Luxury Housing Trends & Home Improvement Ideas

A lot of people like the look of natural stone kitchen countertops. At $70-$200 a square foot installed, it’s definitely a luxury choice for the kitchen, but if you’re looking to remodel, stone may be worth the price. But which stone do you want? Let’s take a look at what’s out there:

Granite Countertops

Granite is formed by volcanic activity, which makes it one of the hardest and least porous rocks you can use for a countertop. Combine this with its handsome look (integrated crystals shimmer when hit by the light), and you can see why it’s the most popular stone surface for both interior and outdoor kitchens. It’s fairly resistant to acid and requires only an annual sealing for maintenance.

Marble Countertops

Marble is softer and less dense than granite, making it more susceptible to damage, but its dramatic veining and color range (varying from dark reds, oranges, and greens, to soft pinks and beiges) make it desirable. Marble is best if you don’t mind a high-maintenance material (food acids like lime and vinegar can stain it easily, so you need to reseal marble frequently). However, if you prefer an aged quality (i.e. if you’re doing a period kitchen design), you might not mind the look. Also, some chefs swear by marble for rolling out pastry, and they’ll install a special marble section as a pastry counter.

Travertine Countertops

Travertine has small pits scattered across its surface that give it an aged well-worn feel. The stone is fairly soft, and the pits can soak up moisture and stains. For some the warm tan hues and soft feel of the stone make it worth the extra maintenance.

Slate Countertops

Slate is softer than granite and marble but also less porous, which makes it naturally stain resistant. It can scratch easily, but the marks can be sanded out. Slate is a smooth stone that comes in black, gray, or dark green, and it usually comes with a matte finish that doesn’t need a sealant. You can oil it, however, for a shiny look. Because the stone is water resistant, it’s often chosen for outdoor kitchens.

Limestone Countertops

Limestone is soft and warm, like marble. It has less graining than marble, a look that makes it nice in rustic or country kitchens. Limestone comes in beiges, grays, and whites with both light and dark veining. Because it is very porous, it can stain easily and even pit if exposed to acids like vinegar.

Soapstone Countertops

Soapstone is an interesting stone with a texture reminiscent of a dry bar of soap (hence the name, eh?). It’s usually a deep gray with light veins of quartz. It’s less porous than many of the stones we’ve talked about, so it isn’t affected by acid, and it won’t stain below the surface. It is soft, however, and can scratch and chip. It doesn’t need to be sealed, and it develops a natural patina over time.

Source: Work Surfaces and Countertops