Comparing the performance attributes of natural stone with manmade materials

Interior Design

Styles may change from season to season, but Mother Nature creates unique designs in natural stone that are historically innovative and always on trend. This is why natural stone remains a timeless and flexible option for many interior applications including countertops and flooring. The variety of natural stone available is also beautiful, durable, and versatile, offering endless possibilities for interiors.

Manmade materials often attempt to emulate or replicate these characteristics and qualities. It is essential to understand how natural stone compares to some of the manmade materials used for the same applications in order to select the most appropriate material. It is also important to know how the material chosen for an interior project will perform under a variety of circumstances, conditions, and uses. At the same time, knowing how the material impacts the environment will ensure that you are choosing the most sustainable material for the application.

Coastal Sand limestone. Photo courtesy of MSI.

Performance Matters

A material’s optimal performance is based on a combination of the attributes of the material itself, how the material is installed, and the conditions to which it is exposed. There are many different issues to consider for interior applications:

• How will the material react when it is exposed to heat and elevated temperatures? Some materials will scorch, while others may crack if they are heated too rapidly or unevenly.
• Can the material withstand exposure to chemicals without a visual change or performance degradation? Exposure to acids or alkali, quite common in kitchens, can potentially cause etching.
• How stain-resistant is the material? It is important that the material does not stain easily and that stains can be removed easily. Materials with lower absorption rates tend to be more stain-resistant. Using a sealer on more porous materials can lower their absorption rate, helping them to perform better and be more stain-resistant.
• Is the material slip-resistant? Slip-resistance is the level of traction needed for a walking surface to remain safe for those using it. The texture, porosity, surface treatments, and elements including water, dust, and a build-up of cleaning product residue can alter the slip resistance of the material. Slip resistance is impacted by the material’s texture and porosity, as well as any surface treatments used and elements it is exposed to

Performance attributes should be addressed no matter what material you are considering or what type of project you are working on. These factors play an even more important role in sustainability and in the long-term performance of the material. Let’s look at how natural stone compares to some manmade materials from the perspective of these performance objectives.

Saratoga soapstone. Photo courtesy of Stone Store.

Interior Applications for Natural Stone versus Manmade Materials

Countertops

The possibilities for countertops using natural stone are quite extensive. Granite, quartzite, marble, and soapstone are among the many options to consider for these hardworking elements in a kitchen or bath. Every natural stone slab connects directly to nature as a piece of Earth’s history. These stones are versatile, meaning they can be cut and finished into different shapes and patterns, and with various finishes, creating a cohesive aesthetic. There are typically more options for edging and surface textures available for natural stone than manmade surfaces. Because most stone is formed in nature through extreme heat and pressure, natural stone is inherently heat resistant. Granite and quartzite are also very durable and scratch resistant. Marble is particularly prized for its beautiful veining, although it may be susceptible to etching. Although soapstone can scratch easily, it can also be easily repaired. Some stones are porous which may cause the material to stain over time. Sealers are recommended for most applications.

In some cases, natural stone may cost more than manmade materials initially—but often, natural stone proves to be the most cost-effective choice due to its durability.  This is especially true because natural stone can also be refinished, repaired, restored, or recycled.  Stone also has a low embodied energy, an important consideration for sustainability requirements. This is because natural stone was created by the Earth and very little energy or additional resources are needed to quarry, fabricate, and finish it.

Manmade materials including engineered quartz, porcelain, sintered surface, acrylic/solid surface and cultured marble are also options for interior countertops.  These materials typically do not need to be sealed. The patterns and colors of manmade materials are usually consistent within the same dye lot. Acrylic/solid surfaces are repairable, but it is often expensive to do so. Most of these materials do not last as long as stone. Porcelain can be more expensive to purchase and is more expensive to fabricate than natural stone. It is also difficult to repair since the patterns are not full bodied. These materials are typically made in thinner formats which also reduces the edge selection options. This results in the edges not having the same texture and pattern as the surface. The synthetic components of engineered quartz can break down when exposed to UV light. Acrylic, engineered quartz, and cultured marble are not heat or UV resistant. Variation between batches of manufactured materials may cause installation or customer service issues.  Most of these materials also have a high embodied energy because they require a wide range of other materials and energy intensive processes to be manufactured.

Photo courtesy of Coldspring.

Flooring

Natural stones including granite, travertine, limestone, marble, and slate are good options for flooring.  Again, one of the main performance aspects of using natural stone in this manner is its incredible durability. Design options abound with more edge treatments, surface texture, and color than most manmade materials. Most textures are slip-resistant and most natural stones are also UV resistant. Natural stone also comes in a variety of thicknesses and is easy to care for once properly protected.  They will also maintain their color and patina nicely over time if maintained properly.  In some cases, natural stone will cost less than porcelain or concrete imitations.

There are a few other issues to consider. Polished finishes may require a topical treatment to increase the slip resistance. Marble, limestone, and travertine can etch when exposed to acidic substances. Stones that have higher absorption rates will need to be sealed. Once again, the low embodied energy of natural stone makes it a great option for meeting sustainability goals. As previously mentioned, natural stone’s long life cycle makes it a very cost-effective choice.

Porcelain, ceramic, concrete, and terrazzo and plastic-based materials such as laminate and vinyl are among the most popular manmade flooring materials. A few of the pros of using these materials include the durability of ceramic and porcelain. Additionally, ceramic, porcelain, and vinyl are easy to care for. There are usage ratings available for specific applications, which helps make it easier to select the right option for the use you are considering. Terrazzo is a creative material because of the custom options available in production. Laminates are generally inexpensive while porcelain is more expensive than ceramic and other popular flooring materials.

There are a number of cons to using these materials. Porcelain is a heavy and unforgiving material, so specialized equipment is needed to cut it. The density of porcelain often requires that sub-floors and supports are strong enough to withstand the extra weight. These issues can also add to the cost of installation.  Most manmade materials are only manufactured in thinner formats and the edges do not have the same texture or pattern as the surface. Their patterns and sizing are limited and they typically cannot be refinished. Porcelain and ceramic are susceptible to chipping and laminates and vinyl can be easily scratched or indented. Laminate and vinyl also require adhesives that off gas, and laminates are not moisture resistant.  There will be variances across color between batches or lots of the materials. Many of the petroleum-based materials contain chemicals that are toxic, including those marked as Red List chemicals. These products also have high embodied energy, which creates a negative impact on the environment.

Galaxy Grey granite. Photo courtesy of Artistic Tile.

Natural Stone and Sustainability

Natural stone has demonstrated considerable durability in local and regional environments and applications. In many cases, these have lasted for hundreds of years, even millennia. Most of the manmade materials have not been around long enough to demonstrate that level of performance. The qualities of longevity and durability have proven that natural stone is a great choice for also meeting green building goals. The initial material and installation costs are off-set by the long life expectancy and the low maintenance requirements. Little to no cleaning or chemicals are required to maintain the material and as mentioned, natural stone can also be refinished, repaired, restored, or recycled. Natural stone is 100% natural stone. Engineered quartz, concrete, and porcelain require many different materials including chemicals to be manufactured and many of them are not recyclable.

So, as Oscar Wilde once said: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” Choose natural stone and you will be contributing to the long legacy of great, high-performing, sustainable projects in the world.

Danby marble. Photo courtesy of Stoneshop.

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All photos courtesy of Ashley Goldman.

Hi! I’m Ashley, I’m a type-A homebody fixing up my historic home in San Diego, CA. My old house renovation is chronicled on my blog The Gold Hive. I’ve been slowly renovating my kitchen to create a new space fit for a modern family in an old home. While it’s taken me years to decide on the layout and cabinetry color, there was always one thing that was certain. Marble countertops.

It’s been a year since installing our dream marble counters. So, I’m reflecting on the experience of living with the natural stone. We’ve had many coffee spills, oil splatters, and citrus squeezes, so how is it holding up? I’ll tell ya!

First, let’s back up and go over why I chose marble. I elaborate on my entire thought process in this blog post, but in summary:

1. Our historic house deserved a classic material in keeping with its old age.
2. We wanted a work surface that had the visual movement and the physical texture of a natural stone rather than a manmade material.
3. We required a countertop that was ethically sourced, so we found a quarry that prioritizes worker safety, land reclamation, and required little transportation (learn more here).
4. We desired a material that would be timeless rather than trendy.

After browsing hundreds of stone slabs, I decided on Imperial Danby for its warm coloring, a honed finish for its ability to hide etches, and Vermont Quarries for the ethical sourcing of the stone. It couldn’t be a more perfect fit for our goals! I share more about the quarry and even link to an incredible tour of their facility here.

I went with a 2cm thick stone and didn’t add any thickness with an apron. I also added a backsplash with curvy cutouts and a small shelf to create something extra special. I adore the unique shapes yet the simplicity and timelessness of the marble. You can learn more about the design process here.

Once the slabs were installed, I immediately got to sealing the marble to prevent stains. I outlined the entire DIY process here.

Now, this is where marble gets a bad rap. Stains! Marble is indeed a porous material so it can take in penetrating liquids and stain. Think red wine, marinara sauce, coffee, turmeric. These things can indeed leave a serious mark on natural stones. But they can be prevented (and even reversed!)

So how have my countertops done with stains? I kid you not, they haven’t stained at all. I mean it! I worried about staining when a coffee ring went un-wiped for 12 hours, when the marinara sauce spilled, and when the berry kombucha bottle exploded. But not a single one of those incidents left a stain.

This is all thanks to the top-notch sealer that I used. I’m constantly impressed by the lack of stains!

The only discoloration in the stone is by the sink at the seam where the fabricators joined the two slabs. Water tends to pool in this high-use area and the seam started to yellow. However, this discoloration is easily reversed with a DIY poultice solution of baking soda and water (or hydrogen peroxide). See how to apply a poultice here.

Let’s take a brief intermission to admire the stone. Holy cow! I can’t get over the veining in this particular slab. The browns and greys are so lovely and add such warmth and character.

While stains are basically nonexistent in our countertops, there is a significant amount of etching. Etching occurs when acids like lemon juice dull the surface of the stone. These blemishes are only noticeable from certain angles as light hits the stone. See the photo above where the marble looks perfectly pristine, then compare it to the photo below.

That’s the same slab from a different angle. Do you see those faint marks near the sink? Those are etch marks. They are super common and nearly impossible blemishes to avoid. Etches bother some people, but I prefer to look at them as a natural patina on a natural stone. If folks love marble but don’t like etches, I recommend getting a honed finish rather than polished as the matte finish hides the etches best. And, for those really afraid of etches, there’s good news – it can be reversed! I’ll show you below.

First, here are more photos of the etches in my countertops.

They’re subtle, right?

This section of countertops takes the biggest beating. We do all of our meal prep here, pile dirty dishes here, and clean baby bottles here. This slab of counters has the most etches, but you only see them when the lighting hits them just right. Notice how they disappear in the shadows?

I’ve come to embrace the etches as the character of the stone. They demonstrate that our kitchen is a place of activity rather than an unused showroom. They are reminders of meals made and shared in our home. They’re gentle marks of history.

But, I understand that even the most sentimental person may not want to see etches in their precious counters. So the good news is the etches can be removed!

The etches disappeared with a couple of minutes of rubbing an etch remover product into the dulled mark. It’s a truly magical transformation.

I used the etch remover last year when I had a hard time seeing my freshly installed marble get its first blemish. But since then, I’ve let the etches pile up. Maybe one day I’ll buff the entire counter with the etch remover to start fresh. But more likely, I’ll let the stone naturally age and patina with wear.

Another worry folks have is staining from cooking oil by the stove. But frankly, I forgot all about this concern until I sat down to write this post. There are no stains or marks from stovetop cooking! Sure, we get some oil splatter on the backsplash, but it wipes right up.

That’s about it!

We used to be really sensitive around our counters, but now we don’t treat them so delicately. Sure, we try not to squeeze lemons directly onto the stone, we wipe up spills, and we’d never cut directly on them. But we don’t baby them beyond that. We simply keep them clean with a plant-based acid-free cleaner or dish soap and water.

So, would we install marble counters again? Absolutely! We love them and can’t imagine any other work surface material. I’ll happily be rolling out pie dough on this marble for many many more years.

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Photos courtesy of Studio Stratton; Photography by Martin Mann Photography.

Homeowners looking for ways to update their kitchens are not always looking for a gut rehab job. With more natural stone options available on the market, and with recent advancements in sealing technology, choosing to install natural stone in busy household kitchens is an easier decision than ever.

“It’s very easy to change out countertops and backsplashes to give the kitchen a fresher look,” says Lance Stratton, president of Studio Stratton, a Southern California-based luxury kitchen and bath design firm.

“The look and color of a natural stone is paramount,” says Stratton. If the client doesn’t need to worry about whether the material will withstand normal wear and tear, the selection comes down to look, color and finish and available slab size.

Stratton and his firm tend to specify natural stone on most of their jobs. While he has five stone countertops on display in his showroom, he and his team typically accompany their clients to specific slab yards that they work with.

Natural Stone Trends in Kitchens

Marble is still king when it comes to kitchens, and Stratton has noticed quartzite being requested more often due to its hardness. They also occasionally specify soapstone.

In three recent kitchen projects, Stratton and his team used Nacarado quartzite for the counters and Versailles Chiseled limestone on the floors. Another home used a stunning Mont Blanc quartzite on the countertops. For a third, he used Casablanca Super White marble.

Casablanca Super White marble

“Each of the homeowners of the three kitchens had different aesthetics and needs,” says Stratton, who worked with the homeowners to choose the stone mostly based on aesthetics and at that time the durability of the particular stone. He often recommends to homeowners to consider how a stone moves them. If it doesn’t move them, move on.

Speaking of movement, there seems to be a movement towards stones with a lot of pattern to them. Another trend Stratton is seeing is a desire to make a strong statement by using the same stone for both the countertop and the backsplash.

Choosing Between Quartzite and Engineered Quartz

“Quite often, clients are confused between quartz and quartzite,” Stratton admits. “When we can share some quartzite options that are about the same price as a manmade quartz, the choice is obvious. They’ll go with the quartzite.”

Mont Blanc quartzite

It’s hard to beat the beauty, texture and movement natural stone provides. “Natural stone has beauty and depth that enlivens any new kitchen or remodel,” Stratton adds. “It’s original and one-of-a-kind. So why go with a manmade product? Not every edge detail can be made with quartz, where you can with natural stone.”

Caring for Natural Stone in Kitchens

Homeowners are often concerned about using natural stone in a space that gets a lot of activity, such as a busy kitchen. They may worry about staining white marble with red wine or pasta sauce, for example. Stratton shares maintenance tips with his customers to help minimize these concerns.

“We always let clients know that natural stone will need to be sealed after install,” Stratton says. He notes some impregnating sealers on the market need to be applied twice at install but last for years after that process.

Sealing is typically completed by the fabricator after install. In heavy use areas, Stratton recommends resealing periodically.

Being diligent when spills happen and cleaning them up immediately means they don’t get absorbed and stain the stone. Stratton reminds clients that natural stone countertops are much easier to maintain than they think because they aren’t having to clean porous grout on a regular basis. A simple wipe down is usually all you need.

For example, Stratton notes that quartzite is just as durable as manmade materials and a regular wipe down is all you need. Marble, he admits, requires a little more attention and if you spill wine on marble, you should wipe that up before it has a chance to set.

What about natural stone flooring in a kitchen? “Limestone floors can also have an impregnating sealer applied,” Stratton says. “They just need to be cleaned with soft soap and water on a regular basis, to remove excess dirt.”

Nacarado quartzite + Versailles Chiseled limestone

Another option Stratton has found and has recommended to some clients is Italian-based Azerocare by Antolini.

“Azerocare is protected by an international patent,” says Stratton. “It’s a permanent treatment applied to polished marbles, onyxes, and soft quartzites [dolomitic marbles]. It gives full protection against etching and staining from lemon, red wine, coffee, tomato juice, vinegar, mustard, ketchup and oil, to name a few. It’s a permanent treatment that has been tested with the items above for at least 12 hours. It also has bacteriostatic treatment.”

At the end of the day, Stratton still reminds clients that any time wine, oils, or other items spill on natural stone, sealed or not, it should be wiped it up quickly. “Don’t leave overnight and expect the sealer to work,” he says.

There is an inherent beauty that comes with natural stone. While synthetic products might try to imitate its natural veining, they can’t compare.  Stratton also shares with clients there is a natural patina that occurs with age.

There are many reasons homeowners choose natural stone in their kitchens and with new technology and resources that allow for more stress-free living, they have more options than ever to create a space they love.

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Reprinted with permission from Polycor.

When Stacy Garcia’s daughter and son-in-law decided to remodel their kitchen, they naturally chose her parents to design and build the project. Michael and Stacy Garcia are the owners of Garcia Cabinet Makers in Valley Center, California, a custom cabinetry business known for fine design and craftsmanship.

For the countertops, Stacy’s daughter chose a material that was near and dear to her heart: Alberene Soapstone.

The Garcia’s daughter, an emergency room physician, spent a lot of time in chemistry labs throughout her youth. She was accepted into pre-med straight out of high school and the lab counters she worked on were always soapstone. “When she wanted us to do the kitchen she wanted it to be soapstone,” said Stacy. She knew it would serve her as well in the kitchen as it did in the chem lab.

“It’s definitely a classic, but it fits in with the contemporary look of the kitchen as well,” she said. “It’s also tough stuff.”

Harvested from the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains in Schuyler, Virginia since the 1800s, the history of the quarry runs deep. The once booming soapstone industry was concentrated in this region and used to employ over 1,500 people during its heyday—the town was literally built around the quarry as demand continued to grow. Blocks were fabricated into various utilitarian products from sinks to countertops, making use of all the material down to the finest powders for additives in roofing shingles, talcum powder, and even tires.

Classified as a high-density, foliated, metamorphic steatite, Alberene soapstone is an architectural-grade soapstone due to its unique close-grained structure and lower talc content. It’s known for its consistent, silky blue-gray surface with occasional thin white veining when left untreated. As Stacy says: “It’s got the black look with a particularly beautiful prominent white vein through the island. It’s just beautiful.”

It’s also a high-density soapstone, which makes it durable for everyday use. The couple love to cook, but they are busy professionals so while they chose something beautiful and resilient, they didn’t want anything high maintenance.

“My daughter has every food group in her yard,” said Stacy. “On her days off she is in the garden with its fruit trees, vegetables, and chickens. She likes to cook with food from her garden, and she didn’t want to worry about juices on her counter. She remembered from school that soapstone was impervious to chemicals, so a bit of citrus juice wasn’t going to do any harm to the stone. And it lasts and lasts.”

Glass beakers, Bunsen burners, and hydrochloric acid are no match for soapstone in the chemistry lab, so naturally there is nothing in the kitchen it can’t handle.

Stacy’s son-in-law also appreciates the soapstone counters for the breadmaking the couple enjoys. “It’s a wonderful surface for baking. Items can be rolled out right on the countertop,” Stacy told us. There’s a reason why chefs prefer soapstone in their personal kitchens.

Soapstone has been a staple material in chemistry labs across the country for decades because of its heat and acid resistance. It’s called soapstone because it’s soft and smooth to the touch, like a bar of soap. “It has such a soft, silky feel. It just feels good,” said Garcia. Its silkiness is chalked up to the talc content in the matrix of the stone. But its unique thermal properties and closely packed grain structure also make it desirable for radiant heated floors.

Stacy Garcia’s husband is a custom cabinet maker and her daughter’s design brief included “dd’s cabinets” in her contemporary kitchen with gray painted, inset doors. Every opening has a pullout/organizer of a sort. The Garcias also installed a backsplash of 3-dimensional, large format white tiles with tight joints for a seamless look. The overall effect is striking and modern against the dark countertops.

The Garcias also used soapstone for the countertops in the downstairs bathroom. A bumped-out cabinet and rectangle undermount sink allowed for a nice cut detail on the stone. As with the backsplash in the kitchen, they used a large format geometric tile for feature walls behind the counter and in the shower. “It’s a very textural white but really looks good with the silky, soft finish of the counter,” said Stacy.

Alberene Soapstone is the only soapstone actively quarried in the United States. The marvelous, unique qualities of the stone are being celebrated in kitchen and bath designs for countertops, flooring, and many other architectural applications.

TAGS:  soapstone countertop inspire polycor design trends

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Whether you’re looking to update several rooms in your home or just one space, your goal is to maximize your look without sacrificing the budget. How does natural stone fit into this? Our experts say it’s entirely possible to get that updated luxe look by being mindful of how you incorporate stone throughout your home.

Natural stone can be both subtle and bold in an interior space. It all comes down to how much of it is used, where it’s used, and how much labor is involved to install it.

Calacatta Gold tiles are used for cabinet fronts in this project from Triton Stone Group.

Size Matters (Sort Of)

Most homeowners think going larger when it comes to natural stone selection means it’ll be more costly. That’s not always the case.

“It really depends on the material,” says Jesse Bouchard, Director of Showroom Sales for New Orleans-based Triton Stone Group. Costs are often determined based on the stone’s origins, the minerals in it, and how abundant it is. Because some natural stones are more abundant and accessible than others, they may be less expensive than a rarer stone.

This doesn’t mean that size doesn’t matter when designing a space. One thing Bouchard notices often is that homeowners decide on things like their island size or cabinet layout first, when it might make more sense financially to think about the type of natural stone they’d like to incorporate into the space. Is the natural stone they’d like for the island available as a raw material in that size? What about the seam placement for the countertop?

Reversing the timeline and thinking about natural stone first can help not only elevate the space but can be more budget-friendly in the long run.

Bouchard also recommends homeowners look at things like edge details, the type of sink installation, the thickness and finish of the stone, access to a job site, mitered waterfall edges, full height backsplashes, and cutouts. Beyond these decisions, he says, the most important one that will impact your budget will be the type of natural stone you choose. All of these things should be discussed with your fabricator or kitchen designer.

A small use of stone can make a big impact. Photo courtesy of Sweetpea & Willow.

Placement Matters (A Lot)

“Many people use natural stone as a form of art,” explains Bouchard. Not traditional artwork, per se, but its placement is thoughtful in the sense that the stone can be seen and appreciated. For example, Bouchard notes that some homeowners will opt to use bold pieces such as an onyx slab to be the focal point in a bar or a subdued limestone throughout a home to give it a more comfortable feel.

Countertops are often the first place one thinks of using natural stone in the kitchen, but the backsplash is another opportunity  to showcase your creativity. Because the backsplash is a smaller surface area, it can be less expensive to use natural stone here—and because this area receives less direct contact than a countertop, more varieties of stone can be used here.

In some cases, the same stone can be used for both the countertop and backsplash. As an interior designer, Annilee B Waterman, RID, owner of AW Design Studio in Dallas Texas, loves to use the countertop stone for the backsplash because it creates a beautiful, clean, and classic look which is also easy to keep clean, she says, since there is no need for grout (providing another level of cost-savings).

Get creative with your natural stone placement. Bouchard has seen natural stone used as table tops, fireplace surrounds, cutting boards or serving pieces for entertaining, and even as cabinet door inserts.

Considering natural stone early in the process can help your budget in the long run. Photo courtesy of Stoneshop.

Natural Stone in Small Spaces

Remnants can be a budget-friendly option for small spaces where full slabs are not needed, Bouchard says. However, he does note that if you have a decent amount of material to cover, full slabs are a better option to choose to ensure that they match each other and allow you a better selection of material from which to choose.

While natural stone veneers have typically been used on commercial vertical surfaces, Bouchard is seeing a trend in natural stone veneer for residential projects as well. “It can be a smart idea when weight is an issue or accessibility to the area,” he admits. “There are some fabrication limitations with veneers, so make sure to take all into consideration.”

Labor costs will vary on projects that use remnants and natural stone veneer. “Labor charges can vary depending on market and job scope,” says Bouchard.

From countertops to tabletops and everything in between, it’s entirely possible to incorporate natural stone into your home, even on a budget. It can be bold or subtle. It can be full of vibrant color or subdued. Whatever it might be for you, natural stone will always be timeless and beautiful.

Black slate tiles in various sizes are used in this fireplace surround project from Triton Stone Group.

TAGS:  selecting countertop cost educate megy karydes

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Photos courtesy of Mario & Son. 

As a natural stone fabricator and sculptor, I can appreciate the timeless beauty and durability that only a building material like natural stone can provide. After all, I work with it every day (well, five to six days a week, but who’s counting?) and have done so for nearly thirty years now. I see the depth in the material, the luminosity, and the interplay of light refraction between different minerals combining into one beautiful, unique form. Man has tried to copy Mother Nature’s beauty by artificial means but has fallen short every time.

Not so many years ago, it was this one-of-a-kind beauty that drove in new customers, primarily countertop buyers, and expanded the market exponentially, a market once reserved for public spaces and the super-rich. These days however, there seems to be a stone fabricator on every corner pushing the universal business cry of “better, faster and cheaper” to the masses. Advances in machinery, diamond tooling, material handling and software have allowed just about anyone with a little ambition to set up a shop in order to get in the fabrication game, and as a result, our customers seem less interested in the stone and more concerned about cost and schedule, ignoring the qualities of the product itself.

Which leads me to the very first and most important thing I wish customers knew about natural stone:

1: A good job takes time.

 That doesn’t mean that a well-run and efficient shop can’t produce a job very quickly. They can. But in the natural stone business, things can and do go wrong from time to time. Machines break down unexpectedly, pieces break, employees call in sick, etc. and when the “finish line” doesn’t move, something’s got to give, and that something’s more likely going to be a compromise of quality to meet a deadline. A deadline that in many cases is arbitrary, just simply set by the client because they want their product.

My recommendation to consumers is to set clear expectations about schedule but communicate with your fabricator. If they need an extra day or two, be flexible.

In my shop, almost all jobs go in on schedule, but in a given week there are always one or two that I wish we had an extra day to work on for the sake of the client, not because we are running behind necessarily, but because the stone dictates it. There are so many new stones on the market, many we are fabricating for the first time.

2: Look beyond the color.

So many people choose a stone based on color alone. Yes, we all understand that it’s one part (and usually a substantial one) of a design theme, but it’s important for the end user to understand that they are buying all the stone’s attributes, perceived flaws and all. When that “perfect” color is laying horizontal on a large island with an even larger picture window casting it’s reflection on it, revealing various natural pits, fissures, artificial resin fill spots, etc., the reality of natural stone will be front and center, and for many unsuspecting customers, a shocking and unwelcome surprise. Therefore it is paramount that during the selection process with your fabricator that you examine the material not only for color and pattern, but look across the surface at low angles to see all its surface characteristics. Insist that your fabricator move slabs to better lighting if you cannot reasonably accomplish this.

Some clients assume that the stone will be sealed, and the sealer will “fill” these natural voids in the stone, making the surface “as smooth as glass.” Again, wishful and uninformed thinking on the part of the consumer. Stone sealer is an impregnating process, designed to penetrate into the pores of the stone, not to fill voids and coat the surface.

3: Perfection does not exist in our world.

 Even the most beautiful natural stone will have something that someone will perceive as a “flaw” if they go looking for it. So many clients come to a stone showroom armed with magazine pictures of their ideal kitchen. Mind you, many of these projects are professionally photographed, beautifully lighted and touched up in Photoshop to create a flawless glossy image. In addition to that, they have the visual advantage of distance. Viewing a natural stone project as a whole, appreciating the design and the thought that went into creating the perfect space is infinitely different from scrutinizing every square inch of a stone surface in person. I can absolutely guarantee that perfect picture you’re holding will have a few “sins” if you were there personally looking for them.

Even the world’s most beautiful supermodels sans makeup and Photoshop will reveal themselves as all too human, and natural stone is no different.

To sum it up, there are so many reasons to use natural stone in your project. For a successful installation, remember that the surface character is as important as the color, and always work with a fabricator with a clear and open line of communication to get that stone through the process professionally if and when delays should occur. You will be enjoying the stone for years to come, a small delay now would be better than living with quality issues because the project was pushed through to meet an arbitrary schedule.

TAGS:  countertop selecting fabrication educate

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An earlier version of this article appeared in Building Stone Magazine.

From the start of their kitchen remodel, the owners of a palatial home in Weston, Massachusetts knew they wanted a countertop material that would become the showpiece of the living space.

Prior to the remodel, the kitchen was outdated and dark. It didn’t fully optimize the available space. Designer Erica Brady of Downsview Kitchens noted that although the previous layout was disjointed, “there were elements that we all loved and knew we wanted to keep, such as the built-in pizza oven.” With that in mind, changes were made to open up the space and make the area more functional for the family. “Our goal was to make all of that happen, while being respectful to the architecture and design aesthetic in other parts of the home.”

The countertops would need to fit with the larger design of the room. Brady explained: “The palate for the cabinetry is neutral, with a quiet elegance. To complement that, we needed a rich stone to bring together the various materials, including wood, high-gloss lacquer, shiny metals, cool grays and white leather, and make sure that the space didn’t feel sterile. As soon as we saw the slabs of Calacatta Saturnia, we knew it was the perfect fit.”

Educating the Customer

Brady worked closely with the homeowners to select the countertop and backsplash material, quickly narrowing in on a Brazilian marble called Calacatta Saturnia, supplied by Marble and Granite, Inc. in Westwood, MA. “Honestly, it was such a quick decision because it was so right.”

While the homeowners initially expressed some concern about using a white marble in the kitchen, the team at Marble and Granite worked to answer their questions and make them feel comfortable with their decision. Brady notes that the company is great about educating clients, noting: “Marble is an investment, and it’s human nature to care for your investments. When a client chooses to use marble in their home, they must understand that—as well as believing that marble is like your favorite pair of jeans—it just gets better with age. Marble isn’t for everyone, and part of my job as a designer is to know my client well enough to steer them toward it, or away.”

The countertops were fabricated by United Marble Fabricators, a Natural Stone Institute Accredited company in Watertown, MA. President John Kilfoyle described the selected palette of materials as “a very raw combination of modern and industrial woods and metals,” and noted that all of the initial stone options were white marble. “Of all the options, Calacatta Saturnia was chosen to help convey a feeling of warmth in the crisp and striking kitchen. High-gloss, gray, lacquered cabinetry, rich ebony wood, brushed stainless metals, and Calacatta Saturnia marble coalesced into a clean, modern, dramatic kitchen that is perfectly suited for entertaining.”

Seven slabs were needed to complete the design of the gourmet kitchen. Brady and her client made a trip to the United Marble Fabricators shop to view the material before the cutting commenced.

Viewing the Slabs

Brady worked closely with Kilfoyle’s team to ensure that the slabs would be utilized in a way that put their beauty on full display. She explained that since the large backsplash was meant to be a focal point, the team began by selecting “the most beautiful section of the best slab” for that installation. “It’s important to prioritize,” she notes. “From there, we talked about parts of the slabs we wanted to avoid—imperfections, fissures, spots—and made sure they landed in places that would be inconspicuous, preferably a sink cutout.” Brady explained that this was very much a team effort between the design team and the fabricators. “United Marble Fabricators is experienced. They know their product very well, and I know what I want it to look like when it’s done. They help me understand my limitations, while keeping the client’s best interest in mind.”

The stove countertop was mitered to 6 inches thick and the center island and perimeter countertops were 2 inches thick. “This is an estate,” Kilfoyle noted. “The ceiling is over 10 feet high. It’s a powerful kitchen. The team was originally looking at 2-inch material, but they were trying to push the limit of how commanding they could make the kitchen look. The cooktop area is where the full-height backsplash was placed. There is a massive brushed stainless hood that is 6 ½ feet wide and double ovens. It’s the whole show. They wanted that one to be extra thick and the only way to do that was by mitering.”

The process of mitering involved beveling the edges of each marble slab at 45 degrees so they join to form a corner at a 90-degree angle. The aesthetic has steadily grown in popularity over the years in countertop production, specifically because of the clean, contemporary look it achieves.

Once the cabinetry was installed, United Marble Fabricators manually templated all areas. “A physical layout was conducted with the design team in our shop to discern the overall aesthetic of the kitchen and to highlight the best parts of the slab,” Kilfoyle explained. “Once these areas were determined, the kitchen was digitized and drawn in AutoCAD. Scaled high-resolution photographs were taken of each of the seven slabs. The photos were imported into the CAD drawings to create a photo-realistic layout of the entire kitchen, which helped to ensure that all mitered edges flowed correctly. The slabs were cut and mitered on a 5-axis bridge saw, the cutouts were completed on a CNC router, and the mitered kitchen was assembled using mitreForma clamps from Integra Adhesives.”

“The full-height backsplash is captured on all sides by cabinetry panels and the exhaust hood,” Kilfoyle went on to say. “The backsplash was fabricated at the same time as the countertops and was specially back cut and honed to minimize the chances of any damage to the surrounding elements during installation. The undersides of both islands are exposed at the seating areas. These areas are also mitered and fully polished underneath so that no visible area is dissimilar.”

Working Together

Both Kilfoyle and Brady credit teamwork for the success of the kitchen remodel, which received the Kitchen of the Year award at the 2016 Natural Stone Institute Pinnacle Awards. “The installation of the kitchen was a collaborative effort by all trades working to beat a holiday deadline,” said Kilfoyle. “Our installers worked inside of a fully occupied home alongside many other trades, including millworkers, painters, home automation, and flooring contractors to complete the project.”

Fabrication and installation of the marble countertops and backsplash were completed in a span of two weeks. “In a contemporary space like this one, flaws tend to stand out even more,” said Brady. “United Marble Fabricators has great attention to detail, and they reworked a few areas because they felt it wasn’t up to their standards. I have to say, the space speaks for itself. If it looks easy, it’s because it wasn’t.”

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Natural stone plays a prominent role in many kitchen remodels. Here are three questions to consider when choosing a stone for your kitchen project.

1. How Will the Stone Perform?

Photo by Leslie Schartz for Scott Simpson Design + Build

When considering natural stone for a kitchen project, Tom “TK” Kenny, partner at

Scott Simpson Design + Build, an integrated design/build firm specializing in new home construction, historic renovations, and eco-conscious green building projects in the Chicagoland area feels the most important question to ask is about the porosity of the natural stone you want to use.  “It is important to know this as it will dictate how easy the stone will be to maintain,” says Kenny.

Anna Gibson, AKBD, owner and chief designer of AKG Design Studio, a firm that provides curated kitchen and bathroom design services for the DC metro area, agrees that it’s important to know how a stone will perform. She recommends marble for bakers, since it is an ideal surface for rolling out dough. For busy families, she often recommends they consider natural stone such as granite or quartzite for its durability and low maintenance. “We had a client whose dog tends to jump on the counters,” Gibson said. “We went with quartzite.”

Buddy Ontra, owner of Ontra Stone in Bridgeport, Connecticut, always educates his customers on their stone. He created a document that provides maintenance instructions for the stone, covering everything from wear expectations to “do’s and don’ts” for the material to ensure that they understand how the stone will perform and how best to care for it. Be sure to talk to your fabricator about any cleaning, maintenance, and sealing questions you may have about your stone.

2. How Durable is the Stone?

Photo by Leslie Schwartz for Scott Simpson Design + Build

Another important thing to consider is the stone’s durability. The type of natural stone you choose in a kitchen will dictate how you live in the space, says Kenny. He often recommends quartzite because it has many of the features homeowners want –it’s beautiful, but its durability also makes it relatively low maintenance.

“Quartzite is durable and easy to clean but also as beautiful as other more porous stones like marble,” he says.

Some homeowners may think the fact that they use their kitchens and are hard on their countertops mean that they shouldn’t choose natural stone. Our experts recommend not underestimating the durability of real stone. Kenny notes: “A natural stone offers depth that a synthetic material, no matter how well-made, can never mimic.” In addition to the durability of the material, Kenny appreciates that the craftsmanship of the quarrier, fabricator, and installer can shine through the material: “You can see the labor of love from someone who toiled over it to somehow make it even more beautiful.” That isn’t possible with a synthetic product.

3. How Thick is the Natural Stone Slab & What Type of Finish Is Preferred?

Photo by Ontra Stone Concepts – Search home design pictures

Finally, in addition to the density and strength of the stone you should consider the thickness of the slab, Kenny advises. “We can miter the stone to make it look thicker but it should still be a consideration if you want to avoid this additional labor,” he adds.

People should also think about what type of finish they prefer. Kenny is noticing many of his homeowner clients gravitating toward a leathered finish, which he says adds texture. Honed or leathered finishes are also growing in popularity for light colored stones because they tend to disguise etch marks.

Natural Stone As Art

Photo by Ontra Stone Concepts – More home design ideas

In the end, many people are drawn to natural stone because it is unique and one of a kind. No slab is like the other which means you will always have a one-of-a-kind kitchen.

 “Natural stone is like looking at art: you always find something else to look at, another detail that you may have missed when you wiped it down after breakfast,” says Gibson.

Kenny agrees. “No two pieces are alike,” he adds. “Some of the stones have explosions of color where you can almost see the violence of the creation, like when the volcano erupted. Yet sometimes that creation is a patient one that happened over millions of years of tectonic pressure.”

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Reprinted with permission from Polycor.

When Loïc Barnieu moved to his new home last year, he knew a complete kitchen renovation was high on the list of home projects. It’s on the wish list for a lot of homeowners, but the urgency makes perfect sense when you realize that Barnieu is an award-winning CEO and executive chef of four restaurants in the greater Philadelphia area: Diego’s Cantina & Tequila Bar, La Belle Epoque Café, and Sterling Pig Brewery, all in Media, and Sterling Pig Public House in nearby West Chester.

“For me, I like to be involved in the design of my restaurants; you have to find a balance between design and efficiency to be able to run the kitchen,” says Barnieu. “So, when I design something like a kitchen, it needs to look good, but it also needs to be workable. Whatever I do, I have to make sure that the flow is correct.”

Barnieu designed his island around a prominent vein in the Alberene Soapstone.

Rather than work with a designer on this project, this high-profile chef (and father of four) designed the brand-new kitchen himself. He spoke with design industry friends and partnered with professionals, but the fundamentals of the design were his decisions alone— which is just how he wanted it.

“When you work with a designer, you have papers and a drawing, and I didn’t have any of that. I had what was in my mind and I had to bring my ideas,” Barnieu said.

This kitchen features a double sided waterfall island fabricated from Alberene soapstone quarried in Virginia.

The first step was to remove a small shed at the back of the house, making a blank slate for the chef to create this custom space. A roughly 17-by-18-foot addition was added to the house for an all-new kitchen and includes many features that the chef required – primarily plenty of open counter space and natural light.

“This kitchen is amazing because I have so much light and there is so much room,” he said. “It’s easy to prep, it’s easy to cook; it’s a very efficient layout.”

This light bright kitchen favors understated finishes, natural materials, and plenty of sunshine.

To establish that open feel, Barnieu knew early on that he would forgo upper cabinets and instead create plentiful storage around the lower perimeter with extensive kitchen cabinetry.

“I find that upper cabinets clutter the room,” Barnieu said. “I wanted that feeling of open space, and also because we built that addition to the end of the house, I wanted to let in a lot of natural light.”

Getting rid of a shed cleared the way for an expansive kitchen flooded with natural light. Barnieu eschewed upper cabinets for ample under counter storage and open shelving.

When it came to making the decision on the right surface to top all of the cabinets, Barnieu turned to his friend Alexandra Niedbalski, Senior VP of Sales at Polycor. He knew he wanted a strong surface that could handle a hot pot, and that he didn’t want anything high maintenance.

“She knows how I am as a cook—she felt like soapstone was the right stone to have in my kitchen because of its strength,” he said. “I like to be able to put the pots and pans directly on the countertop. She said that soapstone would be right for the way I work in a kitchen.”

So, ALBERENE SOAPSTONEⓇ is used throughout the kitchen, on the countertops and on the substantial center island, which has a waterfall on both ends.

The chef and CEO of four Philly restaurants prefers patina over polish and so left his soapstone countertops untreated.

“I love the waterfall – love it,” Barnieu said. “Sometimes people just put it on the side you see the most, but I put it on both sides.”

The natural variations of Alberene soapstone were just what this chef wanted, and he is particularly smitten with the prominent vein featured on the island. This soapstone, which is quarried in Virginia, has a very even and consistent silky blue grey surface with occasional white veining.

“I asked them to capture the vein when they cut the stone,” he said. “I wanted the vein where it is to break the continuity of the island countertop.”

The vein wasn’t the only natural element of the soapstone that the chef wanted to keep – he also kept the stone untreated with its honed finish. When enhanced with wax or oil Alberene soapstone takes on a deep black tone. The natural blue grey look seems to be especially popular with chefs.

This commercial grade stove can handle anything the professional chef can stir up, though these days it’s mostly crepes for kids.

“The surface has character. It’s not smooth, but it’s not rough either,” Barnieu said. “It’s not polished, it has some texture to it. That’s what I like about soapstone; the more you use it, as it gets older, the patina of the stone gets more and more charming —and I use it quite often.”

The countertop is the star of the show, up against clean and simple white walls and traditional white subway tile. The floor is tile as well, laid in a herringbone pattern to draw a clear distinction between the existing floor and the new space. Being a professional chef meant Barnieu made a couple of choices that the average cook might not make; including installing a pot filler above his cooktop, which is a 6-burner gas range with a griddle and two ovens.

“Nobody needs that big of a stove in a house, but it has the convenience where if you have a party, one oven can be your holding oven where you just keep it at 300 degrees and you can still cook with those other ones,” he said. “I could cook for 50 people on a stove like that.”

He hasn’t done that yet but is considering hosting a fundraiser at his home soon. In the meantime, this award-winning chef is working on pleasing a smaller, but more challenging crowd—his four children.

“There are some kids who eat everything, but not mine,” Barnieu said. “We do have a tradition now where every weekend I make crepes for them. That’s how I get them out of their room, to stop playing games.”

Barnieu designed his home kitchen for aesthetics and function, with nothing sacrificed other than his own time, which he was happy to give.

The family moved into the house a little over a year ago, and the kitchen project began about six months later. The project took about three months from start to finish, and while most people struggle during that time — making meals in microwaves and washing dirty dishes in the bathroom — being a professional chef meant that Barnieu had his choice of his four restaurants for every meal. That might be one reason why he wasn’t concerned about how long the project might take, but his fundamental faith in his design vision gave him another reason to not worry – or hurry.

“I didn’t rush it. I didn’t want to rush it,” Barnieu said. “Because I designed it myself it took more time, and I’m happy with that. By taking my time I was able to create it exactly the way I wanted it.”

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