Countertop Options – Natural Stone is a Natural Choice

Most people, when they think of natural stone for counter tops, think of granite. Once only seen in very expensive homes, granite has become far more affordable and the variety of colors and patterns found in granite are astounding! But granite isn’t the only natural stone that’s commonly used for kitchen and bathroom counters.

Slate is another popular natural stone for counters. It’s extremely dense and comes in shades of black, grey, green, even red and purple. Austin Stone Works can also offer you veined pattern slate, which is less common and has some stunning character.

Marble is another wonderful natural stone option. Its elegance is unmatched and it’s always cool, resisting heat well. An excellent choice for smaller areas like baking stations.

Limestone and Soapstone come is less color options, but can also be crafted into sinks to match your countertops- a great way to add wonderful decor to your home!

Sustainability of Natural Stone

There’s a very helpful video on YouTube regarding the sustainability of natural stone. Produced by the Marble Institute of America, there is a wealth of information about the uses of stone in “green building”. Pointing out the various uses and environmental impact of using natural stone in your home, the video covers many aspects of natural stone use. If you’re considering using granite, travertine, marble, limestone or other natural stone, you’ll find this video extremely helpful and informative.

Caring for your stone

To maintain the beauty of your granite, marble and other natural stones for years to come, just refer to the following tips.

Dust surfaces frequently.
Blot up spills immediately.
Clean your stone surface with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap, or mild dishwashing liquid and warm water.
Use a soft, clean rag to clean natural stone.
Be sure to rinse after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft, clean cloth.
Take care to not use too much soap, as this may leave a film and cause streaks.
Refrain from using products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids to prevent scratches on the natural stone.
Avoid using scouring powders or creams which may scratch the surface of natural stone due to their harsh abrasives.
Don’t mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas.
For natural stone in bathrooms – To minimize soap scum, a squeegee should be used after use of natural stone bathroom surfaces. If a soap-scum remover is used, it should be non-acidic.
All tops installed by Austin Stone Works are sealed with a penetrating sealer.

Stone Colors

Granite, Marble, Soapstone, Limestone, Travertine and Engineered Stone Countertop Specialists in Austin, Texas

Natural granite radiates beauty and practicality in any home or commercial establishment with the additional benefit of added value. Each granite color comes from a different quarry, with no two quarries in the world producing the same color. A close examination of granite reveals its crystals, depth and variations in color, but when seen from a distance, the unique variations transform into a homogeneous surface portraying a solid, even color.

There are colors of granite for every style. Monochromatic shades of black, white and gray complement the latest high-tech designs, warm earth tones bring together a more traditional or country style, and some colors exhibit “movement” or a pattern-like wave of color.

Austin Stone Works carries the most popular colors along with some of the most exotic colors available for granite projects.

Exotic Stones Are Our Specialty!

Due to variations in monitors, stone colors may differ slightly from what is shown here. The samples displayed are not all inclusive, as our inventory changes on a daily basis. Please visit our showroom and stock yard to view the enormous selection of colors, patterns and the latest discoveries of natural stone.

Want to see samples? Click here!