subject: Slate Countertops Will Update Your Kitchen [print this page] Slate Countertops Will Update Your Kitchen
Your home's kitchen is one of the most popular rooms in the house. Keeping it updated and fresh adds interest to your home and increases resell value. One of the easiest and most cost-efficient ways to update your kitchen is replacing your old countertops with natural stone. Not only will your kitchen look nicer, stone countertops add value to your home. While there are many beautiful stone choices available, consider installing slate countertops to give your kitchen a stylish and modern look.
Slate is hard rock formed thousands of years ago when volcanic ash and superheated clay deposits mixed together. This mixture eventually dried and formed layers of rock. Slate is easy to work with because it can be split into slabs and into thin sheets. There are a variety of uses for slate including roofing shingles, billiard tables, countertops, tiles, and chalkboards.
Natural stone has become increasingly popular in home design. From flooring to countertops, natural stone offers durability and unique beauty to any home. While granite, marble, and quartz are popular materials, slate offers distinct choices in color and style that are appealing to homeowners.
Using natural stone materials in the home is attractive to environmentally conscious consumers who support green building. Man-made materials are less durable than stone and can eventually end up in landfills. Slate is plentiful in nature and very easy to work with, making it a popular choice for homeowners looking to add function and sophistication to their home.
Slate is extremely durable. Once installed, it could last a lifetime with little to no maintenance required. Slate is heat and scratch-resistant. While some scratches may occur, they can usually be taken off with soap and water. Larger scratches can be buffed out with steel wool. Acidic substances do not damage slate like some other natural stone choices.
Slate is porous but has a very low absorption rate. This means that slate countertops are easy to clean and virtually stain-resistant. Slate's low absorption rate also means that the countertop will not harbor bacteria like some other materials. This quality makes food preparation easy and safe.
Homeowners can choose to put sheen on their slate countertops or leave it with a natural matte finish. Low sheen and high-gloss are available to homeowners who do not prefer slate's natural matte finish. Unless sheen is desired, slate countertops do not require oiling or sealing. Even those styles that need to be sealed do not require to be resealed like other natural stone materials. Slate countertops are easily maintained and cleaned using a damp cloth and mild soap.
Slate countertops come in a variety of shades of green, purple, gray, and black. Because slate is a natural material, each countertop will have a unique look with various tones, shading, and swirling of colors. An additional color enhancing sealant is available to homeowners who want more vivid color from their countertops.
The only concern that homeowners may have with choosing slate is that it, like most natural stone products, is more expensive than many man-made materials. It is important to remember that the durability and timeless elegance of slate will make your initial investment worthwhile. Slate will not only update your home with a sophisticated style, your new stone countertops will add value and interest to your home as well.
