Granite
Granite, the most popular stone for counters, is an extremely hard rock formed by volcanic activity. Its shimmering beauty lies in the crystals of quartz, mica, and feldspar trapped within. So-called consistent granite has the same pattern throughout. Variegated granite has veins that vary from piece to piece, which add character but also it difficult to match sections. Granite is very porous and should be treated with a penetrating sealer every one to two years to prevent stains.
Marble
Marble is beautiful and will add an elegance to any area in which it is used. It is not recommended that you use marble in a kitchen, however, because it is very pourous. Marble is warm and soft but less practical for kitchens because food acids stain it readily. Still, many homeowners don’t mind stains that add a patina of age. And marble is a classic surface for rolling out pastry; serious bakers often include a section of marble countertop in their kitchens for this purpose. Marble is generally polished like granite.
CaesarStone®
CaesarStone® is the original quartz-based engineered stone primarily used for kitchen countertops and bathroom vanities.CaesarStone is 93% crushed quartz. The quartz is combined with high-quality polymer resins and pigments and then compacted under intense vibration, vacuum, and pressure into dense, non-porous slabs. The slabs are post cured, gauged to precise thickness, and polished to an enduring shine.
Although long used for the finest residential countertops, CaesarStone is now offered as an attractive and versatile finish for commercial and institutional buildings. Our quartz surfacing is tough enough for the wear and tear on just about any interior surface, and beautiful enough for every architectural and decorating scheme.
Soapstone
Soapstone is made up of mineral deposits created by nature and quarried from the earth. The main mineral components in soapstone include talc, chlorite, dolomite and magnesite, giving a warm, soft feeling to the touch. Soapstone has a unique soft color with light flowing veins.
When cut, it oxidizes from light grey to dark charcoal in color. A protective coat of mineral oil makes its color even more dramatic. Practically indestructible, Green Mountain Soapstone is an excellent alternative natural stone to use in place of granite or marble. Soapstone won’t burn or stain and requires very little maintenance. Green Mountain Soapstones are inert. This means that acids and alkalis will not etch soapstone as they will other stones.
Limestone
Limestone is the most abundant of the non-clastic sedimentary rocks. Limestone is produced from the mineral calcite (calcium carbonate) and sediment. The main source of limestone is the limy ooze formed in the ocean. The calcium carbonate can be precipitated from ocean water or it can be formed from sea creatures that secrete lime such as algae and coral. Limestone can easily be dissolved by acids. It is, therefore, extremely important that limestone is sealed frequently if used in a kitchen or bathroom application.
There are many choices of colors and patterns available in natural stone. Call us at 508-790-2734 or send us an email and we can assist you with any questions.