Engineered Stones (Quartz)
Engineered
or man-made stone products is a "Green Product" that is increasingly popular and comparable
to granite in just about every way.
For
those who love the look of granite but are concerned about its drawbacks,
quartz may be the answer. And while granite is subject to unpredictable
variations in color or pattern between slabs, engineered stone is uniform in
color, pattern, and texture. It provides nearly all of the benefits of natural
stone.
Quartz
(Silica/Silicon Dioxide, SiO2) is the most common mineral on the earth's
surface. It is present in nearly every geological environment and is a
component of almost every rock type and exists in an impressive range of
varieties and colors.
Quartz
ranks 7.0 on Moh's Hardness Scale, which is used to
measure the scratch-resistance of a material. Only the diamond (at 10), topaz
and sapphire (at 9) are harder than quartz. (Granite is ranked 6 on the scale).
Because
quartz grows in clusters and does not form huge stone blocks like granite
(which contains 40% - 60% quartz), limestone or other types of rock, it is not
suitable in its natural state to make into countertops or other large slabs.
The
manufacturing process uses raw quartz crystals ranging in size from coarse
grains to the size of rock salt. Once the quartz is ground and selected, the
crystals are combined with bonding agents (resin) and color, then heated and vibro-compacted to form an impenetrable surface.
The
resulting slabs are a matrix of 93% quartz and 7% resin binders and pigments
... free of fissures and cracks, and impervious to water, moisture, or
bacteria.
Industry-wide,
all quartz countertops are made with 93 percent quartz or they cannot claim the
hardness, durability, or impermeability of a true quartz surface.
The
manufacturing process is a controlled process and quality-control measures
exist for quartz that are not possible for natural
granite countertops. The process used during production ensures that any sample
slab will be identical in color and texture to the delivered product.
Because
they're man-made, these materials can be fabricated in large sheets ( 55"W x 120"L), which makes it easier to
fabricate large islands in one piece. In addition, curves, circles and other
shapes are possible.
Engineered
stone is the most durable surface material, combining the hardness and
durability of quartz with the exceptional low maintenance qualities of man-made
materials
Engineered
stone products require no maintenance because they are non-porous. Their
impervious surface provides stain and bacterial resistance.
In
addition to Kitchen/Laundry/Bath Countertops, engineered stone products can be
used for vanities, Backsplashes, Wet Bars, Tub/Shower Surrounds and other
surfaces throughout the home. They are
ideal for commercial settings, especially daycare centers, hospitals and
foodservice providers.
Color
and Appearance
To
the untrained eye, quartz surfaces appear to be natural stone. What makes it
different?
Natural
rock is variable by nature ... colors and patterns may shift and change on a
large slab. Surface pits are a mark of granite. Engineered stone on the other hand,
displays a "consistent variability" or mottling in color and texture
throughout a quartz countertop.
The
actual appearance of the quartz surface varies depending on the size and mix of
the granules. Smaller, finer crystals give a more uniform appearance, while
larger ones provide a more mottled look.
Quartz
surfacing is available in colors may not be found in nature, as the crushed
stone is generally mixed with pigment. Take advantage, and choose a color that
dazzles while still looking like stone.
In
addition to granite, some manufacturers produce engineered stone that looks
like marble, travertine, concrete, and other natural stone.
Because
engineered stone is a natural stone product, seams are required for any
application that is longer /or wider than the slab size (generally
55"x120").
These
seams are visible, but are often less noticeable than a typical granite seam -
where the seams may show changes in pattern and shade.
As
with solid surfaces, integrated sinks are available in quartz countertops.
A
variety of manufacturers offer products in a diverse range of colors and
finishes, including:
Caesarstone (Caesarstone.com)
Silestone (Silestone.com)
Zodiaq
(Zodiaq.com)
