STONE OPTIONS
GRANITE
Granite is the most abundant rock on the planet making up the earth’s continental crust, comprising around 60% of the earth’s surface. Granite is a strong stone because its mineral grains have grown tightly together during a very slow cooling period over thousands of years. Additionally, the quartz and feldspar that compose it are harder than steel. Granite helped lead to the creation of one of the United States’ first commercial railroad systems. This railroad, referred to as the Granite Railway, connected Quincy, Massachusetts with a dock. At this dock, granite was loaded onto boats and transported to nearby Charlestown.
QUARTZITE
Most quartzite forms during mountain-building events at convergent plate boundaries where sandstone was deposited on a continental plate. There, the sandstone is metamorphosed into quartzite by the intense pressure of a plate collision and often by deep burial. It’s sandstone that is fused together so tightly that the sand grains lose their individual identities. The interlocking crystalline structure of quartzite makes it a hard, tough, durable rock. It stands up better to abrasion and is more resistant to most chemicals and environmental conditions.
MARBLE
As the favorite medium for Greek and Roman sculptors and architects, marble has become a cultural symbol of tradition and refined taste. Its extremely varied and colorful patterns make it a favorite decorative material. Usually, marble contains other minerals, including quartz, graphite, pyrite, and iron oxides. These minerals can give marble a pink, brown, gray, green, or variegated coloration. While true marble forms from limestone, there is also dolomitic marble, which forms when dolomite undergoes metamorphosis. The statue of Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial is made of white marble from Georgia, while the floor is pink Tennessee marble, and the exterior facade is marble from Colorado.
Engineered QUARTZ
Quartz countertops are sometimes referred to as engineered or man-made stone. Quartz is roughly 93% natural ground quartz with 7% resins, polymers, and colors. This combination allows for a huge variety of colors. Different brands are likely to have slight differences in the exact percentage of quartz content. After the materials are mixed together, they are compacted by significant amounts of pressure to form slabs. It is during this process that quartz becomes non-porous. Quartz is cured in kilns and made to have a permanent seal. The final step of the process is applying the finish to the slab.
SOAPSTONE
Soapstone is heat-resistant and has been used for cooking and heating equipment for thousands of years. Soapstone is dense and made of up compact particles, which gives it an impenetrable surface. Unlike granite, it does not need to be sealed, therefore, this natural stone has no chemicals. A weathered or aged appearance will occur naturally over time as the patina is enhanced. It is recommended to oil the stone to enhance the natural aging process of the stone but is not a protectant. It is a softer stone that will show wear and tear. But, for those who are looking for that aged look it will only add to the character of the stone.
ONYX
Onyx is a calcareous stone, formed by dissolving limestone and redeposited as a new kind of stone. It is a soft, brittle stone and should be carefully evaluated for its intended use. Onyx is a strikingly dramatic stone that allows light to transmit through it and can be a great design feature. Often, onyx is backlit to take advantage of this unique property.
If you are interested in using Onyx in your project,
please contact our sales team
DEKTON
Dekton is Cosentino’s innovative, ultra-compact and high-performance surface that offers endless design possibilities for outdoor and indoor spaces. This material offers excellence in functional beauty for any architectural project. Dekton's polyvalence makes it ideal for any application, even in the most demanding conditions such as facades or floors. Dekton is a sophisticated mixture of more than 20 minerals extracted from nature.
If you are interested in using Dekton in your project,
please contact our sales team
PORCELAIN
Porcelain is a very versatile material, allowing it to be used in a variety of applications. It is an ideal material for wall facades and flooring in interior design. Projects that require durability, beauty, and aesthetic, this material is comparable to their natural counterparts. Porcelain is made from clay and contains a high percentage of a mineral known as kaolinite along with silica, feldspar and other mineral oxides which together are responsible for the strength and durability of porcelain.
If you are interested in using porcelain in your project,
please contact our sales team
Manufactured
SOLID SURFACE
A light weight material made of 100% acrylic, 100% polyester, or a blend of the two. Solid surface is stain resistant, antimicrobial and does not require sealing. Material can be thermoformed and offer the option of integrated sinks and backsplashes with invisible seams. Color and design flexibility are key factors when choosing engineered composites over natural stone. East Coast Countertops is a certified dealer for brands such as Corian, LG HI-MACS, Staron by Samsung, Wilson Art, Avonite, and Swanstone.