Stone Characteristics

Granite

Pro's

• Heatproof

• Waterproof

• Somewhat stain resistant

• Can be used with under mount sinks

Con's

• Hard, cold, noisy

• Tough on breables

• May stain

• Look can be monolithic

Maintenance

• Blot spills quickly

• Use mild cleaners

• Wipe with penetrating sealer periodically. Try sealers containing fluoropolymers (the chemical used in Scotchguard).

Marble

Pro's

• Heatproof

• Waterproof

• Can be used with under mount sinks

Con's

• More prone to etching and staining from acids and juices in foods

• Can scratch if used as cutting surface

• May stain

Maintenance

• Use mild cleaners without vinegar, lemon or citric acid, which can etch it

• Wipe with penetrating sealer periodically

Limestone

Pro's

• Heatproof

• Organic, textured look

Con's

• Varies in hardness depending on variety

• Reactive with acidic foods

• Hot pots and dishes can leave rings

Maintenance

• Blot spills quickly

• Use mild cleaners

• Wipe with penetrating sealer periodically.

Soapstone

Pro's

• Resistant to stains and low heat

• It is extremely dense, with better stain resistance than granite

• Scratches in soapstone can be sanded out

• Very smooth

Con's

• Oxidizes and darkens with time to a rich charcoal

• More likely to crack or chip than harder stones

• Use a trivet

Maintenance

• Blot spills quickly

• Use mild cleaners

• Wipe with mineral oil periodically

Slate

Pro's

• Wide variety of colors and textures, high resistant, very durable.

• Scratch marks can be buffed out with fine steel wool.

• Scratches in soapstone can be sanded out

• Vermont slate needs no sealers and no maintenance.

Con's

• High cost, some types may stain, slab size may be limited.

• Can delaminate.

• Relatively soft

• Slate mined in different regions may be more absorptive. It will occasionally delaminate because slate is formed in layers.

Maintenance

• To clean state, brush wall surfaces occasionally to remove dust and "freshen" or dust with dusting attachment of vacuum cleaner. Wash slate floors with detergent and water. Slate is not damaged by alkali cleaners, but strong solutions are not needed for cleaning. Rinse well and wipe dry. A water based, self-polishing wax can be applied over a clean, dry, sealed floor for extra protection and shine. Weekly damp mopping with a barely damp mop on a waxed floor will keep it clean for quite a while before the washing with detergent is needed.

• If you have an electric polisher, solvent-base polishing wax may be used to clean and wax. This must be buffed. Do not use wax around fireplaces.