Kitchen Countertops: 5 Best Stones to Use
Kitchens are the hot spot of every home (literally and figuratively). They’re the place for family gatherings and great meals, a room where you spend a fair amount of time, and often one of the first rooms people see when they enter your home. So there's a good reason if you’re feeling the pressure to choose the best countertops for your kitchen.
Whatever material you choose, you want your countertops to withstand tough daily challenges and look good for the long haul. You want something that won’t go out of style in just a few years, yet also brings character and charm to your home.
Stone Countertops are an excellent choice, depending on the type of stone you select they can have moisture resistant properties (a major threat in kitchens!) and stains, thanks to a non-porous surface. The durability of stone means don’t have to worry as much about scratches from knives or sliding dishes. Plus, stone is highly durable and can withstand heat and years of wear and tear.
Here are our top picks for stone slab kitchen countertops and why we love them, in no particular order:
1. Quartzite
Not to be confused with Quartz, Quartzite is a naturally occurring stone that offers similar durability and beauty to granite (also a top 5 pick). If you love the look of marble and the durability of granite, quartzite can be a cost-effective option for your kitchen.
Quartzite is formed when quartz sandstone is subjected to extreme pressure and temperature. The singular grains interconnect and fuse together, creating a polished, glassy surface. The stone’s natural impurities add color to the material that blends and swirls together, resembling marble.
Aside from appearance, the main advantage quartzite holds over granite is its greater density. This makes it more impervious to scratches, staining, and chipping. And like granite, you won’t have to do much to maintain its appearance.
Common Quartzite Colors are: Taj Mahal, White Macabuas, Mercury White, Mercury Black, and many more.
2. Granite
If you love the natural look and feel of a stone slab kitchen countertop, there’s no better choice than granite. Granite is the byproduct of quartz and feldspar fusing together under pressure deep beneath the earth’s surface and being subjected to extremely high temperatures. The two materials combined give granite its speckled appearance, which also helps to conceal the seams between cuts.
Granite has been a top stone kitchen countertop of choice in recent years, and for many good reasons.
For starters, granite’s natural beauty and variety of color options make it work for any size and style of kitchen. It’s also an affordable option with premium appeal, especially as granite has skyrocketed in popularity and has led to the development of granite countertop alternatives.
Granite can instantly boost the visual appeal of any kitchen, thanks to a smooth, polished appearance and assortment of colors. Look closely at a slab of granite and you’ll notice a number of colors and fine details working together. It’s as much a piece of art as it is a functional part of your kitchen. It commands attention and can change the aesthetic of your kitchen even if it’s the only thing you upgrade.
Last but not least, its function rivals its beauty. You won’t have to worry about scratches, heat marks from hot pans, stains from colorful foods, or dents and dings. Just seal it once a year and let your countertop’s natural beauty shine for years to come.
Common Names Granite Colors: Alaska White, Black Pearl, Giallo Ornamental, River White, and hundreds more.
3. Marble
Marble has long been considered a premium material used in everything from kitchen and bathroom countertops to floor tiles to backsplashes and more. The stone has long been used in architecture throughout history, particularly in upscale historic structures.
One of the reasons discerning homeowners choose marble for their kitchen countertops is the timeless beauty it offers. Marble comes in an array of colors and swirl patterns, thanks to a number of natural impurities embedded and heated within the stone.
One thing worth noting about marble’s functionality is that it does require more maintenance than other stone slab countertops. It’s more porous and softer, which means it’s more prone to staining, scratching, and chipping. Proper sealing is a must with marble countertops to maintain its appearance.
Common Names of Marble Colors: Carrara Marble, Calcatta Gold. Crema Marfil, Saint Laurent, Emperador, Calacatta Gold,
4. Dolomite
Dolomite might not be a household name like marble and granite, but its beauty and durability make it a top choice for stone slab kitchen countertops. Dolomite is a natural stone that’s formed when limestone and magnesium-rich underground water combine and create a chemical reaction.
Dolomite comes in varying shades of white and gray, which lends to a clean, modern kitchen aesthetic. It’s harder than marble (but not quite as hard as granite), which will help it retain its beauty. And like our other stone slab countertop options, you’ll need to seal your dolomite countertops each year to prevent moisture buildup and staining.
Comon Dolomite Colors: Fantasy Brown, Canyon Dawn
5. Engineered Stone
Engineered stone surfaces like porcelain and quartz can be just as beautiful, durable, and functional as natural stone slab countertops. Unlike their natural counterparts, engineered stone surfaces have been designed to address the flaws and create the best surface for kitchen countertop use cases. This alone can make them superior to natural stone.
For example, engineered quartz binds loose quartz particles with resin, resulting in a material that is virtually indestructible. The surface can also be made in a number of colors and patterns, some of which can give the appearance of marble without the high price tag. Quartz also outperforms quartzite in durability, scratching, chipping, and color retention.
Porcelain is another material you might not have thought to bring into your kitchen. It’s one of the oldest engineered stones and comes in a variety of colors, textures, and styles.
A newer stone slab option is sintered stone, which is similar to porcelain but has been heated to liquefaction before being formed into slabs and tiles. Soapstone, travertine, limestone, and many other types of stone are also fair game when remodeling your kitchen — there’s a stone for every taste and budget!
Common Brands of Engineered Stone: Hanstone, Silestone, Ceasarstone, Cambria, Corian Quartz, Pental Quartz, Dal Tile Quartz, MSI Quartz
Need help finding the stone slab countertops for your dream kitchen? Come visit our new inspiration showroom or schedule an appointment with one of our consultants!
