You’re updating your kitchen. You’ve spent weeks contemplating cupboard colours, deliberating design details and have decided that for your kitchen worktop you would like a natural stone, like granite, quartzite or slate, or a composite quartz because you’re aware that stone surfaces are durable, low maintenance and make a stylish focal point to any busy kitchen. Most of us don’t have much experience choosing kitchen worktops and there can be a lot to think about. You’re working with a stone mason or kitchen fitter and have decided on a stone, but what about those little details that can make all the difference. We’ve thought about those final questions you should ask before you give your kitchen worktop the go ahead.
Where will the joins be?
If your kitchen project requires more than one length of stone, for example your worktop runs along two walls in an L shape compared to a galley kitchen along one wall, check where your stone mason/ kitchen fitter plans on creating the joins. Maybe they planned to put them either side of your sink but you’d prefer them to be hidden around the hob where there’s less light.
What surface finishes does this stone come in?
Not many people know that granite, marble, slate, and all other natural stones, as well as composite quartz don’t just come with highly polished, shiny surfaces. There are often options for matte finishes or varying degrees of flame brushed surfaces for a more rustic farmhouse or industrial design.
Where does the stone come from?
Finding out the origin of your natural stone, granite, quartzite, slate, or composite quartz means you not only get to show-off about how exotic your kitchen worktop is, but it can also be an indication of quality. For example, some people may want a granite, quartzite, marble or slate that hasn’t travelled too far, for example an Italian marble or Welsh slate. However be aware that often natural stones from Europe and the UK are often more expensive.
How should I care for my stone?
Different natural stones have different care needs, and these need to fit in to different lifestyles – some stones need more attention than others. For example granite is very durable, so wiping them down with a bleach free or low acidic kitchen spray is fine, whereas marble is more sensitive avoid hard chemicals and opt for more natural products. Also some stones expose marks and crumbs more than others. These details are useful to know when deciding which stone will slot in to your lifestyle best.
If you would like to know more about how to begin choosing your kitchen worktop, from which stone to pick down to small details like edge finishes, please contact Coulon Stone. We have been trading for over 30 years and are experts in natural stone and composite quartz kitchen worktops. There is always someone in the showroom or on the phone to talk you through the options available and give you excellent customer service. Whether it’s a kitchen or bathroom, staircase or floor, or a brand new fireplace, we are ready to bring new life to your home. Located in Buckinghamshire, we also work across London, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, Berkshire and beyond.