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This is an exciting time to be shopping for natural stone
for your home. Hundreds of stones we've never seen before are pouring
into Seattle showrooms from all over the world. Sometimes a stone can be
called 'granite' or 'marble' for simplicity's sake when they're actually
something a little different and may have unique characteristics you'll
want to know about before you use them as your countertops.
Technical facts about these new stone types can be
difficult or impossible to access. To further complicate the issue,
often multiple showrooms will carry the same stone under various
proprietary names, and a cross-reference guide for stone shoppers
doesn't exist yet!
We work hard to keep up with the local market, please be
sure to ask us if you're unsure about a stone!
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Natural stone is classified
into two general categories: siliceous stone and calcareous stone. |
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PROS |
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Things to
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Siliceous Stones:
Granite, quartz-based stone, serpentine, slate, soapstone and
schists. Grains of silica, like glass, are inert and
non-absorbent. They make durable countertops that are easy to
maintain under normal conditions of use anywhere in your home.
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Soapstone
Ages gracefully, tiny scratches from everyday use develop into a
patina--like fine silverware. (Click
here for FAQs about soapstone )
See pictures of soapstone in use as
Countertops and
Custom Sinks |
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A casual, traditional look and feel. Very dense, will not
stain or harbor bacteria, holds up very well in everyday kitchen use. Less brittle
than granite or slate so it's less likely to chip or crack.
Scratches are easily repaired by the homeowner, disappearing when sanded with ordinary sandpaper then wiped
with mineral oil. Heat-proof, popular for ovens and fireplaces.
Chemically inert, will not etch and does not require sealing of any
kind. |
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A softer stone that scratches
relatively easily. Small slabs, relatively high cost per square foot.
Available in blue, green, gray tones, some have more veining than others.
All mature to a deep charcoal
gray over time. Is still a little hard to find in this area. |
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Granite
Hard, heat-tolerant, porous. |
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Readily available in a wide
variety of colors and veining (known as 'movement'). Resists
scratches, heat and acids. Surfaces can be highly polished, honed or
finished in other ways. |
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Porous and will stain,
granite countertops should be sealed annually and spills wiped up
promptly. Some stones sold as 'granite' contain other minerals
that will be etched by acids, including lemon juice & tomatoes. Quality
can vary, use a trusted supplier. Damage requires professional repair.
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Slate
Hone to remove clefts for
smooth countertop surface. |
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English and domestic slates
perform beautifully in the kitchen. They are hard, do not react with
acids and resist staining without sealers. Brazilian slate is useful as fireplace facings, table
& vanity tops. |
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Tendency to show scratches (can be minimized with light coat of mineral
oil). Use honed slate for countertops as natural clefts can be a
nuisance. |
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Quartz-based
Sandstone,
bluestone,
quartzite, synthetic blends. |
Vary widely in color.
Commonly used for fireplaces, wall covering, interior & exterior paving.
** Sandstone
has become popular for kitchen countertops, but we DO NOT recommend it
for this application due to it's porosity and tendency to chip. ** |
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Porous & absorbent, there are
better applications for these stones than kitchen countertops.
Quartz is now being blended with resin (plastic) to form high-tech solid
surfaces. eg. Silestone & Ceasarstone. |
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Calcareous
Stones:
Limestones, marble, onyx and travertine. Neutral cleansers (ph7)
are recommended. These stones are also durable, but the calcite
they contain is sensitive to acids and strong alkaline compounds.
They make beautiful table and vanity tops, but are harder to maintain in
the kitchen.
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Marble
A dense & soft stone,
available in many beautiful colors. |
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A dense stone with a smooth,
cool surface ideal for baking and rolling out dough. Offers an upscale
and classic appearance. Etching gradually results in an attractive, soft
patina. Can be economical. Popular for fireplace facings & hearths,
vanity and table tops, slab showers. Available in many shades of
white and beautiful colors. |
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Countertops will scratch,
stain and etch easily, they must be sealed regularly. Professional
restoration can remove damage and restore polish to surface. |
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Limestone
Some varieties make excellent
countertops. |
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A durable countertop
material. The harder, denser types, especially those quarried in France
& Germany, function similar to granite and are appropriate for use in
the kitchen. Softer varieties are especially nice around fireplaces and
in bathrooms. |
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Soft, porous limestone can
scratch, stain & etch more easily than the denser varieties.
Sealing these softer stones will help prevent staining, but will not
stop problems with etching, a serious problem when using
dark-colored limestone as kitchen countertops. All require regular
application of a good penetrating sealer. |
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Travertine
A beautiful type of marble
with characteristic 'holes' |
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An appropriate countertop
material when using the harder, denser varieties that have been resined
(holes filled with epoxy) at the factory. Often used for stair
treads. |
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(See marble and limestone
above.) |
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Onyx
A translucent marble |
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Useful as tabletops and
countertops with limited use, as in a powder room. Impressive and
beautiful when backlit. |
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(See other calcareous stones) |