granite countertop winter haven fl

 One of many hottest trends in home design today is stone kitchen countertops. These durable, heat-resistant, luxurious counters are a beautiful and practical addition to any home. But with most of the various kinds of natural and engineered stones out there, selecting the correct one for your house can seem daunting. It may take a while to research, but each of these counter materials do have benefits and drawbacks, so it's important to evaluate what type is right for the needs granite countertop winter haven fl.

Granite Countertops

Granite is really a common form of igneous (volcanic) rock that forms beautiful crystalline textures. A difficult form of rock, granite is well suited for use as a table in kitchens and bathrooms because it is both heat and scratch resistant. Granite is formed by heat and pressure over more than 100 years, so no two pieces of the natural stone are ever exactly alike. This one-of-a-kind characteristic is particularly attractive to homeowners who desire a really unique space. Granite countertops are available in a wide variety of naturally occurring colors and patterns, from neutrals to striking blues and greens. Natural stone countertops like granite do typically increase the worth of your house a lot more than engineered stones like quartz as buyers tend to gravitate toward natural materials.

However, despite its prestigious reputation, granite countertops do have several disadvantages. First of all, granite is really a relatively porous stone, meaning it must be chemically sealed to resist stains. The sealing process is simple, nonetheless it must occasionally be repeated; some people think about this importance of routine maintenance a negative. Secondly, granite is commonly a pricey material. While granite tiles can be used as opposed to granite slabs to cut back the price tag on the countertop, not everybody can afford a granite countertop.

Marble Countertops

Many homeowners are interested in the luxurious appearance of marble countertops. The distinctive appearance of marble can dramatically increase the worth of your dwelling, since it is typically considered a prestigious, sophisticated material. Furthermore marble countertops are the preferred surface for serious bakers whilst the cool stone is ideal for pie crusts, pastries, and other baked goods. Marble countertops may also be for sale in a massive array of colors from delicate blushes to vibrant blacks, each uniquely formed by nature.

Marble does have some distinct drawbacks as a countertop material. To begin with, marble is a smoother stone than granite, therefore it includes a greater tendency to scratch and mar than granite countertops. Additionally, polished marble is vulnerable to etching when acidic liquids are invariably spilled on it. These spots and marks can destroy the finish of your countertop; you are able to avoid this dilemma by selecting a honed finish as opposed to a slick finish, but many homeowners prefer the appearance of polished marble. Finally, marble is really a porous, absorbent stone, meaning it will stain. Although some homeowners such as the patina their marble countertops develop through the years, many do consider it a drawback.

Soapstone Countertops

You're likely knowledgeable about soapstone from your senior high school chemistry lab; those black tables were made from soapstone. Today soapstone is now popular in kitchen countertops due to its extreme stain resistance. It can be heat resistant and won't etch.

One drawback to soapstone counters is that they are only for sale in a limited quantity of dark colors. Soapstone is generally a grayish color in nature, although it is generally oiled to a black finish for commercial and residential use. Soapstone counters may also be vulnerable to scratching. However, soapstone counters can actually be sanded to get rid of nicks and mars, which means this susceptibility to scratching isn't always viewed as a massive shortcoming.

Limestone Countertops

Limestone is really a sedimentary rock with qualities just like marble. Obtainable in a wide variety of neutrals and whites, limestone countertops have a clean appearance, unlike granite. Formed from sand and the shells of aquatic life, limestone frequently includes small fossils and shells; some homeowners particularly value this excellent aspect of limestone countertops.

However, like marble, limestone is really a soft rock: it will stain and scratch easily and is prone to etching. Your limestone counter may be sealed to help prevent staining and etching, but limestone is not recommended for high use areas such as for instance kitchens.

Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops are made out of an engineered stone made from 93% quartz, pigment, and resin. This stone counter material has lots of the same qualities of granite, but without the upkeep issues. Quartz countertops are heat and scratch resistant and won't stain. And, unlike granite, quartz never must be sealed. As a man-made material, quartz counters have a uniform color and pattern. Some homeowners do prefer this consistent check out the initial facets of natural stone. It entails that when a section of your quartz countertop is damaged, the same replacement section may be obtained from the maker without concerns about matching.

Although it may seem that quartz countertops are inherently superior, they do have numerous drawbacks. The primary issue is that despite a similar cost, engineered quartz counters don't increase the worth of your house around granite countertops do. Home buyers choose the natural material on the man-made counter, so you'll want to help keep this in your mind if you're remodeling your kitchen being an investment. Additionally, although quartz counters are made to mimic the natural look of granite, some people believe that quartz lacks the depth and beauty of granite. To ensure which look you want, make sure you see types of both natural and engineered stone. Finally, with quartz your color and pattern options are more limited than with natural stone. There are a large quantity of colors available, but particularly if you're trying to exactly match your existing color scheme you could choose the limitless rainbow of natural stone.

Corian Countertops

Corian is a different type of engineered stone just like quartz. This type of solid surface stone countertop offers all the advantages of granite and quartz along with several unique benefits. Like granite and quartz countertops, Corian countertops are heat, stain, and scratch resistant. It can be nonporous, therefore it won't ever must be sealed. Moreover, Corian has got the added benefit of being certified kosher. Unlike granite, Corian countertops can be totally integrated with Corian backsplashes and sinks to make a visually seamless surface.

Nonetheless, Corian also comes with disadvantages. It's heat resistant, but only to 212ºF. Higher temperatures will damage your counter, so you'll typically need to guard your Corian countertop from hot objects. Also, just like quartz, some people choose the natural look of granite to the uniform and consistent appearance of Corian. Corian countertops may also be only for sale in limited colors and patterns, which some people dislike.

With these advantages and drawbacks in your mind, you're now armed with the information you need to select the right kitchen countertop material for the home. Visit your local stone countertop showroom or installer to see samples and find out more about making your dream of beautiful stone countertops a reality.

Matt Gallo is really a home improvement hobbyist and the Internet Marketing Manager for Prospect Genius, a number one provider of online local advertising granite countertop winter haven fl.