Engineered stone counter tops

Engineered stone counter tops are quickly becoming a popular choice for today's kitchen and bathroom designers as a durable, design-friendly option when remodeling.

Engineered stone is manufactured using stone aggregate and combining that with resin and color pigment to create a great, almost natural looking stone counter top.

Made up of 93% quartz, engineered stone is a very hard surface and extremely durable.

Cost

Engineered stone is comparable in price to real granite or natural stone counter tops.

Starting at $50+ a sq ft installed, a bathroom renovator can easily achieve the desired effect of natural stone for a few dollars less!

Color/Design

Engineered Stone and quartz surfaces are mixed with resins and color pigment to create any multitude of colors.

As there is no veining or cracks in engineered stone, it is extremely uniform. One of its greatest assets is the consistency in its pattern and is therefore ideal for large counter top surfaces or large areas in general.

This also becomes a draw back as engineered stone can be easily detected due to a lack of inconsistencies in the grain and finish.

Durability

Quartz makes up a great deal of the stone aggregate in engineered stone and is a very hard surface.

When mixed with the resin and color pigment, engineered stone becomes quite stain resistant, heat resistant, immune to chemicals, hygienic and unlike most natural stone surfaces, does not need treatment with sealers.

Its ease of care makes it a great option for bustling bathrooms.

Construction/Installation

Quartz surfaces and engineered stone counter tops are pre-fabricated using the same patented technique and approximately 93% quartz.

Engineered stone counter tops need to be pre-cut before installation, because it requires precise cutting tools we recommend professional installation only. Many of the manufacturers offer training for installers to properly install their products.

Environment/Health

Engineered stone is not a green product due to its mix of color pigment and resin. Quartz being the second most common mineral on the planet makes for easy mining.

Engineered stone surfaces are very food safe and hygienic, another fantastic surface for kitchens and bathrooms.

The Oops Factor

Engineered stone and its' great durability and resistance to almost everything make quartz surfaces and engineered stone a fantastic option for busy spaces.

It is diverse, can be integrated with your sink and will do the trick when repelling stain, mold and mildew.

Our Opinion

There are so many great design options with this product that it cannot help but make your kitchen or bathroom look sexy.

The only draw back is a slightly manufactured look because of its uniformity. The diversity, color range and durability of engineered stone and quartz surfaces are an ideal choice in bringing life to your living space.

Because of it's moulding and inset capabilities, the options to have a one piece sink and counter top are more readily available.

Michael Kyle is Co-founder of The Sexy Bathroom.Com and The Sexy Kitchen.com Two great web sites dedicated to Kitchen & Bathroom Design, Planning and Materials as well as a great resource for design photo's and entertaining.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Kyle

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