Engineered stone is manufactured as an advanced version of natural stone, offering all or most of its properties with several added benefits. The most important advantage of this material is the non-porous surface, resistance to water and oils. Trusted suppliers at ArchiPro, offer a variety of engineered stones suitable for several applications, from tiles to stone benchtops and countertops.
Stone slabs come in two main varieties, natural like marble and artificial. While the natural stones feature a unique appearance where no two pieces are identical, it also bears some disadvantages. Porousness is the key disadvantage of many natural rocks, which can be largely eliminated by sealing - but the process needs occasional repeating.
Engineered stones are the upgraded counterpart to natural rocks, designed to overcome the natural flows. The resulting compound boasts an exceptionally hard, non-porous surface and often a more affordable price. It typically contains over 90% of quartz crystals, accompanied by crushed stone and a polyester resin binder. On the downside, its appearance is less exciting than that of a natural stone.
Apart from quartz, other types of natural rock, such as granite, can also be a part of the engineered version.
At the beginning of the process, pieces of quartz and other natural rocks are crushed or ground by a specialised machine. Once reduced, the mass is transferred to a mixer for combining with additives and colouring agents. The mixing continues until the mass is homogenised.
The next step is exposing the compound to vibration and physical pressure in a vacuum chamber, necessary to join the pieces close together. Finally, the resin is added to bind the fragments and produce a compact mass, hard as a rock. Once dried, the engineered stone can be processed further, cut and shaped in the same ways as natural stone.
Apart from being an ideal choice for kitchen countertops, the composite stone is also suitable for backsplashes and flooring. Its non-porous character makes it also an excellent choice for wet areas such as showers and bathrooms, swimming pools, and a variety of outdoor applications.
In general, engineered stone can be used in the same way as natural rock. While not reaching the same rustic look like slate tiles, it excels in water, stains, and chipping resistance.
The differences in engineered stones are subtle. It can mimic the look of most popular natural stones, from limestones to granite, but the structure of the compound doesn't change much with the choice. Some varieties are accessible worldwide, and their brand names became recognised as types. These are the few:
Newer technologies brought more advanced versions of composite stones, combining the best features of different materials to create a superior product. Merging affordable and convenient toughness of ceramic with the vinyl's softness and warmth resulted in an exceptionally comfortable and reliable engineered stone tile, available in a variety of shapes, colours, and designs and grouted like traditional stone. It makes excellent flooring or paving, with all benefits of natural flooring minus the maintenance.
Engineered stone countertops are essentially maintenance-free. It can be easily cleaned and disinfected with a variety of regular household cleaners.
The surface of composite stone won't stain or absorb liquids.
Although engineered stone is resistant to scratches, a cutting board is still recommended to use for food prep.
Crushed marble combined with resin to produce engineered stone is also known by the name "cultured marble". While less porous than its pure form, cultured marble is also softer than quartz and requires special care.