What Kind of Stone is Right for Me?

When it comes to choosing a natural stone countertop, one of the most important things you can do to narrow down and simplify your choices is to make sure that you select the right product and surface finish for your intended application and lifestyle.

Do you have an active household? Ask your stone fabricator or supplier about surfacing choices that best meet your needs and functionality. Countertops in active homes, especially with children, tend to receive more wear and tear from extensive use, school projects, spills and other activities.

Granite or quartz surfaces are great for multi-use and in entertaining kitchens. Both are very dense and virtually non-porous to withstand spills and messes. Granite and quartz countertops are incredibly durable and resistant to heat and scratches, and provide you a superior surface choice for any environment. Granite and quartz products are also ideal for applications such as bars, restaurants and food preparation areas where durability and cleanliness is important.

Marble is great for lower traffic surface areas and for less active household environments. Marble is a one-ofa-kind stone that has dramatic veining with contrasting colors, giving it a completely distinctive look. However, marble is a softer stone and is susceptible to staining and scratching and is not recommended for active households or applications that receive excessive wear.

If natural stone does not fit your needs, you may want to explore other surfacing options. Bangor Wholesale Laminates also specializes in laminate surfaces. Today's laminate surfaces are extraordinarily sophisticated with appearances that resemble stone patterns and exhibit a dramatic design treatment. Recycled and eco-friendly surfaces are perfect for countertops, bar tops, bathroom applications, and countless commercial projects and are ideal for those looking to live a "green" lifestyle.

Bangor takes the same proven production techniques with stone toward fabricating solid surfaces such as DuPont Corian, LG Hi-Macs and Wilsonart. Solid surfaces are very durable, require only minimal maintenance and offer endless choices of colors and design styles. Solid surfaces are perfect for any household and application.

Choosing the right countertop does not have to be overwhelming. Be sure to include your expectations, usage and design wishes when you meet with your stone consultant or professional design center.