Kitchen Countertops

In the past, natural stone was more or less reserved for high priced homes, but today it is becoming a staple for homes at nearly every price point. When selecting natural stone, there are many different types, finishes,  appearances, thickness, and textures from which to choose. Generally you may expect to pay $70-$100 per square foot for your natural stone, but high-end slabs may cost as much as $300 per square foot.


Granite
Granite is the most durable of the natural stone countertops. It is scratch, chip, and heat resistant, but it does require special sealants and regular maintenance. Granite is available is a wide range of colors ranging from light to black with the flecking within varying from slab to slab.







Marble
Marble is a warm, soft stone with a smooth feel and rich look. Marble is available in a many colors and will have variations of veining within each individual slab. Because marble is prone to scratching and staining, many people choose to use it in select areas of the kitchen instead of the whole. Marble is waterproof and heatproof, but does require constant maintenance and should be sealed to prevent staining.




Jerusalem Stone
Jerusalem stone looks like limestone, but is as hard as granite. It is available in shades of gray, honey, and salmon. Jerusalem stone is porous and will require annual sealing to keep it stain resistant.









Soapstone
Soapstone has a smooth feel and is usually dark gray in color. It is much softer than granite, but is rather resistant to stains. It can be used for both a countertop and sink material. Soapstone does require regular maintenance and it may scratch and chip, especially on the edges. Note: scratches in soapstone may be buffed out using a fine grit sandpaper.





Slate
Slate is available in dark, natural colors and is durable, hard, and fireproof. Because slate is not porous like other natural stone surfaces, it is not susceptible to staining (though it should be sealed regularly). Slate will scratch, however, but the scratches may be removed.







Travertine
Travertine has a smooth warm feel and although it comes in several different hues, cream is the most popular choice. Travertine is softer than some other natural stone choices and is suseptible to staining. Spills must be quickly wiped up and the surface must be resealed annually.







Cleaning stone is a fairly simple procedure if you follow the instructions given to you with your stone. Generally, this means using a mild dish detergent and water to clean the surface. The most important thing to remember is that you should always avoid products containing abrasives, lemon, vinegar or other acids. In addition, stay away from scouring pads which may scratch the surface or dull the finish.