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Whether you choose granite, marble, quartz, or any other type of natural stone for your new kitchen countertops, there’s one thing they all have in common — the beautiful veins that run through them. These markings give each slab of stone a unique appearance, and while you can’t control exactly how the veins look, the choice of two cuts of stone does give you some visual options. Here’s how the veins are formed and what you can expect from different slabs.

Vein Formation

countertopsThe geological process of vein formation generally comes down to two different types — open-space filling and crack-seal growth. Open-space filling occurs when minerals bleed out from certain areas of the stone at relatively low pressure. Crack-seal growth, however, occurs at much higher pressure. The stress of the pressure forms large openings in the stone that are eventually filled with minerals as they are deposited into the cracks. Despite being formed under different circumstances, the two types of veins are not wildly different from a visual perspective.

Crosscut & Vein Cut Slabs

Despite the vein types being fairly similar, the two types of slabs consumers can choose for their new countertops offer visual differences. If you want a visually diverse appearance to your countertops, a vein cut is your best bet. These slabs are cut parallel to the grain of the stone’s natural bedding. This type of cut exposes the light and dark hues of the sediment layers (rather than different colors entirely) and gives the counter an organic look.

Crosscut slabs, on the other hand, are cut perpendicular to the grain of the bedding. This cut produces a countertop with a wider variety of distinct light and dark colors than vein cut slabs.

 

From marble to quartz to granite and more, Kornerstone Kitchens in Rochester, NY, is your source for the new kitchen countertops of your dreams. With more than four decades of experience, the talented team will help you choose the right material for your renovation and offer the design input necessary to help bring your vision to life. Visit the website to learn more about the services available or call (585) 427-0280 to speak with a friendly representative.

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