Few additions to a kitchen look at great as natural stone countertops. You might wonder, though, what your options are. Here are 5 sets of options to consider when installing kitchen countertops.

Shapes and Installation Methods

The shape of the stones have been cut into will determine how they can be installed. If you're looking for a seamless design, a single stone will have to be used to create the countertop. That entails using a reductive process with a large slab, ultimately making the materials much more expensive to compensate for losses during creation.

Conversely, small seams can be masked with a skillful installation. This will allow you to use several sections that can be separately installed. Especially when doing installations in tight spaces, this approach is oftentimes much less painful.

Types of Stones

Quartzite, dolomite, granite, marble, and limestone are among the most popular materials used to make natural stone countertops. Granite and quartzite are the preferred options for folks who require significant toughness for things like cooking and chopping. The other three materials are preferred for their looks, and they can provide a wide range of colors and swirl patterns.

Finishes and Seals

Advancements in sealing products and polishing techniques have made it possible to produce kitchen countertops with any of an array of finishes. Most folks tend to pick between matte finishes and glossy ones, but the appearance can be highly fine-tuned.

Note that most natural stone countertops will need to be polished and resealed from time to time. Granite, in particular, tends to call for regular resealing, especially in high-usage settings like commercial kitchens.

Depth

Thicker countertops have become more popular. Bear in mind, though, that a slab that's a few inches thick is going to require a lot of underlying support. Depending upon the supporting structures under the floor, you may need to re-engineer the kitchen to provide the necessary support for heavy slabs of stone.

Waterfall Countertops

A dramatic visual option to consider is what's called a waterfall countertop. Rather than having a lip at the edge of the countertop, the stone can be installed with a vertical face that goes all the way to the floor. Particularly in kitchens with counters that jut out to partition open floor plans, this can take a boring design element like the end and add visual interest. Be aware that carving a single slab into this shape can be very expensive, but using multiple sections may leave visible seams.

Visit a site like http://empiremarblegranite.com to learn more about countertop options.