When considering installing stone slabs in your home, whether for countertops, floors, walls, or other uses, choosing the right material is key. Stone slabs come in many different types, grades, and quality levels. Taking the time to understand the options will help ensure you select durable, beautiful slabs that meet your needs and budget. This article provides tips for choosing stone slabs for your next project.
What are stone slabs?
Stone slabs refer to large, cut pieces of natural stone that are ground and polished to be used for various applications. The slabs of stone come in either blocks cut directly from quarries or processed tiles and strips that are bonded together. Common types of stone slabs include granite, marble, travertine, limestone, slate, quartzite, and soapstone. These vary in appearance, composition, durability, maintenance needs, and cost.
When purchasing stone slabs, they will be priced per square foot based on the material grade, thickness, finish treatments, cut precision, and other attributes. Prime stone slabs have few imperfections, straight cuts, and consistent sizing. Lower grades may have more variations, irregular edges, or flaws. Understanding pricing and grades will help match the budget to expectations.
Considering the intended use
Stones possess different properties that make some varieties better for certain uses than others. When selecting stone slabs, always consider the planned application and requirements that may impact performance and longevity.
For kitchen countertops that experience heavy use, staining, heat, and impact, granites, marbles, or quartzites often work well. Bathroom vanities also demand durable, water-resistant stone. Flooring endures more wear, so uniform thickness and non-slip finishes are ideal. Fireplace surrounds, walls, tabletops, and other uses have different needs too.
Be sure to do research or talk to stone suppliers about each type of stone’s strengths to determine the optimal slab materials for the desired use and location.
Evaluating Stone Properties
In addition to purpose, factors like appearance, porosity, hardness, maintenance needs, and pricing also affect which stone works best. Evaluate these characteristics carefully when choosing materials.
Aesthetics is often the first consideration, as colors, patterns, finishes, and styles should complement their setting. Timeless white Carrara marble remains popular, while exotic granites flaunt colorful speckles. Matte, honed, or polished finishes create different moods. There is a wide variety to match diverse tastes.
How porous the slab is impacts durability and care. Denser, non-porous stones like granites and quartzite resist staining, etching, and moisture damage. More porous limestone, travertine, marble, and sandstone require diligent sealing and gentle cleaning to prevent issues over time.
Hardness varies too; marble scratches easier than durable quartzite or granite. Factor in typical use and abuse levels when deciding.
Higher-maintenance stones like light marbles may not suit busy kitchens but work nicely in formal, less-utilized living spaces. Sealing schedules and cleaning approaches also differ among stone types.
The budget plays a role too. While exotic imported granites run $70-100 per square foot, domestic limestone or slate cost far less. Determine price thresholds when entering the selection process.
Inspecting Stone Slabs First-Hand
When ready to choose specific slabs, visit suppliers to hand-select pieces after considering the above guidance. Inspecting candidates allows for verifying quality grades claimed and identifying any flaws that may affect long-term enjoyment.
View stones in their desired finishes to judge their appearance. Seeking consistency in aesthetic patterns can achieve a cohesive look.
Examine the edges and seams that will be most visible once installed. Irregular cuts, noticeable gaps in patterns, or fractures along the perimeter detract from the high-end results expected with stone.
Feel the surface to determine its relative softness and potential for etching or scratching in service. Marked variations in smoothness across a piece also hint at durability issues.
Observe the thickness dimensions and check for tapered or uneven cuts. Even flooring relies on reliable square and flat slabs. Minor variations get amplified over large surfaces.
Also inspect for cracks, chips, or holes that breach the slab surface. Though repairable, these damage stone integrity. Significant imperfections often warrant avoiding a piece entirely.
By personally selecting and inspecting stone slabs at the supplier, homeowners can hand-pick optimal pieces that truly meet project goals. Another set of eyes assessing quality assures a worthwhile return on investment.
Choosing a Reputable Stone Supplier
In procuring stone slabs, the vendor selected plays as crucial a role as the materials themselves. Be thoughtful in choosing suppliers. Look for outstanding selection, quality control, customer service, and fabrication capabilities.
Many homeowners source stone slabs from the fabricators installing their counters, floors, walls, etc. This streamlines logistics and accountability. Ensure the fabricator carries sufficient inventory in preferred stone types and price ranges to avoid trouble later.
Alternatively, some markets have stone-only suppliers dedicated to slab sales who then work with area fabricators. These specialty importers offer an immense diversity of stone unavailable elsewhere. Validate that they properly vet and grade materials rather than offloading inferior products.
Either way, the best stone slab vendors stand behind their offerings, allow customers generous time to inspect inventory, and will replace defective slabs identified down the road. Just like the stone itself, a supplier’s reputation endures for the long term.
Care and maintenance considerations
Though captivating and durable, natural stone requires some periodic care and maintenance to retain its original beauty and function. Be realistic about assumed efforts when selecting materials.
Softer marbles and limestone inevitably show wear sooner than rugged granites in flooring or countertop settings. However, properly sealing surfaces initially and performing touch-up sealing at recommended intervals protects most stone types well.
Spills should be wiped immediately before penetrating pores. Follow manufacturer guidance on cleaning approaches ideal for each stone variety. Generally, prompt attention using mild soap and water prevents stains.
Accept that no slab remains perfect forever. Even durable granites can chip or crack if abused sufficiently. However, stone’s timeless properties still make periodic maintenance worthwhile for generations of enjoyment.
Conclusion
The array of stone slabs available today provides limitless options to design one-of-a-kind spaces. Stone conveys elegance, strength, and enduring quality that few other materials match. However, characteristics vary among stone types, so take the time to understand the differences. Evaluating intended use, inherent properties, inspection criteria, reputable suppliers, and reasonable care expectations allows homeowners to select the very best stone slab to meet their particular needs and sensibilities. With appropriate homework and priority-setting, securing stone slabs for upcoming projects promises rewarding results for years beyond.