Granite and limestone are both natural stones and this guide is going to help you decide which material is the best for your kitchen. If you’re new to the whole countertop realm, then you might need this guide handy, because it will make things easier for you regarding limestone and granite countertops.

Granite Vs Limestone Kitchen Work Tops

Composition

Let’s talk composition first because countertop materials are what they’re made out of.

Granite Countertops

Granite is an igneous rock that’s made out of melted rocks, mica, and minerals and cooled down. This is what gives the rock that characteristic color, shine, and mosaic appearance. It is quarried from the ground in huge blocks and then sent to factories where it’s cut into manageable slabs and even tiles are made out of it.

Given the composition, granite is an amazing rock with high density and hardness, which means that it can combat almost all temperature shocks and still look as fabulous as ever. It’s an investment worth spending your money on because it will outlast everything.

Limestone Countertops

Limestone is made out of calcium carbonate and it’s 10% of the entire Earth’s rock volume. Limestone is a yellowish whitish rock and it has lots of pores in it. Usually, sedimentary rocks are quite valuable, because they’re like sponges that hold crude oil and petroleum products, however, this versatile material is also used in the kitchen as countertops.

The color is what gets most people because it’s light and muted and if you’re someone who doesn’t care for darker-colored countertops, then limestone is the perfect option to go for.

Durability

Durability is also an important factor because if your countertops won’t last long then it’s not only a pain in the neck to get them replaced, but it will cost you a lot too, so deciding based on durability and strength is crucial.

Granite Countertops

Granite is known to be strong and long-lasting, given the conditions in which it’s made in the first place. This material is durable to the T and it can last anywhere between 25 to 30 years, given that you maintain it properly. It’s an investment that you won’t regret because it’s that amazing and strong in the realm of countertops. You should have it installed by a granite countertop installer Rockville for longevity.

Limestone Countertops

Limestone is also reasonably durable. It doesn’t break, chip, or crack under a lot of weight and pressure, so it’s perfect for rough use around the house. Even though limestone is a sedimentary rock, it’s still amazing in its show of strength and it gives granite a run for its money.

It will also last a good 2 decades or so, making limestone a perfect and reasonably priced choice for people who want a good quality countertop, but don’t want to break the bank. You’ll be satisfied with its durability and longevity.

Maintenance

The next order of importance is the maintenance of countertops. Yes, maintaining the material is necessary to ensure that the countertops remain in good condition, but you also don’t want to spend all of the time taking care of the countertops.

Granite Countertops

Granite needs a lot of maintenance to begin with. Since it’s a natural stone, it needs to be sealed if you want it to remain waterproof. It also needs to be polished and waxed from time to time, if you love the lustrous sheen of the countertops and want to maintain it. On top of that, granite can only be cleaned using specialty products with low pH and no chemicals otherwise you’ll be ruining the countertops with your own hands.

Limestone Countertops

Limestone, because it’s also a natural stone, needs to be sealed for waterproofing. This is kind of a preconceived notion that comes with natural stone countertops. Natural stones, limestone included, are like a rock sponge that soaks in all of the water surrounding them. This can cause stains to be a huge issue and it’s really hard to get rid of them because they’re pretty much permanent.

Limestone, being light in color, can show stains and spills more prominently, so it needs to be cleaned regularly. On top of that, being made of mostly calcium carbonate, you can’t use acidic or reactive cleaners, otherwise, your countertops will turn into a slab of holed surfaces.

Heat & Scratch Resistance

Since countertops are used abundantly in the kitchen, they’re exposed to pretty much everything. From hot and cold temperatures to sharp and pointy things.

Granite Countertops

Granite is a great resistor for heat and scratches. Given its hardness and its endurance to heat, it’s an amazing material that won’t be fazed by the temperature changes in the kitchen. You can also use sharp knives directly on the surface of the countertops and they won’t get scratched. But it’s not recommended to use sharp objects on the granite surface.

Limestone Countertops

Limestone, however, isn’t so resistant against scratches. While it can sustain heat damage to a reasonable extent, it can crumble in the scratch department. Knives can leave deep scratches on the surface of limestone since it’s soft and that can look very unappealing.

This can also lead to a whole domino effect of problems because scratches tend to expose the material to external influencing factors like heat, dirt, and even moisture to damage the countertops even further.

So, it’s recommended that you use a cutting board when using knives on the surface of limestone countertops because you’ll be doing yourself a huge favor.

Variety

The creative countertop junkie in you will be happy to know that both limestone and granite have lots of variety to choose from. The colors are immaculate and you can either go for their signature colors which are light and dark, respectively, or you can play around with other options too, if that’s what you prefer.

The sheer variety of granite and limestone colors will leave you in awe for a good chunk of time and you’ll want all of the colors because they’re just that appealing to the eye.

Price

Now comes the price, probably the most crucial factor that people keep in mind when deciding on which countertop material to get.

Granite Countertops

Granite is a slightly expensive choice for countertop material, as it ranges between $40-$60 per foot. However, if you can afford it, then it’s a great investment.

Limestone Countertops

Limestone is a bit more inexpensive than granite but that doesn’t mean that it’s reasonable in price, by any means. It ranges between $30-$50, but it’s still more expensive than other man-made materials out there that perform way better than it. So, it’s a matter of preference as to which one is your favorite.

Conclusion

Both granite and limestone are pretty up there in competition, with a few lacks here and there, but the final choice ultimately depends on you. Granite is a classic among people and they love the look of it, regardless of its price and high maintenance. However, that doesn’t mean that limestone is, in any way, behind either. It’s a great material and those who want limestone countertops in their kitchen are die-hard fans of the material and its look. So, in the end, it all boils down to your preference. Consult granite contractors Potomac to learn more.