Stone Countertops: What We’ve Got

Washington Marble Works is a family owned and operated business.

When you’re choosing the material for your new countertop, many people’s first choice is stone. Stone countertops are incredibly popular—and with good reason! They’re beautiful, they last forever, and they can withstand almost anything.

Whether your home is quiet and serene or busy and filled with constant activity, stone countertops have a place there—you just have to know what stone countertops mesh well with your lifestyle.

At Washington Marble Works, we can’t praise stone countertops enough. We have a wide array of stones to choose from—we stock granite, marble, and quartzite, and as for engineered stone, we stock the tried-and-true quartz. Each of these materials is unique in its own way and will be a great asset to your remodel.

We put together this article for people who aren’t too familiar with the ins and outs of stone countertops and want to learn more about what they are and specifically what we stock. You should know a fair amount about your stone of choice before making the final decision, and we want to get you up to speed.

To learn more about granite, quartzite, marble, and quartz, keep reading. By the end, we hope you’ll have your heart set on a specific stone that will work for you.

Granite

Granite is probably the most popular type of natural stone countertop, and you’ve probably heard a lot about it already. But if you haven’t, we’re here to tell you all about it.

Granite is an igneous rock that’s made up of orthoclase, albite, feldspar, and quartz, and it can be found in quarries that are shallow and near the earth’s surface. After granite is sourced from those shallow quarries, it’s cut into slabs and then polished to highlight all of the natural colors and patterns inside it. There are hundreds of granite variations out there, and each slab is one of a kind. Since it’s a material that is made from the earth, your granite countertop will be different from anyone else’s in the entire world.

Granite is known for how durable and hardy it is; it can withstand heat, stains, and chemicals. It’s a sturdy material that won’t crack under pressure (literally or figuratively)—and what’s more, it’s also super easy to clean. All you need is soap and water!

Granite is an investment that will serve your home for generations, as you’ll probably never need to replace it.

Marble

When you think of marble, you probably think of high class and sophistication—and you should! Marble is known for the way that it brings an air of luxury to any room. Over the years, it’s remained a timeless stone that has not lost any of its novelty.

Marble brightens up a room with its sparkling aesthetic and unique veining, and just like granite, no two slabs are exactly alike. Marble will most surely act as the centerpiece of a room and catch the eye of anyone who enters.

There are also many finishes to choose from when it comes to marble. If your marble slab is more for aesthetics rather than everyday use, you may consider a mirror-like finish. But if you’re going for a softer look, many people choose a honed finish. A few other options include flamed, fumbled, and hammered—and these can make your standout countertop even more unique.

Quartzite

Quartzite is the toughest of the tough. It’s a natural stone that’s known for how dense it is. It’s formed from sandstone, and it’s extremely durable. It’s known as the most resilient natural stone, as it holds its own against chemicals, heat, stains, and liquid damage. In fact, there’s not much that can damage quartzite. If you’ve got a busy home with busy kids, this is a countertop that we most definitely recommend.

In quartzite, it’s possible to get very unusual and striking colorations when certain minerals are present. If you’re looking for a bold countertop, choose quartzite.

Quartz

Quartz, unlike the rest of our selections, is not a natural stone. It’s what’s known as an “engineered stone” because it’s partly man made. It is made up of 95 percent quartz, but it also includes 5 percent polymers and resins, which make it highly resistant to almost everything.

Since quartz is an engineered stone and inherently nonporous, you never have to worry about resealing. It’s durable and hardy—resistant to heat, chemicals, stains, and liquid damage.

There’s much less unpredictability with this type of stone, and if you’re looking for a seamless look with more streamlined patterns, quartz might be right up your alley.

Your Choice of Stone

At Washington Marble Works, stone countertops are our number one choice, and we’ve got great options to share with you. Come in and see our showroom or give us a call at (253) 201-2648 for a consultation.