Engineered Stone VS. Granite/Marble

 A common concern about stone countertops is how they’ll  wear over time. As one of the most highly-used surfaces in your home, it  just wouldn’t be economical to have something that looks crummy in just  a few years! And, while durability is one of the best reasons to chose a  natural stone countertop, they can be pretty high maintenance and can  be more susceptible to wear and tear than synthetic materials —  especially when exposed to acids. 

But, stone countertops are coated in layers of sealants.  How can acid get through, and why does it cause either erosion (wearing  away of the stone) or etching (a dull spot in the shape of the acid  spill)?

Let’s answer the second question first. Stones like  limestone and marble are the most susceptible to acid erosion or etching  because they have a high concentration of the mineral calcite. Calcite  reacts to acids in even weak solutions and causes it to dissolve. On  your countertop, this most often results in an etching, which is a  noticeably dull spot where the acid has reacted to the top layer of  stone. If the acid is left on long enough, the stone can degrade further  and cause an indentation.

Granite is much more resistant to acid etching because it  contains little to no calcite, though the stone still has natural pits  and fissures that can trap acids and degrade slowly over time. Still, it  shouldn’t be as big of a problem as with marble and limestone.

So, which acids should you worry about? For kitchen  countertops, you should be careful about not spilling lemon juice,  vinegar, wine, or cut any acidic fruits and vegetables like tomatoes and  pineapples directly on the countertop. You should also be careful of  common household cleaners, which can be very acidic as well. Most  sealants won’t prevent etches, and those that do tend to change the  finish in a way that most don’t find appealing. With that said, always  use specially formulated cleaners on your countertop, always use a  cutting board, and make sure you clean up any spills ASAP or they can  leave an etch faster than you may think!

Although some people like etches and feel that it gives  their countertop a “lived-in” look, most find them visually unappealing.  For minor etches on polished marble or limestone, you can buy a  specially-formulated polishing powder to remove the blemishes yourself.  Be sure to follow the instructions on the package but typically, you’ll  need to mix the polishing powder with water and work the mixture into  the etch using a soft cloth until the shine reappears. Keep in mind that  this could take several minutes, so don’t be afraid to put in some  elbow grease!

For severe etches or indentations, you’ll need to call in a  professional to re-polish the area or sand down the entire stone with  special tools. Your countertop will then be re-sealed and re-polished  until it looks as good as new.

Honed marble already has a matte surface, so it won’t show  etches as easily. However, etches may still appear and cannot be  removed by yourself. Since the stone isn’t polished, you can’t buff out  the etch without giving your countertop a strange shiny spot that will  definitely be noticable! This will also be a job for a professional.