Onyx Countertops

The Mesmerizing Colors of Onyx Countertops

If you are fond of going to entertainment joints, you probably have come across dazzling onyx countertops. These types of countertops are feast to the eyes because of their tantalizing translucent colors.

Many big restaurants and plush hotels have these countertops installed in strategic locations to improve the ambience of their place. What better way to do that than putting in one or two onyx countertops here and there. All knowledgeable people know that onyx is an expensive stone. If you have them, that means your place is especial. Its translucent colors are the main attractions of onyx that is why it is always used for decorative functions.

Onyx is actually a hard stone, but not as hard as granite. It is mainly composed of dissolved limestone which have re-deposited. Its calcareous nature and calcium carbonate composition makes it brittle and softer than granite. You can safely use it for decorative countertops and seldom as kitchen countertops. Traditionally, onyx has been used in making art crafts and jewelry. It is also used to decorate church altars, floors and walls. Now, countertop builders have capitalized on its translucent colors and are using it to build onyx countertops.

Onyx’s Translucent Colors The most popular colors of onyx are pink, orange, yellow and beige. When light is focused on an onyx stone surface, it acquires a brightened hue. This is made possible by the stone’s calcareous mineral composition. When this happens it induces a lifting up of the ambience of the room. Most of the countertops you will see on commercial establishments are back-lighted. This maximizes the use of onyx’s translucent colors. You can have the same effect in your house if you install back-lighted onyx countertops in your bar or your entertainment room.

The Cost Of Owning Onyx Countertops
Since onyx is categorized as a semi-precious stone, it will naturally command a higher price than other countertop materials. The price of onyx runs to around $100 to $500 per square foot. So you must be really judicious in installing onyx countertops in your house. Remember, they are effective for decorative purposes only therefore they must be located in just the right places that you want them to be. Of course, if you have unlimited budget, you can install as many of them as you want.

But don’t let the high price of onyx deter you from owning onyx countertops. Countertop suppliers have now made an alternative onyx material that you can use to build such countertops. Even if you are on a limited budget, you can still have an onyx countertop if you will use onyx tiles. These tiles are cheaper than onyx slabs because they are smaller and thinner. They are still made of natural onyx therefore the beautiful translucent colors are still present. These tiles are also more flexible and are easier to work with then large onyx slabs. They can be cut and shaped into intricate pieces easily. The lowest priced onyx tile is about $4.99 per square foot. They are typically available in sizes of 12 inches by 12 inches. However, if you want the classiest onyx tile, you can get the tile prized at $200 a piece. Such tiles will surely jazz up your countertops.

Things You Need To Consider
There are some things about onyx that you need to consider before deciding if it is the right material for your countertop. Since it is made of calcite stone and softer than granite, it must be handled carefully. Here are some of the things you need to know.
• If your countertop will be only used for decoration and not for any heavy duty application, then onyx countertops will be right for you.
• Onyx is not tolerant when it comes to acids and harsh chemicals. Therefore in cleaning its surface, never use soaps and cleansers that contains these harsh substances. They may ruin the finish and eventually penetrate the surface and ruin the stone itself.
• The stone structure of onyx is not consistent since it is composed of calcareous minerals. Most onyx slabs have fissures, soft and weak spots, indentations and small voids. Therefore, you need to adequately seal and laminate the onyx surface before you use it. If you are intending to use it for a long time, then you have to schedule at least once-a-year re-sealing and re-laminating of the countertop surface.
• The cost of one square foot of onyx is greater than a square foot of granite, therefore be extra careful in using it. Damaging the surface will make it unusable and will necessitate replacement. Use it only for its intended purpose which is for decoration only.

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