The Ultimate Guide to Dolomite Countertops

All About Dolomite Countertops

When it comes to choosing a kitchen countertop material, big names like marble and granite tend to dominate all discussion, but you might be pleasantly surprised to learn about a few lesser-known materials such as dolomite which have been around for just as long as marble and granite but don’t share the same reputation.

In dolomite’s case, this lack of awareness is largely due to the fact that this material is not particularly different from marble and is also not particularly widespread in availability which has led to it being a very niche option. By no means does that make it a bad option for your countertop though, dolomite has plenty of great natural advantages including its spectacular visuals and great practical durability.

If you’re wondering whether or not you might want to opt for dolomite, our definitive guide will help you figure out if it’s the right option for you.  

The Relative Popularity of Dolomite Countertops 

Dolomite is one of the least known countertop materials, due to its aforementioned familiarity with marble and also relative lack of availability. Due to this, dolomite tends to be only moderately popular at best in most times, although it has seen a recent surge in popularity due to the fact that dolomite has some very great practical advantages that place it ahead of marble in some durability categories.  

Don’t be too distraught by the seeming lack of popularity that dolomite suffers from at this moment, it is expected that dolomite will experience an improved public reputation as more and more people are shying away from marble and granite due to a number of reasons that will be made clear soon.  

 Dolomite, therefore, may not be the most popular material at this moment but that is very likely to change in the near future, so don’t completely count out dolomite as an option just because it isn’t a popular option at the moment, that will probably change soon.  

Temperature Resistance of Dolomite 

Being able to withstand high temperatures is one of the most important qualities for any material that’s being used for manufacturing a kitchen countertop since virtually all cooking methods involve the use of high temperatures.  

Dolomite is a sedimentary rock, so it will survive being exposed to high temperatures, but do be warned that it is possible that the sealant you’ve used might experience damage from exposure to high temperatures depending on the kind that you’re using.  

Also, it is relatively safe to place a hot pot or pan over a dolomite kitchen countertop as long as you are sure that your sealant is heat resistant. If it is not, it would be much better to use a metal rivet as an intermediary between a hot pot or pan and your countertop.  

Overall, dolomite performs decently well in the temperature resistance category, performing much better than the marble but being far less heat resistant than some engineered materials. So, depending on how important heat resistance is for you, dolomite may or may not be a desirable material for you. 

Weakness of Material  

Dolomite is a relatively soft stone, so it can be badly damaged if exposed to excessive force. It can also be scratched and stained quite easily. Dolomite is also very susceptible to etching if exposed to acidic chemicals or abrasive cleaners.  

Overall, dolomite shares many of the same weaknesses as marble although in comparison it is far less physically durable but much more heat resistant and much less porous.  

It is, therefore, not very difficult to damage a dolomite countertop especially if you do not immediately clean up any spills made on its surface. Since it is a porous material, once a spill Is made it is very difficult to remove it from the surface of the dolomite. The liquid can cause a lot of damage once it has penetrated the surface of the dolomite.  

Maintenance  

Dolomite requires a relatively moderate level of maintenance, very similar to marble in fact.  

As a porous material, dolomite needs to be re-sealed annually as does marble. If any liquids, especially those that have either a very high or very low ph level are spilled on them, they need to be cleaned up immediately or else the stone will become damaged.  

Dolomite also must be cleaned using warm water and dish soap, and if exposed to abrasive cleaners such as Windex, vinegar, ammonia, or bleach it will become damaged.  

If properly maintained, dolomite can experience a good degree of longevity not unlike other natural materials such as marble and granite.  

Overall, dolomite has a moderate to high demand for maintenance that is extremely similar to other natural materials, especially marble.  

Conclusion  

If you’re interested in a material that looks just like marble but does not cost as much, dolomite could potentially be a great catch for you because of its price advantage over marble.

In almost all aspects dolomite performs on the same level as marble with near-identical levels of durability. Where dolomite does differ from marble it is with respect to its far lower degree of porousness which is an advantage, albeit it is also slightly softer than marble. Dolomite also looks extremely similar to marble and is often mistaken for it as well.

Overall, dolomite is perhaps best for those individuals who just want a marble-looking material without the same cost as marble. In that regard, dolomite might be the best material for you, and it is currently growing in popularity so you might just find it to have been a worthwhile investment. However, if finding a marble lookalike that’s cheaper is not one of your primary goals, you find that dolomite has few to no real unique advantages that would make you get drawn towards it.