If you have a kitchen island you need to cover in natural stone, you may be wondering which type is the best for this purpose. After all, your kitchen island takes a lot of abuse. Not only do you prepare food on it, you sit and eat at it as well. It has to be able to withstand a lot of abuse yet look beautiful and complement your entire kitchen.
You don’t have to use the same natural stone as the rest of your countertops, but they should complement one another. Here are a few good choices to consider.
Granite
Pros: Granite is one of the heat-resistant stones around, which is why it’s such a popular choice for homeowners. This beautiful stone adds big value as well as elegance to your home. Plus, its high heat tolerance means you can set a hot pot directly on it, which makes it ideal for use in the kitchen.
Cons: Prized for its durability and beauty, granite does cost more than other types of stone countertops. Plus, because it’s a natural material, you can’t predict the exact color or pattern you will get in your slab. This could result in your kitchen island having an imperfection that may stand out. And while granite is durable, it is also porous, which means it needs regular maintenance and sealing so stains don’t occur.
Marble
Pros: Marble isn’t as heat resistant as granite, but it can still withstand some pretty high temperatures. It’s gorgeous and revered as a decorative countertop material, which is why many homeowners choose marble islands for their high-end kitchens.
Cons: Marble can stain and scratch easily, and it’s just as porous as granite so you will also have to seal it regularly. Don’t cut directly on your marble island, as the knife will dull and your finish will get scratched.
Quartz
Pros: Quartz is an engineered stone formed out of crushed quartz and hard resin, resulting in a very hard and durable island countertop. It’s highly resistant to stains and heat, and you don’t need to re-apply or maintain the resin seal unless you see a scratch. And because it is manmade, the colors and patterns are uniform.
Cons: Because quartz counters are man-made, they don’t always have the same unique and natural look as marble or granite. They also cost as much as granite countertops so if you want an elegant kitchen, you may want to go with a natural stone for about the same price.
In the end, the choice is yours because all of the above natural stones are great options for your kitchen island.
Contact Granite Guy
Not sure which stone to choose for your island? Our granite installers in Medford can go over some ideal options with you during our consultation. Just contact us today at 508-460-7900 for a free quote.