Counter top material
mimsic
17 years ago
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steve_o
17 years agoRelated Discussions
Counter Top Material
Comments (2)yes I think so too! I just looked it up! It is gourgeous! Parts of it shimmer blue in sunlight! I love it!!!...See MoreBest counter top materials for an art studio?
Comments (8)I have soapstone and love that it is impervious to solvents, etc, but most varieties of soapstone are pretty soft and can scratch or chip. Fine in many settings but I wouldn’t use it in a commercial art studio. I’d vote laminate too....See MoreCountertop Material for 19 SQ FT counter
Comments (41)first off, there is no such thing as a combo of marble and quartzite. I was schooled on this issue last year by a geologist that pops in every now and then. It's either a marble, or a quartzite. no in-between. ( since marble and quartzite are two very differently formed minerals) If it etches or stains at all, or it scratches w/a shard of glass, it's not quartzite. (quartzite will turn a glass shard into powder) marble is a 3 on the mohs scale, and quartzite is up in the 8 range. Completely different compositions. glass is harder than marble, but softer than granite/quartzite. this is prob the easiest test to do w/a scrap piece of whatever stone you're considering secondly, stone salesmen aren't geologists. You'd think they'd have basic knowledge of what they're selling, but sadly it's not the case. If they are telling you Fantasy Brown is a granite, they're clueless. (or more likely they know people don't want marble so they tell you it's 'granite' so that you'll buy it) Fantasy Brown is classified as Dolomite, (like Super White, that they all confuse as a Quartzite) which is marble's first cousin. Dolomite is a bit heartier than a marble like carrara. It takes a little longer for etching or staining to occur, which is prob why sellers think it's a granite. It's 'slightly' harder than calcite(marble)., but it will still scratch like marble. However, it's porous and will need to be sealed. You will have a bit longer to wipe up spills that stain, then those on marble. Geologically speaking: Dolomite is a sedimentary rock containing more than 50 percent of the mineral dolomite by weight Marble is a non-foliated metamorphic rock which is composed of recrystallized carbonate which is formed when limestone is exposed to high temperatures and pressures over a long time I believe there is a test you can do to verify if it's marble or dolomite. stones the 'bubble vigorously' or release carbon dioxide gas, are marble (since it reacts w/the calcite) . With dolomite, you won't get that bubbling gas release like it does on marble (unless it's heated or the stone is powdered) Dolomite effervesces with dilute hydrochloric acid, but slowly rather than vigorously as calcite does; in general, it appears to smolder slowly, and in some cases it does so only after the rock has been powdered or the acid warmed, or both. since this hydrochloric acid is highly dangerous, perhaps using vinegar to test on sample stones would be safer! Vinegar is a dilute acetic acid solution (about 5% to 10%) that produces a weak effervescent reaction with calcite and dolomite. It can be used instead of hydrochloric acid for introducing students to the acid test. Vinegar is easy to obtain, inexpensive, and safer to use than hydrochloric acid. The effervescence using vinegar usually requires a hand lens for clear observation and is only observable with carbonate minerals that have a strong reaction with hydrochloric acid. This is a sample marble piece at one of my stone yards. the guy used vinegar, ketchup, oil, lemon juice, and something else. They all etched or stained almost immediately. With fantasy brown, it won't happen as quickly. and that's the main diff between dolomite and marble. So, there is your geology lesson for the day. you can inform the sales guy to quit marketing his Fantasy Brown as a granite, and tell people the truth that it's Dolomite....See MoreNeed help with counter top material
Comments (7)I agree with @functionthenlook - with so many others using your kitchen maybe Formica is the one! It’s served you well & you may be pleasantly surprised at what today’s Formica looks like vs 30 years ago. That said, there are advantages to man made materials. The one constant caution is do not take pans from oven or stove top & set them on the surfaces but that’s same for Formica. The resins in Corian & quartz may yellow or burn. Corian is repairable, Quartz is not. Both are non porous. Granite is tough & won’t discolor from heat but not advisable to set hot stuff on it either - thermal shock. Bottom line is trivets should always be used no matter the surface & knife cutting should never be done on any counter surface. Not good for counter will /may cut & certainly not good for the knife ETA - all of the counter materials come in light colors & white.. Maybe price should factor in your decision....See Moreesga
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