Granite Countertops Product Information
Nonn's Design Showplace offers you this guide to stone countertop products, including granite, slate, soapstone, marble and limestone:
Granite, the most popular stone for countertops, is an extremely hard rock formed by volcanic activity. Granite's shimmering beauty lies in the crystals of quartz, mica, and feldspar trapped within. So called "consistent granite" has the same pattern throughout. Variegated granite has veins that vary from piece to piece, which add character but also make it more difficult to match pattern flow. Granite is very porous and should be treated with a penetrating sealer to prevent stains.
How do you care for and clean granite countertops? Visit our Granite Countertops Care and Maintenance Page to find out. And please see the Granite Countertops Projects Slideshow by clicking the link below.
Slate and Soapstone are much softer than granite, but also less porous. Slate was formed from clay on ancient sea beds and generally has a solid gray, black or green hue. Soapstone, which is composed primarily of the mineral talc, has a similar color but often contains light striations of quartz. Both stones scratch and chip easily, especially on the edges; the marks can be sanded out or left to add character to the stone. Combined with a sink of the same material, slate or soapstone counters can create a classic farmhouse look or a sleek, refined look. It is not generally necessary to seal these stones, but a periodic application of mineral oil will make then glow.
Visit a Nonn's Design Showplace showroom in Wisconsin and speak to an on-staff interior designer for more details about slate and all of our stone products.
Marble and Limestone are warm and soft, but less practical for kitchens because food acids stain them readily. Still, many homeowners don't mind stains that add a patina of age. Marble is a classic surface for rolling out pastry. Serious bakers often include a section of marble countertop in their kitchens for this purpose. Marble is generally polished like granite; limestone is often honed to a matte finish.
See our Granite Gallery to browse pictorial swatches of our stone products by hitting the button below.
More and more people use natural stone today than ever before. After all, it has withstood the ravages of time over the last 4 billion years. Considering the fact that natural stone is as old as creation, as ancient as time and space as we know it, you cannot but feel a sense of awe at the marvel and beauty of its creation.
Since the Egyptians first used granite and limestone, nearly 5,000 years ago, the use of natural stone, its quarrying, fabrication and technical testing have only improved and become more sophisticated over the millennia, making it an affordable, attractive and feasible alternative for most people.
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