How to choose between natural stone vs. engineered stone countertops
Choosing the countertops for your kitchen remodel or bathroom remodel is a major decision, especially since this surface will receive more wear and tear than everything but the floor. For more than two decades the standard choice for mid to high end kitchens and bathrooms has been granite countertops, but a flush of new surface options has made the market much more versatile in recent years. Adequate research is highly recommended before taking on any sort of home remodeling or improvement, and learning about the various materials available before starting will be a valuable tool in choosing products that work best for your home and your lifestyle. Knowing the differences in use, appearance and cost between natural stone vs engineered stone countertops is a popular topic as more engineered stone brands come onto the market.
What is natural stone or engineered stone?
First, let’s discuss the physical differences between natural stone vs engineered stone. When
someone talks about natural stone they typically mean granite or marble, but they can also be referring to slate, soapstone, and limestone. Natural stone countertops are cut directly from the earth and have little processing besides smoothing and shape formation, and will often need to be sealed because natural materials are porous (soapstone is a notable exception to this generalization). On the other hand, engineered stone is usually quartz (a man made substance derived from mineral dust) or quartz based and is entirely a man-made surface designed to mimic the beautiful appearance of natural stone. Engineered stone brands include Silestone, Cambria, Caesarstone, Legacy, Zodiaq, and Avanza, each of which are designed to look like a different natural stone. While natural stone occurs naturally in the ground and is prone to minor defects and other characteristics, engineered stone is designed to be used for countertops and as a result can be more user friendly. Natural stone also tends to be thicker and heavier than engineered stone, and comes in a completely unique design, whereas engineered stone can be a more uniform design.
Is there a difference in maintenance?
It’s relatively common knowledge that natural stone countertops require a bit of work in order to maintain the original luster and attractiveness that is so appealing to homeowners, but this isn’t always a problem for people, depending on their lifestyle and activities. It’s also important to remember, however, that no countertop is going to be 100% maintenance free and even engineered stone countertops will require a little bit of care. This really comes down to what’s most important to you: if being able to say you have natural stone countertops is very important, you’ll have to accept that there might be a little more effort required of you in order to maintain those elegant looks. But if you’re juggling a full household and busy lifestyle and keeping house often falls to the bottom of your priority list, a lower maintenance countertop might be a better choice. For the most part, engineered stone countertops don’t require sealing, and those that do don’t need it as frequently as natural stone. This is because natural stone is naturally porous whereas engineered stone is designed to be non-porous.
Is there a cost difference?
As a Design+Build General Contractor, I offer my clients a one-stop shopping approach to all of their home remodeling projects. I work with my clients from initial conception of a project through its completion. Every aspect of the job is managed by me and my professional crew. You will be included in every step of the design process until the final drawings are completed. No detail is left to chance. General Contractor Specializing in Kitchen & Bathroom Design and Remodeling Throughout the Los Angeles area.
Written By:
Offer Steuer
President
OTM Designs & Remodeling, Inc.
For more information you may contact us via email at service@otm1designs.com or you may call us at 888-981-1415. Our website is www.otm1designs.com.