All About: Lava Stone Countertops

updated Jun 5, 2019
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Post Image
(Image credit: Diana Paulson)

Are you thinking about renovating your kitchen? Doing research on countertop materials? If so, then our Countertop Spotlight series will help you. Today we look at lava stone countertops:

Material: Lava Stone

Origin: A new type of countertop material, volcanic lava stone is extracted by hand from open-air quarries (usually in Auvergne, France), then cut into slabs, glazed with enamel, and fired in a kiln at 1300 degrees. During cooling a smooth crackled finish develops, which is the signature look of lava stone countertops.

Finish types: Shiny or matte ultra smooth crackled finish.

Pros: Non-porous; highly resistant to stains, scratches, shock, and temperature changes; low maintenance; durable; each slab is completely unique; available in a wide variety of colors; can be made seamless.

Cons: Very expensive; currently only produced in France (Pyrolave is the primary manufacturer); since it’s a newer product its longevity hasn’t been tested;

Installation: Professional installation highly recommended. Available prefabricated or custom. 6-7 week lead time for orders.

Price range: $260+ per square foot, most of which is due to the high cost of shipping.

Kitchn Reader Reviews:

The colors of lavastone (French Pyrolave) can’t be beat, but as it turns out, lavastone is one of the few materials *more* expensive than quartz! – shawnamuffin
I think the cost is something in the order of over $300/sf. That took it off my list right away! However, a French house in the U.K. magazine Homes & Gardens (Sept. edition) had many, many feet of it, making me wonder if it is significantly cheaper in France. They used it as a bath surround as well as bathroom counter. It’s a nice way to add colour. – MonikaOn
Lava is beautiful…goes by the name Pyrolave. I just installed one in a custom color a couple of weeks ago and have sold quite a few over the years. They are imported from France and are a bloody fortune, but they have a very beautiful crackled texture and come in any color, including neutrals. It wears like iron, no issues at all with staining or scratching. – SusiqOn

Other ‘Countertop Spotlight’ Posts
• All About: Stainless Steel Countertops
All About: Butcher Block Countertops
All About: Quartz Countertops
All About: Granite Countertops
All About: Synthetic Solid Surface Countertops