If you’re facing the challenge of choosing a beautiful yet practical stone for high-traffic areas, you’re not alone. Homeowners, interior designers and business owners alike want durable, beautiful and easy-to-clean natural stone options.
We’ve compiled some of the top durable natural stones for high-traffic areas. Explore the value they bring to various residential and commercial environments and how to select the best option for your space.
Popular Natural Stones for Commercial Spaces and Homes
There are a few low-maintenance stone options that look exquisite while delivering the rugged performance you need.
1. Granite
Granite is a top selection for high-traffic areas like flooring and countertops. As one of the hardest natural stones, its tough and dense nature makes it highly resistant to scratches, chips and general wear and tear. It can also withstand high temperatures, making it ideal for kitchen countertops that are frequently exposed to hot pots and pans.
While granite requires occasional sealing, it’s relatively easy to clean and maintain with mild, pH-neutral cleaners. The material can last decades with proper care and upkeep. Additionally, granite comes in a wide range of patterns, such as:
- Speckled: Small flecks of color
- Marbled or veined: Distinct lines and swirls of color
- Solid: A uniform, consistent appearance with little variation
It comes in an array of colors, including black, gray, white, cream, beige, blue and green. This versatility makes it easy to match the material to your home or business aesthetic, whether classic or contemporary.
2. Quartzite
Quartzite mimics the look of marble but offers greater durability and resistance to scratching, chipping and heat. Like granite, it requires periodic sealing, but it has lower maintenance needs compared to softer stones like marble.
Typically, regular cleaning with mild soap and water is sufficient to retain its appearance. This makes quartzite an excellent low-maintenance natural stone for kitchens and bathrooms.
Quartzite also offers a luxurious natural beauty, with unique patterns and veining to consider. Depending on the stone’s mineral composition, you’ll find anything from neutral whites, grays and creams to more vibrant hues like blue, green, pink and brown. Likewise, quartzite comes in a range of patterns, from subtle veining to bold streaks and swirls.
3. Soapstone
Soapstone is a naturally nonporous material, making it resistant to stains, bacteria, etching, scratching and heat. It doesn’t absorb liquids, which makes it easy to wipe away spills like oil or wine without leaving behind a stain. This also means that, unlike granite and quartzite, it doesn’t need to be sealed. These benefits are significant for frequently used surfaces like kitchen countertops and bathroom vanities.
This material can withstand heat from pots and pans, and it’s simple to clean with mild soap and water. Soapstone is also favored for its timeless beauty, combining a matte finish with delicate veining. Like granite and quartzite, soapstone comes in numerous shades, including black, blue, gray, brown and green, along with elegant swirls and veining patterns that make each slab unique.
Keep in mind that over time, soapstone develops a distinguished patina — a natural discoloration caused by oxidation or other chemical processes. To give the patina a deeper, richer and more uniform appearance, try applying mineral oil to the surface. Regular application can help accelerate the stone’s natural aging process and hide minor marks and scratches.
Comparing Natural Stone Options in Different High-Traffic Areas
Whether a commercial kitchen or a living space, natural stone will perform differently throughout your property. Certain stone will be a better selection than others, depending on your needs and goals. Here’s how these three stones tend to perform in different high-traffic spaces:
Kitchens
For kitchen countertops that see daily use, hot cookware and frequent spills, granite is a premier choice all-around. Quartzite is another excellent option, particularly for heavy-use commercial kitchens. Soapstone can also work well, but expect to see some surface patina and scratches over time.
Bathrooms
All three stones are viable options for bathroom vanities, although soapstone’s nonporous nature is a bonus for moisture resistance. Both granite and quartzite perform well in these spaces.
Commercial Lobbies
Quartzite is great for high-traffic luxury areas, making it a top contender for commercial lobbies. Granite, while slightly less durable than quartzite, is another top selection, particularly due to its strength.
Soapstone is ideal for spaces with a softer aesthetic, accent or secondary surfaces, or areas where patina is acceptable. For heavy commercial traffic, primary surfaces or where hard impacts occur in lobbies, such as luggage cart areas, wear and tear may show faster on soapstone.
In Summary
With all the above information in mind, here’s a recap of our stone recommendations and use cases:
- Granite: Granite is typically best if you want good all-around durability — between a 6 and 7 on the Mohs hardness scale — and a stunning look.
- Quartzite: Choose quartzite if you want the highest durability, at a 7-8 Mohs rating, and a premium look.
- Soapstone: Soapstone is a superb choice if you prefer a unique matte appearance, you’re working with a lower-impact area like a bathroom, and you don’t mind patina and regular oiling. It has good durability, between 1 and 5 on the Mohs hardness scale.
Discover the Best Natural Stone for Your Residential or Commercial Space
Whether you’re seeking the best stone for busy families or a commercial kitchen, the above options expertly blend robust performance, aesthetic appeal and low maintenance requirements. These natural stones are proof that beauty and durability can go hand in hand. Remember that there isn’t necessarily a “best” option — the ideal stone depends on your specific use case and aesthetic preference.
At Modul Marble, we’re passionate about helping our clients find materials that speak to their unique design preferences and needs. For over 30 years, our team has curated exceptional natural stone collections from around the world. Choose from a wide variety of options, including granite, quartzite, soapstone, marble, onyx and more. We aim to make your experience as seamless as possible, walking you through your choices and recommending the best ones based on your design specifications.
Explore our natural stone inventory or contact us with inquiries today.
