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Stone Kitchen Countertop Materials - Benefits And Drawbacks Of General 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 accessory any home. Though the various kinds of natural and engineered stones out there, choosing the right one for your residence can appear daunting. It could take a while to research, but all these counter materials have pluses and minuses, therefore it is important to determine what you are right for the needs you have.

Granite Countertops

Granite is a very common sort of igneous (volcanic) rock that forms beautiful crystalline textures. A hardcore kind of rock, granite is suited to use like a counter in kitchens and bathrooms which is both heat and scratch resistant. Granite is made by heat and pressure over hundreds of years, so no two components of this piece of rock are ever exactly alike. This one-of-a-kind characteristic is especially appealing to homeowners who desire a really unique space. Granite countertops are available in a wide range of naturally occurring colors and patterns, from neutrals to striking blues and greens. Stone countertops like granite do typically raise the valuation on your property more than engineered stones like quartz as buyers have a tendency to gravitate toward natural materials.

However, despite its prestigious reputation, granite countertops do have several disadvantages. To start with, granite is often a relatively porous stone, meaning it must be chemically sealed to withstand stains. The sealing process is not hard, nevertheless it must occasionally be repeated; many people consider this to be requirement for routine maintenance a negative. Secondly, granite is commonly a pricey material. While granite tiles can be utilized in place of granite slabs to cut back the buying price of the countertop, not every person have enough money 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 valuation on your home, as it is typically considered a prestigious, sophisticated material. Furthermore marble countertops are the preferred surface for serious bakers since the cool stone is perfect for pie crusts, pastries, and also other baked goods. Marble countertops can be found in a huge array of colors from delicate blushes to vibrant blacks, each uniquely formed of course.

Marble comes with some distinct drawbacks as being a countertop material. For starters, marble is often a smoother stone than granite, therefore it has a greater tendency to scratch and mar than granite countertops. Additionally, polished marble is prone to etching when acidic liquids are usually spilled into it. These spots and marks can destroy the conclusion of the countertop; this can be avoided issue by choosing a honed finish instead of a elegant finish, most homeowners like the appearance of polished marble. Finally, marble is often a porous, absorbent stone, meaning it will stain. Although some homeowners just like the patina their marble countertops develop through the years, many do ponder over it a drawback.

Soapstone Countertops



You're likely informed about soapstone from a senior high school chemistry lab; those black tables were made from soapstone. Today soapstone is now popular in kitchen countertops due to its extreme stain resistance. It is usually heat resistant and won't etch.

One drawback to soapstone counters is that they are simply accessible in a small quantity of dark colors. Soapstone is generally a grayish color naturally, though it is usually oiled to some black finish for residential and commercial use. Soapstone counters can also be at risk of scratching. However, soapstone counters can in fact be sanded to take out nicks and mars, and this susceptibility to scratching isn't always seen as huge shortcoming.

Limestone Countertops

Limestone is often a sedimentary rock with qualities similar to marble. For sale in a variety of neutrals and whites, limestone countertops use a smooth appearance, unlike granite. Formed from sand as well as 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 often a soft rock: it will stain and scratch easily and it is prone to etching. Your limestone counter could be sealed to help you prevent staining and etching, but limestone is just not recommended for high use areas for example kitchens.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops are constructed from an engineered stone produced from 93% quartz, pigment, and resin. This stone counter material has several of the identical qualities of granite, but minus the upkeep issues. Quartz countertops are heat and scratch resistant and does not stain. And, unlike granite, quartz never must be sealed. Like a man-made material, quartz counters use a uniform color and pattern. Some homeowners do prefer this consistent look to the facets of gemstone. It also means that in case a segment of your respective quartz countertop is damaged, much the same replacement section can be purchased from your manufacturer without concerns about matching.

Eventhough it may seem that quartz countertops are inherently superior, they certainly have some of drawbacks. The key dilemma is that despite a similar cost, engineered quartz counters don't boost the worth of your house around granite countertops do. Real estate buyers choose the natural material within the man-made counter, so you'll want to bear this in mind if you are remodeling your home as an investment. Additionally, although quartz counters are designed to mimic natural look of granite, some individuals believe quartz lacks the depth and sweetness of granite. To make certain which look that suits you, be sure to see types of both natural and engineered stone. Finally, with quartz your color and pattern option is more limited than with stone. There is a many colors available, but in particular when you're trying to exactly suit your existing color scheme you might choose to limitless rainbow of stone.

Corian Countertops

Corian is yet another form of engineered stone just like quartz. Such a solid surface stone countertop offers a lot of the aspects of granite and quartz as well as several unique benefits. Like granite and quartz countertops, Corian countertops are heat, stain, and scratch resistant. It's also nonporous, therefore it will not have to be sealed. Moreover, Corian has got the added benefit for being certified kosher. Unlike granite, Corian countertops can even be totally integrated with Corian backsplashes and sinks to make a visually seamless surface.

Nonetheless, Corian also comes with disadvantages. It's heat resistant, however 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 like the natural look of granite towards the uniform and consistent appearance of Corian. Corian countertops are also only obtainable in limited colors and patterns, which some people dislike.

With these advantages and drawbacks at heart, now you are with the information you'll want to select the perfect kitchen countertop material for your household. Call at your local stone countertop showroom or installer to determine samples and discover a little more about making your perfect of beautiful stone countertops an actuality.

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