Elevate Your Kitchen Design: Wood vs. Marble Countertops – Which is Right for You?
Published: General // Published 03.11.2023
How to choose surfaces for kitchen worktops?
Once you've decided on the new design of your kitchen, it's time to choose materials. Due to the wide range of materials and finishes, it’s difficult to choose. Hence, these types of kitchen worktops are available, so you can make an informed decision. Keep in mind that the information has a general purpose. As a result, you will need to work with an architect/interior designer for your project.
Do’s and don’ts for natural stone countertops
Do’s:
Don’ts
Installation tips
Although very durable, the stone surface, natural or artificial, is not indestructible.
IMPORTANT: these cracks are not manufacturing faults, and give uniqueness to each stone slab/countertop.
Maintenance of natural stone countertops and professional cleaning/waterproofing/maintenance solutions
- the non-impermeable surface is porous and absorbent. The degree of porosity depends on the stone. Hard granite is slightly porous. Granite with lower hardness has high porosity, and thus extra waterproofing is recommended. Sealers offer protection against stains from water, oil, and other liquids and are of two types: surface sealers, and impregnators. The first category forms a protective film on the surface of the natural stone, while the second penetrates deep into the structure of the material.
- For daily maintenance, wipe with a cloth soaked in LTP Stone Wash, a professional neutral detergent for daily cleaning. Rinse and wring out the cloth, then repeat. Then wipe thoroughly with a dry cloth. Do not use rags/pads with abrasive surfaces, and do not use bleach or very strong detergents. Dirt is very visible on dark surfaces, so use a stronger detergent. Granite countertops are also waterproofed before installation.
- Immediately wipe contaminants off the worktops to avoid contaminants penetrating deep into the material. Avoid acidic pH solutions (vinegar, citrus, carbonated drinks, wine, etc., butter, cooking oil) and pigmented foods (red beetroot, berries, turmeric, saffron, red wine).
- for glossy countertops, LTP MPG H2O or LTP MPG is recommended; for non-glossy countertops: LTP Mattstone or LTP Mattstone H2O
- for dark-colored worktops: LTP Color Intensifier
- for eating surfaces/ countertops in public areas: Ag ion antibacterial kit or Safe Marble
- for marble, travertine, onyx countertops, all with glossy finish: Safe Marble
- for worktops (marble, travertine, onyx), with glossy finish: Safe Marble
- for all types of worktops, irrespective of color, finish, and type of stone: general cleaning with LTP Grimex (possibly diluted); for removal of organic stains: MGP 1; for removal of greasy stains: MGP 2
- for removal of organic, greasy, and corrosive stains from marble, onyx, or travertine countertops: Restorer Kit; for removal of limescale stains from the same surfaces: LTP Cement Grout&Salt Residue Remover or LTP Multiclean
- for removing rust stains from granite countertops: LTP Ferrex; for the same type of stains, but from marble, onyx, and travertine countertops: LTP Rust Stain Remover
- for the removal of stone varnish residues from any kind of countertop: LTP Solvex, and for removing old waterproofing residues: LTP Power Stripper or LTP Grimex
Granite
Granite is a volcanic rock that includes quartz, mica, and feldspar minerals in the composition. It is formed when magma slowly crystallizes. Due to the formation process, granite is a hard and durable stone, available in a wide range of colors with shades of white, red, blue, pink, and green. The veining is subtle or pronounced, similar to a painting. Based on granite’s hardness, maintenance is necessary. Granite is extracted from Brazil, Italy, Africa, India, and China and is recommended for kitchen countertops.
Features
- basically, granite is hard to scratch. However, avoid cutting food directly on the countertop and use a chopper. Softer granite surfaces may scratch.
- Although granite forms at extreme temperatures, it is recommended to use pan supports on granite worktops, as the surface can crack from repeated thermal shock.
- Granite is a very hard stone; requires special support when used as a worktop. Do not place heavy objects on the surface.
- Greases and impurities accumulated over granite’s worktop surfaces, thus darkening its initial color. For restoring the original appearance, we recommend professional products such as LTP Color Intensifier.
Marble
Marble adds elegance to interior/exterior design projects while giving soul to the space. Marble is a metamorphic rock formed over millions of years from limestone deposits, subjected to extreme temperatures and pressures. This produces a crystallized form of limestone. Marble has a wider color variation, compared to granite. As a result, marble is harder than limestone, but not as hard as granite. Softer marble is not recommended for worktops, yet could be used successfully for flooring, wall cladding, and bathroom ware.
Based on the minerals present in the limestone during the metamorphosis process, marble takes on different colors. The purest marble is white, with a color range that spans from light pink, shades of grey, and blue to shades of green, and deep red, plus stylish veining, and unique patterns. An opulent material of natural beauty, marble has been the material of choice in construction since ancient times. When it comes to finishes, marble countertops usually come in 2 types of finishes: honed and polished.
Features
- Marble is a porous stone, with a surface that gets stained in the absence of waterproofing. Use professional sealing solutions for marble countertops. Compared to granite surfaces, marble stains more easily, yet the stains are less visible if the veining is intense.
- Because marble is softer compared to granite, it will scratch more easily. That's why we recommend using choppers instead of cutting food directly on the marble countertop. Keep in mind that scratch marks are less visible on a marble countertop with a honed finish.
- Marble is poised to hone due to the calcium carbonate in its composition. This is a consequence of the reaction of acids on the marble’s surface, which leads to honed stains. The honing differs from the usual stains on marble surfaces because the honing process is a low-intensity corrosive reaction on the marble surface, visible only under a microscope, which changes the refraction of light rays on the marble surface.
- The honing process is more visible in spaces with intense natural light. Spaces that are not exposed to direct sunlight and have a honed/textured finish will develop less visible honed areas.
- Although marble surfaces can withstand high temperatures, it is recommended to use pan supports on marble countertops, as the surface can be affected by repeated thermal shocks, which can even lead to cracking.
- For marble used as a worktop, you will need to be careful about the support on which it is fixed, which cannot support the weight of a person.
- heavy, sharp objects cause cracks or fissures on the surfaces of marble worktops.
- bear in mind that marble countertops are not suitable for every interior design project. Marble requires intensive maintenance compared to granite.
Onyx
Onyx has silica in its composition, and in the case of natural stones, onyx also includes calcite, in addition to other types of carbonates. The formation process of onyx is similar to that of Limestone or Travertine, which are formed in sedimentary deposits and can flow perpendicular or along veins, in a wide range of patterns, colors, and textures. The range of colors includes shades of green, red, grey, and pink, where white onyx is the most popular color. There are also translucent onyx patterns, which look gorgeous when backlit.
Onyx keeps getting popular, as a material for interior design projects. It is recommended as a kitchen worktop, flooring, reception countertops, bar tops, saunas, and wall cladding. However, this stone requires more maintenance. Compared to other natural stones. The onyx surface will scratch and stain, so it will need surface sealing and cleaning with professional stone products. They have similar characteristics to those described for granite and marble and can be recrystallized.
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock formed from shells and bones of aquatic organisms present in warm, clear water. It is a soft and porous rock that requires maintenance to keep its original color. It is especially recommended for bathrooms, floors, and fireplaces, based on its characteristics, but also because it is easy to cut.
The color range includes shades of light grey, beige, and golden yellow. Because of its high porosity, limestone must be waterproofed very well if it is to be used as a countertop.
Travertine
It is one of the stones used since ancient times as a building material. It is a type of limestone formed by deposits from thermal springs and is very porous. The pores on the surface of granite can be left with a natural appearance (with holes) or can be filled with several types of epoxy resins for a compact appearance. The range of colors available for travertine includes white, beige, mustard, and rust, depending on the type of mineral present during the forming process. Depending on the type of cut, it can have a concentric or veined appearance. Travertine is soft and porous and requires waterproofing, re-applied in time.
Slate
A type of stone with a smooth surface and formed at low temperatures and pressures. There are a couple of models with different degrees of hardness, and it is recommended for flooring, fireplaces, and countertops, the harder version in the last example. The range of colors includes grey with dark and light shades, but also red, green, black, and purple, depending on the minerals from the Earth’s crust.
Whether you are looking for a countertop with a modern and minimalist look or one that denotes more of a classic and imposing look, our team of experts is ready to make your dreams come true. Visit the showroom or take a look at the website for more details.
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