Limestone benchtops are an excellent culinary space upgrade. They can add a unique and elegant flair to your kitchen.
With their remarkable characteristics, they withstand the heavy demands of your food preparation area.
Prior to installing limestone slabs, you must weigh the perks and potential drawbacks of this material. Considering the limestone benchtops pros and cons guarantees that limestone is the ideal choice for your space.
What Is a Limestone Benchtop?
A limestone benchtop is a countertop made from natural limestone; a sedimentary rock formed from accumulated calcium carbonate-rich sediments over millions of years.
Due to its excellent properties, limestone is a popular choice for countertops. They can be polished to a smooth finish or left with a more textured appearance. Limestone countertops are also highly heat-resistant, allowing you to place hot pots directly on the surface without worrying about immediate damage.
Limestone Benchtop Installation Pros
Discover the various advantages of setting up an elegant and high-quality limestone countertop in your home.
Quick to Set Up
Limestone is easier to install than other natural stones, like granite or marble. Its soft nature makes it easier to cut and shape each limetone slab.
Customising and installing each slab in your space makes it easier than dealing with harder stones. While it is easy to cut, DIY installation can be too challenging.
They can also be heavy, so seeking professional assistance might be a better choice. Their help and expertise are essential for larger installations or complex layouts.
Due to limestone’s porous nature, proper sealing is crucial to prevent stains and water damage. To guarantee longevity, make sure to maintain your natural stone limestone benchtops regularly after installation.
Easy to Maintain
Like other natural stones, proper and regular care is essential. You can easily clean your limestone surfaces with mild soap and water and remove everyday dirt and grime.
Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, which can damage the stone’s finish. If spills occur, clean them up immediately to prevent stains.
But, it’s essential to seal your grey limestone kitchen periodically. Sealing can protect its porous surface from stains and water damage.
Using trivets or potholders under hot cookware will also help protect the surface from heat damage. Following these simple guidelines guarantees the functionality and beauty of your benchtops.
Excellent Properties
Limestone is famous for its soft, earthy tones. This property creates a warm and inviting atmosphere in your culinary space. This natural warmth can seamlessly harmonise with your existing aesthetic.
And limestone is also known for its eco-friendly quality. It is a natural resource, reducing the need for synthetic production processes. This material has a lower environmental impact than synthetic options.
It is also heat-resistant, allowing for direct placement of hot cookware on your kitchen benchtops. However, trivets or potholders are still recommended for extended periods of high heat exposure.
Guaranteed Durability
While limestone may not be as hard as granite or quartz, it is still a durable stone material. Its durable property can withstand normal wear and tear, especially with proper care.
Well-maintained benchtops can enhance the beauty and longevity of your space. However, limestone is more susceptible to scratching and etching than harder stones.
Regular sealing is recommended to protect your kitchen island bench and countertop. It also enhances the durability of your limestone surfaces. Avoiding harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners can help maintain the stone’s finish.
Visually Appealing
Limestone offers a stylish and customisable solution for your kitchen counters. Its versatility lets you choose the preferred design options.
You can select a specific appearance, texture, pattern, and colour to complement your existing aesthetics.
It can also be polished or a sleek and modern look or left with a more textured surface for a more traditional feel.
Limestone Benchtop Installation Cons
Uncover the common disadvantages of installing limestone kitchen benchtops. Knowing these drawbacks can help you prepare for potential offsets.
Expensive than Other Alternatives
Limestone is pricier than other stone materials due to various aspects. One factor is the extraction and processing costs associated with this sedimentary rock.
As a natural stone, it requires quarrying, cutting, and polishing. These extensive tasks can increase the overall price of each slab. Other factors that add to its price are its specific type, colour, and availability.
Limestone might cost more than some synthetic materials. But its durability, beauty, and unique features can be worth the limestone benchtops price.
Potential Mould Growth
Due to its porous nature, limestone can absorb moisture. Various culinary activities that require water can cause liquid to seep through the surfaces.
If spills are not cleaned immediately or the stone is not regularly sealed, mould can grow in the pores. The spills can result in unsightly stains, and mould growth can lead to potential health hazards.
Limestone countertops must be sealed regularly to prevent mould from forming and thriving. Spills must be cleaned up immediately to prevent the surface from absorbing them. You must also ensure proper ventilation in the kitchen to avoid moisture formation.
Using trivets or potholders under hot pans can also help prevent moisture buildup and reduce the risk of mould growth.
Limited Colour Options
The colour variations of limestones are usually influenced by their geological formation process. They often undergo sedimentation and mineral deposition. These processes can result in a limited range of colours compared to some other materials.
If you want a black limestone benchtop, you can choose from their wide array of neutral colours. These collections of hues include shades of white, grey, beige, black, and brown.
However, there may be regional variations or rare occurrences of other colours. These usually occur depending on the conditions and materials present during formation.
Softer Compared to Other Stones
Compared to harder stones like granite or marble, limestone is more susceptible to scratching and etching.
This means it can be more easily scratched by sharp objects or etched by acidic substances. While limestone is still durable, it requires more careful handling and maintenance.
Proper care helps preserve its appearance. Sealing your grey stone benchtop made of limestone can also protect the surface from scratches and etching.
It is essential to avoid using abrasive cleaners or placing sharp objects directly on the countertop.
To Sum it All Up
Is limestone good for kitchen benchtop? It all depends on your needs, preferences, and lifestyle. By carefully weighing the discussed factors, you can determine if limestone benchtops are the right choice for your home.
Install Sleek Limestone Benchtops with Stone Interiors
Give your kitchen a makeover by installing sleek and elegant limestone countertops from Stone Interiors. Our expertly crafted limestone slabs offer a luxurious and sophisticated look that will complement any design style.
If you are interested in our extensive collection of natural stones in Melbourne, please get in touch with us by contacting us on (03) 9357 0096 today.