Natural Stone

The most common types of natural stones used for countertops are granite, marble, slate, soapstone, limestone, travertine and some soapstones.  Beautiful and elegant, these are quickly becoming the countertop of choice for many kitchen and bathroom projects. 

How is it made?
Natural stone countertops start out as giant slabs cut from queries all around the world.  These are then cut down into two foot strips, leveled and polished with final fabrication taking place after measurements are provided for the area to be covered.  These types of counters are extremely heavy and require expert installation, not recommended for the do-it-yourselfer.

Durability
A stone's durability depends on its hardness and how porous it is. Granite, which is composed of feldspars and quartz is extrememly hard and is resistant to stains and scratches.  Marble is more porous that granite and can be marred by spills and acids.  It will also show wear sooner as it's a softer stone.  However, repairs on marble are much easier to do than other harder stone types.  Most of these types of countertops come with a sealer on them that will make them more stain resistant.  Be sure that it is non-toxic if it's to be used on food preperation areas and these sealers must be reapplied every 2-5 years depending on the product.  Use cutting boards when chopping and slicing to prevent scratches and chipping.  Setting a hot pan directly on the countertop is not recommended.  The stone cannot be scortched, but the sudden change in temperature can cause the top to crack.  Some repairs are possible to these types of tops, but if it cracks all the way through it will need to be replaced.