What Makes a Good Stone Slab

Remodeling your home is an exciting process and there are a few parts of the project, like the countertops, that set the tone for the entire room. But before you head to a quarry or showroom to start looking at stone, you should spend some time thinking about what kind of a surface you want. If you don’t, you may get overwhelmed by all of your choices. 

The ideal surface for your countertop should complement your style and taste, as well as how you’ll use the space. Read on for some of the most important things to consider when choosing a natural stone slab for your home.  

Choosing the right natural stone material

The first step in creating the countertops of your dreams is to decide on a material. Some of the most popular natural surfaces are granite, marble, soapstone, porcelain, quartz, and quartzite. So, how do you choose which you should use? One essential factor to consider is the maintenance requirements of each surface. 

Granite is a very popular surface because it’s maintenance requirements are reasonably low, and it comes in many different colors and patterns. Marble is a classic, chic choice, but it’s a much more porous material and takes a considerable amount of care to keep it looking its best. On the opposite side of the spectrum is quartz. This man made surface is extremely durable and low maintenance, so it’s perfect for busy cooks who don’t want to spend much time on countertop care. 

Once you’ve decided on the material, it is time to pick the slab you want. Each slab has three distinct characteristics that affect the look of the stone. They are:

Color

Do you want a light countertop, or a dark one? Do you favor something with warm, earthy tones, or cool, grey tones? Do you want a stone that’s mostly one shade, or one that’s highly patterned? Choosing the perfect color is a matter of personal preference and will be influenced by other elements in your home, such as the flooring and cabinets. 

Veins

Veins are caused by mineral impurities and are one of the most attractive characteristics of natural stone. The veining is what gives marble, granite, and other natural stones their distinctive look. When choosing a slab,  you will want to decide on both how much veining you want in your finished look and what colors the veins will introduce into your palette. 

Patina

Patina is a result of a chemical reaction that has happened over time and gives the surface its sheen, or lack of sheen. Marble is one surface that develops a characteristic patina over time. Some people love the patina, and others don’t. You look at images of how different surfaces age to be sure that you’ll still love your countertops in a few years. 

Other design considerations

Once you have chosen the type of surface and color or color range you want to look for, there are a few other things to keep in mind before you go shopping: 

Cabinet, flooring and wall color

Matching your countertop to the cabinet color can be a challenge. Many people choose to finish their cabinets after they have installed the countertops in a new build, as it is much easier to match the cabinets to the countertops than vice versa. 

It is not necessary, however, to redo your cabinets if you like their current shade and hue. We suggest you bring color samples of your cabinets, walls, and floors with you when it is time to pick out a slab. If you can’t bring samples to the showroom or quarry, then we recommend taking photos in natural lighting and bringing them with when you shop. 

Remember, the goal is not to match the colors perfectly. It is okay to create some bold contrast if that suits your style preferences. When considering colors for your space, you want to keep in mind how light and dark colors can affect the way the space feels.

If you have a small kitchen, dark cabinets or floors, or very little natural light, then you probably want to avoid dark colored countertops. Too many dark features can shrink a room and make it feel claustrophobic. 

On the other hand, if your space is large and you already have several bright, airy features, then you may love the eye-catching contrast of dark countertops. 

Lighting

Did you know that the appearance of natural stone can transform under different types of light? 

Natural sunlight brings out the truest version of the colors, while incandescent lighting can bring out the warm tones of the stone. If you prefer to highlight the cooler tones in the material, then you may prefer bright LED lights. One type of lighting isn’t necessarily “right” or “wrong” for your space. However, you should choose a lighting style that brings out the tones you prefer. 

Keep in mind that the finish of your countertop may also affect which type of lighting is best for your space. Glossy countertops reflect more light, so homeowners may prefer either less light overall, or warmer lights if the surface has an extra glossy finish. On the other hand, countertops with a matte finish are very versatile and can pair with virtually any type of light. 

Compare several slabs before making a decision

One of the hallmarks of natural stone, and why it’s so popular for home design, is that each piece of stone is unique. No two slabs have the exact same coloring, veining, and pattern. 

Before committing to a stone, make sure that all of the colors in the slab will work with your overall décor vision. What can seem like minimal differences between slabs can make  a significant impact once it is in your kitchen or bath. Once you find a slab that you like, look at a few others with similar color properties to make sure you are choosing the one you truly love. 

Don’t buy from a sample

Before you start shopping, make sure that you have at least a rough estimate of your countertop dimensions. If you fall in love with one that’s too small, it will be hard for any other piece of stone to live up to that first one. We also recommend viewing the entire piece of stone, not just a sample, before you commit to a purchase. Remember, natural stone has a lot of gorgeous variety, so you want to be sure that you see and like all of the color, vein, and pattern diversity in the slab before it shows up at your home.

Ready to get started?

We know that the natural stone surface you choose will be in your home for years, and that it can be overwhelming to find the perfect slab can be overwhelming. At the Alpha Surfaces office, we have a large selection of natural stone remnants that you can come look at to get a better idea of how different surfaces look in person. The remnants are ideal for small projects, as well as getting design inspiration. Schedule a meeting with our team and we’ll help you choose the perfect slab for your project.