While buying natural stones we consider many factors. While colour, style and finish are some of them, it is crucial to be mindful of the heat resistance offered by the chosen marble or granite. Most natural stones offer decent heat resistance but the value of thermal conductivity can differ from stone to stone.
Amongst all natural stones, granite offers the best heat resistance. If maintained properly, granite countertops can last a lifetime. They are the best option when it comes to kitchen counters. It can withstand a hot dish taken directly off the flame, but it’s important to avoid repeated exposure to high temperatures to prevent marks on the surface. Granite is also available in multiple colours which allows you to experiment and match your interiors.
After granite comes marble which also offers good heat resistance. More and more people want to experiment with styles and hence marble steals the show because of its versatility. The veined patterns of marble make it one of the most elegant of all types of natural stones. If the kitchen is not going to be put to intensive use, marble can be a good choice. As it is a porous stone, the stone must be carefully sealed if one wants to use it for kitchen countertops. Nevertheless, marble is heat resistant and one can seal it in order to contain stains and scratches.
Quartz countertops are also gaining popularity because they are very stain-resistant, attractive, and durable. Its beauty, hardness and easy maintenance are perfect qualities for any worktop surface. Quartz is an engineered stone that is made by combining about 90 percent ground natural quartz with roughly 10 percent polyresin. If exposed to intense heat from a hot pan, it can undergo some staining or wear & tear. Make sure you use trivets beneath hot items to avoid discoloring your quartz surface.
No matter what type of natural stone countertops you choose, it’s a good idea to take precautions to prevent heat damage. Appreciate and trust the durability of your stone, but don’t feel tempted to test it or take advantage of it. Always use hot pads to prevent color change, burns, or even cracks from extreme heat. The occasional hot pot may be fine with granite, but remember the undersides of your cookware may have food residue or burn marks that could scratch the finish of the countertop when combined with high heat.
Neglecting proper care can also damage your stone surfaces over time. One of the key steps in caring for granite and other types of natural stone like marble, travertine, and slate is cleaning. Effective cleaning after intense use, maybe once a week can help increase the longevity of the stone. If you would like to know more about what stone to choose for your countertops or how to maintain it well,get in touchwith us. We are also offering free marble consultation; avail of the service before the offer runs out.
FAQs
Amongst all natural stones, granite offers the best heat resistance. If maintained properly, granite countertops can last a lifetime. They are the best option when it comes to kitchen counters.
What is the most heat resistant gemstone? ›
Gemstone That Can Take Heat
Gemstones that can generally take heat from soldering and casting in place are: Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Garnet, Cubic Zirconia and Various lab grown colored gemstones.
What rocks can withstand heat? ›
Granite can withstand higher temperatures compared to many other rock types, and the heat transfers well through the rock making it good for cooking up different kinds of food, from meats, seafood, veg and dough based products. Granite can also withstand low heats too, meaning it can cope with being stored outside.
Which stone is good for heat? ›
R-Value for Natural Stone
| Material Type | k-Value (Thermal Conductivity) (W/mK) | R-Value Equivalent (R)3 (Hr • ft2 • ºF / Btu) |
|---|
| Granite (High Value)1 | 1.73 | 0.083 |
| Granite (Low Value)1 | 3.98 | 0.038 |
| Granite (Barre)2 | 2.79 | 0.052 |
| Limestone (High Value)1 | 1.26 | 0.114 |
8 more rowsOne kind of natural stone, Travertine, stays 20-30% cooler than its other counterparts. The porous nature of Travertine allows it to hold onto moisture for longer, creating a much cooler and heat-resistant surface. If you're looking for beautiful pavers that stay cool, these heat resistant pavers are your best choice!
What is the strongest heat resistant? ›
Elements & Alloys That Can Withstand High Temperatures
- Titanium. Titanium is a lustrous transition metal which is silver in colour. ...
- Tungsten. Tungsten is a steel-grey or silver-white refractory metal. ...
- Stainless Steel. ...
- Molybdenum. ...
- Nickel. ...
- Tantalum.
Heated gemstones are those that have undergone heat treatment to enhance their colour, clarity, and even durability. This is a common practice in the gemstone industry, used on the vast majority of gemstones including Ruby, Sapphire, Aquamarine, Tourmaline, Topaz, Morganite, and more.
Can turquoise withstand heat? ›
Turquoise measures 5 to 6 on the Mohs hardness scale. It is relatively fragile, porous, and susceptible to heat and or chemical damage.
What is the most resistant stone? ›
Granite — Not only is granite beautiful, but it's also more durable and resistant to freeze-thaw cycles than most other hardscape materials. In addition, granite has a low absorption rate and is highly resistant to fire and heat.
What stone does not burn? ›
Slate is a rock composed of quartz, mica, and chlorite. These minerals do not ignite with increasing temperature, they do not burn, although they do reach a point where they become liquid, they melt.
- What material holds heat the longest?
- Zeolite thermal storage retains heat indefinitely, absorbs four times more heat than water.
- What stone retains heat the best?
- Natural stones with high energy density and excellent thermal conductivity are soapstone (by far the best) and marble.
When choosing a stone for a firebox in a fireplace, it is important to consider its heat resistance, durability, and maintenance requirements. Granite, soapstone, marble, and limestone are all suitable stones for fireboxes, each with their own unique properties and characteristics.
Does natural stone absorb heat? ›
Natural stone absorbs and retains heat, making it an ideal material for spaces where radiant heating systems are installed. (These systems use electricity, hot water or air to produce heat when making direct contact with the surface.)
Which stone is cool in the sun? ›
Because of the density of the material, marble can appear cool to touch when exposed to direct sunlight. Because of the density of marble, it can quickly conduct heat from the sun, but the heat is quickly dissipated and transferred to other items in its surroundings, making those areas cooler.
Which rock will get warmer in the sun? ›
Dark colors absorb more heat than light colors. So for rock that will be used in direct sun, choose those light shades. Pink Coral 1/2” or Autumn Gold 1/4" combined with Buff Flagstone for a walkway, and two or three Autumn Gold Boulders might work well, depending on your needs and your plans for the landscape.
What stone does not get hot in the sun? ›
Travertine is also resistant to high temperatures and UV radiation, making it an excellent choice for areas with intense sunlight. Let's know a little bit more about Travertine pavers and tiles: Travertine pavers have a natural ability to resist heat and stay cool underfoot, even in hot weather.
What material resists heat the best? ›
Researchers have discovered that tantalum carbide and hafnium carbide materials can withstand scorching temperatures of nearly 4000 degrees Celsius. In particular, the team from Imperial College London discovered that the melting point of hafnium carbide is the highest ever recorded for a material.
