At the moment’s column comes from deep down a rabbit gap, which I fell into whereas researching what sort of counter materials I would love if I ever rework my kitchen, which is trying much less seemingly given how arduous this choice is.
When you’ve ever carried out this, you, too, have confronted the galaxy of choices: quartz, quartzite, granite, marble, soapstone, butcher block, concrete, ceramic tile, Corian, chrome steel. I am certainly lacking some.
Luckily, I acquired some skilled assist, which Lord is aware of I might use extra of, to slim my choices. In an uncharacteristically sensible transfer, I introduced in a designer to assist create a plan earlier than I tore up my kitchen and relegated my husband and me to microwaving dinners within the rest room and doing dishes with the hose.
Like several good plan, this one began with defining the issue: I am desire a change. My 20-year-old kitchen, whereas in good condition, has the identical brownish-blackish granite I’ve had in each kitchen in each residence I’ve owned relationship to the Nineties. That granite (Santa Cecelia) and others prefer it had been the coveted selection again then. It has been a great run, however I am prepared for a lighter look.
What I do not wish to do is change or reface my medium-brown kitchen cupboards, which match the cabinetry all through the house. Luckily, the designer, Sally Ward, agreed. We are going to maintain the cupboards and the general structure of the kitchen, however change the darkish granite counters with one thing mild, swap out the {hardware} for one thing extra modern and change some, however not all, of the home equipment, that are on their final legs.
She assigned homework. She despatched me some hyperlinks to examine counter supplies and gave me the names of stone suppliers to go to. “All our design choices are going to hinge on what you choose on your counters,” Ward stated. No stress.
I shortly study that the countertop world falls into two camps: pure stone and manufactured supplies. Within the pure stone world, you discover quartzite, granite, marble and soapstone. Within the engineered world are quartz, ceramic tile, concrete and solid-surface merchandise like Corian.
As a result of most householders need mild counters at present, Ward stated, “I’m often between two choices: engineered quartz or quartzite. I not often use granite anymore, and I keep away from marble in a kitchen as a result of it scratches, stains and might present water rings.”
As a result of I do know I need stone or one thing that appears similar to it, I rule out stainless, ceramic tile, wooden and concrete, and slim my search to quartz and quartzite. It takes a minute to get these straight. Quartz counters, which sound pure, are literally engineered out of quartz particles and resin. Quartzite, which sounds manufactured, is definitely a pure stone.
I go to two stone warehouses, the place I stroll previous a whole bunch of slabs the scale of billboards. They’re displayed on their edges like dominoes.
On the OHM Worldwide stone warehouse, I speak to basic supervisor John Frew, who’s been within the stone enterprise over 25 years.
By the tip of my tour, I am leaning towards quartzite as a result of it has choices with heat undertones that can work with my current cupboards.
For these venturing into this rabbit gap, this is a fast primer of the highest pure stone and engineered stone choices:
◼️ Quartz. The preferred selection for counters at present, engineered quartz, which fits by model names equivalent to Ceasarstone, Pompeii, Silestone and Cambria, is sturdy, straightforward to look after, appears like stone, and, because it’s fabricated, can are available nearly any colour. Supreme for prime site visitors kitchens, quartz resists chips, scratches and stains.
◼️ Quartzite. This difficult pure stone can present the look of marble and the hardness of granite, making it a best choice for kitchens. It resists scratching, chipping and etching. As with different pure stones, quartzite requires periodic sealing, a simple course of householders can do themselves.
◼️ Marble. Although basic and exquisite, marble is softer than granite, quartzite or quartz. The draw back is it stains simply and etches if something acidic, like lemon or tomato juice, will get on it.
◼️ Granite. This pure stone is the kitchen workhorse. It is as sturdy as quartzite, and nonetheless widespread as a result of it is usually inexpensive. It stays a good selection for out of doors kitchens.
◼️ Soapstone. A softer stone, which is available in shades starting from medium grey to black, soapstone makes a dramatic assertion, however will present fingerprints, watermarks and grease, which make it much less fascinating for a kitchen, however might be a novel selection for a bar.
Marni Jameson is the writer of six residence and life-style books, together with “What to Do With The whole lot You Personal to Go away the Legacy You Need.”
