Engineered stone countertops can give you the
luxurious and elegant look and feel of stone without many of the
disadvantages of a pure rock surface like slate or granite. Unlike most
natural rock, engineered stone countertops are extremely resistant to
wear and tear. This means that engineered stone countertops will not
show the scratches, chips, cracks, or surface blemishes that a natural
stone surface is likely to accumulate over time.
Saves Money Over Natural Stone
In addition, this rock substitute is often
substantially less expensive than its pure counterparts, which makes it
a great choice for many homeowners looking for the elegant atmosphere
that stone counters provide on a budget that excludes extravagant
materials like marble.
Engineered stone countertops are made of a blend
of stone, resin, and pigments that give an appearance that suggests
pure rock but has the durability and affordability of a synthetic. Over
ninety percent of most engineered stone counters is actually made of
real stone particles, which gives this material a surprisingly natural
look. However, the thing that sets most engineered stone apart from
natural stone visually is the fact that it is so imperfect.
Appearance
Unlike genuine pure marble or granite, engineered
counters don't have the same variations in tone, or the same kind of
detailed and complex veining patterns. Although the overall effect of
engineered stone countertops can be roughly the same as the general
visual impact of natural stone, when you look closely at engineered
stone you won't find the same kind of multifaceted beauty that only
nature can create.
This may sound like a disadvantage, but many
homeowners discover that the uniformity of engineered stone countertops
is actually a blessing in disguise. Because engineered stone is less
variable than real stone, when you choose a sample you can rest assured
that the counter you order in that shade will look exactly like what
you expect.
Easier Designing This can take
the guesswork out of kitchen design, and can make it much easier to
plan other elements of your kitchen to match the tone and feeling of
your counters than it would be if you were working with pure stone. If
you want the atmosphere of stone without the sometimes frustrating
variation in color and thickness that comes with dealing with a natural
material, engineered countertops may be right for you. (cn-stonenet.com)
