Stone Options in Countertops
The look is rich, the feel is luxurious and the material
is long-lasting. Such is the definition of natural stone
countertop. Whether it comes in the form of a slab or
produced as individual tiles each piece of the natural
stone is unique unto itself.
Always take time and care to choose the one that will
work best for your wants. Most are virtually maintenance
free and some require a bit of tender loving care to
look their best such as regular staining or oiling.
Natural stone countertops come in a variety of finishes
with the most common being polished, high gloss, honed
or matte. Below are some of the variables of living
stone countertops.
Granite is the most durable of the natural stone
countertops. The only harder stone is the diamond. It
will not scratch, crack or chip and can withstand heat.
It can though break dishes or glasses if set down too
hard. Granite is available in rich colors and a polish
that won't wear off. Since granite is porous you need
reseal it about once a year.
Soapstone, which is mostly made up of the mineral talc
is popular in both modern or country style kitchens. The
nature of soapstone means acids won't etch the stone and
the stains can be easily sanded out. Homeowners tend to
like the not so perfect soapstone and view it as
character instead of flaws. Mineral oil brings out its
rich, dark color and makes it shine.
The sleek and elegant marble countertop is timeless.
Usually found in the baker's kitchen, it is the serious
bakers' choice for rolling dough. Marble is more porous
than granite so it requires sealant to be applied more
frequently to prevent stains. Since it is not nearly as
hard as some other stone countertops, it is best to be
used in small sections instead than the primary
countertop.
Beautiful slate is available in tones of gray, green,
purple and black. It's undoubtedly not just for roofs or
floors anymore. Slate is definitely becoming a popular
choice in the kitchen. Its beauty and strength make it a
durable and stylish option. As with soapstone, regular
treatment with mineral oil will bring out the beauty of
this material. Any scratches can usually be removed by
rubbing with a damp sponge. Deeper scratches can be
buffed out by using steel wool.
Limestone consists mainly of calcite, a neutral-toned
mineral. Limestone varies in hardness but is a more
porous stone that stains easily. It requires regular
resealing to prevent stains.
Quartz is an attention-getting stone countertop. Though
often called engineered stone, this material is composed
of natural quartz mixed with epoxy resin binders. Quartz
is an incredibly hard and durable surface. It is
nonabsorbent that makes it more user friendly and stain
resistant. It is basically maintenance free with just a
simple wipe off with warm water. Different pigments are
mixed in the making of the quartz surfacing and because
of this there are beautiful colors to choose from.
Lava stone is a more atypical countertop material that
is often sold under the French brand name Pyrolave. Lava
stone is quarried in France then enameled and fired. It
has a very high gloss finish and colors can be
customized.
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