A great alternative to granite, marble, and other more popular natural stone surfaces, onyx provides a sleek and modern look to any space. Onyx is formed in caves as stalactites and stalagmites drip to form this precious stone. Onyx countertops are a rarity as they bring a unique appearance with strikingly dramatic appeal.
Marble is not the hardest of the these stones, making it porous and therefore susceptible to staining. However, if you're willing to maintain it, it's beauty will enrich any space in your home.
Quartzite is a naturally occurring metamorphic rock. It is created when sandstone is subjected to extreme heat and pressure caused by tectonic plate compression in the crust of the earth. The stone is mined and cut into slabs which are later precisely cut to become countertops. Natural quartzite has the look of marble but acts like granite in durability.
Quartz countertops are man-made engineered stone countertops formed by combining 90-93% ground quartz (a natural hard mineral) with 8-10% resins, polymers, and pigments. This forms a very hard granite-like surface. Quartz is virtually maintenance free. Manufacturers we work with are Pompeii, Silestone and Cambria, just to name a few.
Granite is resistant to heat, which is ideal for cooking purposes. Countertops and islands are the main focal point in any kitchen, so making sure the material speaks to the ambiance you want to create is important. Granite comes in hundreds of colors. Below are a few samples of popular colors -
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