Natural stone surfaces make a great choice for countertops as well as other decor items. We take pride in educating all our customers on the benefits, finishes, and applications of natural stone. We put this handy overview together for anyone who’s interested in the ins and outs of stone fabrication.
Pros and Cons of Natural Stone Countertops
We absolutely love using natural stone in our builds, that’s why we got into this business! But we’re also realistic about the pros and cons of these materials. Certain stones will work better for certain lifestyles. We want all of our customers to fully enjoy their countertop installations, which means making sure they understand the characteristics of each material
Granite
Pros: Durability. Granite is an incredibly dense rock. This makes it heat, scratch, and chemical resistant.
Cons: It is porous, with means it can stain if it’s not properly sealed. Granite countertops will need to be resealed every 1-2 years to protect against spills.
Marble
Pros: Well-maintained marble countertops can really increase property value. Marble has a look and feel that is difficult to replicate with any other material
Cons: Marble is known for “patina-ing” over time. It’s very susceptible to staining.
Quartzite
Pros: It has a similar look to marble, with swirling grey and white designs, but is more resistant to staining.
Cons: It can be damaged by sharp knives, so cutting boards are a must. You’ll also need to seal it just like granite.
Soapstone
Pros: This non-porous rock is very sanitary and easy to clean. No need to seal it and you only need to clean it with mild soap and a sponge.
Cons: It’s a relatively soft stone, which means it can scratch and dent easily. The softness makes it feel wonderful to the touch but also leaves it vulnerable.
Finishes
The last step of the fabrication process is to finish the slab’s surface. That means you can choose if you want your countertop to be smooth, textured, glossy, or matte. If you choose a polished or glossy finish the surface will be slightly less likely to stain, but they do show scratches more. A honed, or matte, finish creates a velvety texture that’s a dream to run your hand across. Scratches are less visible but stains are more likely with a honed finish.
Applications
Natural stone can be incorporated in many different ways. The most common uses are for countertops, but we’ve done projects in outdoor kitchens, fireplace surrounds, flooring, backsplashes, and more. Thanks to our water jet technology we’re able to cut stone in ways that other shops can’t. That means we can create one-of-a-kind stone inlays, signs, or sculptures as well.
We could write a book with all of our knowledge of Natural Stone. If you’re interested in learning more, or just want to get started on a project, reach out today.
