Eco-friendly Kitchen Design Idea: Examining Natural Stone Kitchen Countertops

by James Mahoney

Authors Note: Granite is an amazing natural surface that comes in a large variety of textures and colors. It is the hardest surface you can choose for your kitchen countertops.

When envisioning your kitchen design idea, you might want to consider using natural stone for your countertop. Natural stone kitchen countertops are known for unbeatable beauty, individuality and strength. Natural stone is considered to be the most aesthetically pleasing, eco-friendly material on earth, making it a perfect option to carry out your kitchen design idea. There are many types of natural stone to choose from for any kitchen design idea. The most sought after and most well known of the natural stone products is granite. There are other types of natural stone used for kitchen countertops besides granite including: marble, limestone, slate, soapstone and natural quartz.

Natural stone will enhance any kitchen design idea, from rustic to contemporary, and add individuality, comfort and elegance to almost any kitchen. Each type of kitchen design has different properties and attributes depending on which stone you select.

Regardless of the type of natural stone you have chosen to bring your kitchen design ideas to life, it is a good idea to examine the slabs of stone that you have selected for your kitchen countertops before they arrive.

A Look at How the 5 Most Popular Types of Natural Stone Used in Kitchen Design Ideas Compare

Granite This is a hard, coarse-grained rock considered to be one of the most beautiful and durable of the natural stones you can use when crafting your kitchen design idea. Granite is mostly made up of quartz, alkali feldspar and plagioclase feldspar; these ingredients help contribute to the color of the stone. These colors include white, pink or light grey. If minerals such as hornblende and biotite mica are present, the stone may have a dark brown, dark-green or blacker shade. Granite, when incorporated in your kitchen design plans, is an attractive stone that adds color and warmth to any kitchen. It is an ideal natural stone material for kitchen countertops because it resists scratches, heat and acidic substances. It can also withstand the placing of hot pots and is a good surface for handling dough and confections. Granite kitchen countertops, however, can stain; if you are using highly porous granites then they should be sealed.

Marble The beauty of this natural stone is legendary. Marble has always been popular with architects because of its strength and aesthetics. Today, marble is popular as an elegant flooring material and for its use in lining interior and exterior walls because no other natural stone material adds so much prestige to a home. Marble can be used not only for kitchen design ideas but also just about everywhere else: outdoor fountains and statues, indoor fire surrounds, furniture, kitchen countertops, bar counters and much more! Marble kitchen countertops are also very hygienic since they trap little or no dirt and prevent the creation of mold.

Soapstone This stone is also worth considering when crafting kitchen design ideas. It has a soft warm feel and good resistance to chemicals, water and heat. Soapstone is the only natural stone that is non-porous. It is available in blue, green and gray colors. When soapstone is treated with mineral oil, the surface color will undergo a deepening to a rich veined, charcoal gray patina.

Limestone This stone is not the best choice for messy kitchen. It offers a unique weathered look, but it has a tendency to stain due to its porous nature which requires kitchen messes to be taken care of as soon as they happen. For a better kitchen design idea using limestone, select from the harder and denser types for a more durable countertop material. The harder limestone types are similar to granite.

Slate This natural stone material has been used in kitchen design ideas for centuries because of its natural beauty and strength. Slate kitchen countertops are durable, hard and fireproof. It has a low absorption rate that helps prevent stains, although it requires sealing regularly to provide more protection.

These are the five most popular natural stones used in kitchen design ideas. Weigh their pros and cons to see which best suits your kitchen design idea.