The Counters Blog

Most limestone is softer and less dense than granite and more homogeneous in appearance. All are excellent materials for countertops as well as all flooring applications. Limestone imported from other countries is often light or even dark red, brown or black. An interesting feature of some limestone is that they can have actual fossils throughout the slab.

Is A Limestone Countertop Really A Disaster In The Kitchen? by chowhound.com

Is a limestone countertop really a disaster in the kitchen? I love to cook and am not always the neatest it the kitchen. I have heard that it absorbs the stains over time which gives it more depth and texture. One salesperson is trying to convince me to go with a caesarstone (synthetic quartz) – but others say it is bland and uniform. I have selected white cabinets and a white carrera marble subway tile – so the countetop will be making a big statement.

2019 Limestone Countertops Cost by improvenet.com

Granite Vs Limestone | Countertop Comparison | Duration 2 Minutes Limestone countertops come in a variety of colors due to the clay and organic remains that make up this material. This estimate will also take the job’s complexity into consideration. The contractor will estimate how much time the job will take and then multiply this amount of time by a variable the contractor determines. For example, the color of the slab may affect the price if the color homeowners choose is limited and there is a low natural supply of it. Different contractors will provide a range of bids that take their own personal overhead into consideration. The honed appearance looks more natural while the polished version provides a brighter sheen. Contractors who install limestone countertops will usually seal the countertops. While limestone is usually less dense than granite, it can sometimes be almost as hard as granite. It can also withstand a variety of climates, including particularly humid environments. This makes it easy to use in a variety of applications, including as kitchen countertops. This prevents some homeowners from using it in their kitchen renovation. Limestone countertops that are of lighter colors show stains even more than other limestone countertops. While limestone is heat-resistant, pans and pots that are very hot can cause burn stains. Another disadvantage of using limestone countertops is that they are very susceptible to acquiring scratches on them. Additionally, homeowners can avoid scratches by using knives and other objects with a cutting board or other object between the abrasive item and the countertops. Due to its porous nature and lighter color, homeowners will likely spend more time and money on maintaining the product. Additionally, countertops should be wiped on a daily basis with a commercially prepared stone cleaner or a homemade mixture of water and dishwashing detergent. This mixture should be applied to the stain and left on the countertops overnight. A water-based sealant should be used each year to provide the most protection to limestone countertops. These sprays can be used on the limestone countertops each week or month to provide more protection. It derives from sedimentary rock that has a high concentration of calcite. Because travertine is one type of limestone, using these two products in conjunction can create a beautiful kitchen environment. If additional cuts must be made to accommodate faucets, garbage disposals and other items, the cost is likely to be higher. Additionally, the time of year may impact the cost with contractors having more incentive to charge lower prices when few jobs are lined up. More expensive slabs of limestone may be priced higher due to uniform pattering, intricate work around the edges or thicker slabs. Its durability makes it a sought-after material for kitchen use. It is also versatile, coming in different colors, textures and sizes. They are particularly vulnerable to stains formed from acidic products such as juice, citrus or tea. These types of issues can cause limestone countertops to become discolored. Limestone countertops also require more maintenance than other materials. Additionally, limestone must be sealed at least on an annual basis to prevent some staining. When stains form, homeowners should mix flour, dishwashing detergent and water to form a stain-fixing paste. By taking these steps, homeowners can ensure that they maintain their limestone countertops and preserve their attractive nature for years to come.

Why Limestone Countertops Don’t Work In Kitchens by granite-countertop-info.com

But you still have options to get the “look of limestone” in your kitchen.

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Kitchen Cabinet Remodeling Limestone Countertops | Duration 2 Minutes 13 Seconds Limestone is a sedimentary rock formed as layers of deposited rock material. Some limestones, especially darker ones, are denser and more durable. Cleaning a limestone countertop requires non-acidic cleaners. Even with some drawbacks, limestone is a classic material that usually costs less than granite. Even after sealing limestone tops, you still cannot stop the risk of stains. It’s prized for its neutral creamy and soft earth tone colors which allow it to mix well with other stones and finishes (unlike granite countertop colors with hundreds of color choices). Travertine is limestone formed in the presence of hot springs which causes the voids. It’s like a sponge with liquids and will require sealing to minimize staining.

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Quartzite Vs Limestone | Countertop Comparison | Duration 2 Minutes 34 Seconds Wine, fruit juice, lemons, and vinegar will all react with limestone counters and can etch the surface. See stone cleaning for cleaning instructions for all types of natural stone. Unlike granite it can be scratched with many objects including knives. It performs well as a bathroom countertop but is not recommended as a kitchen countertop material. But when it comes to performance, a limestone kitchen top will show stains and scratches in no time.

All About Stone Countertops by thisoldhouse.com

It needs only a little routine care and forethought to ward off water marks, stains, and etching typically caused by acidic foods. We explain the differences between the various stone types, offer money-saving tips, and cover the basics of stone care. Apply sealer as needed; for granite, that’s every one to three years. At a stone yard you can pick the exact slab you want; at a big-box store you choose from display samples. Cabinet tops must be flat and level or covered with plywood and shimmed level.Stone weighs about 18 pounds per square foot, so you need a well-muscled crew to install it. A stone’s resistance depends on its chemical makeup and microscopic fissures that formed millions of years ago. Pour test dollops of ketchup, olive oil, red wine, and lemon juice. It comes in 32 vibrant colors and is a heftier version of ceramic tile but without annoying grout lines. Apply the sealer with a paint pad, let stand for 5 minutes, then wipe off the excess with a clean rag. Or you can buy your slab from a retailer who just sells stone and find your own fabricator.

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Marble Vs Limestone | Countertop Comparison | Duration 2 Minutes 35 Seconds You provide dimensions for the faucet and sink cutouts. They then mount the sink and faucet, though a plumber may need to make the final connections. If your walls get dinged, expect him to pick up the tab for the painter you hire. No two slabs are exactly alike, so they’re best used on straight runs without seams. These tops are typically cut to someone else’s kitchen layout, so plan on adjusting yours to fit. Keep in mind that the surface treatment can also affect maintenance. To get the look for less, ask your installer to glue or “laminate” a strip of stone to the edge of a ¾-inch slab. Every rock pulled from the earth has its own mineral color, veining, and speckles, brought vividly to life by stoneworkers’ saws and polishing wheels. Unaffected by hot pans or water, a stone countertop will last as long as your house—maybe even longer. But even if the worst happens—a chipped edge, a red wine spill—most stones can be restored by a professional. By the end, you’ll know what it takes to bring your kitchen, beautifully and dramatically, into the stone age. Impervious to heat and water but will chip if, say, you bang a cast-iron skillet on an edge. Thanks to improved factory-applied sealants, some stones now come with lifetime antistain warranties.The big-box price may be lower, but don’t expect your slab to match the sample exactly. But you don’t need to be a geologist to determine whether your counter will stand up to a little spilled vino. Get a sample piece (it’s okay if it’s not from the same slab, as long as it comes from the same source). Nonporous; food can’t etch it, stains are easy to remove, sealers aren’t required. Very resistant to scratches and acids; seal every two to five years. No sealing required; can be treated with mineral oil to darken color. Soft and easy to scratch; buff scratches out with an abrasive pad. Just put some water on it; if it beads up, the sealer’s still good, but if the water soaks in, your counter is due for a dose. Unlike surface-type sealers, which can affect a stone’s color, impregnators penetrate without altering appearance. Give it 2 hours to cure before putting your coffeemaker back on the counter. They lay the new counter and fill any joints between slabs with a color-matched resin. Cover the edges with thin tile strips, or wrap them in metal nosing or wood bands (shown). Typically sold as 96-inch-long solid slabs, they still require a fabricator to cut sink and faucet holes. Pair a creamy travertine with a clear-coated cherry, for instance. Avoid trendy or extreme colors that you (or the next owner) will likely tire of. Variegated patterns also hide stains and grime better than those with uniform coloration. Some stones, such as soapstone and slate, can’t be polished; a matte, honed finish is your only choice. Polished granite, for example, is easier to keep up because it resists stains and water marks better than honed. In a quality job, these edge strips will be cut from the same slab and the transition will look seamless. And of all the countertop materials you can buy, stone is the gold standard for both durability and character. So whether you select a solid burgundy quartzite, a sky-blue granite, or a beige travertine-embedded with fossilized seashells, it will be as distinctive as an original work of art.