Countertop materials are of different types and made of different compositions. Engineered stone is also a very famous material which is used for making countertops. Here is everything you need to know about engineered stone countertops and why these are so popular.
What Is Engineered Stone?
Engineered stone is a great alternative to granite and other natural stone countertops if you want the same strength and durability but you don’t want to go through with the hassle of maintaining and sealing it every now and again. Engineered stone is made out of pulverized quartz chips and dust, along with resins and plastic. These things are compacted together under high pressure and temperature and the result is a robust and strong material which has given granite a run for its money.
Engineered stone is becoming more and more popular in kitchens because of its similarities in strength, design and durability to granite, but it is much easier to clean and maintain, unlike granite countertops.
Types Of Engineered Stone Countertops
There are several types/brands of engineered stone which can be used for kitchen countertops. They are as follows:
- Silestone
- Caesar stone
- Icestone
- Dekton
- One Quartz
- Viatera
- Corian Quartz
These rocks are resistant to abrasion and they are non-porous, which makes them perfect for kitchen countertops.
Why Engineered Stone Countertops Are Popular
Some of the benefits of engineered stone countertops are as follows:
It Is Non-Porous
Engineered stone is a man-made material so it is quite robust, compact and non-porous. Since it is so compact and it is made of some parts of resins and plastic, engineered stone is very much non-porous and no fluid can enter the surface of the stone. This is why you don’t even need to seal it. It makes up for its amazing strength due to its compact nature and the composition of quartz which makes it stronger and a better choice of material in the kitchen.
It Is Heat Resistant
Quartz is naturally a heat resistant material, so engineered stone is no different than this as both of them as used as synonyms. Due to its compact composition and its strength, you can put hot pots and pans on the surface of engineered stone and it will not become damaged or brittle as time goes on. You will be surprised at the resistance of this stone, because it seems like an iron bar which is not affected by normal kitchen heats and impacts.
Consistency In Patterns
The great thing about quartz stone is that it is very minimal and consistent with its patterns and designs. This makes seams virtually impossible to occur and this is the reason why people are beginning to love this stone, because there are no seam formations in this stone when it is installed as kitchen countertop. Because the patterns are very minimal and consistent, the tiles or slabs of engineered stone fit flawlessly like a puzzle and there are no inconsistencies in the end result.
Variety Of Colors And Patterns
Since engineered stone is a man-made material, there are endless color and design options available, which can fit to anyone’s liking. There are muted colors, bold colors, minimal designs, sharp designs, accent colors, etc. You can select your favorite color which will go with your kitchen and its interior.
They Are Durable
Engineered stone is the most durable material for kitchen countertops. It can endure high amounts of impacts and it is not affected by heat, water or moisture. Because it is non-porous, it is also antibacterial and it doesn’t house any sort of bacteria or microbes in its surface. It will also not form molds on exposure with moisture because the surface is naturally water resistant. Engineered stone is also scratch resistant, since it is made out of quartz. Quartz is a very hard and robust material which doesn’t allow scratches to form on the surface of the countertop.
There you have it! Engineered stone is a good material for making countertops, if you are a fan of the material. Now that you know what engineered stone is, you can see for yourself whether you like this material as a countertop or not. You can visit a quartz countertop dealer Rockville and select from a variety of engineered stone types and colors.
