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Granite Countertops	Stone Countertops	Concrete Countertops
Rustic granite countertops Consumers are still clamoring for granite, smooth, polished granite. In this residence in the Adirondack region, the plan was to go with a natural slab sawn to fit the rustic décor of a beautiful log structure. Designed by architect Nick Sajda of Roger Bartels Architects LLC in South Norwalk, Conn., the home has multiple stone fireplaces, a stone wet bar and stone vanities that incorporate oversized stone, creating one-of-a-kind spaces. The stone wet bar and vanity were design elements that required foundation and structural support to withstand the weight of the stone. For full-bed depth veneer stone, such as the slabs used, this would be done in the early construction phase. All of the stone used in this home was supplied by Champlain Stone Ltd., located in Warrensburg, N.Y., and was full-bed, including the thick slabs used as the countertops. The product is a blend of American Granite Ashlar and roughly squared/roughly rectangular veneer stone. Technological advances in sawing natural stone into thin 1-1/4-inch thicknesses now allow for stone veneer to be applied to interior and exterior surfaces that are missing a traditional masonry shelf or other foundation supports. However, a slab of this thickness and mass would still require foundation stabilization. Sold by the ton, on average this veneer material has covers approximately 35 to 40 square feet per ton. Read more about granite countertops.	Engineered Stone Countertops: Synthetic Slate It may have started out being used in laboratory countertops, but Fireslate has moved into the home. It can be ordered in countless configurations – shapes, edge treatments, finishes and cutouts – to fit any taste. Fireslate consists of Portland cement, silica sand, water and fillers, formed under 400 tons of pressure, steam-and air-cured. A man-made material, Fireslate is like slate and other natural stone, dark, rich and with a solid depth of character. But unlike slate, it doesn’t have veins or strata to delaminate. Fireslate is an effective material for the kitchen because it is heat- and flame-resistant, as well as crack- and chip-resistant. Fireslate also works to create a spa-like elegance in the bathroom. Fireslate is less expensive than natural slate, comes in larger sizes and doesn’t spall. It also doesn’t scratch white, but it does develop a patina over time. Because it is manmade, Fireslate can be formed into any shape, such as sink cut-outs, integrated drainboards and backsplashes. When it comes to slate, the material supplier has to be nearby, whereas Fireslate is available all over the country. Fireslate is porous, but each piece is sealed with stone impregnator in the factory. Read more about stone countertops.	Concrete Countertops: The possibilities of concrete are endless The possibilities of concrete are endless. Charles Miles of Charles Miles Construction Corp., located in Nazareth, Pa., creates concrete countertops to match just about any paint chip, including metallic, in either a matte or high-gloss finish. Before Miles began doing concrete countertops, he did masonry façade restoration and is experienced in working with mortars. He developed his own mix recipe, although he says there are a lot of products available in the market. Most of the countertops he creates are precast in the shop. There are some instances, such as when there is no physical way to get a precast form into the building, that the countertop is produced in the field. Concrete also creates warmth in any kitchen. "Concrete lends itself to the work of architects and designers who do elaborate projects," says Miles. "You can put a wall of concrete up anywhere." The most commonly requested color is gray and a lot of clients like glass bits in the counter. Another popular color is off white with gray aggregates. The matte finish is more popular in residential applications, while commercial applications favor the high-gloss look in more exotic colors. Read more about concrete countertops.

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