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Onyx Countertops Pros and Cons

Onyx is an exotic stone that can add a stunning appearance to your kitchen, bath or bar. However, it does require special care and maintenance: any spills should be promptly wiped up and counters should be sealed regularly to preserve its beautiful finish.

Onyx has a Mohs' hardness rating of seven, making it significantly softer than granite or natural quartz. This makes it susceptible to scratches from pots and pans and acidic liquids can etch away at its surface by damaging its protective sealant layer.

Unique Aesthetics

Onyx countertops add an exotic, exotic beauty to your home that's both luxurious and exotic. Their translucent nature enables a backlighting effect for dramatic visuals in both kitchens and bathrooms.

Due to its fragility, onyx requires special care and protection in order to remain beautiful. Therefore, it can be more costly than other natural stones and more susceptible to damage and scratches. Furthermore, seams in an onyx countertop must be sealed periodically in order to prevent stains forming from showing through the countertop surface.

Onyx, being a calcium-based stone, can become vulnerable to acidic substances like vinegar or lemon juice and cause permanent etching on countertops. Special sealants may help provide some protection, though this cannot completely safeguard them against this possibility.

Long Lifespan

Onyx can last a lifetime when properly maintained, making it an affordable way to add luxurious looks to a kitchen.

Though less durable than granite or marble, onyx is still an attractive and striking stone that will stand the test of time with proper care and maintenance. Regularly clean your onyx countertops while protecting them with sealants to avoid stains or scratches that could occur over time.

Onyx offers another advantage by being backlit. This can create an impressive visual display in any kitchen and can be used on backsplashes, bathtubs or walls to add drama. Furthermore, backlighting brings out onyx's distinctive patterns and colors which may not otherwise be noticed.

Translucence

Onyx countertops boast one of the most alluring aspects of onyx: its translucence. Light can be used to illuminate its colors and movement on countertops, creating mesmerizing effects while increasing value in your home.

This feature makes the bar counter ideal for use as a bar area, where its backliting can create an amazing ambiance and set the stage for great conversation.

Onyx can be problematic due to its transparency; any spills or acids could etch the stone and leave permanent scars. Therefore, regular sealing should be carried out to protect countertops from any further etching and an anti-acidic cleaning solution should also be utilized for optimal appearance.

Heat Resistant

Marble countertops may look beautiful, but their lack of heat resistance could prove costly if dropped hot pans or accidentally touched with hot cloth cause permanent damage. Onyx on the other hand is designed to endure higher temperatures without suffering permanent damage.

Onyx is more delicate and fragile than other natural stone countertops, often needing to be protected with fiberglass mesh in order to keep it from breaking apart. Therefore, onyx should only be used in low traffic areas like bathroom vanities and bar tops.

Onyx must be sealed regularly due to its porous nature; acidic substances like vinegar or lemon juice may leave permanent marks that stain the surface, and toothpaste, glass moisture and food spills should be quickly wiped up to avoid marking its surface.

Maintenance

Owing to its soft material composition, onyx requires regular care for it to look its best. Any scratching or even cracking may occur from improper installation or care and needs resealing regularly to avoid staining and damage. Onyx also absorbs liquid quickly - you must wipe up any spills immediately; and acidic liquids like lemon juice or wine should not remain on the countertop, as these could etch its surface causing permanent etch marks.

One of the hallmarks of onyx countertops is their easy care requirements compared to other forms of stone countertops, which may require special stone cleaners that are more costly. Onyx countertops make cleaning much simpler. Simply use dishwashing soap or other mild soaps when wiping off dirt from them! This process makes upkeep far less cumbersome than with other forms of stone surfaces which may require special cleaners that require specialist expertise for maintenance.

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Originally published: 

June 6, 2023

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Jason

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I enjoy designing and curating experiences both virtually and in 3-dimensional reality.
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