Are you on the market for new kitchen or bathroom countertops? Then you may have your eyes set on beautiful stone countertops. You can have your pick between natural and engineered varieties, which both come with their pros and cons.
Determining the countertop that would best suit your kitchen all comes down to the specifics. In this guide, we’ll cover some of the most popular stone kitchen countertops.
This way, you can make a more educated decision about which to choose for your home. So, let’s get into it!
Solid Surface Countertops for the Kitchen and Bathroom
One material that’s taking the countertop industry by storm is solid surface counters. These are new to the market and are often times installed inside of kitchens and bathrooms. It’s not a natural stone, but an engineered version that looks a lot like granite and marble.
It’s crafted by man using synthetic materials, such as acrylics. You can find many options that look a lot like natural stones, such as granite. The slabs provide a seamless look, so you can’t tell where each slab connects.
The surface is nonporous, which means it doesn’t easily stain. However, it’s not that resistant to heat, like you’ll find with quartz. Solid surface counters are also easily scratched. However, once scratched, they can be easily removed using sanding.
There are over 100 different color options to choose from, which is one of the reasons some homeowners like this countertop option.
Granite Countertops for Kitchens and Bathrooms
This is still a highly-preferred option for kitchen and bathroom countertops. Granite is a natural stone that comes straight from the earth. Volcanoes create granite slabs, which gives it its unique appearance.
You can find some stone slabs in various hues and vein colors and patterns. This is determined by the contents of the stone. For instance, granite made with a high content of mica, it will have a black or brown color. And if it’s filled with feldspar, then it will have a red or pink color.
Granite with black, pink and white hues are comprised of mostly quartz. The variations in the colors and patterns of the stone and veins makes each slab unique. A lot of customers enjoy the fact of knowing the look of the slabs they have, no one else has.
The durability of granite stone is top-notch as well. Granite is well-known for being resistant against heat, scratches and stains. However, it’s required that you seal it and continue to reseal it, so that it maintains these qualities.
There are about 20 different color options to choose from. Although the stone is durable, it’s a good idea to still take precautions. For instance, use a cutting board, clean up spills right away and avoid setting hot pots and pans on the surface.
Quartz Countertops for the Kitchen and Bathroom
When it comes to toughness, the next best thing to granite is quartz. This is a man-made stone engineered with 93% quartz and 7% resins and pigments. There are way more color options for quartz counters because of their engineered status.
The look of quartz resembles that of natural stones, such as marble and granite. It comes with a more uniform design of specks and veins, which some people prefer. Granite and marble have different looks per slab, which can make one half of the counter look different than the other half.
Like with other stone counters, you can choose between various finishes, such as matte and polished. A matte finish would make it look like limestone or granite textured finish.
Marble Countertops for the Kitchen and Bathroom
Another natural stone option is marble. This is widely used for different applications, such as fireplace surrounds, floors, tub surrounds, tile walls and countertops. You’ll find them installed inside of kitchens, bathrooms and in living areas.
It’s a quality stone that looks amazing in contemporary and modern designs. In history, marble was the material of choice for crafting statues you’ll still find standing in places like Greece. This goes to prove how durable marble is when properly maintained.
As for kitchen and bathroom countertops, it’s recommended that you seal the surface regularly, so that it maintains its resilience. The sealant improves its durability, so that it’s not so easily scratched and damaged.
Do keep in mind that compared to granite, marble is a softer stone, so it’s more prone to damage caused by spills and sharp objects. Marble comes in a variety of color choices, which include white, gray, brown, yellow, green, blue, black and pink.
Then to top it off, you can choose between finishes, such as matte, polished or leather.
Finding a Quality Stone Countertop for Your Home
These are just some of the stone options you can find today. These are the leading materials in the industry, so definitely worth looking into. The next step is to find a contractor that will sell and install the stone countertop of your choice.
That’s exactly what we do at KNC Granite. We have a showroom available for customers to go to see our selections of products and we carry quartz, marble and granite stone slabs from top brands like Silestone, Cambria, Caesarstone and Zodiaq.
We offer some of the best prices in town for the highest quality stone slabs.
Why Hire KNC Granite?
You’ll find many customers in Maryland and Virginia who choose KNC Granite for their countertop installations. This is due to our reputation in high-quality craftsmanship. We have licensed, bonded and insured contractors on the job, which ensures you get the satisfaction you deserve.
The products we sell also come with manufacturer warranties for added protection. Whether you’re looking for new counters for your kitchen or bathroom, we can help. Contact us today to get a free estimate for your new natural stone countertop!