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 Stone slab has been used for decades as a cladding material for skyscrapers, office buildings and other commercial facades. Today, stone slab is the most popular solid surface countertop choice in residential kitchens and baths. Stone slab is available in all types of material including granite, marble, limestone, travertine, and even slate. Granite slab is most commonly used on kitchen countertops while the others can be used in bathroom vanities, office desks, transaction tops and other applications. Like any stone application, it is important to choose the correct product and to develop a maintenance program to insure the beauty and durability of your investment.
Purchasing stone slab for your installation can be overwhelming at first so here are a few things to remember and think about when making your choice. While some stones are very uniform in appearance, some have a great range of variation. Make sure you note the characteristics you like so your  countertops will reflect the attributes you chose. Stone slabs are cut from blocks and then sliced like loaves of bread. While characteristics are generally consistent from piece to piece, they can vary. It is a good idea to have a fabricator in mind prior to selecting a slab. If you do not have one selected, a CAPCO representative can provide you with a list from which to choose. The fabricator will purchase and handle the slab from pick-up to installation. Fabricators usually quote pricing in dollars per square foot of material. Factors that influence pricing are type of material, number of holes required, type of sink to be use (i.e. drop-in or under-mount), type of edge treatment (i.e. ogee or bullnose), and installation factors (i.e. number of joints, travel distance etc.). Once your slab installation is completed, it is a good idea to develop a maintenance program for your stone. This includes regular sealing and using the right cleaners to maintain the lasting beauty of your stone. Consult your fabricator or a CAPCO professional for more information on these products. |
GRANITE
 Granite is an igneous rock formed by the crystallization of molten magma deep in the earth. Uplift and erosion over millions of years has exposed granite at or near the surface of the earth where it is quarried in large blocks. Granites have a crystalline form with grains ranging from very small to several inches. Larger crystals indicate a slower cooling process while smaller crystals form during rapid cooling. The composition of granite is primarily quartz, feldspars, micas, and other secondary materials. The distribution of these other minerals is what gives granite its many colors. Granites are generally very hard ranging from six and above on the Mohs scale (talc = 1; diamond = 10). While granites are very hard, their porosity is extremely varied. It is a good idea to test your granite by applying water and seeing if it is absorbed or merely beads up on the surface. A penetrating sealer or impregnator may be necessary to seal and protect your granite. All granites will achieve and maintain a highly polished, mirror finish. In addition, granite finishes can be flamed, shot blasted or bush hammered, water jetted, or honed. |
LIMESTONE
 Limestone is a sedimentary rock that is the result of millions of years of sediments being buried, compressed, and cemented by precipitation from mineral rich waters. The majority of limestones are composed primarily of calcium carbonate. Dolomitic limestones are mostly magnesium carbonate. Due to their undersea formation, limestones will often contain fossils and shells. The hardness of limestone varies due to the density and porosity of the stone. Those stones with a porosity of less than 5% that will take a full polish are termed "hard limestones". Many marbles and travertines fall into this category. All limestones are porous and should be sealed on a regular basis with a penetrating sealer to avoid staining. In addition, limestones can be quite soft and can often exhibit scratching or a wear pattern in high traffic areas. Polished "hard limestones" will also etch with exposure to fairly mild acids (i.e. citrus). It is important to use Ph neutral cleaners and to develop a regular maintenance program to protect a limestone installation. Limestones are most commonly finished with a honed surface but can have a tumbled finish, a natural cleft finish, or as mentioned, a polished finish. |
MARBLE
 Marble is a metamorphic rock that forms first like a limestone but then undergoes a re-crystallization through the influence of heat and pressure. While its appearance changes during the metamorphic process, the chemical make up and sedimentary structures of the marble remain. Marbles are mostly composed of calcite and/or dolomite and often have distinct swirls and veins that can contain quartz and feldspar. Marbles will take on a brilliant polish and are available in a wide range of colors and patterns. Like limestones, marbles are porous and susceptible to staining. In direct sunlight or outdoor installations colorful marbles will fade over time and will also show wear patterns and scratches. The make up of marble makes it vulnerable to acids that can etch the surface, dulling the polished finish. It is important to seal marble installations with a penetrating sealer and to develop a regular maintenance program using Ph neutral cleaners. Marbles are most commonly finished to a high polish but can also be honed, etched, or tumbled. |
SLATE
 Slate begins as a sediment of fine-grained mud. The metamorphic process of burial, compression, and heating creates first shale and then slate. Slate has a cleavage that allows it to be split into parallel sheets. This characteristic also gives slate its signature clefted appearance. Slates vary widely in hardness and porosity. Indian slates are generally more porous and flaky and usually not suitable for outdoor use. They sometimes have a high mica content that gives them an iridescent shine. Chinese slates are harder and often more rustic. They may have heavier clefting than their Indian counterparts. Both Indian and Chinese slates have a wide range of color variation within a single type of slate. Vermont slates are quite dense and usually have much less pronounced clefting. They are also much more consistent in color than the other slates. |
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