How resistant is a natural stone countertop

Natural stone countertop used in kitchens!  Surprising, yet it is true that natural stone is used as countertop materials in kitchens.  They may not be the first choice though of many people due to their costs but they are popular indeed.  Natural stone countertops are sleek looking and have a touch of finesse about them.

There are different varieties of natural stone countertops available in the market.  Expect to find Granite kitchen countertops, Quartz countertops, Marble countertops and Slate countertops.  Already, you must be feeling that there are many variations to natural stone countertops and can be best used for any kitchen.  Are they though naturally resistant to any damage?

The answer is “No”.  Most countertops of the materials listed above do have inherent qualities in them to protect themselves from damage.  You can though never predict the gale wind that could bring your countertop down to dust!  That said, treating natural countertops can make it resistant to any damage.

First things, most natural stone countertops are heavy.  The heaviness causes them to be scratch resistant apart from being resistant to stains.  Middle Eastern mountains produce durable granites that are preferred for use as natural stone countertops.  The granites produced from these mountains are found to be more resistant to heavy scratches and juice stains.

Quartz Countertops are known to be resistant to permanent stains.  Use quartz countertops if you know there would be a lot of juice, wine and sugar related stains.  Quartz is the fourth hardest mineral in nature making it fit for use in natural stone countertops.  It is a bit expensive though and will cause a dent in your wallet!

Marble countertops are the softest version of natural stone countertops.  They can be stained or soiled easily.  Keep your marble countertops away from any oil or juice stain!  Frequent polishing and sealing of the marble countertops though can keep away any permanent staining.  It must be noted that marble countertops cannot withstand permanent stains or scratches.

Soapstone countertops are most popular of the countertops and have been used for centuries.  Soapstone is highly immune to acidic or alkaline materials and hence can be used in a variety of fixtures.  People have used soapstone as preferred countertops in sculptures, goblets, fireplaces and tabletops.

Most natural stone countertops, as can be seen are naturally resistant to staining and scratching in varying degrees.  The importance of regular sealing and polishing though cannot be undermined.  Regular sealing of the natural stone countertops will ensure that the resistance properties of the natural stone countertop remain with it forever.

Bottom-line, natural stone countertops are resistant to scratch and stain.  The important questions that challenge the resistance of these countertops are – 1) How permanent is the scratch? And 2) What is the degree of the scratch? Expect to be disappointed if you have your quartz countertop subjected to heavy scratches all the time.  You must seal and polish your countertops regularly to ensure they retain their resistance power against scratching and staining.