Stainless steel has long been a mainstay in commercial kitchens. With the growing popularity of contemporary style kitchens and stainless steel appliances, it is finding its way into the residential arena. It is heat and stain proof as well as non-corrosive but is susceptible to dents and scratches. It tends to need frequent cleaning as it shows fingerprints, smudges and water marks easily.

   Marble and limestone start out as the same material. With added heat and pressure, limestone crystallizes and becomes marble. Italian marble is world renowned, but marble quarries are located in many countries, including the U.S. There is more variation in the colors and patterns of marble than in granite which gives it a softer appearance. Marble is not as hard as granite and so it is easily stained with liquids or oils. Sealing marble is very important. Most stains that marred unsealed marble wiped away with water on sealed samples.

   Limestone’s popularity stems from the different characterizes in its patterns as well as its color variation which are mostly earthy tones. Due to its susceptibility to staining and etching, limestone is not a typical countertop material. It does, however, work well for bathroom surfaces, backsplashes and wears well enough to use on floors. It must be sealed frequently to help decrease its susceptibility to etching and staining. Limestone is the result

of millions of years of seashells and bones of sea creatures settling as the sediment on the ocean floor. The calcium in the bones and shells combines with the carbon dioxide in the water to form calcium carbonate, which is the basic mineral structure of all limestone and marble. Less than 3% of the stone is the color, which is simply other natural elements present when the stone was formed. Given enough heat and pressure, lime-stone will crystallize, resulting in marble. Limestone that has not been crystallized will not be able to be polished and will be honed.