STONE BUYING GUIDE
MOST POPULAR OPTIONS
Selecting the right material can be overwhelming to say the least. From surface options to design options, there are a lot to consider. Call today for your free consultation to make your kitchen, bath, fireplace or backyard the stuff dreams are made of.
While we have listed the most popular options here, Thomas Leitner Stone can install a variety of surface options to match your style, taste and budget.
If you don’t see what you’re looking for, just call (760) 745-7018!
QUARTZ
Quartz is considered one of the hardest minerals. Because of its strength and abundance, quartz is a popular and reliable choice for countertops. Quartz countertops are sometimes referred to as “engineered” or “man-made,” but quartz is in fact a natural stone.
The amount of natural quartz in a slab depends on the quartz manufacturer. Cambria is among the highest concentration of pure quartz to ensure strong, compact slabs.
Virtually maintenance-free
- Chip and crack resistant
- Wide range of style options available
Non-porous construction
Cons
- Could be sensitive to heat
- Very heavy material. Not suited for DIY
- Possibly more expensive
GRANITE
Granite is an igneous rock. It is mined in various countries such as Brazil, Italy, India, and Norway. You can also find granite in, Barre, Vermont here in the U.S.
As for texture or finish, you have several options. This mineral can have a polished, honed, brushed or sandblasted finish. What you choose depends where you plan to have it installed — in your kitchen and bathroom.
Pros
Low maintenance
Heat and water resistant
Wide range of prices
Durable and long-lasting
Cons
Cracking possible
May have seams
Requires professional installation
QUARTZITE
Quartzite is a very hard metamorphic rock that originated as sandstone. Through a process of high heating and pressurization sandstone is transformed into Quartzite, an extremely strong and durable natural stone.
When heated, individual quartz pieces recrystallize giving it a beautiful and decorative sparkling pattern. Quartzite is ideal for any countertop surface due to its strength and long-lasting composition. Consider quartzite countertops for its strength, beauty, and overall durability.
Pros
- Looks like marble
- Very durable, low maintenance
- UV-resistant for outside applications
Versatile applications
Cons
- Prone to scratching
- Porous material
Requires professional installation
- Possibly more expensive
CEASARSTONE
The integral solidity and strength of Caesarstone’s quartz surfaces provide designers with the widest possible choice of profile options available in natural stone products. This freedom inspires architects and designers to explore creative concepts and shape them into practical applications.
Whether for private quarters, work areas or public spaces, Caesarstone’s quartz surfaces represent a solid asset that ensures value for money and return on investment for years to come.
Pros
- Non-porous and very durable
Low maintenance
Adds value to your home
Cons
- Not heat resistant
- Heavy and prone to damage
Can get very expensive
MARBLE
Marble countertops are available in a variety of styles, colors and of course prices. A little research will help you find the best marble for your individual needs and desires. Marble has many variations because of factors like where it’s comes from, certain impurities, patterns, colors and veining.
Carrara marble is the most popular option because it is often the least expensive marble, but Statuary, Calacatta and Crema Marfil are also found in kitchens.
Pros
- Every stone is unique
Heat- and water-resistant
- Great surface for doughs and chocolate work
- Adds to your home’s value
Cons
- Stains, chips and wears easily
- Requires regular sealing
A more expensive option
Requires professional installation
SILESTONE
Silestone has become the perfect option for kitchen and bathroom countertops over and above other traditional materials such as granite or natural stone.
Amongst the features responsible for this popularity are that Silestone countertops present extreme durability in kitchen and bathroom spaces where traffic and daily use is high, and also the endless colours possibilities that are offered with this surface
Pros
- Non-porous and very durable
Low maintenance – stain resistant
- Available with a certified 25 year warranty
Cons
Sensative to chemical damage
- Heavy and prone to damage
- For indoor use only