Granite: Beautiful and Durable
Granite is the most common stone that we install. Granite can be used for all home countertop surfaces indoor and outdoor as well as wall cladding. Granite is a very hard granular surface made up of a variety of natural elements such as quartz, mica, and feldspar. These minerals make up a variety of color and density. Though we definitely recommend granite, there are some that have a very large mica content and therefore do not recommend for a household with a high use kitchen. Granite is heat and stain resistant, in order to keep your counters looking beautiful for years to come they will need to be sealed every so often. Each stone is different; therefore, some may require being sealed more often than others.
Quartz: Strength and Stain Resistant
Quartz is a manmade product with a 93-97% natural stone content. Quartz is a poured slab stone, which means that the natural stone content and resin are premixed and then poured into a mold. Quartz manufacturing is done all over the world, and it comes in all sorts of colors and patterns. The resin content of this stone gives it a better tensile strength than granite. Just like granite quartz is heat and stain resistant, the difference is that you do not have to seal quartz. Quartz is only recommended to be an indoor product, because the resin that is used is not UV stable.
Quartzite: Naturally Beautiful
Quartzite started out as a pure quartz sandstone and after thousands of years of heat and pressure it was converted into quartzite. Quartzites are known for having beautiful veining and movement. Some are slightly translucent which adds to its beauty when it is backlit. Quartzites are typically slightly denser as well as harder than granite, but sometimes because of the veining extra steps in support must be taken to ensure that your tops do not break. Quartzites can be used indoor as well as outdoor.
Marble: Timeless Beauty
Marble has been used in construction and art for thousands of years. It is known for its natural beauty and ease of workmanship. Marble is made up of metamorphic limestone or dolomite. Marble is definitely one of the softer stones, but that is no reason to shy away from using it. If you want marble in your kitchen, we want you to be informed of maintenance issues. Marble is the least stain resistant stone that we install, it is also one of the least scratch resistant. Typically, marble is intended to be used for vanity countertops and shower walls.
Soapstone: Silky Soft
Soapstone is mostly made of magnesium rich talc, which makes it a very soft stone. All stones are rated on a hardness scale, soapstone is on the bottom of this scale. Again, not necessarily something to shy away from, soapstone brings a warm feel into any room in the house with its beautiful matte finish. Mostly used first by scientist because its resistance to most chemicals and heat. This product does need some long-term maintenance once installed. Usually for the first year soapstone needs to have mineral oil applied once a week or until you achieve the color and depth that you desire. Since this stone is not scratch resistant, there are ways the home user can fix most scratches without calling a professional.