When it
comes to choosing a countertop material, there are two major players:
polymer composites and natural stone. As a spinoff from Space Age
technology, composite countertops (solid surfacing and engineered
stone) hold their own in the market due to their indestructible
characteristics. Natural stone, in contrast, has been around as long as
the Stone Age. Its pure, unrefined charm and wide range of textures,
shapes and colors will never lose their appeal.
For
kitchen and bath countertops, many designers recommend mixing and
matching Space Age and Stone Age to create a well balanced, functional
and aesthetically beautiful kitchen. Utilizing a variety of countertops
defines work areas, breaks up horizontal lines, alleviates repetitive
patterns and adds new colors and textures. For more advice, we turned
to the experts to guide us “through the ages.”
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| Nick
Nye, of Custom Marble Design, created a distinct kitchen with three
stone elements. Labreda gold granite countertops from Marmol HI Natural
Stones Ltd. are accented by Byzantine gold travertine and a handmade,
basket-weave pattern cut from 18-by-18-inch tiles, both from Bella
Pietra, A Natural Stone Design Center. Handmade travertine pencils,
available exclusively from Custom Marble Design, create a border finish
on all exposed edges. Photo by Tomas Del Amo |
THE BEST OF EVERYTHING
Julie
Wason, of Stoneworld, specializes in both natural stones (granite,
marble, travertine, limestone, onyx, slate) and engineered-stone
composites (such as Silestone and Zodiaq—comprising 93 percent quartz,
with a synthetic bonding agent).
“If
homeowners want a material with a consistent pattern and color that
does not need to be sealed periodically, then engineered stone is the
best choice. If they want a surface that has character and will
withstand heat from pots and pans and is difficult to scratch or stain,
then I would recommend granite,” Wason says.
Originality
is key to the homeowner’s choice of material. People don’t want their
kitchens to look like their neighbors’ kitchens, but to reflect their
own style, taste and individuality. In this regard, natural stone has
the edge. There are instances, however, when all of one material can be
too much of a good thing and a bit overpowering. From a design point of
view, Wason recommends mixing the more consistent look of engineered
stone with natural stone.
 |
| Mosaic
tile, in Roku Green Tea, accents the Verde Fire granite, both from
Walker-Zanger. This kitchen, designed by The Cutting Edge Studio, is on
display at Sub-Zero/Wolf’s showroom on Piikoi St. Photo by Tomas Del Amo |
To
add further depth and visual interest to projects, Mike Ferguson, of
Tile Mart, suggests adding glass and metal tiles to backsplashes and
countertops (see photo below). Tile Mart, a ceramic tile distributor,
specializes in a wide range of fired clay tiles, quarry tiles,
porcelain, glass and metal. While certain tiles, such as porcelain, are
delicate and recommended for walls, others are tough enough to drive
trucks on. In fact, Tile Mart supplies tile for quite a few of the
luxury car showrooms in Hawaii.
“We
also have porcelain tile that is a dead ringer for natural marble, yet
is actually much stronger, costs a fraction of the price and requires
less maintenance,” Ferguson says.
STONE AGE PREP AREAS
We
humans have an atavistic relationship with natural materials. Thus,
homeowners have an instinctive fondness for what comes naturally,
choosing the beauty of quarried stone for kitchens, bathrooms,
countertops, walls and floors.
Cheryl
Orallo, of Bella Pietra, A Natural Stone Design Center, says that
natural stone evokes an overwhelming emotional response among
homeowners because of its ageless beauty, versatility and durability.
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| To complete a kitchen remodel, the homeowners chose natural stone countertops from Marmol HI, Natural Stones Ltd. Photo by Tomas Del Amo |
Since
2001, Bella Pietra has specialized in importing natural stone and
related products from all over the world. “There are many types of
natural stone that one can apply in practically all areas of the
home—both inside and outside,” Orallo says. “For example, granite,
marble, limestone, travertine and basalt are available in different
sizes and finishes and can be used for countertops, flooring and wall
applications.
Although
many types of stone can be used for countertops, granite is one of the
most common, because of its durability and variety of color.
While
requiring some maintenance over time, such as occasional sealing, “the
real thing” holds up to a lot of punishment and imparts a natural
quality and integrity to the intrinsic milieu of the home.
It
is certainly resistant to scratches and chips. Its smooth, compact
surface is perfect for cutting vegetables and rolling out dough, and
you can (cautiously) place hot pots right on it. Like all natural
stone, it is porous and therefore needs periodic waterproofing.
Nick
Nye, owner of Custom Marble Design, specializes in the installation of
natural stone countertops, bathrooms, kitchens and floors. What does he
advise?
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|
photo courtesy of Selective Stone
|
“We
recommend natural stone—mostly travertine and granite,” he says. “With
countertops, natural stone is unlikely to burn or scratch like some
composite materials. Stone is easy to clean, lasts longer than
composites and has a higher resale value.”
If
you’re looking for easy-to-install countertops, Selective Stone LLC
recently introduced new prefabricated stone—considered to be in the
exotics category—in a choice of more than 70 colors. Initially marketed
in large slabs and available only for custom fabrication, Selective
Stone has taken its business one step farther by pre-fabricating the
bullnose edge detail for the homeowner at a huge cost savings.
“Stone
is the only way to go,” says owner Jinny Nip. “It’s hard, durable, heat
resistant and each example is unique. No two kitchen counters will ever
be the same. Stone offers the beauty of Mother Nature at its finest, in
a wide array of colors, movements and textures.”
| COUNTERPOINTS FOR HOMEOWNERS
GET ESTIMATES
• Homeowners planning to have stone installed should get at least two
estimates and hire only a qualified stonemason with a valid
contractor’s license—one who will guarantee the quality of the work in
writing.
PLAN AHEAD
• Since we live on an island and materials need to be shipped in, it’s
important to know the lead times of materials in order to plan ahead.
If you want stone in your project, it’s best to start looking three to
six months before your installation date.
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| Concrete
is a beautiful countertop material option. Lokahi Stone customizes each
countertop to homeowners’ requests. Here, the countertop features an
integrated place to rest bowls. Photo courtesy of Lokahi Stone. |
GET SOAPY, SOFT SUDS
• Many dish soaps are so strong, they can slowly strip away the stone
sealer. If your countertops begin to look yellowish or dingy around the
sink or stove, your detergent may be the culprit.
GOODBYE GERMS
• Never use a sponge or cloth used to clean dishes and utensils to wipe
down a countertop. This transfers grease and acid from foodstuffs to
your countertop.
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SPACE AGE SURFACE SPACE
The
beauty of solid surfacing is its high-tech polymer base, which gives
the material its substance, flexibility and strength. These qualities
allow it to be molded into complex shapes and hardened into solid
materials that fit into odd-shaped kitchens and baths. Solid surfacing
is a practical and affordable option for countertops, vanities,
showers, bathtubs—even whirlpools, wall panels and floor tiles.
Solid
surfacing is mostly uniform in color and texture, plus does not have a
colored surface coating. Instead, the color is integrated into the
material—going all the way through it. Dozens of colors are available,
including unnatural ones, such as Corian’s hot red, lilac purple and
cobalt blue. They are an interior designer’s dream, offering infinite
choices that can be mixed and matched with other color elements in the
home.
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| Corian samples show off just a hint of the material’s color options. Photo courtesy of Corian. |
Superior
Solid Surface specializes in fabricating and installing counters to
specification. Glenda Yoza, of Superior Solid Surface, says, “We work
with many solid-surfacing brands, such as Corian, Hi-Macs, Gibraltar
and Avonite.” Since there is little difference between them, she
recommends that homeowners let their color choice dictate the brand.
“There are so many colors,” she says.
“I always tell customers to go with their first choice. Your gut instinct is your best bet.”
Staron
is another solid-surface alternative made by Samsung. Staron has
similar characteristics to other brands, such as their nonporous
nature, but it tends to be more affordable. Pacific American Lumber
carries Staron in 62 colors, with different patterns and particulate
sizes that mimic the aggregates found in natural stone.
Solid-surface
joints are unobtrusive, impermeable and hygienic, creating a seamless
appearance. Though solid surfacing can briefly stand warm temperatures,
it’s better to avoid placing hot pots directly on it by using hot pads
or trivets with rubber feet.
Similar
to solid surfacing, engineered stone uses advanced polymers to give
countertops substance and shape, however, natural stone and quartz
crystals are mixed with polymer resin—combining the hardness of natural
stone and the nonporous quality of solid surfacing. The natural quartz
stone delivers distinctive depth, clarity, glimmering radiance and a
cool, solid feel that replicates quarried stone. Engineered-stone
countertops can also take a beating, as quartz is one of the hardest
minerals found on Earth. The only minerals harder than quartz are
diamond, sapphire and topaz. In addition, the strength of engineered
stone allows it to be cut into precise shapes and sizes that would
cause natural stone to crumble.
While
engineered stone is very handsome, it has practical virtues and is
reasonably priced (cost ranges from $70 to $120 a square foot with
installation), its appearance tends to be more uniform than natural
stone, and buyers may prefer the variation that real granite provides.
