Stone Countertops

Various forms of stone countertops are seen as the pinnacle of modern design in kitchens and bathrooms. However, they come in a variety of forms and materials, so to get the best long-term results, it's important to choose the type that will best serve your intended use. There are two main aspects to consider.

The first thing to think about is which type of stone to choose for your stone countertops. Granite is highly popular, but you can also select quartz, marble, dolomite, and more. Each of these has a different hardness level and porosity level. Though countertops are finished with a protective clear layer at the time of delivery, these aspects are still important. A "soft" rock is more prone to scratching, while it's easier to stain a porous variety.

Next, decide whether you want natural stone countertops or ones made of engineered stone. The engineered variety is most commonly made of quartz that has been ground to dust and then mixed with a resin. There are benefits and drawbacks to engineered stone. Benefits include greater damage resistance and the ability to make it in longer slabs than are commonly available with the natural counterpart. The drawback is that it often lacks the subtle details that you'd see in natural stone countertops.

Normally, natural stone is best in environments where spills are unlikely, and when they happen, they will be wiped up immediately. It also works well in situations where nobody is likely to try to use it as a cutting surface. This ensures that the finish will remain intact, and the underlying stone will be protected from hostile elements. However, if you have a busy kitchen or there are young children in the home, engineered stone may be a better bet.