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San Diego real estate library
Stone Options in Countertops
The look is rich, the feel is luxurious and the material is
long-lasting. Such is the definition of natural stone
countertop. Whether it comes in the form of a slab or produced
as individual tiles each piece of the natural stone is unique
unto itself.
Always take time and care to choose the one that will work best
for your requirements. Most are virtually maintenance free and
some require a bit of tender loving care to look their best such
as regular staining or oiling. Natural stone countertops come in
a variety of finishes with the most common being polished, high
gloss, honed or matte. Below are some of the variables of living
stone countertops.
Granite is the most strong of the natural stone countertops. The
only harder stone is the diamond. It will not scratch, crack or
chip and can withstand heat. It can though break dishes or
glasses if set down too hard. Granite is available in rich
colors and a polish that won't wear off. Since granite is porous
you need reseal it about once a year.
Soapstone, which is mainly made up of the mineral talc is
popular in both modern or country style kitchens. The nature of
soapstone means acids won't etch the stone and the stains can be
easily sanded out. Homeowners tend to like the not so perfect
soapstone and view it as character instead of flaws. Mineral oil
brings out its rich, dark color and makes it shine.
The sleek and chic marble countertop is timeless. Usually found
in the baker's kitchen, it is the serious bakers' choice for
rolling dough. Marble is more porous than granite so it requires
sealant to be applied more frequently to prevent stains. Since
it is not nearly as hard as some other stone countertops, it is
best to be used in small sections instead than the primary
countertop.
Beautiful slate is available in tones of gray, green, purple and
black. It's definitely not just for roofs or floors anymore.
Slate is definitely becoming a popular choice in the kitchen.
Its beauty and strength make it a durable and stylish option. As
with soapstone, regular treatment with mineral oil will bring
out the beauty of this material. Any scratches can usually be
removed by rubbing with a damp sponge. Deeper scratches can be
buffed out by using steel wool.
Limestone consists mainly of calcite, a neutral-toned mineral.
Limestone varies in hardness but is a more porous stone that
stains easily. It requires regular resealing to prevent stains.
Quartz is an attractive stone countertop. Though often called
engineered stone, this material is composed of natural quartz
mixed with epoxy resin binders. Quartz is an incredibly hard and
durable surface. It is nonabsorbent that makes it more user
friendly and stain resistant. It is basically maintenance free
with just a simple wipe off with warm water. Different pigments
are mixed in the making of the quartz surfacing and because of
this there are beautiful colors to choose from.
Lava stone is a more abnormal countertop material that is often
sold under the French brand name Pyrolave. Lava stone is
quarried in France then enameled and fired. It has a very high
gloss finish and colors can be customized.
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