Natural And Engineered Stone For The Kitchen: Pros And Cons

In recent years, the widest selection of countertops has been presented in the building materials market. But the question of choosing engineered or natural stone is still relevant now: each of the materials has its own advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will try to figure out which type of countertop is better to choose in a particular situation.

 

Countertops made of natural stone: advantages and disadvantages

The countertop made of natural stone looks exquisite, but the cost of such material is high. Does it make sense to overpay? Let’s look at the main advantages and disadvantages of the material.

 

The advantages of natural stone countertops

1. Beautiful appearance. Undoubtedly, natural material has its own exquisite charm – texture, pattern, shade. Cooking in such a working area of ​​the premium kitchen , you can feel the reunion with nature.
2. The stone is cold to the touch. This is not really an advantage, since not everyone likes the feeling of cold. But in an area with a hot climate, a stone countertop is ideal.
3. Hardy material. Countertops made of natural stone have a significant life, as they are resistant to temperature extremes, shock and chemical attack. The most hardy stone is granite, as well as quartz.
4. Natural stone has many unusual shades that are difficult to create engineered: from gray-blue and emerald to pink and dark brown.
5. Disinfecting qualities of natural material. Marble is considered a powerful antiseptic that kills all pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms. Therefore, marble countertops are an ideal option in terms of sanitary standards.

Cons of natural stone

1. Granite is a little fonit. Quartz and granite have a certain radioactivity, but these indicators are minimal, therefore safe for humans. Granite is considered first-class granite. Therefore, if you decide to order a countertop made of this material, ask the seller for a quality certificate where these characteristics are indicated.
2. Marble countertops are easy to damage. Marble is considered the most environmentally friendly material, but it needs special care. The weak point of this natural material is porosity and high ability to absorb moisture. And hence the tendency to stain.
3. The presence of seams. A seamless countertop made of natural stone cannot be. Therefore, the installation of natural stone products must be done very carefully. Mount the countertop should a master who understands his work.
4. Natural material needs special care. Stone, like any other natural material, ages over the years. It is recommended to periodically treat the working area with a protective compound. But he does not always help.
5. Difficulties in restoration. To repair a natural stone is much more difficult than an artificial one. And in some cases, restoration is not possible at all.
6. High price. The main disadvantage of countertops made of natural material is their high cost. Here we are talking not only about the price of the material of the working area, but also the headset as a whole. Natural stone has a solid weight, so it needs a stronger frame – hence the price increase.

Engineered stone countertops: the pros and cons of the material

Now let’s talk about the advantages and disadvantages of the working area made of artificial stone.

The advantages of composite countertops

1. The material is practically indistinguishable from natural stone, imitates its texture, color and pattern.
2. Neutral shades. Sometimes the interior design of the headset needs to prevent others from determining what the countertop is made of. Artificial stone, which easily simulates any shade and texture, helps to cope with this task.
3. Huge selection of colors and shades. The color palette of the composite material is very diverse: much richer than that of natural stone.
4. It is easily restored. Even after serious damage, chips and scratches, the countertops made of artificial stone must be repaired.
5. The working surface has no seams. But this advantage applies only to acrylic worktops, in which the seam between the elements of the working surface is easy to grind beyond recognition. In other artificial materials, the seams between the individual elements of the countertop may be more noticeable.
6. Very practical material, not subject to deformation and decay. The artificial stone is not porous, so moisture practically does not penetrate into it (therefore, there will be no stains from tea or wine on the surface). Unlike countertops made of natural stone, it is advisable to choose light tones from composite materials. On darker shades, scratches, abrasions and other damage are more noticeable.
7. Lightweight material. This advantage applies only to acrylic countertops, which are much lighter than products made of natural stone.
8. Low cost. Naturally, the price of countertops made of artificial stone is much lower than natural counterparts. But it varies depending on the brand and country of manufacture. The cost of artificial work surfaces of famous brands is sometimes comparable with the price of products made of natural stone.

Cons countertops made of artificial material

1. Quartz countertops have significant weight, so they need a stable, expensive frame.
2. The increased density of the material structure requires special installation, so you can not do without the help of a specialist.

As you can see, each of the materials has its own advantages and disadvantages. Which one to choose – you decide!

We can help you choose. Call us! Together with our experts decide together which kitchen counter will be the best for you.

You can browse our other blog posts
How to choose a countertop made of quartz stone in the kitchen
Top 5 white granite countertops this year
Granite vs Quartzite: Comparison of two stones for kitchen countertops

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