Stone countertops for the kitchen: varieties and recommendations for choosing

Stone countertops for the kitchen are a practical solution that can provide durability and aesthetics to the work surfaces used here. Natural minerals and rocks are highly durable, have the longest possible service life, and are distinguished by a unique appearance. Even in the same array, slabs - carved stone slabs - will have an absolutely unique pattern. There are also their artificial counterparts made of quartz agglomerate and other composite materials. They are more affordable, have properties similar to those of natural minerals, and fit well into the interior of the kitchen.

There are several obvious advantages worth noting.

• Long service life. Natural stone is practically not subject to abrasion. If chips form, you can grind the defect, making it invisible. A standard stone countertop will last at least 20 years.
• High mechanical strength. It is difficult to damage or scratch a slab made of natural stone.Some types of stone are distinguished by a certain difficulty in processing, which limits the choice of decorative solutions.
• Aesthetics. The beauty of natural stone is unique, there are many options for colors, shades created by nature itself. Different breeds have their own peculiarities of texture and structure; when polishing, you can achieve a glossy shine.
• Versatility. Both natural and artificial stone have no restrictions on placement near sources of open fire, heating appliances. It does not absorb moisture, odors, and can act as a work surface or dining tabletop.
• Natural origin, ecological purity. The stone does not emit harmful substances, is hypoallergenic, completely safe for humans.
• Ease of cleaning, keeping order. The stone does not attract dust as it is not electrostatic. The surface is easy to clean from dirt, in most cases abrasive cleaning agents can be used.

They have stone countertops for the kitchen and their disadvantages. These include the massiveness of such structures - the base for them must be very strong, chipboard or other plates will definitely not work. Besides, a thick stone slab may look too massive in a small room... The disadvantages include the difficulty in cutting the material. The stone requires precise and professional cutting, which cannot be done with ordinary household tools. The surface of such a countertop always remains cold, which can also cause some discomfort. To preserve the properties of minerals, they periodically need to be treated with specialized compounds that prevent the penetration of dirt and moisture deep into the pores, and this also requires effort and expense.

In nature, there are rocks and minerals that differ in their properties and characteristics. Not all of them are suitable for the manufacture of large-scale products, which include countertops. Kitchen worktops, bar counters, cut from a solid slab - one large slab, must be durable and functional. Layered minerals, even the most beautiful, porous and soft stones, are not very suitable for use as countertops; they require additional processing.

The most durable kitchen countertop is granite. This rock is not classified as "noble" like marble or travertine, but it is very popular. Its deposits are located all over the world, including in Russia. For use in the interior, types of stone are suitable, belonging to the I class of radioactivity, completely safe for human health.

Granite worktops can withstand the most intensive use and are used in professional restaurant kitchens, where sanitary and hygienic requirements for the materials used are especially high. The choice in favor of this stone option is usually associated with its durability and resistance to wear and tear. Besides, granite does not absorb moisture after polishing, it looks quite impressive.

When installing granite countertops of great length or complex shape, you have to make connecting seams. Due to its hardness, the stone is worse than others, it is impossible to make complex figured products. Another feature of it is that if the slab is destroyed, it will not be possible to restore the slab. In addition, the massiveness of granite requires the most solid foundation - most often it is installed on metal supports in order to reduce the load directly on the headset itself. It is worth paying attention to the fact that unpolished granite easily absorbs moisture and needs additional processing.

Luxurious marble countertop looks impressive, but is usually used in the kitchen as a cover element for the bar counter or in the sink area. The high porosity of the material in combination with its softness and instability to temperature extremes complicates the creation of such a coating in the working area. Marble absorbs dirt, odors, and can quickly lose its beauty when it comes into contact with acids. But all these moments do not negate the luxurious texture of this stone, the variety of its colors, the uniqueness of the cut pattern. It is marble that is considered one of the most beautiful minerals. It is easy to restore, polish and grind. You can find a worktop made in a modern style, in the ancient tradition. But this material is quite expensive and requires careful handling.

Travertine is a relatively soft mineral. This type of calcareous tuff is called immature marble. It really has a lot in common with this stone, but is less demanding to care for. The surface of the travertine countertop can be washed with ordinary chemical agents, but it is afraid of acid attack, absorbs smoke odors. The stone has a rough texture and lends itself well to mechanical processing. If necessary, it can be re-grinded, restored.

Countertop travertine is predominantly light yellow in color with few stripes and veins. The softer tuff has a wider range of shades - from brown to white.

This black variety of granite has a great appearance and is rightfully recognized as one of the best options for making kitchen countertops. When polished, it acquires a mirror-like shine with a slight shimmering effect. Such a luxurious addition will suit both the high-tech style headset and the classic style. The surface of the stone is not subject to abrasion, it is safe to put hot pots and pans on it, you can butcher meat, and instantly eliminate any traces of culinary experiments. There is no need to apply special protective compounds to the gabbro surface. The stone has extremely low water absorption, is resistant to acids and alkalis.

This beautiful stone with a translucent structure is considered ornamental. It can be used to make countertops in expensive designer interiors. Its uniqueness lies in its multi-layered nature - inside the onyx, there are parallel thin strips of different colors, replacing each other. The main background is most often brown, with white and black inclusions. In white onyx, the stripes are pink and yellow. It looks especially impressive when illuminated from below.

Onyx countertops are a rare occurrence, but this is not due to its low popularity. This soft natural material is not very resistant to chemical attack. And it is quite difficult to get a large array of ornamental stone, usually smaller items are made from it. Such a table top is definitely suitable for use outside the working area - as a bar counter.

Basalt countertops are not common, but this rock as a material really deserves the closest attention. For the manufacture of flat large-format products, types of stone with the most dense structure are used. The colors are dominated by dark tones interspersed with gray, yellow-green colors. Basalt countertops are as durable as granite countertops, they can maintain their best qualities for up to 50 years, and support seamless installation.

Stone countertops are always made to order, based on the individual characteristics of the headset.At the same time, a standard slab, a slab of a natural mineral, has dimensions of 2x3 m - this is an international standard. If other parameters are needed, the tabletop will have to be made composite, connecting the joints by fitting and processing with special compounds. The shape of the manufactured element can be rectangular or oval.

The thickness of the standard worktop does not exceed 40 mm. If you need to make it more massive, several layers are connected together. For example, if a hob is to be built into the product, it is better to give preference to a massive version of at least 60 mm thick. A thinner countertop may simply collapse at the edges. For marble and travertine, the standard working surface thickness of the set is 25–30 mm. Granite products are made in the range of 30-50 mm.

To decide on the design of a stone countertop for the kitchen, it is enough to take into account a number of simple points.

• White construction works well with bright or contrasting details. A dark sink and hob, a bright apron - this will be enough to emphasize her impeccability.

• Fancy colors are best used on freestanding or side surfaces. A turquoise, yellow, green bar counter or an island kitchen countertop looks impressive and becomes the central element of the composition.

• A gray marble or granite panel is a great solution for a modern kitchen. The glossy countertop will blend in with a minimalist interior. The matte model will decorate a loft or chalet.

• A neutral beige shade goes well with natural wood. It is easy to fit such a tabletop into a classic interior, country style.

• Black gloss with a mirror shine is an excellent solution for a stylish kitchen in red or white tones. A polished gabbro countertop is a good choice here.

When choosing a countertop for a kitchen made of natural stone, it is imperative to pay attention to the correspondence of the rest of the interior elements to its appearance and characteristics. So, for a chipboard headset, it is better to choose a more democratic option. Natural stone weighs a lot, a wood board simply cannot withstand its massiveness. If you plan to combine the countertop with a sink, you can give preference to softer rocks - marble or travertine. For a hob with a gas or electric heater, it is better to purchase a granite or basalt version.

If you plan to harmoniously tie the countertop with an apron, you should think about the generality of textures. The glossy finish of the wall is in better harmony with the stone polished for a mirror shine. Matt plaster or panels are combined with marble, travertine. Before choosing a stone, it is worth seeing it, assessing the real correspondence of the color of the slab to the expectations. If you want a cheaper countertop, you can consider options in which each floor cabinet will have a separate top. One-piece construction is more difficult and more expensive to manufacture. In addition, if there are joints in it, they will be more vulnerable to stress than solid sections.

Installation process of a finished stone countertop runs like this:

1. a product made according to preliminary measurements is tried on; the surface is displayed according to the level, if necessary, compensating differences in the heights of the gasket are used;
2. if it is necessary to build in additional elements, a hole for them is cut out with a grinder;
3. masking tape is applied to the ends at the seam;
4. the tabletop is installed on a support from the inside and outside, fixed in place with self-tapping screws and sealant; all seams are masked with epoxy glue painted to match the surface;
5. if necessary, the coating is sanded after hardening of all compounds; traces of epoxy glue are removed with denatured alcohol;
6. a decorative skirting board is mounted to cover the gap between the wall and the set; the table top is ready for use.

The striking black polished marble top blends seamlessly with the backsplash. This is the optimal solution for a spacious kitchen.

Stylish onyx worktop. The backlight looks especially impressive at night and in the evening.

Luxurious travertine worktop in a Mediterranean style kitchen. The rough texture of the stone has been preserved and highlighted to create an authentic interior.

For information on how to choose the right stone countertop for the kitchen, see the next video.