If you're thinking about installing kitchen countertops, then natural stone represents one of the more interesting of the available options. The materials used to create natural stone countertops each have their own strengths and weaknesses. You ought to be familiar with them so let's look at 5 of the most popular products on the market.

Quartzite

The name may have you thinking of quartz, but quartzite is something different. It is a stone that develops when sandstone with quartz in it is placed under extreme pressures in a process almost the same as what creates granite.

Quartzite often has streaks and colors through it that give it a great deal of visual interest. Especially if you can find slabs with contrasting bring and dark streaks, then quartzite can produce a look that's hard to match. It's also a very dense material, and that makes it much more resistant to flaking and chipping. Quartzite also doesn't stain easily. It's a low-maintenance product that only needs to be sealed on a regular schedule.

Dolomite

When limestone and groundwater with magnesium in it hit each other, a distinctive chemical reaction happens. Dolomite ends up with streaks that are somewhat similar to what is seen in marble, but the range of possible colors is a little different. It's softer than granite but harder than marble.

Granite

One of the true classics in the world of natural stone countertops, granite is known for its toughness. Its speckled pattern means its seams are much less obvious, and that makes it an ideal choice for projects where several slabs have to be joined. Due to its porous quality, granite has to be aggressively and regularly sealed to make it usable for food prep.

Marble

Defined by the impurities that get into the stone by seeping through the Earth's crust, marble is a timeline choice for kitchen countertops. Many colors are available, and you're guaranteed to get a slab with a distinct pattern.

While marble is gorgeous, bear in mind that it needs as much treatment as anything on this list. Marble is prone to staining, and its relatively low durability makes it less-than-ideal for setting where pounding and heating are constant.

Limestone

If you're looking for an alternative to marble, then limestone represents as good of an option as there is. It comes in a number of colors and shades, and the dark options are great for those who want the marbled effect without the light colors. Like marble, limestone is prone to gouging and staining.

To learn more about the durability and coloring of popular countertops, contact services like http://empiremarblegranite.com.

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