Concrete vs Natural Stone Countertops

Choosing the kind of material that you will use for your countertop may be one of the most difficult decisions that you’ll have to make when designing your space. Our eyes are often drawn to it first before looking around the rest of the room which is why the countertop that you end up selecting can either make or break the look of your room. However, the fact that there are so many options to choose from today doesn’t make the decision any easier. As a result, down below we’ve outlined some of today’s best options that way you could narrow down your list and get a better idea of what to expect out of these materials in particular. Therefore, without further ado, here are some of the best countertop materials that you can use in your space today.

Natural stones are often selected when choosing the material for a countertop as they are seen as luxurious. In addition, since they are mostly made by nature, not one is alike and it’s nice knowing that your slab is unique. Now, there are many to choose from but, down below, we’ve outlined some of the most commonly selected natural stones.

Granite is probably the most popular natural stone as it has been trendy to use in homes. It provides both a high-heat and scratch resistant surface while it is also fairly simple to maintain. It is often recommended that it is sealed about once a year, though. In addition, since it is porous, it can absorb liquids such as wine and oil if it is not properly sealed. This could also result in bacteria accumulating within. In addition, it doesn’t boast many color or pattern options and it is one of the more expensive stones.

Soapstone has a very distinct finish to it as it offers a lot of warmth. It also works with a number of different styles. In addition, it is durable but less brittle, therefore, it is less likely to crack. On top of that, it isn’t porous so you don’t ever have to worry about sealing it. Cleaning it is a simple process, too, requiring only some soap and a sponge. However, since it is softer than other kinds of countertop material, it can get scratched with ease. In addition, its price tag is higher than that of the majority of natural stones.

Marble emulates a lot of elegance, so while it does look stunning and offers timeless beauty, it only fits in with a number of interior styles. It is also naturally cool, therefore, it does not conduct heat well, making it a perfect fit for the kitchen. It is both heat and scratch resistant, but it will stain if it is not sealed properly. It is also not the easiest material to maintain, so you’ll have to be prepared to put money into keeping up with the maintenance. It’s also worth noting that marble does not boast many color or pattern choices. Most importantly, however, it scratches fairly easily, especially if something acidic is on it for some time.

Quartz is notorious for being very durable and quite attractive. In addition, although it is very durable, it’s more forgiving in the sense that it doesn’t chip nor does it crack nearly as easily as others do. In fact, it even isn’t affected by heat or harsh chemicals. It isn’t porous, so you won’t ever have to worry about it harboring bacteria or even worse, viruses, either. In addition, it requires very low maintenance and unlike many, doesn’t ever need to be sealed. Similar to granite, however, it offers a limited number of colors and patterns.

Concrete countertops offer the most range in possibilities when it comes to the design of how it looks as you can shape it into virtually any form and you can design the edges however you’d like. On top of that, you are able to create the exact color or pattern that you need by mixing whichever colors that you’d like. Often, people think that they can only use it for spaces with an industrial design, however, the beauty of concrete is that you can make it work for any design that you are going for. For instance, through acid staining you can make them look similar to natural stones such as granite or slate or you can tint it a particular color that way it would match your cabinets, for instance.
In addition, they are very durable as they are quite hard so they resist chipping and scratching without a problem. They are also heat resistant so they won’t be damaged by any hot cookware or tools. On top of that, they are quite easy to maintain as all you really need to worry about is resealing it every several years simply to ensure that it is protected from things like stains while also making sure that it won’t be able to harbor any bacteria. However, it’s a very quick and easy process. Otherwise, in order to clean it, you simply need a bit of soap and warm water and you are good to go. Arguably, one of the best parts, though, is how much concrete countertops cost. It is one of the cheapest solutions and is able to look like natural stones, making it a great alternative to an otherwise expensive material. However, it is even cheaper to do DIY concrete countertop projects. Not only is it safer as you won’t have to worry about damaging a precast concrete countertop as you move it into position, but it is also a great way to have a hand in designing and adding your personal touch to it. If you are interested in learning more about how you can DIY concrete countertops, visit our site, Concrete Countertop Solutions, today. Not only will you find every tool and mixture that you’ll need, but you’ll also find a lot of helpful guides and videos that can be very useful in the concrete countertop making process.

As you can see, there are a number of natural stones to choose from. Although each one is unique, they don’t offer much of a variety in their styling options. In addition, they do tend to be fairly expensive, especially in comparison to that of concrete. What’s awesome about concrete countertops is the fact that you can actually make it yourself, allowing you to have a hand in the design of it.