What is engineered stone and why is it so popular
Engineered stone is a popular choice among Australian homeowners for their kitchen benchtops, bathroom vanities, and flooring. People choose this product for its durability and style, along with the matched strength and color options compared to natural stone. To understand why engineered stone is popular in home design, we must first look at its manufacturing process. In this article, we will study what engineered stone is and explore its benefits and essentials before you decide to use it in your living space.
Understanding engineered stone
Engineered stone is created by combining crushed natural stone with resin and pigments to produce a man-made material. The mixture is heated during compression to create a solid and impermeable surface. Homeowners can rely on engineered stone’s consistent look and durability, which differentiates it from natural stone.
The industry mainly uses quartz stone, which consists of 90-95% natural quartz. The material stands strong against any surface challenges due to its heavy resistance and durability. The manufacturing process of engineered stone allows manufacturers to create a wide range of colours and textures, giving homeowners and designers more creative flexibility.
Benefits of engineered stone
1. Durability and strength
Engineered stone brings outstanding durability as its main benefit. Made almost entirely from quartz-engineered stone, it is highly immune to scrapes and knocks. The product works best for surface areas that handle a lot of traffic in kitchens and bathrooms.
2. Low maintenance
Unlike natural stone, engineered stone is completely non-absorbent, making it resistant to liquid damage. Maintaining this surface is simple because you can clean it with regular soap and water in a limited time.
3. Wide variety of colours and patterns
Engineered stone can be produced in a variety of colours and designs. Engineered stone offers design choices that match contemporary and marble-style preferences for your space.
4. Resistant to stains and bacteria
Engineered stone blocks moisture and prevents germs from entering its solid structure. Engineered stone serves as a safe product because it easily maintains cleanliness in rooms that need to stay spotless.
5. Environmentally friendly options
Engineered stone can be produced in a variety of colours and designs. Companies that produce engineered stone work conscientiously towards minimising their impact on the environment.
Things to consider before choosing engineered stone
1. Heat resistance
Despite its durability, engineered stone is not heat resistant and can be damaged by direct exposure to high temperatures. Directly placing hot pots or pans on the surface will gradually damage it. Place trivets and heat-resistant pads underneath all heat sources to protect your engineered stone surface from heat damage.
2. Cost
Engineered stone offers better cost benefits compared to premium natural stones, including marble, but customers still view it as a luxury product. Pricing depends on the manufacturer and product construction elements. Despite its higher upfront costs, several homeowners prefer this product because it lasts a long time.
3. Unsuitable for outdoor use
Engineered stone has specific indoor design use, as extended sun exposure will damage its surface with discolouration. Natural stone or porcelain works better if you need the material for your outdoor surfaces.
4. Limited repairability
Engineered stone resists damage well, but fixing chips or cracks proves hard to accomplish. Repairing engineered stone is difficult and usually requires a professional, as it differs from natural stone in composition and finish.
Where is the engineered stone used?
Engineered stone is preferred as kitchen benchtop material because it produces a strong and fashionable surface that endures daily usage. Both bathroom areas and kitchen projects benefit from engineered stone because it stands up to water and keeps its clean appearance. Companies use engineered stone extensively across all professional spaces like offices and retail stores, as well as in hospitality settings, because of its fashionable and useful qualities.
Popular engineered stone brands in Australia
Australia hosts many companies that deliver top-quality engineered stone for customers. Different Australian markets rely on engineered stone manufacturers, but three stand out the most: Caesarstone, Silestone and Smartstone.
- Caesarstone maintains its first position as a global brand with multiple surface choices.
- Silestone: Known for its stain-resistant and durable quartz surfaces.
- Smartstone: A popular choice for those seeking an affordable yet high-quality product.
- Quantum Quartz offers a great balance of style, performance, and affordability.
The selection process should start with every brand before you reach a final choice, since each brand provides specialty designs.
Is engineered stone safe?
There are concerns about the safety of engineered stone, particularly regarding worker exposure to silica dust during fabrication. Operating properly in safe conditions reduces the possibility of getting sick from silica dust during stone cutting. Engineered stone is generally safe for home use when properly installed and maintained. Only work with installation professionals who follow safety rules during engineered stone projects.
Conclusion
Engineered stone stands out as an appealing and long-lasting product that many Australian homeowners prefer. This material stands out because of its diverse colour choices while showing strong resistance to damage, making it ideal for kitchen and bathroom zones, plus additional areas. It’s important to note that engineered stone has some limitations, including heat sensitivity and difficulty in repairs. People should think about engineered stone because it brings together both look and work performance.
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