There are many types of beautiful natural stone slabs available for your GTA home renovation, so look around and consider some of the gorgeous options.

 

If you’re interested in using natural stone slabs for a countertop in your Greater Toronto Area (GTA) home, why not consider going beyond the usual by skipping marble and granite and trying something else?

 

 

Soapstone is beginning to gain in popularity after being an overlooked option for years. It offers many advantages over some of the more popular options. Soapstone has a sleek, warm look and is available in many colours to match the décor of most kitchens. Unlike most natural stones, it feels soft to the touch.

 

One of the benefits of soapstone is that acidic liquids won’t cause a complete disaster if they spill on the countertop. When wine, orange juice, vinegar, and other acidic liquids spill on marble, there’s a good chance that they will leave pits and etches in their wake. With soapstone, you just wipe up the spill without worrying about permanent damage. It may not be as hard as granite, but there is a way to deal with any scratches or scrapes; you can actually etch them away—a better option than trying to keep a trivet or appliance over the spot for the rest of the countertop’s life.

 

On the negative side, soapstone isn’t heat-resistant, so you’ll have to keep hot plates and bowls off of the countertop. Soapstone also dents easily if you drop something on the countertop, although some people prefer the distressed look and consider this a benefit over time.

 

You will also have to take care of the soapstone with regular oiling and buffing so it keeps looking its best.

 

Quartz

 

Quartz is often used as an alternative to granite since it’s less expensive per square foot. Like granite, it’s durable and extremely hard. There’s a wide variety of colours available, so it’s easy to find one that fits in your kitchen. One of the benefits of quartz is that you don’t need to reseal it every year or two. Just install and quit watching the calendar. It’s a long-lasting, low maintenance natural stone that will make you happy for years to come.

 

Quartz offers a beautiful glossy sheen that keeps it looking clean and polished. It’s super easy to clean—just wipe it with soap and water.

 

There are a couple of disadvantages for quartz. It’s not as heat-resistant as some other countertop choices. It’s also super heavy, so the counters beneath it will need to be able to hold the weight.

 

Natural Stone Finishes

 

There are a variety of finishes for your natural stone slab, letting your personal preference have an impact on the type of countertop you’ll get.

 

Polished natural stone is extremely popular. It has an extremely glossy finish that can even be mirror-like in its sheen. A honed finish gives you a hard surface that’s smooth and matted. It feels soft to the touch. This is a good choice for people who dislike reflective surfaces. A flamed finish happens when natural stone is exposed to heat until it gains a textured surface. Tumbled finishes offer a worn, older appearance.

 

There are many types of natural stone slabs available for your GTA home renovation, so look around and consider some of the beautiful options available.