Limestone Countertops: Maintenance, Advantages& Disadvantages

Limestone is a natural stone which is formed primarily from calcium carbonate. Limestone is a chemical sedimentary rock which forms from the solidification of minerals out of solution into rock form. Because the chemical materials in limestone can be dissolved easily by acidic solution in water, they are able to karst topography. There are some different types of limestone based upon how the rock formed, its composition or its appearance. Some commonly used varieties are, travertine, oolitic limestone and fossiliferous. Depending on the conditions which they are formed, limestone has some different shapes, such as granular, massive, crystalline and clastic.

Limestone is very common in architecture, especially in Europe and North America. Many landmarks like Great Pyramid around the world are made from Limestone. Limestone is broadly used in architectural applications for walls, decorative trims and veneer. It is not much used as a sculptural material due to being porous and soft. Limestone is used for flooring, wall decoration, kitchen and bathroom counters.

What Colors Does Limestone Come In?

Limestone colors are generally pure white to off-white. Besides there are also many color variations like beige, ivory, brown, gray, red, and yellow in other words, color tones are typically neutral. Also, limestone has different shades and distinct fossilized patterns and limestone helps provide a more natural look to your floor, while also adding a rugged sense of sophistication. Limestone has a smooth granular surface and it varies in hardness. Some limestones can be polished but they will not be as shiny as marble or granite.

Limestone Care and Maintenance

Limestone is a porous, soft and chemically sensitive stone than marble and granite. They can be etched by acids or acidic solutions. So, the maintenance and care is very important. You should pay attention to care and maintenance regularly, if you want to keep your limestone countertop looking nice for a long time. Limestone is a natural stone which has very porous surface. Since it is easily stained from acidic fluids, Limestone countertops require some sealing applications to keep them from staining. The best option to avoid stains is to protect the surface with a protective sealer. By sealing, the pores are filled and the spills on the surface are repelled. When you cleaning your limestone countertop, you should be careful not to use cleaners which contains acids. In addition to that you should not place directly acidic foods and hot stuffs on to countertop surface. Because the limestones are very soft stones, you should be careful to not use your knifes without a cutting board.

Limestone which is natural and good looking stone countertops adds a very nice glamor to your kitchen. Below in the Do’s and Don’ts chart, you can learn how to care limestone countertops to keep their appearance.

Care Instructions for Limestone Countertops

Sealing

Because the limestone absorbs the liquids and easily stains when the liquids come into contact with the stone, the sealing process is an important point. Before you installed your countertops you should absolutely sealed your limestone against liquids especially the acidic ones. After you installed and started to use it, you should sealed your countertop at least once a year. the water-based sealants offer the best protection for your limestone countertop. Also, you can use specific cleaning sprays which contains sealing properties in a week or month for more protection.

Cleaning

Limestone countertops never be cleaned with a traditional cleaners. Limestone should be cleaned with special cleaners which have a neutral pH. If you can not find any cleaners like them, you can use a mixture of warm water and a mild detergent. Limestone needs a non-abrasive cleaner. When you cleaning your countertop, never use sponges or rough surfaced supplies. As rough sponges scratch the limestone countertop, you should use soft rags.

Drying

This is the most curious matter about limestone. Many limestone countertop owners have questions about this process. The best way to dry your countertop is to let it dry. The only thing is about that you may end up with water spots. If you don’t want to occur water spots, then use a very soft dry cloth.

Scratchings

Limestone countertops are scratched easily. You can avoid scratches by using a cutting board and not using a rough sponge when cleaning. When you find a scratch on your countertop, the only thing you should do is gently buffing them out with a fine steel wool. Also, you can use a small amount of polishing mixture designed to take off the scratches of car doors.

Discoloration

All spills should be wiped out immediately to protect staining. Limestone countertops are very sensitive to stains from acidic liquids, such as lemon, orange juice or black tea. Hot pots might also create stains by burning. You can remove the stains by making a mixture from flour and hydrogen peroxide. Or you can buy a store-bought mixture to clean the stains.

If you apply these maintenance tips, you can keep your limestone counter top looking good as long as it should.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Limestone Countertops

It is always hard to choose the correct countertop from various materials. Strength, durability, quality and usefulness are the most important aspects to taken consideration. We arranged the advantages and disadvantages of limestone countertops below;

Advantages of Limestone Countertops

• Limestone countertops looks nice and delicate. It adds elegance to the appearance of your house.
• It looks luxurious and If you are looking for an ancient look, it certainly works.
• Some limestone variations are very suitable to make countertops and you can make excellent countertops.
• Limestone can be used for every area of your home and you can use softer varieties around fireplaces and in bathroom.
• Limestone is cheaper than granite or marble.
• It can be folded easily without affecting the existing structure.
• It is always available in various textures, sizes and soft colors, adding a luxurious look and adding warmth to your kitchen.

Disadvantages of Limestone Countertops

• Limestone is a sensitive stone so you must care it very carefully.
• Limestone is acid sensitive stone it can easily damaged from the acids. That’s why you should always be very careful about this.
• Preserving the countertops which made from limestone is an annoying job; since soft and porous stone can scratch and stain easily. But you can overcome this by paying attention to the usage hints from above.

Limestone is a very chic and luxurious- looking natural stone. It has lots of color and texture choices. Also, it is a suitable material for everywhere in your home. The most important and only thing you will notice about Limestone is its care.