Slate countertops will update your kitchen
The kitchen in your home is one of the most popular rooms in the house. Keeping it updated and fresh adds interest to your home and increases resale value. One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to update your kitchen is to replace your old countertops with natural stone. Not only will your kitchen look better, but stone countertops will add value to your home. While there are many beautiful stone options available, consider installing slate countertops to give your kitchen a sleek, modern look.
Slate is a hard rock that was formed thousands of years ago when volcanic ash and superheated clay deposits were mixed together. This mixture eventually dried out and formed rock layers. Slate is easy to work with because it can be divided into slabs and thin sheets. There are a variety of uses for slate, including roof tiles, pool tables, countertops, tile, and chalkboards.
Natural stone has become increasingly popular in home design. From flooring to countertops, natural stone offers durability and unique beauty to any home. While granite, marble, and quartz are popular materials, slate offers different color and style options that appeal to homeowners.
The use of natural stone materials in the home is appealing to environmentally conscious consumers who support green building. Man-made materials are less durable than stone and can eventually end up in landfills. Slate is abundant in nature and very easy to work with, making it a popular choice for homeowners looking to add functionality and sophistication to their home.
Chalkboard is extremely durable. Once installed it could last a lifetime with little to no maintenance required. The board is resistant to heat and scratches. While some scratches may occur, they can usually be removed with soap and water. Larger scratches can be buffed out with steel wool. Acidic substances do not damage slate like other natural stone options.
Slate is porous but has a very low absorption rate. This means that slate countertops are easy to clean and virtually stain resistant. The low absorption rate of slate also means that the countertop will not harbor bacteria like other materials. This quality makes food preparation easy and safe.
Homeowners can choose to shine their slate countertops or leave them with a natural matte finish. Low gloss and high gloss are available for homeowners who don’t prefer the natural matte finish of slate. Unless shine is desired, slate countertops do not require lubrication or sealing. Even those styles that need to be sealed do not require re-sealing like other natural stone materials. Slate countertops are easily maintained and cleaned with a damp cloth and mild soap.
Slate countertops come in a variety of shades of green, purple, gray, and black. Because slate is a natural material, each countertop will have a unique look with various shades, shades, and swirls of color. An additional color-enhancing sealer is available for homeowners who want a more vivid color on their countertops.
The only concern homeowners may have when choosing slate is that, like most natural stone products, it is more expensive than many man-made materials. It is important to remember that the durability and timeless elegance of chalkboard will make your initial investment worthwhile. Slate will not only update your home with sophisticated style, your new stone countertops will also add value and interest to your home.