Counting on Countertops
Selecting countertop slabs is one of my favorite parts of the builder/designer process. The beauty of these stones that come out of the earth is quite often staggering to me: I often think some of them should be mounted on a wall as artwork as opposed to just being a countertop.
Slab options come in a variety of materials – both natural stone and manmade slab – and each has its pros and cons that you should consider. Here are some of the major categories for you to contemplate:
Granite
Pros – very durable, heat resistant, wide range of colors/design, typically one of the more budget friendly options
Cons – quite often requires periodic sealing to prevent staining, typically does not come in lighter colors which are more on trend now
Marble
Pros – comes in lighter colors that are more on trend now, typically one of the more budget friendly, heat resistant
Cons – very fragile and prone to cracking and scratching, very porous and requires frequent sealing to prevent staining
Quartzite
Pros – extremely durable, stain resistant, heat resistant, typically comes in lighter colors which are more on trend now
Cons – typically the most expensive option
Quartz (manmade slab like Vicostone)
Pros – extremely durable, stain resistant, typically comes in lighter colors which are more on trend now, typically one of the more budget friendly options, does not require sealing
Cons – most lines are not heat resistant (although a few have been developed), may not look like natural stone depending on brand/color
Soapstone
Pros – easy to work with, heat resistant, stain resistant, typically budget friendly
Cons – scratches easily, requires regular oiling