Everything You Need To Know When Choosing A Kitchen Counter Stone

One day you walk into the kitchen and it finally hits.

You are tired of looking at the same old kitchen.

Deciding to remodel the kitchen was not the hard part. After all, you will optimize the space you have to prepare delicious meals and entertain guests. The tough decision involves whether you should add a kitchen countertop.

Several factors come into play for installing a kitchen counter. You have to decide where to install the new counter, as well as determine the size of the newest addition to the kitchen. The most important factor is to decide what type of stone to use for the counter installation project.

Here is everything you need to know when choosing a kitchen counter stone.

Blend in with the Kitchen Decor

You will read online articles recommending you select a counter stone that matches your kitchen décor. The key word should not be “Match,” but instead, it should be “Blend.” You want the stone chosen to build a counter to blend seamlessly with the décor of the kitchen. For example, if you have created a warm, light colored ambiance for the kitchen, then choosing a granite slab that also exudes a warm, light colored ambiance makes sense for blending in with the rest of the kitchen décor. Both granite and quartz are available in a wide variety of colors to give you the ultimate in kitchen design flexibility.

Provide Years of Functionality

You are not considering the addition of a kitchen counter to last you for just a few years. You want to select a counter stone that provides you with decades of functionality. The stone you select to build a kitchen counter must be able to withstand the rigors of daily use. It must be able to resist the damage caused by strong impacts, such as the pounding of meats and the constant slamming of pots and pans. Your new kitchen counter cannot succumb to dents and scratches, as well as be able to handle prolonged exposure to heat and moisture. When push comes to shove, a natural stone like marble and soapstone is a good choice for a kitchen counter that you plan to use daily for cooking and entertaining.

Low Maintenance

Some natural stone countertops require sealing to prevent moisture from entering minute sized cracks. What you want in a kitchen counter stone is a stone that requires limited maintenance. One sealing session should be enough to last you for several years. You also want to avoid counter stones that require a thorough cleaning on a daily basis. All you should have to do for maintaining the beautiful appearance of a kitchen counter is to soak a washcloth on a little soapy water and then wipe the surface of the counter clean in one swipe. If the worst case scenario unfolds and your kitchen counter cracks off a piece of stone, you want the exposed stone to mirror the appearance of the rest of the kitchen counter.

Primary Purpose of the Kitchen Counter

The stone you chose for the kitchen counter will depend on how you plan to use the new kitchen counter. If your primary use of the new kitchen counter is for entertaining guests, then you want to go with a stone that exudes elegant panache. On the other hand, if your main use for the new kitchen counter is for dicing, cutting, and slicing food in preparation for serving meals, then you want a counter stone that delivers unsurpassed durability.

How Much Can You Afford to Spend?

With granite, we mentioned the last factor that will give you everything you need to know when choosing a kitchen counter stone.

It is called price; and if you are purchasing your countertops in NYC, things can get expensive. Every kitchen remodeling project should be developed by working within a budget. Not only do you have to budget for the cost of a counter stone, you also have to consider the cost of installing the counter. Many types of kitchen remodeling projects require homeowners to make choices between spending money on the kitchen or devoting financial resources to other home improvement projects.

Know the Best Counter Stone Options

When you sit down to research how to install a kitchen counter, one of the first things you need to do involves learning about the various stones available for creating your kitchen centerpiece. Stones used to build kitchen counters fall into two broad categories: Natural and engineered. Both categories of stones offer several benefits. You just have to figure out which stone matches your kitchen décor and the primary way you plan to use the counter.

Here is the short list of the most popular kitchen counter stones:

Marble

Marble exudes panache, and the natural stone is perfect for a kitchen featuring shiny new appliances. Marble is also an excellent stone choice for larger kitchens that invite in sunlight. If you opt for marble as a kitchen counter stone, you should enjoy a nice return on your investment in terms of a higher value for your home.

Soapstone

Dark gray, with a smooth feel, soapstone over the course of time transforms into an antique appearance that presents an attractive look for a wide variety of kitchen decors. Soapstone is also highly resistant to staining.

Quartz

As an engineered stone, quartz contains around 93 percent quartz particles and seven percent resins that bind the quartz particles together. A non-porous surface makes quartz impervious to staining and scratching. As opposed to most types of natural stones, quartz does not require sealing.

Granite

As the king of kitchen counter stones, granite combines the coveted traits of presenting a stunningly beautiful appearance with unmatched long lasting durability. With a wide variety of color options, you can find a granite slab that matches your kitchen décor. Although the price of granite counters has decreased in recent years, the natural stone remains one of the more expensive stone options.