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The Pros and Cons of Stones

We are here to make your home renovation easier; that is why we compiled a list of pros and cons for stones. We hope that this helps you choose the perfect stone for your home. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you read: 

  • Stain-resistant does not mean stain-proof. Stain-resistant means that it is harder to stain the stone. If you properly care for it, you will not deal with staining. 
  • Heat resistance does not mean you should constantly place high heat objects on the stones. High heat can remove sealer or polish layers, eventually damaging the stone. Try to use a trivet or hot pad as often as possible. 

GRANITE

Granite is a natural stone. It is formed under the Earth’s surface by magma that slowly cools and crystallizes over time. As a result, each slab is unique and full of different colors and patterns.

Pros of Granite: 

  • One of the hardest substances on Earth, making it very durable
  • Heat resistant
  • Scratch-resistant
  • Can be repaired if broken, unless shattered

Cons of Granite: 

  • Needs to be sealed; otherwise, there can be staining
  • Is porous

 

QUARTZITE

Quartzite is a natural stone formed by crystallizing from molten magma. Many slabs have marble-like colors and veining.

Pros of Quartzite: 

  • Resistant to etching
  • Low maintenance
  • UV resistant
  • Durable
  • Can be repaired if broken, unless shattered
  • Scratch resistant

Cons of Quartzite: 

  • Some varieties need to be sealed
  • Can stain

 

MARBLE

Marble is a natural stone. It’s created by the metamorphosis of a combination of rocks under intense pressure and temperatures.

Pros of Marble: 

  • Are beautiful and timeless stones
  • Can be repaired if broken, unless shattered
  • With proper care, they can last a long time

Cons of Marble: 

  • Porous
  • Can stain or etch. To prevent etching we recommend a honed marble. Honed marble is marble that has not gone through the polish process, which leaves it matte.
  • Delicate and can be damaged easier than other stones

 

PORCELAIN

Porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating clay-type materials to high temperatures.

Pros of porcelain:

  • UV Resistant
  • Heat Resistant
  • Essentially scratch resistant (ceramic knives may scratch)
  • Stain-resistant

Cons of porcelain: 

  • Can crack if hit by a hard object (ex: hammer).

 

DEKTON

Dekton goes through a high-tech process that mimics the metamorphic change that natural stone undergoes over thousands of years.

Pros of Dekton:

  • Scratch Resistant
  • Heat Resistant
  • Stain Resistant
  • UV and ice resistant, making it the perfect stone for outdoor use

Cons of Dekton:

  • Difficult to repair if broken

 

 

QUARTZ:

Quartz is an engineered stone made up of natural components.

Pros of Quartz: 

  • Is not porous
  • Does not need to be sealed
  • Stain-resistant
  • Same durability as granite

Cons of Quartz:

  • Not heat resistant
  • Can be damaged and stained by chemicals, ex: nail polish remover or high pH cleaner

 

Etching Natural Stones

Etching Natural Stones

When beginning the process of picking a stone for your home or business, it is important to factor in the different characteristics of the natural stones. Some natural stones are softer than others, which makes the stones more susceptible to etch. The process of etching takes place when there is a reaction between an acidic substance and the calcite and dolomite in a natural stone. There tends to be more calcite and dolomite in marble’s and quartzite’s, which makes those stones more susceptible to etching.

The pictures below show the testing we conducted using lemon juice, which is a commonly used acidic substance. The four samples shown here from left to right are Super White marble, White Carrera marble, Burlesque quartzite, and Taj Mahal quartzite. We sealed the left half with Miracle Sealants Company’s 511 Porous Plus sealer, and kept the right half unsealed.

After we sealed the left half of the samples, we placed a few drops of lemon juice on both sides. The following pictures show the results of leaving the lemon juice sit on the stone for 45 minutes. As you can see, there are etch marks on both sides of the samples. This shows that etching can occur even when the stone is sealed.

In the second picture below are the Super White marble and White Carrera marble with the etch marks on both the sealed and unsealed sides. Both of these stones are marble, which tends to be softer than granite’s and most quartzite’s.

In the third picture below are the Burlesque quartzite and the Taj Mahal quartzite. In the Burlesque, the etch marks can be clearly seen on both the sealed and unsealed sides of the sample. However, the Taj Mahal quartzite that does not have any etch marks. It is likely that the Taj Mahal is made up of different minerals than the Burlesque, which makes the stone harder than the others.