Are you thinking about installing new and better countertops but find the task of choosing the ideal countertop material a true challenge? Our team at Marble Concepts understands your dilemma, and we are ready to help with this endeavor.
One of the first things to consider before choosing a new countertop material is to carefully determine how much maintenance work you are willing to do. Part of this decision involves picking either a porous or nonporous material.
What Does Porosity Mean When Referring to Countertop Surface Materials?
Countertop materials today come in a wide selection of materials that include quartz, marble, and granite among many other options. Natural stone materials have a greater degree of porosity than other materials that are considered nonporous. Think about how limestone, granite, marble, or concrete all have striations and swirls or small crevices and other indents on the surface which may be somewhat rough in their natural state.
When outside concrete streets, sidewalks, or patios become darker following rainfall or melting snow, this common occurrence stems from small pores in the natural stone’s surface layer that allows these liquids to soak into the material resulting in stains. This is an example of how substances can cause stains, watermarks, or other damage to porous stone materials such as countertops, tabletop surfaces, or bathroom vanities.
Beware of Pesky Pores Found in Porous Natural Rocks, Stones & Other Materials
These materials have tiny pores that allow moisture, fire, smoke, or air to seep down into the deeper layers beneath your countertop’s surface. This can eventually cause serious damage to occur to the beautiful stone or other natural materials.
If the water sinks into the inner material layers of your countertop, this may later cause mildew or mold to grow. If the moisture problem becomes too great, this could even loosen the structures causing your countertop to warp, sag or otherwise show damage.
Porous Countertops May Allow Harmful Germs to Seep into Small Surface Cracks
Along with being more prone to developing stains and retaining moisture, porous countertops may be a risk to your family’s health and well-being. Those small surface crevices make it a cinch for spills and other mishaps to invade your undersurface countertop layers hidden from view.
As if that wasn’t enough, all the bacteria, viruses, and other microbes, naturally found on surfaces like counters, will also use those same surface pores to reach their preferred nesting spot. These nasty germs will hide where they can rapidly multiply which poses a serious health risk that is mostly invisible.
How Marble Stacks Up Next to Other Countertop Materials Regarding Porosity?
Marble countertops are simply gorgeous and glow with an elegant luster that looks and feels incredibly rich and opulent. This material does need lots of everyday cleaning and care along with regular maintenance requirements.
Marble counters should also be sealed on a regular basis to maintain their beauty and keep stains, moisture, and spills from causing a destructive result. Most marble manufacturers of countertop surfaces recommend sealing at least every 3 to 6 weeks. Other marble experts claim that sealing should be performed about once a month.
Marble may need polished too. When marble countertops are carefully maintained, they can last a lifetime and often longer. The sealant acts as a barrier sealing over those open pores. A sealed countertop counteracts the porous nature of marble and other natural stones.
How Quartz Compares to Other Countertop Options When Talking About Porosity
More homeowners are installing lovely quartz countertops in their kitchens and bathroom spaces. This is an engineered product that is nonporous meaning that liquids and other substances cannot sink down into the inner layers because there are no pores or other imperfections present.
Quartz countertops are less prone to water damage and retention of harmful germs that often get underneath other types of countertop surface materials like limestone, marble, and even granite on a lesser risk scale. Quartz is a strong, durable, and beautiful option when considering a new countertop.
Due to its lower risk for retaining microbes known to cause disease and other ailments, quartz is fast becoming one of the trendiest material choices that will remain timeless decades from now if more natural or neutral color patterns are selected.
Homeowners do not have to worry about keeping up with regular maintenance tasks with quartz counters. There should be no need to seal quartz, and quarts pattern styles and color combinations offer a large and diverse inventory. Quartz surface materials can be found that look like authentic marble without the pressure of marble’s ongoing maintenance and sealing needs.
Is Granite a Porous Material & Should I Worry About Ruined Countertops?
Granite, like other natural stones, is considered porous. However, there are other materials that are far more porous than this one. Granite has become a popular choice for stunning countertops and other kitchen and bath surfaces. This means that to keep your granite looking new and in good condition, you will need to apply sealant on a regular basis.
Usually, a countertop becomes damaged because of retained grease, water, food, dye, and liquid substances that can soak into those open porous crevices. Like other counter surface materials, granite that is left unsealed or a worn-out seal can cause damage that may be expensive to repair or replace.
Granite does not usually require as much upkeep and ongoing maintenance chores as other porous materials typically will need. So, if you don’t mind completing the regular sealing process, then granite might just be your ideal countertop material choice.
Find Granite Companies Nearby, Like Marble Concepts, for More Information
Learn more about the porosity of different countertop materials and/or get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable team by calling Marble Concepts at 215-396-7393.
