Homeowners love the look of natural stone in the kitchen, and with several stone types out there, from granite to marble and everything in between, it can be difficult to narrow down your choices. No matter what stone you choose, you will find that it will add a sense of elegance and luxury to your home that is unmatched by other materials. It will also remain strong, durable and beautiful for a lifetime. Before buying a natural stone countertop, however, you may want to ask yourself the following questions:
How Thick Should A Stone Countertop Be?
Before buying a natural stone countertop, you will have to consider the thickness of the stone. With granite and marble, for instance, the industry standard thickness is 3 centimeters for the kitchen and 2 centimeters for the bathroom. However, just because the industry standard is 3 centimeters in the kitchen, there is no reason you cannot use a 2-centimeter thick slab. There are some benefits to choosing a thinner piece of stone, as it is less expensive and lighter than a thicker piece of stone. However, a thinner slab is also a bit weaker. The thickness of the stone will also affect the look of the kitchen, and thicker slabs are typically found in modern, contemporary or minimalist designed kitchens.
What Finish Will I Choose?
Another question that you must ask yourself before buying a stone countertop is what finish you will choose. There several finishes available, but the most popular is polished and honed. A polished finish will be shiny and bright, but any mark on the stone will stand out and be highly visible. A honed finish will also have a sheen associated with it, although it will minimize reflections and marks. Other finish options, such as tumbled, flamed and antiqued are achieved with buffing, acid, and heat. The finish you choose will not affect the strength or durability of the stone, it simply comes down to personal taste.
Can I Trust The Look Of A Sample?
Many professionals suggest taking a sample of natural stone home to see how it looks with your existing cabinets, flooring and other elements of the kitchen. When you get a sample, you will likely get a piece of tile that is the same color as the slab you are considering. However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind when you bring a sample home. First, you have to remember that natural stone, including granite and marble, can vary greatly from one area of a slab to another. With engineered stone, such as quartz, the pattern and colors will be the same throughout. So, you will get a better idea of how a slab will look in the home by looking at a sample of quartz than by looking at a sample of marble or granite. Even after you choose your color, when choosing marble or granite, you should see the slab you will buy, as you want to make sure you know what to expect with it. After all, one end could have very little veining, and the other could have a lot.
What Care Must I Give To This Countertop Material?
When dealing with a natural stone countertop, it is also important to think about the care of the countertop. These countertop materials require a bit more care than other countertops, but it is not a level of care that will affect your day to day life. For instance, cleaning a natural stone countertop can be done by using mild soap and water with a soft cloth. There are also natural stone cleansers that are available that are specially formulated for use on natural stone. It is also important that you do not cut on natural stone with knives; you should not allow liquids to pool on the surface of natural stone, nor should you allow food to sit on the countertop’s surface.
Will Natural Stone Fit Into My Budget?
You should also ask yourself if natural stone will fit within your budget. Natural stone countertop prices can really run the gamut based on a number of factors including color, veining, material type, finish, and edging. You can find natural stone that is as affordable as other countertop materials that you may be considering, such as Corian, or you can find natural stone that is quite expensive and luxurious. If you have your heart set on natural stone, most people can find some that falls into their budget.
These are only a few of the many questions you should ask before settling on natural stone for your kitchen countertop. Researching these materials, talking to experts and seeing the materials in person are all recommended before buying natural stone. This material is not right for every household, but it may be perfect for yours.