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What stone best fits your lifestyle?
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Selecting the right stone for your home is an important decision, one that balances style and functionality. With so many options available, it’s essential to consider how each stone aligns with your lifestyle and daily routines. We’re here to guide you through the process, helping you choose a stone that not only looks beautiful but also meets your needs in terms of care, maintenance, kitchen usage and color preferences.
Care and Maintenance
When it comes to ease of care and maintenance, different stones have varying requirements. Quartz is a fantastic choice for those seeking a low-maintenance surface. Known for its minimal upkeep, engineered stone is ideal for busy households or anyone who prefers a hassle-free countertop. Adding to quartz’s appeal is its high heat resistance and non-porous nature, which ensures it stays well-preserved, even with the demands of daily cooking.
Another great option for homeowners interested in a low-maintenance surface is quartzite or granite. Though both require initial sealing after installation, they are highly durable natural stone options for kitchens with high activity. Granite and quartzite are not acid sensitive, are very dense and durable, as well as very heat resistant (some more than others). Honed or satin granite, if sealed properly, has no significant difference in maintenance or performance from polished finishes.
Marble is a highly desired surface that requires more attention than other engineered or natural stone surfaces. Since marble is porous, it requires frequent resealing to prevent staining. Keep in mind, however, that over time, acidic etching is common. White marbles like Calacatta, Carrara and Danby tend to be harder and denser, making them more resistant and slower to etch compared to other varieties.
Etching leaves a dull mark on the surface, which means honed marble tends to conceal wear better than polished finishes over time.
Can You Handle a Spill?
When selecting the ideal stone for your kitchen, it’s essential to consider how comfortable you are with your space evolving over time, especially when it comes to handling spills.
Marble
If your goal s to create a stunning, fashion-forward centerpiece for your home, marble might be the right choice. Marble brings a timeless elegance, but it also reflects how you live in and use your space. While marble’s porous surface is prone to staining and etching from spills, it develops a patina over time, giving it a lived-in, organic charm. This natural wear becomes part of its character. If you’re comfortable with the idea of your kitchen evolving and telling the story of your daily life, marble can be a beautiful choice. It’s perfect for those who prioritize aesthetic appeal over maintaining a pristine, untouched look.
Granite, Quartzite & Quartz
Style & Aesthetic
When considering the color of your stone, it’s important to think about how it will fare in high-traffic areas. Natural stones such as marbles and quartzites offer a unique, organic look that can add great dimension to your space, but may require more upkeep. On the other hand, quartz surfaces and granite provide a more uniform, consistently patterned aesthetic.
Lighter colors are a lovely choice, especially in spaces where you hope to create an open feel. While they may require more caution and care, lighter stones can brighten a room and make smaller spaces feel larger.
Choosing the ideal stone for your home is all about balancing aesthetics with practicality. Whether you’re drawn to the low-maintenance ease of granite or quartz, the natural beauty of quartzite, or the timeless elegance of marble, each material has its own appeal. At Architectural Surfaces, we’re here to guide you in finding the stone that best suits your lifestyle. By considering how you use your space, your desired level of maintenance and the overall design aesthetic, we can help you choose a stone that will be the center point for all the memories you’ll make in your kitchen.
To learn more about care and maintenance of various surfaces, view our Natural Stone: Best Uses, Care & Maintenance.
