Natural stone is a porous material, which means that it is full of tiny holes. These holes allow water and other liquids to pass through the stone. The size of the holes varies from one type of stone to another, but all-natural stone is more porous than non-porous materials like ceramic or glass.
The porosity of natural stone can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how you plan to use it. For example, if you want to use the stone for a countertop in your kitchen, you’ll want to choose a stone with low porosity so that it won’t absorb stains and spills. On the other hand, if you’re using the stone for landscaping purposes, you might want to choose a more porous stone so that water can drain through it easily.
No matter what type of natural stone you choose, it’s important to seal it properly to protect it from damage. Sealing the stone will fill in the pores and make it less likely to absorb liquids and stains. Thus, understanding the stone’s porosity and permeability might help you profoundly to choose the right stone for your project. Let’s explore more about stone porosity and permeability, why stones are porous, and how porosity and permeability affect the stone countertops.
What is Porous Stone?
First, a porous stone is a type of natural stone that has small holes or pores on its surface. Granite, limestone, and sandstone are examples of porous stones. Porosity occurs when there are open spaces on the stone’s surface. These spaces can be created by the way the stone is formed, or by damage to the stone’s surface. Porous stones are more likely to stain and etch than non-porous stones. To protect the porous stone, it is important to clean and polish it regularly and to seal it with a quality sealer.
What is Stone Permeability?
Stone permeability is a measure of how easily water can flow through a stone. The higher the permeability, the easier it is for water to flow through the stone. Gravel and clay have high permeability, while stone and concrete have low permeability.
Why is Stone Porous?
Stone is porous because it is made up of tiny particles that are held together by weak forces. Over time, water and other liquids can seep into the spaces between these particles and cause the stone to break down. Usually, how the stone was formed might determine its porosity. You might look at a certain stone and see how sturdy and solid it is, but when carefully scrutinized through a microscope, some tiny holes might be seen, which form the pores.
What does this indicate? If stone or countertop is porous, the chances of the stone absorbing liquid and other materials if not protected well are high. How do porosity and permeability affect the stone countertops? Read on to find out;
How Do Porosity and Permeability Affect Natural Stone Countertops?
Porosity and permeability are two important factors to consider when choosing natural stone countertops. Stone is a porous material, meaning it has tiny holes throughout its surface. This makes it susceptible to staining, as liquids can seep into the holes and cause discoloration. Talking of stone countertops, we have different stone countertops that Arch City provides. If in any case, you’d want one for your project or other pertinent requirements, here are the best stone countertops available at Arch City.
1. Granite and Marble
Granite and marble are two popular choices for countertops, but they have different porosity levels. Granite has a high porosity, making it more susceptible to staining than marble, which has a lower porosity.
2. Quartz
Quartz is a non-porous material, meaning it does not have any tiny holes on its surface. This makes it resistant to staining and ideal for countertop materials. Additionally, it is estimated that around 10% of the material making Quartz countertops is not stone completely but a cement-based binder or what is known as polymeric.
3. Limestone
Limestone is a high porosity stone, making it susceptible to staining from acidic liquids. To prevent this, limestone countertops should be sealed regularly. In addition, it is made up of calcium materials. Therefore, the calcium materials embodied in limestone call for total keenness when placing the acid solution on top of the stone.
Nonetheless, it is a good stone countertop that can primarily be used for indoor and outdoor activities. Some of the benefits of limestone are that it can resist UV rays and other natural components from the immediate environment. Besides that, the stone is easy to clean and maintain its glamor.
4. Slate Rock
Slate rock is typically made of clay and shale, which are highly pressurized below the earth’s crust. Slate doesn’t allow water to pass through it. Therefore, if you are looking for a historical and elegant feel with your kitchen countertops, look for no other stone; slate rock is an excellent choice. Its tender glossy finish spices its attractiveness and adds extra protection against environmental disturbances such as moisture, stain, and more.
5. Fine Grain Travertine
Fine Grain Travertine is one of the main minerals that make up the stalagmites and stalactites inside caves. It is a natural stone and porous as well. This limestone has become the mainstream material you can use for your kitchen island. Talk of its color, the winning palette is creamy white, tan-brown, rustic hues, and white. This stone countertop consists of tons of colors to choose from for your kitchen. Should you find any difficulties in selecting the right one for your project, don’t hesitate to contact us.
The above list presents some of the best stone countertops readily available in Arch City. Get a bonus tip on how to protect your stone countertops.
How to Protect Your Natural Stone Countertops
One way to protect your natural stone countertops is to use a sealer. A sealer will help to keep out stains and dirt, and it will also make the countertops easier to clean. You can find sealers at most home improvement stores. Another way to protect your countertops is to use coasters and trivets when you place hot items on them. This will help to prevent damage from heat.
Bottom-line
Do you want to make your bathroom, kitchen, or some corridors in your home look amazing? Arch City will make all your desires come true. We have installed custom marble, granite, and quartz countertops in different cities and towns including Collinsville, Edwardsville, and more.
If that’s what you’re craving for, contact us today for more information.