Countertops Engineered Stone 2018-06-28T17:11:49+00:00

Engineered Stone Countertops

Pros

While natural stone is porous and can be stained, Engineered Stone is sealed with a polymer that resists staining.
Engineered quartz countertops have a ratio of 90% to 93% natural quartz with an 8% resin polymer binder, while natural stone usually consists of 60% quartz. This makes engineered stone slightly heavier, stronger and harder to chip than natural stone.
The consistent pattern, density and ease of fabrication are all factors that dictate whether or not a seam is noticeable.
Another major upside to using an engineered stone in your kitchen is the non porous nature of the material which stops any bacteria, mold or other contagions from entering into your counter surface.

 

Cons

Engineered stone usually has a starting price comparable to the top levels of natural stone.
While the polymer resin that bonds the material is great for being non porous, it is still susceptible to heat damage.
Another issue customers have found with engineered countertops is the fading of the counter surface due to high exposure to sunlight. Reducing the time your quartz countertop is exposed to natural light is always recommended.
While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, quartz has been described as lacking the “one-of-a-kind” aesthetic of natural stone.

Engineered Stone – Quartz: Silestone, Cambria, Zodiaq, Caeserstone, Dupont Zodiaq and LG Viatera

Made from one of the hardest minerals on earth, quartz countertops are arguably the most durable option for kitchens. They’re also some of the most eye-catching. They come in a wide variety of colors, including fire-engine red and apple green, as well as earthy browns, blacks, and creams, with sparkles and veining for the look of granite or marble. But unlike natural-stone slabs, which are mined, these slabs are engineered in a factory. Their primary ingredient is ground quartz (about 94 percent), combined with polyester resins to bind it and pigments to give it color. For some designs, small amounts of recycled glass or metallic flecks are added to the mix. The resins also help make these counters stain and scratch resistant—and nonporous, so they never need to be sealed. Compare that with granite, the reigning king of high-end countertops, which typically requires a new protective top coat at least once a year.

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