Though natural stone materials like granite, marble, slate, etc., are used commonly as kitchen countertops, those made of engineered stone are also becoming popular these days. Engineered stone countertops are those which include rock particles along with a little resin and pigment. Rock particles like quartz, granite, marble, and other precious stones are found in these countertops. They have their own decorative and functional appeal. The different stones are first bound together by using about 50-60% resin. This mixture, upon heating and vibrocompaction, is made into slabs and used as kitchen countertops. However, the process of making these countertops differs with manufacturer.
Engineered stone countertops are man-made and designed in such a way that they mimic the appearance of natural stone. They are available in lots of colors and patterns. Considering the style of your kitchen, you can choose natural or bright colors. However, the entire surface area of these countertops have uniform color and particulate patterns. These countertops are non-porous and it is the most characteristic benefit of these models. No issues of staining are seen with these countertops. When compared to laminate or solid surface countertops, they are more heat-resistant. Cleaning and maintaining engineered stone kitchen countertops is easy as they do not stain easily. However, avoid using strong chemicals when cleaning.
Though countertops made of engineered stone are beneficial in many ways, there are two things to consider. They are not real stones and do not have natural variations of real stone. The other thing is that they are expensive. Their cost varies with manufacturer, color, and edge treatment. Therefore, consider your budget and get quality engineered stones to make the countertops distinct and unique.
