There are a lot of reasons that homeowners love to use stone for kitchen countertops. There are a lot of advantages to having stone as your counter choice. Whether your counter is a single slab or individual tiles, you can be sure that every piece of your counter will be 100% unique.
Be sure to take time and choose the kind of stone countertop that works best for you. Luckily most kinds of stone are very low maintenance but some require a bit of special care. There are also a variety of different looks to choose from like high-gloss, matte, or polished. This article will discuss some of the advantages and variables when it comes to choosing a stone countertop.
Granite is largely considered to be the most durable type of natural stone. The only harder stone known to man is the diamond, and that is not feasible for use as a countertop. Granite does not chip, crack, scratch, warp, and it can easily withstand heat.
However, you still need to be cautious because granite countertops have been known to break dishes that are set down too hard. This kind of stone is available in a variety of colors and a durable polish but the stone is porous so it needs to be resealed once a year.
Soapstone is another popular choice for kitchen countertops. It is made up mineral talc, which means that it is very easy to maintain. Soapstone will withstand acids and any stains can be sanded out of the stone. The stone is not perfect in its look, but is still very beautiful. If you want a greater shine, many homeowners report success with mineral oil.
Probably the most well known natural stone countertop is marble. Marble has long been the standard in upscale homes and all bakers’ kitchens since it is the top choice for rolling out dough. Marble is very porous, much more so than granite, so you need to reseal it frequently or the stone will stain. If it also not as hard as other stone choices so using it in large sections is not a very good idea.
Slate has often been used for roof and floors but is often overlooked for counters. Its dark gray, green, and purple tones are very lovely for any room. It is very durable and most scratches and stains can be rubbed away with a damp cloth, or buffed out with steel wool. Mineral oil can be used to bring out the color and shine.
Quartz is a very uncommon but unique choice for a kitchen countertop. Although some will call it an engineered stone it is made of natural quartz that is then mixed with epoxy resin binders. This makes for a very durable and hard surface. If it not absorbent so it will not stain easily.
Usually you can simply wipe away any potentially staining material and this is all the maintenance that is required.
