch.
One drawback to soapstone counters is they are only available in a restricted amount of dark colors. Soapstone is generally a grayish color in nature, though it is normally oiled to a black finish for commercial and residential use. Soapstone counters may also be susceptible to scratching. However, soapstone counters can actually be sanded to remove nicks and mars, which means this susceptibility to scratching isn't always seen as a huge shortcoming.
Limestone Countertops
Limestone is really a sedimentary rock with qualities much like marble. Available in an array 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 original facet of limestone countertops.
However, like marble, limestone is a soft rock: it tends to stain and scratch easily and is vunerable to etching. Your limestone counter could be sealed to greatly help prevent staining and etching, but limestone isn't recommended for high use areas such as for example kitchens.
Quartz Countertops
Quartz countertops are constructed from an engineered stone created from 93% quartz, pigment, and resin. This stone counter material has lots of the same qualities of granite, but minus the upkeep issues. Quartz countertops are heat and scratch resistant and will not stain. And, unlike granite, quartz never needs to be sealed. As a man-made material, quartz counters have a uniform color and pattern. Some homeowners do prefer this consistent turn to the unique aspects of natural stone. In addition, it means that in case a segment of your quartz countertop is damaged, an identical replacement section can be obtained from the manufacturer without concerns about matching.
Although it might seem that quartz countertops are inherently superior, they do have several drawbacks. The primary issue is that despite an identical cost, engineered quartz counters don't raise the value of your house around granite countertops do. Home buyers choose the natural material on the man-made counter, so you'll want to keep this in mind if you are remodeling your kitchen as an investment. Additionally, although quartz counters are created to mimic the natural look of granite, some individuals believe that quartz lacks the depth and beauty of granite. To be sure which look you like, be sure you see samples of both natural and engineered stone. Finally, with quartz your color and pattern options tend to be more limited than with natural stone. There are a large numbers of colors available, but especially if you're trying to exactly match your existing color scheme you may prefer the limitless rainbow of natural stone.
Corian Countertops
Corian is another type of engineered stone much like quartz. This kind of solid surface stone countertop offers almost all of the advantages of granite and quartz and also several unique benefits. Like Quartz Kitchen Worktops Latchford and quartz countertops, Corian countertops are heat, stain, and scratch resistant. It is also nonporous, so it will never should be sealed. Moreover, Corian has the added benefit of being certified kosher. Unlike granite, Corian countertops can even be totally integrated with Corian backsplashes and sinks to produce a visually seamless surface.
Nonetheless, Corian also does have disadvantages. It really is heat resistant, but and then 212�F. Higher temperatures will damage your counter, so you'll almost always need to protect your Corian countertop from hot objects. Also, as with quartz, some individuals prefer the natural look of granite to the uniform and consistent appearance of Corian. Corian countertops may also be only obtainable in limited colors and patterns, which some people dislike.
With these advantages and drawbacks in mind, you're now armed with the information you need to pick the perfect kitchen countertop material for your home. Visit your neighborhood stone countertop showroom or installer to see samples and learn more about making your imagine beautiful stone countertops possible.