MARBLE
Marble occurs in large deposits that can be hundreds of feet thick and geographically extensive, and is produced by sawing into pieces of specific dimensions. These are used in monuments, sculptures and interior design, it makes a good surface for bathrooms, offices, fireplace surrounds and other locations where they don’t get heavy use.
However, they are not recommended for the kitchen.
There are two primary reasons that marble countertop installation is not recommended for the kitchen:
The first concern is the porous nature of marble. It’s more porous than granite, so it more readily absorbs liquids. That means that oil, wine, juice and other spills penetrate deeper into the stone very quickly, and they are hard, if not impossible, to get out. Even in the bathroom, be cautious with things like nail polish, liquid makeup or remover that can stain the tops.
The second reason to be concerned about marble kitchen counters is that the material isn’t sturdy enough for the kitchen. Sharp knives can scratch the surface. Heavy pots or mugs may chip the marble or even break off a corner.
These are the primary reasons some manufacturers won’t warranty marble countertops if used in kitchens and many countertop installers won’t install them. There are too many complaints from homeowners when their marble kitchen countertops stain, scratch, chip or crack.
Marble is usually a light-coloured rock. When it is formed from a limestone with very few impurities, it will be white in colour. Marble that contains impurities such as clay minerals, iron oxides, or bituminous material can be bluish, gray, pink, yellow, or black in colour. No two slabs are alike, so you’ll be assured of having a unique countertop for your home.
GRANITE
Granite is a very hard natural material, which means it is fairly resistant to chipping, scratching, and damage from heat such as pans or hot hair tools, especially when compared to other natural stones such as marble or sandstone, it can bear a lot of weight.
This stone is also a very dense, tight material, resistant to weather over long periods of time. For construction and interior design, granite has been and continues to be used for buildings, bridges, paving, monuments, kitchen worktops, countertops, flooring, and more. If you’re committed to their care and maintenance, granite countertops will deliver the look and performance you want for decades to come.
ONYX
Onyx it is a calcareous stone, formed by dissolving limestone and redeposited as a new kind of stone. In caves, drip water forms onyx as stalactites and stalagmites. It is a soft, brittle stone and should be carefully evaluated for its intended use.
For centuries used in jewelry, carvings, architectural accents, and interior design such as translucent feature wall, backsplash or any type of lighting decoration. Not recommended for the kitchen worktops as it is calcium based, so it reacts to acids and will etch. It is also very soft and scratches easily. Wine, fruit juice, lemons, and vinegar will all react with onyx and can etch the surface.
Onyx it is a showstopper of stone, rarer than fine marble and highly desirable for its unique appearance. The stone’s stunning swirls and speckles of rich, vibrant color and unusual translucency make it an extremely sought-after material.
BASALT
Is a volcanic rock that is the most common. It is a fine-grained substance with varying shades of color from grey to black. Basalt is an intergalactic rock as well with samples found on Earth’s moon, Mars, Venus and on several asteroids. Most of the ocean’s floor is composed of basalt rock.
Basalt is an excellent stone for interior decoration. They are mostly used as panels for walls, worktops, countertops, and fireplaces. It can also be cut into dimensional form and used as tiling for floors. The most notable feature of basalt is the property for insulating. Additionally, basalt has the best thermal protection, unlike some organic substances, when it comes to thermal property. It does not have toxic hazards, and it has more than three times the heat insulation value than asbestos.
SLATE
It is widely used in building roofs and floors, for it being fireproof and a good electrical insulator. It has also been popular in the use for fireplaces and fire hearts, outdoor and indoor flooring, and cladding. Floorings of porches, basements, can be made of slate. This rock requires less maintenance, it is also resistant to weather and pollution.
TRAVERTINE
Travertine it is an elegant natural stone that has been used as a building material for centuries. The stone can be found in many different colours, ranging from grey to gold.
Travertine is similar to limestone. In fact, travertine actually is a type of limestone, although the names of the two stones should not be used interchangeably, as some differences exist.
Typically travertine forms in hot springs. It forms by the precipitation of calcium carbonate, it is comprised of mostly calcite, which makes it a much softer stone than regular limestone. This stone is more porous and is less durable than limestone, which means you will need to be careful where you choose to install your travertine.
You can use travertine for countertops, backsplashes, fireplace surrounds, walkways, patios, pool decks, interior and exterior walls and floors, driveways, bathtub surrounds, shower walls.
QUARTZ
Quartz composite it’s incredibly durable and resistant to heat, scratches, stains, and impact. Its smooth surface is easy to clean and maintain. It’s also nonporous, so food particles don’t spread, this stone is hygienic and odour-resistant. It retains its colour and uniformity for a lifetime. Compared to natural stone with similar pattern quartz composite is affordable, additionally it comes in awesome non-fading colours and finishes, too!
