Stone Kitchen Countertop Materials - Advantages And Drawbacks Of Typical Stone Countertops
Among the hottest trends home based design today is stone kitchen countertops. These durable, heat-resistant, luxurious counters certainly are a beautiful and practical accessory any home. But all of the different varieties of natural and engineered stones around, selecting the most appropriate one for your residence can feel daunting. It might take time to look into, but all these counter materials have benefits and drawbacks, so it is vital that you find out what an example may be right for your needs.
Granite Countertops
Granite is a common type of igneous (volcanic) rock that forms beautiful crystalline textures. A tough type of rock, granite is suitable for use as a counter in bathrooms and kitchens because it's both heat and scratch resistant. Granite is formed by pressure and heat over generations, so no two pieces of this piece of rock are ever exactly alike. This one-of-a-kind characteristic is especially popular with homeowners who wish a very unique space. Granite countertops can be purchased in a wide range of natural colors and patterns, from neutrals to striking blues and greens. Gemstone countertops like granite do typically raise the price of your own home greater 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 can be a relatively porous stone, meaning it should be chemically sealed to resist stains. The sealing process is simple, however it must occasionally be repeated; some individuals consider this requirement of routine maintenance an adverse. Secondly, granite is often a high priced material. While granite tiles can be utilized instead of granite slabs to cut back the cost of the countertop, not everyone are able 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 property, as it is often typically considered a prestigious, sophisticated material. Furthermore marble countertops would be the preferred surface for serious bakers because cool stone is ideal for pie crusts, pastries, as well as other baked goods. Marble countertops can be purchased in a tremendous range of colors from delicate blushes to vibrant blacks, each uniquely formed naturally.
Marble has some distinct drawbacks as a countertop material. To begin with, marble can be a more supple stone than granite, so it features a greater tendency to scratch and mar than granite countertops. Additionally, polished marble is at risk of etching when acidic liquids are normally spilled on it. These spots and marks can destroy the final of your respective countertop; this can be avoided issue by selecting a honed finish instead of a polished finish, but a majority of homeowners prefer the appearance of polished marble. Finally, marble is often a porous, absorbent stone, meaning it is likely to stain. While some homeowners like the patina their marble countertops develop over the years, many do think it over a drawback.
Soapstone Countertops
You're likely informed about soapstone from a secondary school chemistry lab; those black tables were made from soapstone. Today soapstone is becoming popular in kitchen countertops due to the extreme stain resistance. It is also heat resistant and won't etch.
One problem with soapstone counters is because are just available in a fixed amount of dark colors. Soapstone can be quite a grayish color as the name indicated, though it is usually oiled to a black finish for residential and commercial use. Soapstone counters are also vulnerable to scratching. However, soapstone counters can certainly be sanded to take out nicks and mars, so this the likelihood of scratching isn't always viewed as a huge shortcoming.
Limestone Countertops
Limestone is really a sedimentary rock with qualities comparable to marble. Obtainable 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 unique part of limestone countertops.
However, like marble, limestone can be a soft rock: it is likely to stain and scratch easily and it is susceptible to etching. Your limestone counter could be sealed to help you prevent staining and etching, but limestone isn't recommended for high use areas like kitchens.
Quartz Countertops
Quartz countertops are created from an engineered stone made from 93% quartz, pigment, and resin. This stone counter material has several the exact same qualities of granite, but without the upkeep issues. Quartz countertops are heat and scratch resistant and won't stain. And, unlike granite, quartz never must be sealed. Being a man-made material, quartz counters have a uniform color and pattern. Some homeowners do prefer this consistent look for the unique areas of stone. It also ensures that if your segment of the quartz countertop is broken, the identical replacement section can be obtained from your manufacturer without concerns about matching.
Eventhough it may seem that quartz countertops are inherently superior, they certainly have a number of drawbacks. The key concern is that despite an identical cost, engineered quartz counters don't boost the valuation on your home as much as granite countertops do. Homeowners like the natural material over the man-made counter, so you will want to keep this in mind should you be remodeling your home being an investment. Additionally, although quartz counters are designed to mimic the natural appearance of granite, some people believe that quartz lacks the depth and beauty of granite. To make certain which look that suits you, make sure you see examples of both natural and engineered stone. Finally, with quartz your color and pattern option is more limited compared to natural stone. There is a great number of colors available, but particularly if you're wanting to exactly match your existing color scheme you could like the limitless rainbow of natural stone.
Corian Countertops
Corian is another kind of engineered stone just like quartz. This kind of solid surface stone countertop offers most of the benefits 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 will not have to be sealed. Moreover, Corian contains the additional benefit for being certified kosher. Unlike granite, Corian countertops can be totally integrated with Corian backsplashes and sinks to generate a visually seamless surface.
Nonetheless, Corian also does have disadvantages. It really is heat resistant, however only to 212?F. Higher temperatures will damage your counter, so you'll almost always should protect your Corian countertop from hot objects. Also, like with quartz, a lot of people like the natural look of granite on the uniform and consistent appearance of Corian. Corian countertops may also be purely available in limited colors and patterns, which many people dislike.
Using these advantages and drawbacks planned, now you are armed with the data you need to choose the perfect kitchen countertop material for your house. See your local stone countertop showroom or installer to find out samples and learn more about making your ideal of beautiful stone countertops an actuality.
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Granite Countertops
Granite is a common type of igneous (volcanic) rock that forms beautiful crystalline textures. A tough type of rock, granite is suitable for use as a counter in bathrooms and kitchens because it's both heat and scratch resistant. Granite is formed by pressure and heat over generations, so no two pieces of this piece of rock are ever exactly alike. This one-of-a-kind characteristic is especially popular with homeowners who wish a very unique space. Granite countertops can be purchased in a wide range of natural colors and patterns, from neutrals to striking blues and greens. Gemstone countertops like granite do typically raise the price of your own home greater 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 can be a relatively porous stone, meaning it should be chemically sealed to resist stains. The sealing process is simple, however it must occasionally be repeated; some individuals consider this requirement of routine maintenance an adverse. Secondly, granite is often a high priced material. While granite tiles can be utilized instead of granite slabs to cut back the cost of the countertop, not everyone are able 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 property, as it is often typically considered a prestigious, sophisticated material. Furthermore marble countertops would be the preferred surface for serious bakers because cool stone is ideal for pie crusts, pastries, as well as other baked goods. Marble countertops can be purchased in a tremendous range of colors from delicate blushes to vibrant blacks, each uniquely formed naturally.
Marble has some distinct drawbacks as a countertop material. To begin with, marble can be a more supple stone than granite, so it features a greater tendency to scratch and mar than granite countertops. Additionally, polished marble is at risk of etching when acidic liquids are normally spilled on it. These spots and marks can destroy the final of your respective countertop; this can be avoided issue by selecting a honed finish instead of a polished finish, but a majority of homeowners prefer the appearance of polished marble. Finally, marble is often a porous, absorbent stone, meaning it is likely to stain. While some homeowners like the patina their marble countertops develop over the years, many do think it over a drawback.
Soapstone Countertops
You're likely informed about soapstone from a secondary school chemistry lab; those black tables were made from soapstone. Today soapstone is becoming popular in kitchen countertops due to the extreme stain resistance. It is also heat resistant and won't etch.
One problem with soapstone counters is because are just available in a fixed amount of dark colors. Soapstone can be quite a grayish color as the name indicated, though it is usually oiled to a black finish for residential and commercial use. Soapstone counters are also vulnerable to scratching. However, soapstone counters can certainly be sanded to take out nicks and mars, so this the likelihood of scratching isn't always viewed as a huge shortcoming.
Limestone Countertops
Limestone is really a sedimentary rock with qualities comparable to marble. Obtainable 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 unique part of limestone countertops.
However, like marble, limestone can be a soft rock: it is likely to stain and scratch easily and it is susceptible to etching. Your limestone counter could be sealed to help you prevent staining and etching, but limestone isn't recommended for high use areas like kitchens.
Quartz Countertops
Quartz countertops are created from an engineered stone made from 93% quartz, pigment, and resin. This stone counter material has several the exact same qualities of granite, but without the upkeep issues. Quartz countertops are heat and scratch resistant and won't stain. And, unlike granite, quartz never must be sealed. Being a man-made material, quartz counters have a uniform color and pattern. Some homeowners do prefer this consistent look for the unique areas of stone. It also ensures that if your segment of the quartz countertop is broken, the identical replacement section can be obtained from your manufacturer without concerns about matching.
Eventhough it may seem that quartz countertops are inherently superior, they certainly have a number of drawbacks. The key concern is that despite an identical cost, engineered quartz counters don't boost the valuation on your home as much as granite countertops do. Homeowners like the natural material over the man-made counter, so you will want to keep this in mind should you be remodeling your home being an investment. Additionally, although quartz counters are designed to mimic the natural appearance of granite, some people believe that quartz lacks the depth and beauty of granite. To make certain which look that suits you, make sure you see examples of both natural and engineered stone. Finally, with quartz your color and pattern option is more limited compared to natural stone. There is a great number of colors available, but particularly if you're wanting to exactly match your existing color scheme you could like the limitless rainbow of natural stone.
Corian Countertops
Corian is another kind of engineered stone just like quartz. This kind of solid surface stone countertop offers most of the benefits 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 will not have to be sealed. Moreover, Corian contains the additional benefit for being certified kosher. Unlike granite, Corian countertops can be totally integrated with Corian backsplashes and sinks to generate a visually seamless surface.
Nonetheless, Corian also does have disadvantages. It really is heat resistant, however only to 212?F. Higher temperatures will damage your counter, so you'll almost always should protect your Corian countertop from hot objects. Also, like with quartz, a lot of people like the natural look of granite on the uniform and consistent appearance of Corian. Corian countertops may also be purely available in limited colors and patterns, which many people dislike.
Using these advantages and drawbacks planned, now you are armed with the data you need to choose the perfect kitchen countertop material for your house. See your local stone countertop showroom or installer to find out samples and learn more about making your ideal of beautiful stone countertops an actuality.
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