One of the latest trends in home design today is stone kitchen countertops. These durable, heat-resistant, luxurious counters are a beautiful and practical addition to any home. But with each of the various kinds of natural and engineered stones out there, selecting the right one for the home can seem daunting. It may take a little time to research, but each of these counter materials do have benefits and drawbacks, so it's important to evaluate which is right to your requirements. Granite Countertops Granite is a common type of igneous (volcanic) rock that forms beautiful crystalline textures. A difficult type of rock, granite is perfect 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 hundreds of years, so no two bits of this natural stone are ever exactly alike. This one-of-a-kind characteristic is particularly appealing to homeowners who want a truly unique space. Granite countertops can be purchased in a wide range 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 home a lot more than engineered stones like quartz as buyers tend to gravitate toward natural materials. However, despite its prestigious reputation, granite countertops do have several disadvantages. Firstly, 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 dependence on routine maintenance a poor. Secondly, granite is commonly an expensive material. While granite tiles can be used in place of granite slabs to reduce the cost of the countertop, not everyone can afford a granite countertop. Marble Countertops Many homeowners are attracted to the luxurious appearance of marble countertops. The distinctive appearance of marble can dramatically increase the value of your house, since it is normally considered a prestigious, sophisticated material. Furthermore marble countertops are the preferred surface for serious bakers as 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 naturally. Marble does have some distinct drawbacks as a countertop material. To begin with, marble is a more supple stone than granite, so that it has a greater tendency to scratch and mar than granite countertops. Additionally, polished marble is vulnerable to etching when acidic liquids are invariably spilled onto it. These spots and marks can destroy the finish of your countertop; it is possible to avoid this problem by selecting a honed finish instead of a polished finish, but most homeowners choose the appearance of polished marble. Finally, marble is really a porous, absorbent stone, meaning it tends to stain. Although More helpful hints like the patina their marble countertops develop over time, many do consider it a drawback. Soapstone Countertops You're likely acquainted with soapstone from your senior 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. Additionally it is heat resistant and will not etch. One drawback to soapstone counters is they are only available in a limited amount of dark colors. Soapstone is normally a grayish color in nature, although it is usually oiled to a black finish for commercial and residential use. Soapstone counters may also be susceptible to scratching. However, soapstone counters can in fact be sanded to eliminate nicks and mars, which means 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 variety 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 facet of limestone countertops. However, like marble, limestone is a soft rock: it will stain and scratch easily and is vunerable to etching. Your limestone counter can 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 constructed from an engineered stone created from 93% quartz, pigment, and resin. This stone counter material has many of the same qualities of granite, but minus 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. Some homeowners do prefer this consistent look to the unique areas of natural stone. It also means that in case a segment of one's quartz countertop is damaged, an identical replacement section can be acquired from the maker 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 an identical cost, engineered quartz counters don't increase the value of your house just as much as granite countertops do. Home buyers prefer the natural material on 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 believe that quartz lacks the depth and beauty of granite. To be sure which look you prefer, ensure you see examples of both natural and engineered stone. Finally, with quartz your color and pattern options are more limited than with natural stone. There are a large numbers of colors available, but especially if you're attempting to exactly match your existing color scheme you might choose the limitless rainbow of natural stone. Corian Countertops Corian is another type of engineered stone much like quartz. This kind of solid surface stone countertop offers the majority of the advantages of granite and quartz and several unique benefits. Like granite and quartz countertops, Corian countertops are heat, stain, and scratch resistant. It is also nonporous, so it will never ought to be sealed. Moreover, Corian has the added advantage of being certified kosher. Unlike granite, Corian countertops may also be totally integrated with Corian backsplashes and sinks to make a visually seamless surface. Nonetheless, Corian also has disadvantages. It really is heat resistant, but and then 212�F. Higher temperatures will damage your counter, so you'll almost always have to protect your Corian countertop from hot objects. Also, as with quartz, some individuals prefer the natural look of granite to the uniform and consistent appearance of Corian. Corian countertops are also only available in limited colors and patterns, which some individuals dislike. With these advantages and drawbacks at heart, you're now armed with the information you need to select the perfect 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 possible.
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