Use Natural Stone – Kitchens
Thank you, Use Natural Stone for including us in your “3 Questions To Ask Before Using Natural Stone In Your Kitchen” article!
“When considering natural stone for a kitchen project, Tom “TK” Kenny, partner at Scott Simpson Design + Build, an integrated design/build firm specializing in new home construction, historic renovations, and eco-conscious green building projects in the Chicagoland area feels the most important question to ask is about the porosity of the natural stone you want to use. “It is important to know this as it will dictate how easy the stone will be to maintain,” says Kenny.
…Another important thing to consider is the stone’s durability. The type of natural stone you choose in a kitchen will dictate how you live in the space, says Kenny. He often recommends quartzite because it has many of the features homeowners want –it’s beautiful, but its durability also makes it relatively low maintenance.
“Quartzite is durable and easy to clean but also as beautiful as other more porous stones like marble,” he says.
Some homeowners may think the fact that they use their kitchens and are hard on their countertops mean that they shouldn’t choose natural stone. Our experts recommend not underestimating the durability of real stone. Kenny notes: “A natural stone offers depth that a synthetic material, no matter how well-made, can never mimic.” In addition to the durability of the material, Kenny appreciates that the craftsmanship of the quarrier, fabricator, and installer can shine through the material: “You can see the labor of love from someone who toiled over it to somehow make it even more beautiful.” That isn’t possible with a synthetic product.
Finally, in addition to the density and strength of the stone you should consider the thickness of the slab, Kenny advises. “We can miter the stone to make it look thicker but it should still be a consideration if you want to avoid this additional labor,” he adds.
People should also think about what type of finish they prefer. Kenny is noticing many of his homeowner clients gravitating toward a leathered finish, which he says adds texture. Honed or leathered finishes are also growing in popularity for light colored stones because they tend to disguise etch marks.
In the end, many people are drawn to natural stone because it is unique and one of a kind. No slab is like the other which means you will always have a one-of-a-kind kitchen.
Kenny agrees. “No two pieces are alike,” he adds. “Some of the stones have explosions of color where you can almost see the violence of the creation, like when the volcano erupted. Yet sometimes that creation is a patient one that happened over millions of years of tectonic pressure.””
See the article here.