How to choose a stone countertop based on your lifestyle

Choosing The Perfect Stone Countertop – C&D Granite Minneapolis & Richmond MN

We often hear our customers say that choosing the perfect bathroom or kitchen countertops is overwhelming for them. There are many considerations, and the fear of being unhappy with their choice can cause stress. C&D Granite understands that you are not an expert on granite, quartz, soapstone, and marble countertops. We do not expect you to know what you want when you first meet with our stone countertop experts. Our granite professionals wish to alleviate your concerns about stone countertops and help you find the perfect natural stone countertop for your home. For now, here are helpful criteria to consider when choosing what stone countertop will be best for your home and lifestyle.

Natural Stone Surface Appearance

Marble, granite, soapstone, and quartz countertops have variances in their core materials. Some types of stone are entirely natural, while others look natural but are manufactured. Think about the color and pattern differences in natural stone countertops. Some stone slabs have a solid color appearance, while others may have distinct movements or designs in the stone to appear more earthy.

The edge profiles of your kitchen countertops can add creativity and personality to your kitchen. There are simple options for profiles as well as more detailed choices. Countertops with greater detail on their edges look creative and stand out compared to simplistic edge profiles. Going with a less complex edge for your stone countertops is another effortless way to provide style to your kitchen or bathrooms. View our edge profile options here to understand how the edges of your countertop can impact the appearance of your bathrooms or kitchen.

It is also important to consider cabinetry color and the overall atmosphere you want in your bathrooms or kitchen. You may enjoy a sleek and clean bathroom or a rustic kitchen. View C&D Granite’s stone showroom to see our past work and find inspiration for your home improvement project.

Care and Maintenance Required

Each type of natural stone requires different care. Myths about stone countertops leave many people with the impression that there is always a lot of upkeep and maintenance when choosing a stone countertop. This is not true – C&D Granite offers plenty of stone surface options that require virtually no maintenance.

General care tips for any countertop you own include using coasters, trivets, and cleaning up spills when they originate. More in-depth care instructions can be found on our natural stone countertop maintenance page.

General levels of maintenance for stone countertops:

• Low Maintenance: Quartz and Soapstone

The stone that is categorized as low maintenance is due to it being manufactured. These types of stones are very durable and require virtually no maintenance effort.

• Medium Maintenance: Granite and Quartz

Granite stone will require resealing, but only every couple of months. Both granite and quartz stone surfaces are highly resistant to heat and open flames.

• High Maintenance: Marble and Travertine

Marble countertops require a little more effort. They must be resealed often to avoid staining and damage from hot pans placed directly on their surface.

Everyday Kitchen Usage Considerations

Everyone varies in how much cooking they do at home. Some people cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner for themselves or their families daily on their countertops. Others rarely do food prep on their countertop surfaces. Both and everything in between are acceptable options. Still, it would be best to take in the level of kitchen usage when choosing a stone countertop.

Amount of time spent in the kitchen:

• Low: Marble

Marble can be damaged more easily than other stone countertop options. Acidic food like lemon slices could cause damage if left on the surface for a day. Always be aware of spills or messes made by children to keep your marble countertops looking as good as new. Marble countertops are perfect if you have older children or have time to clean up messes soon after they occur. Also, marble is excellent if you are a baker. Naturally chilled, marble countertops make it easy to maintain baked goods at desired temperatures.

• Medium: Granite

Granite countertops are more durable than marble countertops but will still show signs of damage if under constant heavy use. If you frequently use the kitchen and want to keep your countertops looking like new, always use cutting boards and clean up any spills and messes as they occur. Granite countertops are a fantastic choice if you use your kitchen regularly, but also clean up after yourself and take caution when cutting on the surface.

• High: Quartz and Soapstone

These two manufactured stone options are incredibly durable. Quartz and soapstone are perfect if you have young or messy kids and if you can’t always get around to cleaning your countertops until the next day. Quartz doesn’t stain easily and is easy to maintain surfaces.

C&D Granite hopes these considerations make choosing the best stone countertop for your lifestyle easier. Feel free to ask our granite experts questions on your home improvement project. C&D Granite looks forward to working with you to bring high-quality, durable stone countertops to your home.