One of many 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 every one of the various kinds of natural and engineered stones available, selecting the right one for your home can seem daunting. It could take a while to analyze, but all these counter materials do have benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to gauge which one is right for your needs http://edstoneinc.com/.
Granite Countertops
Granite is really a common type of igneous (volcanic) rock that forms beautiful crystalline textures. A hard type of rock, granite is suitable for use as a table in kitchens and bathrooms because it’s both heat and scratch resistant. Granite is formed by heat and pressure over hundreds of years, so no two pieces of the natural stone are ever exactly alike. This one-of-a-kind characteristic is specially appealing to homeowners who would like 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. Natural stone countertops like granite do typically increase the worth of your home significantly more than engineered stones like quartz as buyers often gravitate toward natural materials.
However, despite its prestigious reputation, granite countertops do have several disadvantages. First of all, granite is really a relatively porous stone, meaning it must be chemically sealed to resist stains. The sealing process is straightforward, however it must occasionally be repeated; some individuals consider this importance of routine maintenance a negative. Secondly, granite tends to be a pricey material. While granite tiles may be used in place of granite slabs to cut back the price of the countertop, not everybody are able to afford a granite countertop.
Marble Countertops
Many homeowners are drawn to the luxurious appearance of marble countertops. The distinctive appearance of marble can dramatically increase the worth of your dwelling, since it’s typically considered a prestigious, sophisticated material. Furthermore marble countertops are the preferred surface for serious bakers since the cool stone is fantastic for pie crusts, pastries, and other baked goods. Marble countertops will also be obtainable in a huge array of colors from delicate blushes to vibrant blacks, each uniquely formed by nature.
Marble does involve some distinct drawbacks as a countertop material. For starters, marble is a much softer stone than granite, therefore it has 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 conclusion of one’s countertop; you can avoid this issue by choosing a honed finish in place of a refined finish, but many homeowners prefer the looks of polished marble. Finally, marble is really a porous, absorbent stone, meaning it will stain. Though some homeowners like the patina their marble countertops develop over time, many do contemplate it a drawback.
Soapstone Countertops
You’re likely acquainted with soapstone from your senior high school chemistry lab; those black tables were made from soapstone. Today soapstone has become popular in kitchen countertops due to the extreme stain resistance. It can be heat resistant and will not etch.
One drawback to soapstone counters is they are only obtainable in a limited number of dark colors. Soapstone is generally a grayish color in nature, though it is normally oiled to a black finish for commercial and residential use. Soapstone counters will also be susceptible to scratching. However, soapstone counters can in fact be sanded to get rid of nicks and mars, so this susceptibility to scratching isn’t always seen as a huge shortcoming.
Limestone Countertops
Limestone is really a sedimentary rock with qualities similar to 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 excellent aspect of limestone countertops.
However, like marble, limestone is really a soft rock: it will stain and scratch easily and is vunerable to etching. Your limestone counter may be sealed to greatly help prevent staining and etching, but limestone isn’t recommended for high use areas such as for example kitchens.
Quartz Countertops
Quartz countertops are constructed from an engineered stone made from 93% quartz, pigment, and resin. This stone counter material has lots of the same qualities of granite, but without the upkeep issues. Quartz countertops are heat and scratch resistant and will not stain. And, unlike granite, quartz never needs to be sealed. As a man-made material, quartz counters have a uniform color and pattern. Some homeowners do prefer this consistent turn to the unique aspects of natural stone. It also means that if a part of one’s quartz countertop is damaged, the same replacement section may be obtained from producer without concerns about matching.
Although it might seem that quartz countertops are inherently superior, they do have a number of drawbacks. The principal issue is that despite a similar cost, engineered quartz counters don’t increase the worth of your home around granite countertops do. Home buyers prefer the natural material within the man-made counter, so you’ll want to help keep this at heart if you’re remodeling your kitchen as an investment. Additionally, although quartz counters are designed to mimic the natural look of granite, some individuals genuinely believe that quartz lacks the depth and beauty of granite. To be sure which look you want, ensure you see types 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 number of colors available, but especially if you’re attempting to exactly match your existing color scheme you might prefer the limitless rainbow of natural stone.
Corian Countertops
Corian is another kind of engineered stone similar to quartz. This type of solid surface stone countertop offers all of the advantages of granite and quartz as well as several unique benefits. Like granite and quartz countertops, Corian countertops are heat, stain, and scratch resistant. It can be nonporous, therefore it won’t must be sealed http://edstoneinc.com/. Moreover, Corian has got the added good thing about being certified kosher. Unlike granite, Corian countertops can be totally integrated with Corian backsplashes and sinks to make a visually seamless surface.
Nonetheless, Corian also comes with disadvantages. It’s heat resistant, but only to 212ºF. Higher temperatures will damage your counter, so you’ll almost always need to protect your Corian countertop from hot objects. Also, as with quartz, a lot of people prefer the natural look of granite to the uniform and consistent appearance of Corian. Corian countertops will also be only obtainable in limited colors and patterns, which some individuals dislike.
With one of these advantages and drawbacks at heart, you’re now armed with the info you’ll need to choose an ideal kitchen countertop material for your home. Visit your local stone countertop showroom or installer to see samples and learn more about making your dream of beautiful stone countertops a reality.
Matt Gallo is really a do it yourself hobbyist and the Internet Marketing Manager for Prospect Genius, a number one provider of online local advertising.