Natural stone and engineered stone are both popular choices when it comes to selecting finishes for kitchens, bathrooms and custom-made furniture but how do we decide which one to choose? Well, the final decision will depend on individual preference since they both have advantages and disadvantages.
Natural stone
Exceptionally unique with no two pieces alike, this group of stone include Marble, Granite, Travertine and Quartzite. Natural stone is perfect for cladding walls, floors, bathrooms, kitchens, worktops, stairs, etc.
Book-matched marble wall cladding and natural stone benchtop.
Some of the advantages of using natural stone are:
Uniqueness
There is no doubt that natural stone exudes elegance and luxury, and it can totally transform a space by adding an incredible wow factor. Some stones are like pieces of art due to the fascinating, rich colours, natural textures, patterns and veining throughout.
Carrara marble book matched view
Longevity
Many of the natural stones such as marble have uniform property so it can be polished several times and still look like they are new with the added bonus of being timeless. When it is properly installed, sealed and maintained, you can expect it to maintain its beauty for a lifetime.
Value
Natural stone such as marble does not lose its beauty over time; therefore, it is timeless and can increase the value of the property due to its beautiful characteristics.
Versatility
Natural stone can work in both interior and exteriors
Natural stone beauty is unquestionable, and it’s a material preferred by interior designers and architects for creating unique, interesting, drop-dead gorgeous spaces. Even though natural stone is purely a natural product that has developed over thousands of years, it’s not considered sustainable since it has a very energy-intensive manufacturing process. Natural stone is porous, absorbs liquids, and needs to be sealed frequently. Natural stone is more expensive than engineered stone.
Engineered stone
There are many advantages to choosing an engineered stone
Colour
Engineered stone is available in a variety of colours, and you are sure to find one that will complement your decor or the look you want to achieve. Due to advanced technology, some of them mimic real stone, with veins and colouring very similar to natural stone.
Kitchen upgrade with Talostone Calacatta gold by Silvia Rajek Interiors.
Durability Engineered stone is a non-porous material and highly resistant to abrasion, staining and heat, it is unaffected by most household chemicals, acid and oils, so it requires no sealing or special cleaning products. These qualities make it ideal for flooring and bench tops,
including those subject to high traffic or heavy use retaining the brand-new look for a very long time.
Finish Engineered stone is now available in gloss, honed, and leather finish. Gloss finish is more reflective and emphasizes the veins and colours of the stone. Honed finish is a satin and smooth surface with little reflection. Leather finish has a slight texture and is rougher than honed.
Leather honed finish Calacatta Gold - Talostone- Kitchen upgrade by Silvia Rajek Interiors
Size and Cost
Slabs are available in different thicknesses, such as 12, 20 and 30 mm, and some companies offer slabs in jumbo sizes. These qualities allow for a multitude of applications and keep the prices cost-effective since there is a price range to suit most budgets.
Overall, engineered stone is very durable, has a uniform and perfect finish, and is eco-friendly since Quartz is the most abundant mineral on earth; you have the option of using a much larger slab, and it is typically more affordable than natural stone.
++ IMPORTANT UPDATE++
In December 2023, the Australian government made a world-first decision to ban engineered stone completely. This is due to the high rates of silicosis and silica-related diseases in engineered stone workers. The supply and manufacture of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs will be prohibited from 1st of July 2024.
Nevertheless, many of the companies who supplied engineered stone have produced a substitute product almost identical in colours and textures that will replace the originals but without the harmful silica content. Other options that can be used instead of engineered stone with a similar effect are solid surfaces such as Corian and Staron, porcelain slabs. Other options are sintered stone such as Neolith and Dekton. Sintered stone is a combination of minerals, clays and feldspar, or quartz, porcelain and glass products.
If you are planning a renovation and would like help with your material selections and colours, feel free to contact Silvia Rajek Interiors and arrange a consultation.
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