Table Of Contents
Countertop Materials
An engineered stone is intended to compensate for some of the inadequacies of natural stone. Many popular engineered stones mix a high proportion of crushed stone and quartz crystals with a polyester resin binder (roughly 93 per cent by weight, 66 per cent by volume).
This composition produces a surface that is nearly as hard as stone but less prone to chipping and fractures. Quartz is the most common natural rock used in engineered stone, but it is not the only one. Granite and marble can also be found in a variety of formulations.
Cultured marble is created when crushed marble is mixed with resin. However, it is softer than quartz and more easily scratched. As a result, it requires special care and attention.
What Are The Applications Of Engineered Stone?
Engineered stones are used in many areas, some of which include:
Kitchen countertops
Engineered stone is non-porous and highly safe to use as a kitchen countertop. It's tough, long-lasting, stain and scratch-resistant, and can handle high temperatures while remaining pristine.
Also, you can choose from various patterns for your countertops, from marbles with delicate veins to industrial cementations, all of which are made of strong engineered quartz. A variety of textures and styles are available to match your kitchen themes.
Wall cladding
Quartz wall cladding is not only durable but also really fashionable. It's a great way to make your room feel more posh, stylish, and trendy. Engineered stones come in a wide range of highly durable styles from which to pick. These quartz surfaces can also be used to cover business wall lobbies or retail feature walls.
Bathroom vanity tops
Bathroom vanities are another central application area for engineered stones. A vanity is the 'face' of the overall bathroom décor. This implies that it must be appropriately constructed for your bathrooms to be classy. You can outfit your vanity with a wide range of engineered quartz. It can complement and contrast with floor or wall tiles and even extend to the backsplash.
Customised furniture
Custom-made furniture is an excellent way to replicate quartz highlights in your settings. They radiate an understated richness that easily permeates your space, making it feel and look affluent.
You can choose any quartz surface from the several engineered stones available to adorn your dining table, end tables, or coffee tables. You would be investing not just in longevity and strength but also in elegance and sophistication.
Flooring
Most floors typically have a high volume of foot traffic and are subject to regular wear and tear. Therefore, the materials chosen must be both durable and fashionable. Engineered stones have you covered once more.
You will undoubtedly find something you like among the vast options of quartz surfaces, particularly in home, office, and retail settings. Engineered stone flooring also provides a sleek and natural warmth to any space, public or private.
Why Choose Engineered Stones?
Engineered quartz stone is currently one of the most popular materials for kitchen countertops and other house features. There are various reasons for this, one of which is that quartz has an excellent quality-price ratio. Other advantages of engineered stone are:
Available in a variety of colours
Pigments are applied to engineered stone during manufacturing to modify its colour and create patterns and veins. As a result, engineered stone offers the most colour options on the market. You may find practically every colour you choose in its collection.
They come in different patterns
Engineered stones can be veined, granulated, or entirely solid in colour. The engineered stone collection includes designs ranging from the most obvious to the faintest and faded patterns.
Impervious
The engineered stone is a man-made material composed of natural quartz and resin. The resin serves as a sealant, creating a waterproof surface. As a result, quartz does not require sealing.
Longevity
Quartz, the main component in engineered stone, is a hard mineral, rated seventh on the Mohs scale. Quartz does not break easily under extreme pressure or impact.
Durability
Engineered stones last a very long time because quartz is solid. Most engineered stones come with a ten-year warranty.
Easy to clean
Engineered stone is the way to go if you want a material that you can install and forget about. Because of the non-porous surface, cleaning is a breeze. Cleaning requires only soap, water, and a soft cloth.
It is stain-resistant
Even the most tenacious liquids will not leave a stain on quartz stone. Just be careful not to keep drinks like coffee or wine lingering for too long; they will be more challenging to remove.
Uniform appearance
Quartz patterns are more consistent when compared to those on granite or marble. Quartz can also be book-matched, which means two connecting surfaces are mirror images of one another. That is a fantastic way to make your kitchen or bathroom unique.
Cost-effectiveness
Quartz is usually cheaper than its alternatives, like natural stones, even though it works similarly. The cost varies based on colour; a rarer colour costs a lot more.
It has a wide range of applications
Engineered stone may be used for kitchen and bathroom worktops, tiles, wall cladding, etc. Pick engineered stone if you're seeking a high-quality material for your new kitchen or bathroom. Quartz provides the best quality-price ratio, and you'll have no trouble finding the perfect colour.
Limitations Of Engineered Stones
It can be damaged by heat
Engineered quartz may and will be damaged if hot instruments like curling irons are used on it. You should use a trivet when handling hot items to avoid heat damage.
Household cleaning substances can bleach it
Bleach and acidic components in all-purpose home cleansers can damage your engineered quartz. Check the cleaning instructions of the manufacturer before using any cleaners. Some manufactured quartz is more stain-resistant than others. If this is a possibility for your renovation or remodel, do your research and look into your options.
Engineered Stones Vs. Natural Stones
It can be challenging to distinguish between natural and engineered stone at first sight. Natural stone options include marble, granite, slate, limestone, and travertine, while engineered stone options include some variety of quartz or quartzite stone.
All of these options can create countertops that look nice and last a long time. But some significant differences may make you choose one over the other.
Strength
Natural stone and quartz countertops are among the best solutions on the market in terms of durability and strength. The only significant distinction is that engineered stone products are generally more rigid and heavier. In terms of durability, however, none has a clear edge over the other.
What they both have in common is that you must properly maintain them to remain in the same state as when they were new. Certain common household cleaners can damage the stone surface by breaking down the seal, so be careful of what you use to clean both natural and engineered stone countertops.
Appearance
Natural stone provides you with a fully unique slab with unique hues, patterns, imperfections, and quirks. Choosing your own natural stone slab from the slab yard is analogous to selecting a work of art. In this situation, you're selecting a natural piece of art to be the focal point of your kitchen or bathroom.
You can choose what you want from a catalogue or sample pieces when searching for engineered stone for your space. There will be a minor variance between the sample and the completed stone made to your requirements. Engineered stone has a much more consistent pattern and colour because it was made to look like natural stone but without its unique designs and flaws.
Pick Engineered Stone For Kitchens And Bathrooms
This article has given you a glimpse into engineered stones. From the definition to the applications, the pros and cons, and the applications of engineered stones. Now you know that they are a fantastic alternative to natural stones for kitchen and bathroom renovations.
Next time you are working on improving your kitchen or bathroom, talk to a bathroom and kitchen design expert and let them know you are aware of the new wave called engineered stone. It is worth a try!
