Types of Stone
There are a variety of stone products that can be used throughout your home to improve its elegance and beauty. Please select a stone type below in order to learn more about the type of stone, and its most useful applications.
Granite
Granite slabs are the result of nature's artistic expression and each piece is unique. Just like no two snowflakes are the same, so is the variation in granite. These variations are what cause people to fall in love with the beauty of natural stone and manufactures of man-made (quartz) stone imitate the flow and movement in granite.
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Myths Dispelled about Granite
Here are the facts about Natural Stone
- Granite is ranked #1 in cleanability when compared to six other surfaces including stainless steel.
- Granite has the same cleanability as quartz or man-made stone.
- Granite has never been known to emit dangerous levels of radon gas.
- Sealing is needed once every 15 years when you use Elegant Stone Products and Protegere Warrantied Sealer.
Soapstone
A material that has been used for many years and now just recently is becoming a more popular choice in kitchens. Be sure when deciding on soapstone that your fabricator is using architectural and not artistic soapstone in fabrication. Architectural contains the properties needed for countertop surfacing.
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Showroom | Address | Phone | Website |
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Amsum & Ash | 30 52nd Way NE, Minneapolis, MN 55421 | 763-571-8400 | www.amsumash.com |
Cold Spring Granite Maple Grove Showroom | 9775 85th Ave N, Maple Grove, MN 55369 | 763-425-2876 | www.coldspringusa.com |
Cosentino Center Minneapolis | 14105 13th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55441 | 763-546-8456 | www.cosentino.com |
Daltile Showroom & Slab Yard | 1601 Pratt Blvd, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 | 847-593-9008 | www.daltile.com |
Daltile Showroom & Slab Yard | 1005 Berkshire Lane North, Plymouth, MN 55441 | 763-694-9700 | www.daltile.com |
Dorado Soapstone | 732 Harding St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413 | 651-571-4051 | store.doradosurfaces.com |
Levantina USA Chicago | 850 Devon Ave, Bensenville, IL 60106 | 630-361-6600 | www.levantina.com |
Midwest Specialty Products LLC | 1301 West Third Ave, Shakopee, MN 55379 | 952-470-0403 | www.mspsurfaces.com |
Midwest Tile, Marble & Granite Inc. IA | 2700 100th St, Urbandale, IA 50322 | 515-334-0139 | www.midwesttile.com |
Midwest Tile, Marble & Granite Inc. WI | W227N722 Westmound Dr, Waukesha, WI 53186 | 262-547-8400 | www.midwesttile.com |
Midwest Tile, Marble & Granite Inc.MN | 3181 Dodd Rd, Saint Paul, MN 55121 | 651-405-0707 | www.midwesttile.com |
MS International Illinois Showroom & Distribution Center | 1441 Jarvis Avenue, Elk Grove Village, ILL 60007 | 847-725-6500 | www.msistone.com |
Stone Design Showroom & Warehouse WI | 2025 E Birchwood, Cudahy, WI 53110 | 800-669-4963 | www.stone-design.com |
Stone Design Showroom & Warehouse IL | 551 Mitchell Rd, Glendale Heights, IL 60139 | 800-424-1332 | www.stone-design.com |
Stone Holding Company | 7768 West 78th St, Edina, MN 55439 | 952-697-3405 | www.stoneholding.com |
Terrazzo & Marble WI | N59W14339 Bobolink Ave, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051 | 262-251-7300 | www.tmsupply.com |
Terrazzo & Marble MN | 7145 Sandburg Rd, Golden Valley, MN 55427 | 763-544-3333 | www.tmsupply.com |
Terrazzo & Marble IL | 77 South Wheeling Rd, Wheeling, IL 60090 | 877-867-5227 | www.tmsupply.com |
Terrazzo & Marble IL | 1220 W. Lake St, Chicago, IL 60607 | 317-421-4949 | www.tmsupply.com |
UGM -Universal Granite & Marble | 3555 South Normal Ave, Chicago, IL 60609 | 773-268-4500 | www.universalgranite.com |
Manufactured Stone (Quartz)
Quartz or man-made stone increasingly grows as a countertop surfacing material. Quartz is a durable and attractive surface with a uniform color consistency. Quartz slab manufactures have developed colors to mimic the movement of granite and other stone.
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The Evolution of Quartz Material
The manufacture of quartz has evolved from basic patterns to patterns with the movement of natural stone. "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" and the manufactures of quartz are continually developing colors that have the look of granite. If granite is something you are not interested in using, quartz would be a surface material to consider.
Suppliers of Quartz
Type |
Website |
Aggranite |
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Caesarstone |
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. |
http:// |
Difiniti |
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Hanstone (preferred vendor) |
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Linnstone (preferred vendor) |
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One Quartz |
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Q by MSI |
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Silestone Quartz |
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Viatera (preferred vendor) |
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Vicostone (preferred vendor) |
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Wilsonart |
Recycled Material
Recycled material transforms waste glass into an exquisite work of art, which will be the center piece of your living room or workspace. The waste glass, made from traffic lights, windows, beverage containers and many other unique sources, is set in a matrix or base. For a classic or contemporary style, consider recycled material.
- High recycled content.
- Unique color patterns.
Type |
Website |
IceStone Recycled Concrete |
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Vetrazzo Recycled Concrete |
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. |
http:// |
. |
http:// |
Countertop Comparison:
Granite, Quartz, Soapstone, Dekton & Recycled Material
Many countertop surfaces are out there and finding the right one for your everyday use and budget can be confusing and difficult. Below you will find the key features on the surfaces we offer for your consideration when selecting your countertop(s).
Remember that we are always here to help you through the process. We stock many of these materials in full slabs and you are welcome to view and select your very own material for your countertop. You can find links to our suppliers in the Materials tab.
Remember that we are always here to help you through the process. We stock many of these materials in full slabs and you are welcome to view and select your very own material for your countertop. You can find links to our suppliers in the Materials tab.
Comparison of Custom Countertops
★ ★ ★ ★ = Excellent
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★ ★ = Good
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★ ★ = Fair
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★ = Poor
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Criteria |
Granite |
Soapstone |
Quartz |
Dekton |
Recycled |
Bacteria Resistance |
★★★★ |
★★★★ |
★★★★ |
★★★★ |
★ |
Stain Resistance |
★★★★ |
★★★★ |
★★★★ |
★★★★ |
★ |
Scratch Resistance |
★★★★ |
★★ |
★★★★ |
★★★★ |
★ |
Indoor Use |
★★★★ |
★★★★ |
★★★★ |
★★★★ |
★ |
Outdoor Use |
★★★ |
★★★★ |
★ |
★★★★ |
★ |
Heat Resistance |
★★★ |
★★★★ |
★ |
★★★★ |
★ |
Certified Safe for Food Prep (NSF 51) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Edge Profiles
What to learn more?
We understand there is a lot to learn about picking out the perfect stone, and we are here to help! Visit or call our showroom today to receive answers to any questions or concerns you have!