If you love natural stones for countertops, then you can totally get them, but there are so many choices to pick from. How do you know which one is the best? Well, here is a comparison between sandstone, limestone, and granite kitchen countertops.
Similarities And Differences Between Granite, Limestone, And Sandstone Counters
The Material
First of all, the composition of granite, limestone, and sandstone is important to go over.
Granite Countertops
Granite is an igneous rock that has exceptional beauty and strength. It is made out of molten minerals and mica, and the result is a stone that is dark, shimmery, and very aesthetic.
Since granite is made deep inside the Earth, the pressure and temperature are tremendous, which means that the stone is also able to endure heat and pressure in the kitchen.
Limestone Countertops
As for limestone, it is made up of talc and it is also composed of calcium carbonate/dolomite. Limestone is a sedimentary rock, which means that it has a lot more porosity than other natural stones. Limestone also has a very beautiful color. It is light, but it is also very strong, because, well, it is a natural stone. So, if you like lighter stones with veining, then limestone is for you.
Sandstone Countertops
Sandstone is a very beautiful golden-yellow material and it is also a sedimentary rock. The main characteristic of sandstone is the beautiful golden hue it has. Sandstone is very lightweight, but it is also quite fragile, especially compared to other natural stones.
While that is the case, sandstone is also strong enough to be used in the kitchen and it will do amazingly well. It is porous, so you need to seal it in order for it to work in the kitchen without getting damaged.
Durability
Granite Countertops
As far as durability is concerned, you really can’t go wrong with granite. Granite is literally made under the exposure of pressure and intense temperature, so you know that this stone is going to be a winner in the kitchen. You will love the fact that it doesn’t get scratched, it can’t break or chip easily, and it is a material that will really impress you.
Remember that there are many types of granite, so when consulting a granite company Raleigh NC, choose high-quality granite.
Limestone Countertops
As far as limestone is concerned, you can’t really compare it to granite, because, well, the latter stands no chance. But that doesn’t mean that limestone is a bad stone or material to begin with. It has decent durability and it’ll last a good time in the kitchen. As long as you maintain it, then limestone will perform well.
Sandstone Countertops
Sandstone is probably in the same lane as limestone. It is not as strong as limestone or granite, but still, it is a decent stone. If you want to go for a stone that has a warmth like no other, and is still durable to some extent, then sandstone is the one for you.
Maintenance
Next up is the maintenance of these stones.
Since granite, limestone, and sandstone are all natural rocks, they are going to be porous, which only means one thing. You have to seal them.
If you don’t seal granite, sandstone, or limestone, then you’ll be in for an unpleasant surprise and that will be the ruin of your natural stone countertops. Also, granite, sandstone as well as limestone won’t do well when they are exposed to acids or harsh chemicals, so you need to ensure that you’re not cleaning these materials with bleach or other abrasive cleaning solutions. It will only ruin the materials by eating them up, and you’ll be left with a material that has holes and divots all over it.
As far as other maintenance is concerned, you will also need to polish your natural stone countertop. If you like a polished and glossy finish to your countertops, then you’ll need to work on that by externally applying a coat of polish and even sanding down the material to get that look.
Usually, natural stones have a slight sheen to them, but it is not considered to be blinding. If you want just that, then you’ll have to figure it out, otherwise, you will have semi-matte countertops.
Stain Resistance
When it comes to stains, you will only be able to protect natural stone countertops if you seal them. If you don’t seal the porous surfaces of natural stone countertops, then you can’t expect to see them in good condition.
Granite, sandstone, and limestone are all porous and they will be very hard to clean and work on if you don’t seal them. The water and other liquids will seep into the materials and cause deep and very stubborn stains. This is not something you want to deal with.
This is why a part of maintaining granite, sandstone, and limestone is to seal them and seal them regularly. It is not a one-time job that you can get done with. It is something that you’ll need to do time and time again to ensure that the quality of the countertops remains the same for years to come.
Heat Resistance
Heat resistance is also something that a lot of people are concerned with.
Well, almost all natural stones are amazing when it comes to heat resistance and they are better in it than engineered stone countertops.
Granite is probably at the top list in this one because granite can endure high heat like a champ. So can limestone and sandstone, but since their colors are a bit lighter, the stains or heat blisters will show up more prominently on these materials as compared to granite.
Generally, you still want to protect your countertops, even if they are amazing resistors of heat. Just because a material can endure it, doesn’t mean that you have to test its limits. It is best that you put cutting boards on top of the surface and even use trivets for putting hot pots and pans directly on the countertops. It’ll be worth it.
Price
Next up is the cost of the materials as a whole. Now, natural stones are normally very expensive to begin with. They need to be quarried and then they are cut and sent to industries to make countertops. So, if you want to get your hands on these materials, then you have to come to terms with the fact that it is going to cost you a lot.
Granite Countertops
Granite is probably the most expensive one from the lot. And if you add maintenance costs to it as well, then you’ll be paying a huge price for the stone.
Limestone And Sandstone Countertops
As far as limestone and sandstone go, they are pretty much in the same lane. Sometimes, one material might be more expensive than the other, which really depends on the composition, the retailer, and the overall quality of the stone, but usually, the prices are pretty much the same.
They’re less expensive than granite, but as compared to other, more reasonable man-made materials, sandstone and limestone can be very hard to get your hands on, especially considering the maintenance costs along with the retail cost.
Conclusion
With this guide, you will know exactly which countertop material to go for when considering countertop replacement Durham NC. Moreover, you can also research about other natural stones like quartzite and travertine.
