Guide to Stone Countertops

The various types of designer stone countertops attract ardent fans as well as staunch rivals. Natural or engineered stone? High end or low maintenance? Which ones do you root for? It’s easy to distinguish the pros and cons of different stones, but much more difficult to make a final choice on what goes into your kitchen or bath.

They are:

• Marble
• Granite
• Quartz
• Concrete

Marble is a natural, quarried stone characterized by dark veins running through a creamy or colored base. It is the crystallized form of limestone, composed over millions of years. Marble countertops are prized for their beauty but considered the most delicate of the countertop stones.

Granite, in contrast, is the hardest of the popular countertop materials. Granite gets green points for being one of the most plentiful minerals on earth. Granite countertops are known for dazzling shiny surfaces and natural colors. Both granite and marble countertops must be cut from single slabs at commercial stone yards.

Quartz countertops are products made of natural stone, as opposed rough cuts. They are 93% quartz combined with pigments and polymers, and honed to a thin yet strong surface. Quartz is similar to granite, but less shiny and more flexible in its color schemes. A variety of pigments customize quartz countertops.

Concrete is also a product made of natural stone. When hand-finished, concrete makes handsome and hard-working countertops. Of all the countertop stones, concrete is probably the least vulnerable to damage and has the most versatility in color, texture and special effects. Both quartz and concrete are engineered from quarried materials and other reinforcements.

What Is It?

Although stone countertops are long-wearing, they can attract unsightly nicks, scratches and stains. Homeowners who are considering stone countertops in kitchens or baths should set priorities.

• If you want the best and most beautiful countertops, choose marble.
• If you want the trendiest and sturdiest, choose granite.
• If you want the designer’s edge, choose quartz.
• If you want low price and easy care, choose concrete.

With natural stone, you’ll get an aesthetic boost to your decor no matter which way you go. But you must also ask yourself how much care you are willing to take in order to keep your stone countertops looking new.

• If you aren’t the type to wipe up every little water mark, steer clear of marble.
• If your family leaves splashes of mustard, mayo or tomatoes on the counter, give granite the go-by.
• If your countertops take a beating, don’t choose shatter-prone quartz.
• If you want genuine cut-stone countertops, don’t choose concrete.

Who Is This Good For?

Stone countertops are popular choices among architects, commercial designers, residential decorators and homeowners. They add visual interest to rooms and value to properties, as well as being practical work surfaces. Green builders use stone countertops in their energy-conscious and environmentally friendly designs.

Benefits

Natural stones such as marble and granite are the choices for timeless elegance. These stones took millions of years to form and will probably last a couple hundred more. Bakers applaud marble’s affinity for bread and pastry dough making, while busy gourmets appreciate how granite holds up to heavy use with great looks.

Engineered quartz countertops, such as CaesarStone and Cambria, boast high-end appearances and low-maintenance claims. Unlike marble and granite, nonporous quartz doesn’t need periodic sealing or diligence with minor spills. The color palette available in quartz countertops includes as many as 50 shades.

While engineered quartz is considered a good green building materials, it is still surpassed in that area by concrete. Concrete countertop manufacture uses less energy in transportation and fabrication than other stone surfaces. It may have a high recycled content and a low volatile emissions rate. Size, shape and texture options abound. Concrete also offers the most color and edge choices of all the stone countertops—practically infinite.

Natural colors in stone slab countertops or colorful infusions in engineered stone surfaces give designers an advantage. The naturally smooth, hard surface of stone sets the ideal stage for cooking.

Risks

The responsibility of caring for stone countertops is what makes Formica, Corian and other solid-surface countertops popular alternatives. While the engineered stone products are meant to minimize care, some consumers say the claims are false. For others, even minimal care is too much trouble. If that’s the case with you, avoid stone countertops to eliminate the risk of losing on your investment.

Natural stone isn’t cheap, and when damage is permanent or repairs go wrong, homeowners and commercial managers get stuck. Natural stone isn’t invincible, either. All the materials mentioned can be stained, some by acidic liquids, such as vinegar. Porous marble will pit and stain from ordinary water drips.

Any type of stone can chip and crack, and all can be damaged by hot pans. Some consumers who purchased engineered quartz from special factories said online ended up with cracked products that even experts couldn’t fix. Others, however, reported no problems.

Review your habits and be honest with yourself about whether stone countertops will mesh with your lifestyle. Read your warranty literature. You’ll have to take good care of your granite, quartz. marble or concrete countertops to preserve their value.