Natural stone is perhaps the best choice for countertops. After all, it’s stood the test of time for thousands, if not millions of years, and it was good enough for ancient Egyptians to erect their monumental pyramids out of—those certainly have stood the test of time and it’s no wonder why: Natural stone is extremely durable, which is a major plus for using it for your countertops.
There are many types of natural stone that you may choose for your space, with the most popular being granite. Other popular choices include marble, soapstone and onyx. Each stone possesses different aesthetic qualities and physical properties.
Known as the most durable of the natural stones, granite is rated seven out of 10 on Moh’s scale of mineral harness. Practically speaking, this means it can withstand heat of up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s also just slightly porous, so while liquids may penetrate it, household sealers may be used to protect it.
Granite is comprised of the minerals feldspar, quartz, which gives it its unique and rich color, and mica, which provides those shimmers of light that are present in the stone. There are no two pieces of granite that are completely alike and some types are more rare. For example, blue is an anomaly in this natural stone; thus, if you’re set on going with blue granite be prepared to pay more for it.
Marble, unlike granite, is made of calcite and is softer to the touch—it scores a three out of 10 on the Moh’s scale. It’s also more porous than granite, so while it may make for a beautiful countertop, it could become gouged with substantial wear and tear. Also, the calcite in the marble reacts to acidity; thus, if you’re preparing foods on the surface their properties could become forever etched into the surface.
Another soft stone that may be considered for countertops is soapstone, which is primarily made from talc. It scores the lowest on the Moh’s scale, coming in between one and two. While it’s the softest to the touch, it is resistant to heat, and it is not porous so it does not require sealing. Over time, soapstone may develop a patina, but mineral oil may be applied to achieve balance between the soapstone’s natural color and any changes to its sheen.
Onyx is made up of calcites bands, each with a unique color. It is softer than granite and may be lit from behind to accentuate the beauty of the calcite bands’ unique colors.
Today’s Trends
At showroom and fabrication facility Pro Stone Granite Group in Clinton, Massachusetts, Ana Penha assists customers in selecting the natural stone product that is right for them. While she admits that granite and marble are her top sellers, Pro Stone Granite Group provides a wide array of natural stone from which to choose, such as limestone, which is ideal for pastry rolling, and quartz, which like granite is quite durable.
As for what’s hot in natural stone colors these days, Penha says River White Granite, Matrix Motion Granite, Giallo Ornamental Granite, Sienna Ridge SileStone and Crema Marfil Marble are big sellers.
Penha adds that while highly polished granite, which was big in the 1990s, is still a favorite for many, a lot of customers are opting for new finishes, such as leather or antique, which are both in high demand.
Choosing the right natural stone product, color and finishing touches is a very personal decision. For instance, there are many varieties of edges from which you can choose—pencil, radius, bevel, bullnose, dupon, ogee, royal ogee and waterfall are just a few and all possess varying degrees of curves and detail.
While no two stones are alike, all natural stone products provide a functional and beautiful backdrop on which you can perform your daily tasks, and each piece truly is a work of art.
By Laura Starczewski
From Ground to Home
Natural stone is mined from where it forms. Italy, Brazil and India house the world’s largest suppliers of natural stone slabs. The stones are removed using drilling techniques, explosives, water or compressed air to break off large blocks of stone.
Once the blocks are separated, they are shipped off on trucks to a block yard. There, they are sliced into two- or three-centimeter thick slabs. Using water and friction, steel blades can take anywhere from two to three days to cut through a single slab. Once cut, the slabs are heat treated with a polymer resin and polished—the degree of polishing produces the final finish (currently, matted and textured looks are popular alternatives to highly polished slabs). It can take several weeks and in many cases months for the slabs to arrive at the U.S. shores.
The stone’s arrival in the warehouse is just the start of an entirely new process. This is where the real fun begins because it’s time for you to choose the stone and finish that’s perfect for you. When choosing your stone, pay attention to the varying degrees of color, textures, veining and polish present in the stones.
Once you’ve selected your stone, a fabricator will cut the stone but not before taking careful measurements of the area where the countertop will be installed and making a template from which the natural stone will be cut. Some fabricators create a template by hot-gluing pieces of wood to match the size and shape of the countertop while others rely on digital methods to get the job done. Regardless of which method is used, accuracy is key.
The template is laid out on the slab and the fabricator uses a marker, tape or laser technology to sketch the image of the countertop onto the stone, so he or she can either cut the pattern by hand using a diamond saw blade or use high-tech equipment to cut along the pattern.
Once the stone is cut, it’s time to polish the edges to match the sheen of the slab and to cut holes for any appliances or sinks. Then, the fabricator will test the pieces—each may weigh up to 600 pounds each—to make sure they fit snuggly into place.
Natural stone is installed using silicon glue that seals under the weight of the stone. Suction, glue, colorant and polishing are used to match the seams between stones, and here’s a tip: A good seam won’t be noticeable from a distance and a great one won’t be readily detectable at all.
Once the pieces are seamed up, it’s time to add the backsplash or other decorative details to personalize the space. Don’t forget to add a sealant to protect your new stone from being damaged through household usage, and avoid cleaning the surface with any harsh cleaners, so your natural stone countertop like the pyramids will withstand the test of time!
Imagery courtesy of Pro Stone Granite Group
