Solid Surface Performance

When you're in business you're always looking for an advantage. Sometimes this takes the form of blowing small differences between products completely out of proportion. There is a lot of "stretched information" out there regarding the performance and/or pitfalls of natural stone and man-made materials. While I'm sure there will be a handful of "experts" out there who will take issue with what I'm about to tell you I will give you my "experienced" opinion regarding solid surfaces.

Here goes nothing...

Porous versus Non-Porous: Sealing granite or any other natural stone is NOT a big deal. At least it doesn't need to be. First rule to remember is to ignore recommendations on how often to re-seal. The real answer is, it depends on how often you clean an area and what you clean it with. A simple water bead test will let you know if you need to re-seal; if the water drops bead up (like a freshly waxed car) you don't need to re-seal. Best areas to test are around the sink and the stove because this is where you clean the most and if the sealant is breaking down this is where it will show up first. I've seen 4-5 year sealants go for more than 10 years before needing a re-seal. Also, there are some 18+ year sealants that you could use and literally forget about and never seal again. At least, I'm sure I would forget to check and then never seal them again as a result. Man-made quartz and porcelain are non-porous and therefore need no sealing.

Cleanliness: This is where I get a little more opinionated. All solid surfaces are clean; I mean they are very, very clean. The nonsense of bacteria free surfaces is largely overblown by the very people trying to sell their particular brand. Yes granite is porous and theoretically a pore represents space or a gap that micro-organisms can maybe hide in. But a sealant fills this gap and if you are cleaning regularly you should be fine. Just regular old fashioned cleaning (with mild soap and water) is the best way to stay hygienic in the kitchen. On granite you can use a mild scrubby for caked on surface spills. Run your hand over the surface because they may be hard to see due to the pattern and/or veining on your countertop.

Heat Resistance: Granite and soapstone handle heat very well. Man-made quartz on the other hand you need to be aware. Even a pan that's not so hot can cause a problem if you continue to set it on the same spot over time. This is because all man-made quartz uses resin to bind the quartz together. Over time heat can cause the resin to discolor. Again, I don't view this issue as a big deal if you're aware of it. If you like the color, natural or man-made, that's the important thing. Porcelain has fabulous heat resistance.

Hardness: Natural stone is all over the map for hardness so I will have to break them out in comparison to man-made quartz and porcelain. I will use the Mohs hardness scale which rates materials from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamonds).

• Porcelain Thin Slab: 8-9 Mohs - This is about as hard as it gets. Porcelain is a ceramic clay material which is to say porcelain is a ceramic but ceramic is never a porcelain. Porcelain is fired at a much higher temperature causing vitrification making it much denser than ceramic. Countertop slabs vary in thickness but generally 12mm is becoming a standard (about 1/2" thick).
• Granite: 7 Mohs - Granite is very hard and will often look as good in 20 years as the day you get it installed. You can cut on it but you'll ruin your knives.
• Quartzite: 7-8 Mohs - Quartzite is as hard as granite but may contain calcites. Calcites (marble) are prone to etching under acids. A good sealant can help this stone resist etching along with prudent cleaning of the area.
• Man-made Quartz: 7 Mohs - Comprised of mainly of ground up quartz (and other materials for aesthetics) and resins, man-made quartz is a highly durable surface. It resists scratching but it is not scratch proof. In most situations this counter will hold up quite well over time. It is important to note that not all man-made quartz is equal. Companies perfect their recipes and processing over time and some brands are more prone to cracking and other problems over time. That's one reason we carry Caesarstone?. They are the original Quartz Countertop. Nobody has been doing it longer.
• Schist: 5-6 Mohs - A schist is a medium hard metamorphic stone with long plate-like crystal patterns. It can contain lots of sparkling mica crystals. Cutting this type of stone can be problematic for some fabricators.
• Marble: 3-4 Mohs - Marble is a denser form of limestone. It has a softer feel and a deeper reflection of light than granite. It can be durable if taken care of. The biggest issue (especially in kitchens) is that it is a calcite based material. Calcites and dolomites react to acids. What this means is leaving a spill of orange juice, lime juice, tomato juice or the like on your countertops for an extended period of time can cause the surface to etch away. Even a slight etch can be noticeable in the right light. A good sealant can help delay etching.
• Soapstone: 1-2 Mohs - Soapstone is primarily made of talc and is the softest of natural stones. It is also non-porous and completely inert to chemistry. That is why you see it used in chemistry labs. Because it is soft it will scratch; however a homeowner can typically repair it easily with a fine grit sandpaper (200-300 grit) and re-applying mineral oil or soapstone wax. Oil or wax will need to be applied over time to help develop the beloved soapstone patina. Soapstone is a beautiful look and feel but that is because of its soft nature.

Outdoor Usage: With the growing popularity of outdoor kitchens and the usage of slab materials for cladding it's important to take note. Not all slabs can go outside. Some kinds of granite will fade under UV light. Man-made quartz has problems being outdoors. So much so manufacturers won't warranty your countertops if you put them outside. Porcelain however has no problem being outdoors and since it is thin, it can be used for cladding easily. It also can provide a durable countertop as well as facing for the cabinets. For natural stone, consult your fabricator before using it outside.

The Myth: Every so often we hear the word Radon in this business. Now I'll be perfectly clear, radon is a serious subject and is clearly a health risk. But what's been happening to granite every so often are blatant attempts at fear mongering by a few large corporations and certain media outlets. So the first thing to know is that radon is a gas. You cannot in any way shape or form measure it with a geiger counter. The frightening videos with geiger counters rattling off like machine guns take advantage of the fact that most of us do not know how to read one. For example, you can hold one up to a banana and get the same frightening sounds. What you need for radon is a specialized kit, a laboratory to send it to and a little time. There are companies online that sell these kits to you but be aware, there is a specific methodology to this process in order to get an accurate reading. The bottom line is there has been thousands of tests run on granite slabs and I have heard of none that point to a serious health threat. Again, radon is a serious health issue so if you are concerned, call a professional. Have them come in and test starting with the soil under your house. If you are concerned about a granite purchase ask the distributor you visit if you can test the slabs you plan to use. I cannot speak for all distributor warehouses but our policy allows customers to do this if they purchase the kit. We do not provide kits because there are a number of them out there and their accuracy may vary. In fact, some have stopped selling these kits to consumers because the threat is so low. Here are a couple of links to help you with your research...

Colors

There is no shortage in variation for natural stone and man-made products. Technology has improved in man-made quartz to simulate the veining and patterns of natural stone. In my opinion they are not quite there yet but they are more than close enough for most people. A couple of things to remember is to make sure you select materials from the same lot, natural or man-made. Otherwise, colors may not match up especially at the seams. A good fabricator and distributor can help you make sure. Natural stone obviously has through color which means the veins and patterns on the edges will match the surface perfectly. The same is true for most man-made quartz; they have through color. Porcelain thin slab does not; at least, not for the vein patterns. But because the slabs are thin this issue is being overcome with new design concepts. Such as mitered edges or sleek contemporary thin edges.

Getting Help

No matter what your questions or concerns are it is always a good idea to talk with the professionals who work with and install solid surface countertops. Most fabricators are very hard working and seasoned professionals who want you to be happy with your choices. Likewise, slab distributors like my company can guide you as well.