Stone Kitchen Countertop Materials - Advantages And Drawbacks Of Frequent Stone Countertops

One of the hottest trends in home design today is stone kitchen countertops. These durable, heat-resistant, luxurious counters really are a beautiful and practical addition to any home. But with the many various types of natural and engineered stones available, selecting the right one for your home can seem daunting. It may take a little time to research, but each of these counter materials have positives and negatives, so it will be vital that you evaluate which an example may be befitting the needs you have.

Granite Countertops

Granite is a very common type of igneous (volcanic) rock that forms beautiful crystalline textures. A tough type of rock, granite is perfect for use like a counter in kitchens and bathrooms which is both heat and scratch resistant. Granite is created by heat and pressure over hundreds of years, so no two items of this piece of rock are ever exactly alike. This one-of-a-kind characteristic is very popular with homeowners who wish a totally unique space. Granite countertops can be bought in an array of naturally occurring colors and patterns, from neutrals to striking blues and greens. Piece of rock countertops like granite do typically increase the value of your property over engineered stones like quartz as buyers have a tendency to gravitate toward natural materials.

However, despite its prestigious reputation, granite countertops will have several disadvantages. To start with, granite is really a relatively porous stone, meaning it has to be chemically sealed to withstand stains. The sealing process is not hard, but it must occasionally be repeated; a lot of people consider this to be need for routine maintenance a poor. Secondly, granite tends to be a costly material. While granite tiles may be used instead of granite slabs to scale back the buying price of the countertop, not every person are able a granite countertop.

Marble Countertops

Many owners are fascinated by the luxurious appearance of marble countertops. The distinctive appearance of marble can dramatically improve the value of your home, as it is typically considered a prestigious, sophisticated material. Furthermore marble countertops will be the preferred surface for serious bakers because cool stone is perfect for pie crusts, pastries, and also other baked goods. Marble countertops can be purchased in a tremendous array of colors from delicate blushes to vibrant blacks, each uniquely formed by nature.

Marble comes with some distinct drawbacks as a countertop material. For starters, marble can be a less harsh stone than granite, so it includes a greater tendency to scratch and mar than granite countertops. Additionally, polished marble is at risk of etching when acidic liquids are normally spilled on it. These spots and marks can destroy the tip of your countertop; you can avoid this issue by choosing a honed finish in place of a refined finish, most homeowners prefer the appearance of polished marble. Finally, marble is often a porous, absorbent stone, meaning it is likely to stain. While some homeowners like the patina their marble countertops develop over time, many do ponder over it a drawback.

Soapstone Countertops



You're likely acquainted with soapstone out of your high school chemistry lab; those black tables were made from soapstone. Today soapstone is becoming popular in kitchen countertops because of its extreme stain resistance. It is also heat resistant and does not etch.

One drawback to soapstone counters is because are just accessible in a limited number of dark colors. Soapstone can be quite a grayish color anyway, eventhough it is usually oiled to a black finish for residential and commercial use. Soapstone counters may also be at risk of scratching. However, soapstone counters can in fact be sanded to take out nicks and mars, this susceptibility to scratching isn't always viewed as a huge shortcoming.

Limestone Countertops

Limestone is often a sedimentary rock with qualities just like marble. Obtainable in an array of neutrals and whites, limestone countertops use a smooth appearance, unlike granite. Formed from sand along with 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 a soft rock: it will stain and scratch easily and it is vulnerable to etching. Your limestone counter might be sealed to help you prevent staining and etching, but limestone just isn't suited to high use areas such as kitchens.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops are constructed from an engineered stone made out of 93% quartz, pigment, and resin. This stone counter material has many the exact same qualities of granite, but without the upkeep issues. Quartz countertops are heat and scratch resistant and does not stain. And, unlike granite, quartz never should be sealed. As being a man-made material, quartz counters have a uniform color and pattern. Some homeowners do prefer this consistent look to the areas of stone. It also means that in case a segment of the quartz countertop is broken, the identical replacement section can be acquired from the manufacturer without concerns about matching.

Although it may appear that quartz countertops are inherently superior, they certainly have numerous drawbacks. The key issue is that despite a similar cost, engineered quartz counters don't raise the valuation on your property just as much as granite countertops do. House buyers prefer the natural material in the man-made counter, so you need to remember this in case you are remodeling your kitchen just as one investment. Additionally, although quartz counters are built to mimic the natural appearance of granite, some individuals think that quartz lacks the depth and sweetness of granite. To ensure which look you like, ensure you see instances of both natural and engineered stone. Finally, with quartz your color and pattern option is more limited as compared to gemstone. You can find a great number of colors available, but in particular when you're trying to exactly match your existing color scheme you may like the limitless rainbow of natural stone.

Corian Countertops

Corian is yet another type of engineered stone just like quartz. Such a solid surface stone countertop offers almost all of the advantages of granite and quartz along with several unique benefits. Like granite and quartz countertops, Corian countertops are heat, stain, and scratch resistant. Additionally it is nonporous, so that it will never must be sealed. Moreover, Corian has got the added benefit for being certified kosher. Unlike granite, Corian countertops may also be totally integrated with Corian backsplashes and sinks to generate a visually seamless surface.

Nonetheless, Corian also has disadvantages. It is heat resistant, only to 212?F. Higher temperatures will damage your counter, so you'll typically must protect your Corian countertop from hot objects. Also, much like quartz, some individuals choose the natural look of granite towards the uniform and consistent appearance of Corian. Corian countertops may also be only obtainable in limited colors and patterns, which many people dislike.

With one of these advantages and disadvantages planned, you're now equipped with the information you should select the perfect kitchen countertop material for your home. Visit your local stone countertop showroom or installer to see samples and learn more about making the ideal of beautiful stone countertops an actuality.

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