While choosing the kitchen countertops for your house, proper care and attention need to be given to the stone or material used at this time to gain an understanding of its usage, cleaning process, and disadvantages based on its properties to maintain it properly.
Though often people prefer granite or marble stones for a countertop, as it’s often spoken about or common knowledge to people, it is also necessary to install a kitchen countertop after getting to know the stone and its properties from professionals in that field to gain a better advantage.
This article is all about dolomite countertops, its pros and cons, and its competitive advantage compared to fellow stones like granite, quartz, and marble.
What are dolomite countertops?
Dolomite countertops are becoming more popular nowadays due to the common and staple need to keep the countertop in a generic white and gray color. This type of stone is less known among the general public, and it is not known widely unless mentioned by the renovator or material sourcing company.
Dolomite is a sedimentary rock, that is, a rock formed from sediment that is deposited by air or water. But here, lime mud and limestone come into contact with the groundwater that is rich in magnesium. If you have seen the limestone, you may find some similarities with the dolomite, as they have similar appearances both in color and composition.
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How Often Do You Need to Seal Dolomite Countertops?
The dolomite countertops can be sealed once every year, and it can be said as such, as it’s quite hard in its material but strong enough for being a kitchen countertop. It is quite a bit harder than marble, but it is durable and strong enough to be used in the construction of a kitchen countertop.
It requires sealing once a year, as due to a lack of proper maintenance, any kind of liquid stains on the kitchen top will become apparent. Any possible natural stone countertop requires proper sealing and maintenance every six months, and you can personally purchase a sealer to use after cleaning the countertop and letting it dry to make the process easier.
How Do You Clean Dolomite Counters?
There is no particular or specific process to clean the dolomite countertops. You can use a mild dishwasher along with lukewarm water on a soft cloth or sponge to clean or wipe the surface. You can also clean off the stubborn stains with cold water and a mild cleaner, using household products like vinegar or soda.
Though it may not seem tough, dolomite countertops require a special cleaning technique to maintain their appeal and durability. Instead of using any kind of acidic substance to clean the limestone-like countertop, it is better to use a gentle, non-abrasive, or corrosive substance to make the countertop look appealing and neat even after years of installation.
Dolomite countertops: pros and cons
Pros:
- Scratch-resistant: Dolomite is quite hard in its materiality, and it is in between the marble and granite surfaces. Being a better alternative to marble, it is scratch-resistant but not as good as quartzite. Cutting boards and silverware can be used on the surface, while metal and glass can affect the glossy effect of the dolomite countertops.
- Longevity: Dolomite countertops are better at longevity than marble, and cracks rarely appear on the countertop.
- Stain-resistant: Dolomite is less sensitive to acid than marble and is stain-resistant too. But with regular sealing and maintenance, dolomite can be kept clean.
- Heat and pressure resistant: quartz countertops have better resistance to heat than marble countertops, and they have a hardness of about 3.5–4, which is quite higher than marble.
Cons:
- Susceptible to etchings: Dolomite is quite softer than marble, though it is harder than marble. It is not resistant to scratches, etchings, or fractures.
- Susceptible to stains: Though the countertop is quite durable and known for its longevity, it is not resistant to stains. Even though the stone is quite strong and rigid compared to other similar counterparts, the stains don’t come off easily unless maintained and cleaned properly.
Are dolomite countertops the right choice for me?
Knowing its characteristics, form, and pros and cons, it will be easy to make a choice about whether the dolomite countertop is a suitable option for you or not. You can narrow down your choices based on your preference for its durability and color coordination, along with the general color of the kitchen or your house in general.
If you prefer a staple white or gray countertop, dolomite might be the best choice. If you take marble, it’s quite handy and resistant to many external factors, but it’s more fragile than dolomite. On the other hand, quartz is a better alternative too, but it is not heat-resistant.
But dolomite is quite sturdy, resistant to heat, and also quite handy to use, as it requires sealing once a year and not every once in a while. Dolomite might be the perfect choice if you prefer a white or gray countertop.
Is dolomite a good countertop?
Yes, based on the above-mentioned pros and cons and its characteristics, dolomite countertops are a good choice for your kitchen, as it’s quite harder than marble but softer than granite. With proper techniques used for cutting and scaling, dolomite can be used as a perfect kitchen countertop to meet the preferences of your color or your house.
Which is better dolomite or quartz?
Quartz is a stone or mineral consisting of many varieties, but mostly of silica and silicon dioxide. Quartz is often preferred for its natural properties and is known for its durability and sturdiness. But it’s main cons include being susceptible to heat and hard to install.
These points can be checked off by dolomite, as the major advantage of dolomite is that it is resistant to heat and sunlight, as well as its longevity, which leads to a strong hold and durability compared to quartz.
Which is better dolomite or granite?
Granite is a better option if you want to choose a glossy look and a good combination of white and gray-colored countertops. But dolomite is a better option and an alternative to granite, as it’s quite affordable and easy to seal and repair.
Granite is handy to install and used in kitchens where there is heavy traffic, but it is hard to repair and requires constant sealing.
Is dolomite better than marble?
If the budget for the countertop is low and cost-effective and you prefer a white or gray color for the countertop, dolomite is a better option. Marble may be a preferred choice for a countertop for most people, but if you prefer a strong base and longevity for the countertop, dolomite is better compared to marble in that stance.
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