All About Stone Countertops

By: Josh Garskof, This Old House magazine (Page 7 of 7)

Illustration: Rodica Prato

Backsplash
Seal joint with silicone.

Thickness
Choose 3/4- or 1 ½-inch slabs.

Cabinets
Top goes directly over base units or plywood.

Edges
Rounded ones don't chip as easily as squared ones.

Overhang
Equal to or just beyond the projection of the installed drawer pulls.

different styles of stones including solid surfacing, concrete and engineered stone

Photo: Wendell T. Webber

These man-made materials can mimic the look of stone—even rare, prohibitively pricey ones like lapis or onyx. Here’s how they stack up in terms of durability, maintenance, and cost

different edge styles for stones including eased, bullnose, ogee and triple pencil

Illustration: Rodica Prato

Eased Edge
A simple treatment that goes well with modern and Shaker-style decor. No extra charge

Bullnose
Versatile and tough, there are no sharp edges or corners to run into or chip. About $10–$20 per linear foot

Ogee
This graceful shape adds an elegant touch to any counter. $20–$30 per linear foot

Triple Pencil
A sleek, undulating profile reminiscent of 1920s Art Deco. About $30–$60 per linear foot

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How to Laminate a Countertop

In this how-to video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva builds a plastic laminate counter

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What You'll Learn:

Solid Surfacing
Moldable resins and special glues allow for a truly seamless counter, complete with an integrated sink. Nonporous; food can’t etch it, stains are easy to remove, sealers aren’t required. Hot pans can scorch or crack it; knives can nick it. About $40 to $80 per square foot

Concrete
Pour your own or buy custom slabs from local shops in the color and shape of your choice. Site-poured counters can be seamless. Sensitive to acids and requires frequent sealing. DIY: About $8 to $15 per square foot. Hire it out: About $75 to $100 per square foot.

Engineered Stone
A factory-made mix of 93 percent quartz granules held together with a resin binder, engineered slabs are impervious to acids and stains. Very hot pots may cause superficial damage. Comes in colors not found in quarried stone. About $50 to $90 per square foot.

Enameled Lava
Here's a gorgeous stone hybrid you’ll probably never buy. Called Pyrolave, it's a lightweight volcanic stone with a tough-as-nails glass enamel coating. It comes in 32 vibrant colors and is a heftier version of ceramic tile but without annoying grout lines. Perfect, except for the price: About $370 per square foot; Pyrolave

See more on Stone countertops:
• Stone Countertop Materials
• Stone Countertop Styles
• Sealing Stone Counters