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Stone Kitchen Countertop Materials - Advantages and Disadvantages 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 the different types of natural and engineered stones out there, selecting the right one for your home can seem daunting. Quartz Kitchen Worktops Congleton might take a little time to analyze, but each one of these counter materials do have benefits and drawbacks, so it's vital that you evaluate which is right for your needs.

Granite Countertops

Granite is a common kind of igneous (volcanic) rock that forms beautiful crystalline textures. A hard kind of rock, granite is well suited for use as a counter in kitchens and bathrooms since it is both heat and scratch resistant. Granite is formed by heat and pressure over more than 100 years, so no two pieces of this natural stone are ever exactly alike. This one-of-a-kind characteristic is particularly appealing to homeowners who would like a really unique space. Granite countertops can be purchased in an array of naturally occurring colors and patterns, from neutrals to striking blues and greens. Natural stone countertops like granite do typically raise the value of your house 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. First of all, granite is a relatively porous stone, meaning it must be chemically sealed to resist stains. The sealing process is easy, but it must occasionally be repeated; some individuals consider this need for routine maintenance a poor. Secondly, granite tends to be an expensive material. While granite tiles can be used in place of granite slabs to reduce the price of the countertop, not everyone are able a granite countertop.

Marble Countertops

Many homeowners are attracted to the luxurious appearance of marble countertops. The distinctive appearance of marble can dramatically raise the value of your house, since it is normally considered a prestigious, sophisticated material. Furthermore marble countertops will be the preferred surface for serious bakers because the cool stone is fantastic 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 has some distinct drawbacks as a countertop material. To begin with, marble is a more supple 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 on it. These spots and marks can destroy the finish of your countertop; it is possible to avoid this problem by selecting a honed finish in place of a polished finish, but most homeowners prefer the appearance of polished marble. Finally, marble is a porous, absorbent stone, meaning it will stain. Although some homeowners just like the patina their marble countertops develop over 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 the extreme stain resistance. It is also heat resistant and can not etch.

One drawback to soapstone counters is they are only available in a restricted number of dark colors. Soapstone is generally a grayish color in nature, although it is normally oiled to a black finish for commercial and residential use. Helpful hints may also be vulnerable to scratching. However, soapstone counters can actually be sanded to remove nicks and mars, so this susceptibility to scratching isn't always regarded as a huge shortcoming.

Limestone Countertops

Limestone is a sedimentary rock with qualities much like marble. Available in a wide range 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 aspect of limestone countertops.

However, like marble, limestone is really a soft rock: it will stain and scratch easily and is susceptible to etching. Your limestone counter could be sealed to help prevent staining and etching, but limestone isn't recommended for high use areas such as kitchens.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops are made of an engineered stone made from 93% quartz, pigment, and resin. This stone counter material has many of the same qualities of granite, but without the upkeep issues. Quartz countertops are heat and scratch resistant and can not stain. And, unlike granite, quartz never should be sealed. As a man-made material, quartz counters have a uniform color and pattern. get more info do prefer this consistent look to the unique areas of natural stone. It also means that in case a segment of your quartz countertop is damaged, an identical replacement section can be obtained from the maker without concerns about matching.

Although it may seem that quartz countertops are inherently superior, they do have several drawbacks. The principal issue is that despite a similar cost, engineered quartz counters don't increase the value of your home just as much as granite countertops do. Home buyers choose the natural material over the man-made counter, so you'll want to keep this at heart if you're remodeling your kitchen being an investment. Additionally, although quartz counters are made to mimic the natural look of granite, some individuals think that quartz lacks the depth and beauty of granite. To be certain which look you like, be sure to see samples of both natural and engineered stone. Finally, with quartz your color and pattern options are more limited than with natural stone. There are always a large numbers of colors available, but especially if you're attempting 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 similar to quartz. This type of solid surface stone countertop offers a lot of the advantages of granite and quartz and also several unique benefits. Like granite and quartz countertops, Corian countertops are heat, stain, and scratch resistant. It is also nonporous, so it won't need to be sealed. Moreover, Corian gets the added advantage of being certified kosher. Unlike granite, Corian countertops may also be totally integrated with Corian backsplashes and sinks to create a visually seamless surface.


Nonetheless, Corian also does have disadvantages. It is heat resistant, but only to 212�F. Higher temperatures will damage your counter, so you'll more often than not need to protect your Corian countertop from hot objects. Also, much like quartz, some individuals choose the natural look of granite to the uniform and consistent appearance of Corian. Corian countertops may also be only available in limited colors and patterns, which some people dislike.

With these advantages and drawbacks at heart, you're now armed with the info you need to pick the perfect kitchen countertop material for the home. Visit your local stone countertop showroom or installer to see samples and learn more about making your imagine beautiful stone countertops possible.

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