The Pros and Cons of Slate Countertops
The debate between natural and engineered stone has been back and forth ever since the two categories co-existed. Both types of stone have different strengths and weaknesses but at the end of the day it really just comes down to your own choice after determining the look you want, and the amount of traffic the space gets. Slate countertops are not a very common material, but can work perfectly in some homes.
Pros:
When many people think of natural stone countertops, they think of unique slabs and porous stones. Slate is one of the only natural stones that is non-porous therefore very stain-resistant.
Granite is known as one of the hardest and most durable natural stones, but slate has it beat, being incredibly hard and impervious to scratches, chips, and heat.
You may be thinking that slate countertops may come with a hefty price tag, but they are surprisingly affordable, often even cheaper than granite or quartz.
Cons:
If you like grey or black countertops, slate may be perfect for you, but if that isn’t the case, you may need to keep looking for other materials. If you go for an edge profile that is sharp and thin, it will be very prone to breaking since the stone is so hard and brittle.
Slate countertop slabs are also much smaller than other stone slabs, meaning that if you have large countertops, you will have lots more seams than other materials would. Slate is a stone known for being flaky, so it’s very important that you find a fabricator with very high-quality slabs so that you don’t have to watch your new countertops flake away.
If you are the type to be open to more uncommon materials and dark countertops that could work well for your space, slate might be good for you. They are an excellent budget option with very high durability, good looks, and low maintenance.
If you are looking for materials that will have a huge variety of colors, patterns, and textures, you may want to stick with granite and quartz. To learn more about what material is going to be perfect for your space, come talk to one of our friendly and knowledgeable salespeople.
