The Pros And Cons Of Engineering Stones

By Author: Jamie Hanson
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Engineered stone is a composite material that consists of stone and resin and is usually used in kitchen countertops.

Engineered stones are becoming more and more popular and are often recommended over granite finished products, as they require much less maintenance and have better resistance to stains and bacterial contamination. The Breton Process - Breton S.P.A. - a privately held company in Treviso Italy, is the chief supplier of equipment that produces engineered stone.

Engineered stone consists mainly of real stone, often called stone aggregate, which accounts for 90 percent of its total mass. Engineered stone has special characteristics which set it apart from other natural products. It is made by combining the aggregate with resin and pigments, in a Vibrocompaction process that binds them permanently. Because the mix is uniform, engineered stone has no fissures, veins, or other imperfections that could compromise the strength of natural stone, or make it hard to match seams. This also means that your counter will match the sample precisely, and it also mean that you will not have to travel to the stone ...
... yard and sort through slabs.

Engineered stones come in various colors - some of them replicate real stone, while others are pastel hues straight off the designer's palette.

It is important to know the quality of your purchase. The toughest engineered stones, including Silestone, Cambria, and Dupont's Zodiaq line, are made from quartz, which won't scratch or stain. Others, derived from marble and other stones, are softer, and may need sealing.

I'm a stone researcher and analyst from Canada who has been working with the Stone Research Institute since 1986 and has done extensive research on Engineering Stone and Composite Stone