The Best Types of Stone Countertops

The beauty of raw stone countertops is preferred by a lot of people wanting to make their kitchen look pristine. You will want to consider however all of the pros and cons of the different types of countertops. Common materials used in countertops range from the synthetic solid to ceramic tiles. However, one of the most popular types of countertops is stone.

Stone countertops are specifically cut to the correct size for each kitchen and then polished to protect the top layer from potential chipping. One of the most popular reasons stone countertops are the material of choice in high end kitchens, is that each kitchen counter will be completely unique. Each stone countertop will be different in color schemes and various stone types themselves. Countertops can be made from granite, onyx, travertine, limestone, and quartz, among others.

Here are some of the most popular materials used to make stone countertops.

Granite

Granite has an interesting reputation of being bulletproof. It is famous for being a high end material for luxurious kitchens. When doing a kitchen remodel keep in mind that granite comes in popular vibrant blues, patches of brown and red, and many more appealing patterns. Depending on the size, color, finishes, and patterns, prices will range per square foot. When shopping for granite keep in mind it will not look like granite already installed in a kitchen. Installed granite has been polished and dabbled with a sealant to make it stain resistant. If you choose granite countertops, it will need to be resealed after around 10 to 15 years depending on how heavily you use it.

Soapstone

Many people witness their first soapstone countertops in their school chemistry labs. Soapstone is non–porous, which saves people from applying a sealant on them. Since this is a soft material, it is used to make matching sinks and even drain boards on top of the counters. Although these stone countertops get scratched easily, their small scratches are invisible once one simply applies mineral oil or rubbing it with sand paper works too. However, if you are choosing this to renovate your kitchen, you might want to consider that soapstone does not come in any shade or color that you desire. Colors available for soapstone are blue, green, and grey hues. 

Marble

Being the most conventional countertop for most people, this has a fluctuating demand. This is mostly because it comes as a sleek counter and begs you to like its natural glaze look as you wear it out over the years. Unlike most other stone countertop materials, marble comes with the drawback that it is porous, which translates to the fact that it absorbs liquids that readily cause stains. We are talking acidic solutions like wine, vinegar, lemon juice, etc. These can corrode the polish and cause etching. For all the problems that a slab of stone like marble may have, it is highly unlikely that people give up on choosing this, as marble has been a favorite surface for years and years now.

Quartz

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Quartz is slowly creeping its way into the good books of many interior designers. In fact so many would say that it is closing the gap with granite in terms of preference, as it scored the same in stain, scratch and heat resistance tests. When one compares the long term costs of quartz, it easily gets ahead as the low maintenance winner. Manufactured Quartz is different. It can be designed to look like marble without the high cost and poor durability. But at the same time, it can also be pigmented in a number of color hues like red, blue, and dark green.

No matter which stone countertop material you choose for your kitchen our hidden countertop support brackets allow your beautiful stone countertop to have the appearance of floating. This unique and popular design allows protection for your stone countertop investment and is non-intrusive; allowing more room for your knees and even the choice of more bar stools at your bar top. One of our personal favorites is our Knee Wall Countertop Hidden Support Bracket which is installed easily on a knee wall or pony wall.

Stone countertops can easily fit into anyone’s personal style and decor. From the many stones options to the many different colors of each stone, there is always a top that will fit into your home perfectly.