Stone Kitchen Countertop Materials - Positives And Negatives Of Frequent Stone Countertops
One of many hottest trends home based design today is stone kitchen countertops. These durable, heat-resistant, luxurious counters really are a beautiful and practical addition for any home. However with all of the different varieties of natural and engineered stones available, selecting the right one for your home can seem to be daunting. It could take a little time to research, but these counter materials will have positives and negatives, therefore it is important to determine what the first is befitting your needs.
Granite Countertops
Granite is a very common type of igneous (volcanic) rock that forms beautiful crystalline textures. A difficult sort of rock, granite is well suited for use being a counter in kitchens and bathrooms because it's both heat and scratch resistant. Granite is made by pressure and heat over centuries, so no two bits of this stone are ever exactly alike. This one-of-a-kind characteristic is particularly appealing to homeowners who would like a truly unique space. Granite countertops can be purchased in an array of naturally occurring colors and patterns, from neutrals to striking blues and greens. Gemstone countertops like granite do typically raise the valuation on your home more than engineered stones like quartz as buyers often gravitate toward natural materials.
However, despite its prestigious reputation, granite countertops really have several disadvantages. To start with, granite can be a relatively porous stone, meaning it should be chemically sealed to withstand stains. The sealing process is easy, however it must occasionally be repeated; a lot of people look at this requirement for routine maintenance an adverse. Secondly, granite is commonly a costly material. While granite tiles can be used rather than granite slabs to reduce the buying price of the countertop, not every person are able to afford a granite countertop.
Marble Countertops
Many owners are fascinated by the luxurious appearance of marble countertops. The distinctive appearance of marble can dramatically increase the price of your property, since it is typically considered a prestigious, sophisticated material. Furthermore marble countertops will be the preferred surface for serious bakers because cool stone is great for pie crusts, pastries, and also other baked goods. Marble countertops are also available in a massive variety of colors from delicate blushes to vibrant blacks, each uniquely formed obviously.
Marble has some distinct drawbacks like a countertop material. To begin with, marble can be a much softer stone than granite, in order that it has a greater tendency to scratch and mar than granite countertops. Additionally, polished marble is prone to etching when acidic liquids are invariably spilled into it. These spots and marks can destroy the final of the countertop; this can be avoided issue by choosing a honed finish in place of a cultured finish, but a majority of homeowners choose to appearance of polished marble. Finally, marble can be a porous, absorbent stone, meaning it tends to stain. Although some homeowners such as the patina their marble countertops develop over the years, many do ponder over it a drawback.
Soapstone Countertops
You're likely acquainted with soapstone from the secondary school chemistry lab; those black tables were created from soapstone. Today soapstone is becoming popular in kitchen countertops due to its extreme stain resistance. Additionally it is heat resistant and won't etch.
One issue with soapstone counters is because they are just for sale in a fixed number of dark colors. Soapstone generally is a grayish color anyway, though it is generally oiled to some black finish for commercial and residential use. Soapstone counters will also be vulnerable to scratching. However, soapstone counters can in fact be sanded to take out nicks and mars, which means this the likelihood of scratching isn't always seen as an huge shortcoming.
Limestone Countertops
Limestone can be a sedimentary rock with qualities comparable to marble. Available in a wide range of neutrals and whites, limestone countertops use a smooth appearance, unlike granite. Formed from sand and also the shells of aquatic life, limestone frequently includes small fossils and shells; some homeowners particularly value this unique element of limestone countertops.
However, like marble, limestone is a soft rock: it is likely to stain and scratch easily and is vunerable to etching. Your limestone counter might be sealed to assist prevent staining and etching, but limestone isn't suitable 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 numerous of the identical qualities of granite, but devoid of the upkeep issues. Quartz countertops are heat and scratch resistant will not stain. And, unlike granite, quartz never should be sealed. Like a man-made material, quartz counters possess a uniform color and pattern. Some homeowners do prefer this consistent check out the unique elements of gemstone. Additionally, it signifies that in case a segment of one's quartz countertop is broken, an identical replacement section can be purchased in the manufacturer without concerns about matching.
Even though it might appear that quartz countertops are inherently superior, they are doing have many drawbacks. The principal problem is that despite much the same cost, engineered quartz counters don't boost the valuation on your house as much as granite countertops do. Homeowners choose the natural material on the man-made counter, so you should bear this in mind if you are remodeling your kitchen area as an investment. Additionally, although quartz counters are built to mimic natural appearance of granite, many people believe that quartz lacks the depth and beauty of granite. To be sure which look that suits you, be sure to see examples of both natural and engineered stone. Finally, with quartz your color and pattern options are more limited than by using natural stone. There is a great number of colors available, but especially if you're wanting to exactly satisfy your existing colors you could possibly prefer the limitless rainbow of gemstone.
Corian Countertops
Corian is the one other kind of engineered stone much like quartz. This kind of solid surface stone countertop offers a lot of the aspects of granite and quartz along with several unique benefits. Like granite and quartz countertops, Corian countertops are heat, stain, and scratch resistant. Additionally it is nonporous, therefore it won't must be sealed. Moreover, Corian has the additional advantage for being certified kosher. Unlike granite, Corian countertops can even be totally integrated with Corian backsplashes and sinks to generate a visually seamless surface.
Nonetheless, Corian also is equipped with disadvantages. It really is heat resistant, however only to 212?F. Higher temperatures will damage your counter, so you'll typically have to protect your Corian countertop from hot objects. Also, like with quartz, some people like the natural appearance of granite for the uniform and consistent appearance of Corian. Corian countertops will also be only obtainable in limited colors and patterns, which some people dislike.
With your advantages and disadvantages at heart, you're now with the info you should select the perfect kitchen countertop material for your home. Visit your local stone countertop showroom or installer to view samples and discover more details on making your ideal of gorgeous stone countertops possible.
To learn more about da mat bep resource: read this.