The Pros and Cons of Sintered Stone as compared to similar materials such as Quartz.
Photo Courtesy of Homeworks Consultancy
What is Sintered Stone?
A manufactured product made from a base of natural stone, it is formed into extremely strong and durable slabs which can serve a variety of purposes - such as kitchen countertops, flooring and furniture.
Sintered Stone Image | Photo Courtesy of Homeworks Consultancy
Looks & Properties
Sintered stone better mimics the look of actual stone
Sintered stone is 100% composed of natural minerals and zero binding resins. Some Quartz on the other hand, is made up of 95% ground natural quartz mix with 5% binding resins
Joint lines will be visible for both Sintered Stone and Quartz. (Approximately 1-2mm)
Durability & Heat Resistance :
Both sintered stone & some quartz possess stronger surfaces which are more resistant to scratches.
Sintered stone is unaffected by UV light highly resistant to discoloration and can withstand heat of up to 200°C making it suitable for outdoor usage.
Porosity & Maintenance:
Waterproof and non-porous thus stain resistant.
Ease of cleaning thus preventing germs and bacteria more effectively.
Both Sintered stone & quartz are well known for the above attribute.
Quartz Image | Photo Courtesy of Homeworks Consultancy
Application:
Sturdy and versatile, with actual stone look alike visuals makes it appealing for use of feature walls, panel cladding, furniture and more. In comparison, quarts may have less application flexibility in this area.
Appearance & Pricing
As a new material, the range of designs (colours and texture) for sintered stone might be limited as of now compared to quartz, however, there is still a wide range available for designers to explore.
Sintered stone pricing might be slightly more expensive than quartz however, the properties it possesses and whether you wish to invest in it will largely depend on your frequency of usage.
Both Sintered Stone and Quartz are similar when it comes to durability, however, Sintered stone being new, does show potential of being more flexible in terms of usage and being more resistant in terms of durability.
However, price point difference also comes into play and you may also hope for alternatives that could be more cost effective. If you are still looking for options, do read our other article titled "What’s the difference between Solid Surface vs. Quartz? They look similar yet different!" so that you may get another option to consider.
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