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Our kitchens are the heart of our homes. It’s the room to which family and friends are naturally drawn. Kitchen countertops function in a variety of ways: as food assembly station, landing spot, office and schoolwork desks and gathering table. Options in stone for countertops are plenty. All function well and provide a strong personal statement within our homes. There is a material for everyone, so which is right for your kitchen? The following is a breakdown of the advantages and considerations of the most popular options.

Granite

Granite is nowadays almost the norm in most kitchens. As more and more dramatic stones come to marketplace and consumers are exposed to new colors and varieties of stone, the color palettes continue to change. There are no inherent problems with granite and maintenance requires simple washing with soap and water. Any minor chips can be easily repaired. Most oil stains evaporate in a couple of days. Almost everyone will be happy with this choice.

Man-made Quartz

Manmade quartz products such as Caesarstone, Cambria and Silestone are nearly unsusceptible to problems. They require the same cleaning with soap and water and do not stain. However, very hot objects must have a towel or trivet down to protect the counter from discoloration. These products are the easiest to maintain. The manufacturers introduce new colors each year. The only downside is that up close, they lack the same appearance as natural stone. They are very well suited in modern kitchens with clean, simple styles with European cabinets such as Poliform, Siematic or Poggin Pohl. You will experience no worries with manmade quartz.

Marble
(and other traditional options)

The old world stones that have been around for centuries; limestone from Jerusalem, marbles such as white marble from Italy (the historically original stone countertop) and soapstone from the United States, Brazil and India. These stones create the most inviting, calming and understated looks of all options available. Many people have avoided these beautiful stones out of fear of maintenance issues. If you want your kitchen to remain almost perfect, they are not for you. If you live in an older home or do not worry about small imperfections, marble and limestone can be the best stone for you.

Limestone and marble can stain, but most stains evaporate or just become part of the stone’s pattern or patina. The fossils in limestone hide this particularly well. All of these stones should come to your house with a honed or satin finish. The acids in food can scratch a polished marble. Installing the tops with a honed finish will eliminate the worry of maintaining a polish altogether. Soapstone is a different type and look from all the others and is maintained with mineral oil, creating a rich dark color in shades of blue, green or dark charcoal.

Finish Options

Next are some new finishes for stones other than the usual polished finish. Honing for marble, limestone or soapstone is the most common. Granites tend to have a softer look after honing (a sort of matte finish) or the popular antique old world finish that creates a textured surface in the stone. Your hands can feel the texture as light creates shadows and highlights, and it is very forgiving to potential damage as a result. All of these types of stones and finishes need to be sampled and reviewed within a kitchen or bathroom to make a final selection. A small sample will not show the variation and nuances in finish or color. A large sample, such as a full slab of the finished stone, is most effective when making a selection.

How DoYouChoose?

You can view new colors and finishes at R. Bratti Associates, Inc. We welcome you to visit our location in Alexandria just north of Old Town. We stock an extensive inventory of full slabs to select from. We are happy to sort through the materials so you can choose what you like best. After measurement we encourage clients to layout the countertop templates on the slabs to ensureall aspects of the selected slabs are incorporated into the countertops. We can be reached at 703-549-1135. Ask for Bob or Tara. Walk-ins are welcome, and Saturdays are by appointment.

Cleaning Procedures & Recommendations

General Cleaning Clean stone surfaces with a cleaner designated safe for natural stone. Use a clean mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results. Don’t use more than the recommended amount of any cleaning product. Too much may leave a film, causing streaks. Change rinse water frequently. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble, travertine or limestone as these can etch the surface of the stone. Do not use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.

Floor Surfaces Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. Sand, dirt and grit do the most damage to natural stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness. Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize the sand, dirt and grit that can scratch a stone floor. Be sure that the underside of the mat or rug is a non-slip surface. Do not use vacuum cleaners that are worn, the metal or plastic attachments may scratch the surface.

Bath and Other Wet Areas In the bath / shower or other wet areas, soap scum can be minimized by using a squeegee after each use. Consult the Care Guide for detailed instructions and recommended products on how to remove soap scum as well as resolving other issues that can arise in a bath area.

Counter/Vanity Top Surfaces Clean your countertops daily with a soft cloth or paper towel and a residue free cleaner designated safe for natural stone.

• If Streaking Occurs
  Buff the countertop with a clean white terry cloth or paper towel if streaking occurs.
• Use a Good Stone Polish Occasionally
  For additional luster on those special occasions, apply a good stone polish to the surface of your countertops.
• Seal if Necessary
  Countertops may need to have a penetrating sealer applied. If a sealer is applied, be sure that it is non-toxic and safe for use in food preparation surfaces.

Outdoor Pool & Patio Areas In outdoor pool, patio or hot tub areas, flush with clear water and use a mild bleach solution to remove algae or moss.

Stain Treatment and Other Issues

If possible, immediately blot spills with a clean paper towel. If something has soaked into the stone and stained it, a poultice may need to be applied.

Sealing

Your natural stone and grout may need to be periodically sealed.

For more information, please contact R.Bratti Associates in Alexandria, VA for all your natural stone needs.