Today, engineered stone is the most popular form of commercial and residential material globally. More than 75% of homes feature engineered stone in the USA itself in one way or the other. This ultimate guide to engineered stone countertops will help you make the right decision for your kitchen countertops.
Engineered stone is made up of 93% quartz. The main advantage engineered stone has over natural stone is scratch, heat, and stain-resistant. It does not require maintenance, and it’s ultra-hygienic and virtually non-porous. A natural stone’s beauty is appealing, but engineered stone can mimic its look to create a timeless piece.
As a rule of thumb, natural stone countertops cost more than engineered stone. Engineered stone is easy to clean and doesn’t require periodic sealing.
With engineered stone being the new norm, homeowners are looking for new ways to have their kitchen countertops stand out from the rest. The trend is gradually changing to the engineered stone that resembles natural stone. Here’s the ultimate guide to engineered stone and why you should consider it before choosing your kitchen countertop material.
Advantages of Engineered Stone Countertops
One of the main choices you have to make is between engineered vs natural stones. Engineered stone is a man-made modern stone material, which you can manufacture in a factory. It is made with quartz, resins, and polymers; it is a popular substitute for natural stone. Let’s have a look at some advantages of engineered stone countertops.
- The stone gives an ultra-high-end modern visual to your kitchen countertops.
- You can use engineered stone as countertops, tabletops, and floorings.
- It is extremely durable and long-lasting.
- Engineered stone pieces are available in large sizes.
- It has fewer joints, and the surface looks neat.
- Engineered stone is available in multiple colors and patterns.
- It is non-porous and does not require sealing.
- It is resistant to bacteria, viruses, mold, and mildew.
- You can clean engineered stone countertops with warm water and soap mix.
- It is resistant to spills and stain textures.
- It’s a tough material.
Disadvantages of Engineered Stone Countertops
- It is not suitable for outdoor areas.
- It can fade and discolor in the presence of sunlight.
- You should not put hot cookware directly on engineered stone surfaces.
- Engineered stone is not heat-resistant like other natural stones.
- Engineered stone is prone to chipping and cracking.
- It is best to avoid harsh cleaners.
While the pros look more promising than the cons, engineered stone is truly the one to look out for while choosing kitchen countertops. Moving on, keep these brilliant quartz manufacturers in mind when looking for your next remodel–
Quartz
Well, we all are familiar with quartz, and it’s a wonder in itself. This engineered surface needs no introduction when it comes to luxury and high-quality surfaces. Quartz is a great addition to transform any kitchen.
It is a man-made material, and you can install it in many ways. From countertops to flooring to vanity tops, quartz will make a worthy addition to your kitchen.
Quartz kitchen countertops are a timeless choice for your kitchen or bathroom. They are versatile, low-maintenance, sustainable, and spill and scratch-proof. It’s more flexible than natural stone. While both natural stone and quartz are heavy, quartz is less prone to get damaged. You can wine and dine all you want because you can clean it in just one wipe.
Quartz Maintenance and Costs
To keep your quartz countertop intact, it is best to avoid harsh and abrasive cleaners. Also, quartz is not heat-resistant, so make sure you place a trivet under hot cookware. Moreover, quartz has a wide variety of colors and patterns to choose from. Thanks to the pigments, you can customize these slabs according to your preferences.
You can also opt for a design that mimics granite or marble. This way, you can enjoy the looks of natural stone with the benefits of quartz. With a ton of quartz and granite color options, there’s a good chance you’ll find the one that suits your style.
In comparison to natural stone, a quartz kitchen countertop is more affordable. The cost can range from $40 – $150/square foot. The cost of kitchen countertops depends on the quality of the slab, thickness, and finishes.
Cambria
Cambria has the widest variety of looks and colors. It has the most significant depth, realism, and range in what you can do and create. You can compare it to any other manufacturers, but you want to achieve a specific look and feel, Cambria is your only option. They are so far ahead, both technologically and visually. They have the most seamless finish and cuts specifically designed as per your liking.
Cambria is known as the leader in the industry for creating new designs. They take inspiration from nature and also from the customer’s needs and demands. It is a family-owned business and made in the USA. They have the best pattern and clarity within the slabs.
Their top-of-the-line materials are indestructible. It can handle kids, parties, margaritas, lemon juice, gravy, red wine, and still hold up beautifully. Cambria countertop surfaces don’t etch, stain, or scratch. It can stand up with a busy life full of kids and entertainment.
Cambria Maintenance and Costs
As Cambria surfaces are non-porous, liquid and bacteria will never seep into the stone. Also, it doesn’t require any sealing and maintenance. The beauty of Cambria quartz is you never have to recondition it.
With the global pandemic, you never have to worry about bacteria and surfaces with Cambria. It’s safe for preparations, easy to clean, and can wipe away any bacteria with just water and soap.
Furthermore, it’ll stay beautiful and intact for decades. While they are gorgeous, they don’t come cheap. Depending on the design, color, pattern, and texture you choose, Cambria surfaces can cost $100 – $200 / square foot, including installation.
Silestone
Silestone is prepared using the perfect formula to make these surfaces. They combine high-performance materials like quartz with resins, polymers, and pigments. Unsurprisingly, they are a popular choice in this ultimate guide to engineered stone.
Silestone is a surface made of 94% natural quartz. It’s low porosity and high compaction gives it outstanding resistance and durability against stains, scratches, acids, and even impacts. It has excellent properties to enhance shine and intensify the colors. Also, it can get pricey. The costs for Silestone slabs can go from $70 to $140 per square foot, depending on various factors.
There are currently more than 90 colors that range from classic to seasonal. They also have the latest trending surfaces in art and interior design. They have it all from marbled, veining, fine-grained, coarse-grained, a solid, and natural color.
With Silestone, you can also choose the finishes– polished, suede, or volcano. They also have more than 20 types of edges. Similarly, no two spaces will ever be the same. The combinations are infinite.
Where Can You Use Silestone?
Silestone is a surface with infinite applications. They have bespoke products to serve a purpose: countertops, bathrooms, kitchens, flooring, and cladding with minimal seams. Now with technology, you can even find Silestone shower-based, washbasins, and even kitchen sinks.
With total integration, the same design runs through the whole slab, which is perfect to avoid seams and joints. It is the reason Silestone has become the surface of choice in thousands of homes.
Caesarstone
Caesarstone was the first-ever inventor of quartz surfaces and deserves a mention in this ultimate guide to engineered stone. The caesar stone surface has become an enjoying centerpiece in millions of homes and commercial properties worldwide.
Each Caesarstone surface begins with quartz crystals. You then mix it with polymers and resins to compress, pressurize and pigment it.
The slab is then polished to create the ultimate surface that is strong and beautiful. It is hygienic, scratch, and stain-resistant, too. Each surface meets the highest global standards.Primarily used as countertops, vanities, flooring, and wall paneling, Caesarstone’s premium surfaces are designed and built to last for the life of the rooms they grace.
Caeserstone Maintenance and Costs
It requires minimal maintenance and no additional treatments. They have an everlasting beauty and quality that increases the value of any property. They constantly innovate and experiment with different colors and textures to deliver something magnificent each time. Similarly, their new and innovative products match the very taste of diverse customers.
It also boasts over a hundred designs, most of which are manufactured with proprietary technology. Moreover, the surfaces are versatile and timeless.
They’re one of the first manufacturers that have environment-friendly and clean surfaces. It has also sparked a revolution in the global market for kitchen countertops, making quartz the fastest-growing engineered stone in the world.
Caesarstone surfaces vary from mid to high-end range when it comes to pricing depending on the type you choose. On average, it can cost you around $70- $75 per square foot, including the installation charges. The quality of the material is superior, and it is worth the investment.