Countertops Info - Aston Designs

Countertops

Granite Countertops

Granite countertops offer a blend of durability, beauty, and variety that makes them a favored option for many homeowners. Their resistance to heat, scratches, and stains (when sealed properly) makes them practical for kitchen and bathroom use. While they do require some maintenance, the longevity and timeless appeal of granite often make it a worthwhile investment. Consulting with a professional installer can help ensure a successful and aesthetically pleasing installation.

Granite countertops come in several surface textures, each providing a unique appearance and feel:

Polished: This is the most common finish for granite countertops. It provides a high-gloss, reflective surface that enhances the stone's natural colors and patterns. Polished granite is easy to clean and maintain.

Honed: A honed finish results in a matte or satin surface with little to no shine. It offers a softer, more subdued look compared to polished granite and is more forgiving with scratches and etching.

Leathered: This finish provides a textured surface that feels similar to leather. Leathered granite is less shiny than polished granite and has a tactile quality that adds depth and character to the stone. It also tends to hide fingerprints and water spots well.

Countertops

Marble Countertops

Marble countertops offer unmatched beauty and elegance, making them a popular choice for adding a luxurious touch to kitchens and bathrooms. However, they require careful maintenance and regular sealing to keep them looking their best. They are best suited for areas where their aesthetic appeal can be showcased .and where heavy-duty use is less frequent. Consulting with a professional installer and understanding the care requirements can help ensure that marble countertops remain a beautiful and functional feature in your home.

Marble countertops come in various surface textures, each offering a unique aesthetic and feel:

Polished: The polished finish is the most popular for marble countertops. It creates a high-gloss, reflective surface that enhances the stone's natural color and veining, providing a luxurious appearance.
Polished marble is smooth and easy to clean but can show scratches and etches more easily.

Honed: A honed finish results in a matte or satin surface with little to no shine. It offers a more understated and elegant look compared to polished marble. Honed marble is less likely to show scratches and etches, making it a practical choice for high-traffic areas.

Leathered: This finish gives marble a soft, textured surface that feels similar to leather. Leathered marble has a more subtle, muted appearance with a tactile quality. It is less shiny than polished marble and can help hide fingerprints and water spots.

Countertops

Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops are an excellent choice for those seeking a durable, low-maintenance, and
aesthetically versatile surface. Their non-porous nature and resistance to stains and scratches make them ideal for busy kitchens and bathrooms.

Polished: This is the most common finish for quartz countertops. It provides a glossy, reflective surface that enhances the color and pattern of the quartz. It is smooth and easy ta clean.

Honed: Also known as matte, this finish has a smooth but non-reflective surface. It offers a soft, contemporary look and is less likely to show scratches and fingerprints compared to polished surfaces.

Leathered: This finish has a soft sheen and a textured feel, similar to leather. It offers a more natural, rustic look and helps hide fingerprints and smudges.

Concrete: This texture mimics the look of concrete, providing a modern, industrial feel. It has a slightly rough texture and a matte finish.

Hardness: Quartz countertops are composed of around 90-95% ground natural quartz and 5-10% polymer resins and pigments. This makes them extremely hard and durable, resistant to scratches, and suitable for high-traffic areas.

Stain Resistance: Unlike natural stone, quartz is non-porous, meaning it does not absorb liquids and is highly resistant to stains from common household items like wine, coffee, and oil.

Countertops

Quartzite Countertops

Quartzite countertops are an excellent choice for homeowners seeking a combination of beauty and durability. Their resemblance to marble, coupled with their superior hardness and resistance to heat, makes them suitable for high-use areas. However, it's important to factor in the cost and maintenance requirements when making a decision. Consulting with a professional installer can help ensure you choose the right type of quartzite and maintain it properly for years to come.

Stain Resistance: While quartzite is more porous than some stones, it can be sealed to improve its resistance to stains and liquids.

Ease of Cleaning: Routine cleaning with mild soap and water is usually sufficient to keep quartzite countertops looking pristine.

Regular sealing is recommended to maintain the stone's resistance to stains and etching. The frequency of sealing depends on the specific quartzite and the amount of use the countertop receives.

Quartzite countertops also come in various surface textures, each offering a distinct look and feel:

Polished: This finish is smooth and glossy, enhancing the natural beauty of quartzite by highlighting its colar and intricate patterns. Polished quartzite is reflective and easy to clean.

Honed: A honed finish provides a matte or satin surface, giving quartzite a softer, more understated appearance. It's less reflective than polished quartzite and can be more resistant to showing scratches and etching.

Leathered: Leathered quartzite has a textured, slightly rough surface that feels similar to natural leather. This finish adds depth and character to the stone while being less reflective than polished quartzite, It's also known for hiding fingerprints and water spots well.