Dolomite countertops started to gain more and more attraction since they offer a good price/quality ratio. Dolomite stone countertops as many other materials have pros and cons that can be very decisive to make a choice.
In this article we’ll walk you through the main pros and cons of dolomite countertops, as well as a durability review of these countertops especially for high traffic kitchens.
What Are Dolomite Countertops?
Dolomite countertops as the name suggest are countertops that are made from the natural stone dolomite. Dolomite is a natural sedimentary rock than can be quarried and processed to make slabs.
Dolomite stone is composed of magnesium carbonate (MgCO3), so it’s very similar to limestone which it’s chemical formula is (CaCO3). Usually in nature limestone can be transformed to dolomite by the substitution of calcium by magnesium.
Dolomite is a sedimentary rock that has so much similarities with limestone, with only small differences such as the mineralogical composition and the hardness. Dolomite is slightly harder than limestone, on the hand limestone is less porous than dolomite.
Dolomite is a hard natural stone, that can come in so many colors. Dolomite countertops colors can varies from white to grey overall colors combined with streaks and patterns with different colors such as brown, black, green, and much more.
Is Dolomite Suitable for Kitchen Countertops?
Dolomite is one of the natural stones that are very suitable to be used in kitchen countertops. Dolomite stone is a hard and durable stone that can support high traffic kitchens if maintained properly. The colors and patterns that dolomite offers can provide an added value to any kitchen.
On the other hand, you need to keep in mind that dolomite countertops needs more care than granite or quartzite countertops. Dolomite countertops do need to be sealed to protect them from hard stains, also, they are slightly less durable when it comes to scratches and chips, so you need to be carful when working on dolomite countertops.
Dolomite Countertops Durability
In this section, we’ll answer some questions to review the dolomite countertops durability. Keep in mind that dolomite has many points in common with limestone, add to that more porosity.
Are Dolomite Countertops Scratch Proof?
The answer is no! Dolomite countertops are not scratch resistant, of course a wooden object wont hurt them, but an ordinary knice could.
Dolomite is a sedimentary carbonate-rich stone that is ranked 3 to 4 on the hardness scale, this means that with a stainless steel knives or any metallic object you can easily scratch your dolomite countertop.
Dolomite and limestone countertops are not the best when it comes to scratches resistance, so you should always be careful when moving things on the surface of your dolomite countertop.
So no ! You can’t cut directly on your dolomite countertop, avoid using it as a cutting board, and use a proper one.
Are Dolomite Countertops Stain Resistant?
Dolomite countertops are actually very porous, even more porous than limestone. For this fact, you will need to make sure that your dolomite countertop is properly sealed to avoid stained dolomite surfaces.
Due to the overall color of dolomite countertop, having a yellow stain on it will be very remarquable. Dolomite countertops can get easily stained by coffee or wine spills, or even oil.
The high porosity of dolomite countertops, is able to soak fluids very rapidly, allowing them to infiltrate inside and changes the color of the overall countertop surface. But with an efficient dolomite sealer, you can avoid this kind of problems.
Make sure to re-seal your dolomite countertop once in a while, generally once in a year for medium to high traffic dolomite countertops.
Are Dolomite Countertops Heat Proof?
No, you can’t put a hot pan directly on your dolomite countertop. Heat can seriously damage your dolomite countertop with time. Instead, use always a trivet, to anticipate heat from ruining your dolomite countertop.
Are Dolomite Countertops acid Proof?
Dolomite is a magnesium carbonate which means that acids and harsh-chemical-based cleaners can cause serious damages to your dolomite countertops.
Lemon juice, vinegar, and acetone should be out of your cleaning list when dealing with dolomite countertops. Also try to check your oven cleaner as it might contain some acids that can have negative impacts on your dolomite countertop.
Can Dolomite Countertops Be Used Outdoors?
Dolomite countertops are not recommended to be used outdoor. Dolomite can be easily damaged due to weathering and water, so you would use a quartz or quartzite countertops for outdoor.
Dolomite Countertops Sealing
Sealing is a very important routine for any type of material, and especially for sedimentary rocks-based countertops such as dolomite and limestone, as these kind of materials tend to have more porosity, so they’re more likely to get stained.
Dolomite countertops should get re-sealed once in a year for medium to high traffic kitchens, sometimes even once in six months depending on the state of your sealing. You can check that by testing the ability of your countertop to soak some droplets of water, and calculating the time range for the droplets to disappear.
How can I stop dolomite etching?
You can stop dolomite etching by avoiding pouring acidic fluids on it. It’s the simplest and more effective ways to do so.
Avoid putting vinegar, lemon juice, and acetone on your countertop, and check the acidity of your everyday cleaner.
Dolomite Countertops Cost
Dolomite countertops can cost you anything from 40$ to 100$ per square foot. Although, for higher quality and more unique slabs this price can reach up to 200$ per square foot. This price includes the delivery and the installation fees.
In other words, dolomite countertops are slightly more expensive than granite countertops, as a fair quality granite slab can cost you an average of 40$ to 60$ per square foot.
Conclusion
Dolomite countertops can offer too much added value, besides the fact that they can suite any style of kitchen. Although, dolomite countertops have many drawbacks that make of them not suitable for high traffic kitchens, as they’re qualified as a high maintenance countertop material.
