Sintered stone combines beauty and functionality in ways that traditional materials can’t match. However, just like any other material, they also have some limitations that cannot be overlooked.
Whether you’re renovating your kitchen, upgrading your bathroom, or tackling a commercial project — let us help you understand if they are the right choice for you by weighing Sintered Stone pros and cons.
With that, let’s get into the details below.
Sintered stone is a modern composite material that blends natural minerals with innovative manufacturing techniques.
They are manufactured through a process of compressing and heating raw materials at exceptionally high temperatures to create an ultra-dense, non-porous surface.
This unique process makes sintered stones exceptionally durable, while also rendering them resistant to scratches, stains, and heat.
You can learn more about sintered stone in our detailed guide.
Here is a quick glimpse of the pros and cons of using a sintered stone:
Sintered stone worktops come with various pros. Let’s take a look at them below:
Sintered stone stands out for its low maintenance requirements. Unlike natural stones that often need regular sealing and special cleaning products, a sintered stone is easy to care for.
All you need is a damp cloth and mild soap to keep it looking brand new.
A very impressive characteristic of sintered stone is its durability. This material stands out in several aspects:
The most popular sintered stone brands are Dekton, Neolith and Lapitec which have modern and unique design options available. They can easily mimic the look and feel of natural stones like marble and granite with much better accuracy, compared to other materials like laminate.
This allows you to get the look of natural stone without the associated maintenance issues.
Sintered stone offers a lot of health and safety advantages, including:
At the end of its useful life, a sintered stone can be crushed and recycled into new products, creating less waste.
Furthermore, the production process relies mainly on natural materials and heat, with relatively few chemicals involved. This creates lower emissions and a smaller environmental footprint than a couple of other engineered stones.
Sintered stone comes at a cost higher than most of its alternatives in countertops. Advanced production, unique installation, and limited manufacturers account for a good share of this cost.
Generally, Sintered stone countertops can run as high as £500 or £600 per square foot, making it much higher than granite or laminate.
Take a look at the comparison table below:
Material
Price Range
Sintered Stone
£500 to £600 per square metre
Granite
£40 to £180 per square foot
Marble
£180 per square foot
Quartz
£50 and £100 per square foot
Note: Prices for Sintered stones are calculated as “per square metre.” Moreover, the prices mentioned above are average costs. Exact prices may vary.
You can also read our detailed Sintered stone vs Quartz comparison to learn more.
Sintered stones are so hard and dense that it’s almost impossible to just DIY their repairs. It’s advisable to get a professional involved to avoid chipping or cracking its surface.
The countertop may also sometimes require complete replacement when the damage is large. This can also be time-consuming and expensive.
While sintered stone worktops offer various design options, its range of colours is more narrow compared to natural materials like granite or marble.
Some homeowners may think that certain patterns of sintered stone are too simple, without much depth and variation, or find them not as authentic as natural stone. It really depends on your preferences and the colour scheme of the project where the stone will be used.
Sintered stone has fewer manufacturers and suppliers compared to more popular materials, thereby affecting its pricing and delivery times.
Furthermore, not all stone fabricators have experience with sintered stone, which may limit options for installation and customization.
Sintered stone worktops, also known as next-gen engineered stones, are ideal for people who need durable, convenient, environment-friendly, and aesthetic options.
However, while making your choice, make sure to carefully take into consideration its expensive pricing and other disadvantages.
With competitive price and timely delivery, Estrella sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
If you’re still confused about whether Sintered stones are the right option for you, feel free to reach out to us. At Paramount Stone Specialists, we can help you choose the right countertop for your needs. We also carry a great range of sintered stones, which you’re likely not to find everywhere else.
Sintered stone countertops have become more popular in recent years because of their great durability, amazing look and their incredible heat and stain resistance. They are also very environmentally friendly. Click on the following section to learn more.
What Are Sintered Stone Countertops and How Are They Made?
Benefits of Sintered Stone Countertops
Disadvantages of Sintered Stone Countertops
Sintered Stone Countertop Uses
Installation Requirements
Is Sintered Stone Right for You?
If you would like help choosing the right countertops for your home, contact us. We have the largest selection of natural stone countertops in stock, including sintered stone and our expert staff would be happy to answer all of your questions.
Sintered stone is one of the countertop materials that is made up of a combination of the following:
Natural minerals
Feldspar
Silica
It is different from quartz since it does not contain binders or adhesives to hold it together, which makes it 100% natural. It is available in different thicknesses, hence it is a very versatile product and a great candidate for countertops. It is also UV-resistant, which implies that it will not discolour or fade when exposed to sunlight.
In addition, sintered stone, also known as ceramic, is not printed and does not have a pattern but is uniform in colour.
Sintered stone is produced by a highly advanced process called sintering. The process actually mimics the way that natural stone forms using a combination of pressure and heat. Instead of using any chemical resins or adhesives, the raw materials are compressed together at extremely high temperatures (over 1,200°C or 2,192°F).
That high temperature is what causes the particles to form a bond at the molecular level. This process forms sintered stone to be an extremely dense and hard surface with no pores or weaknesses.
Sintered stone countertops offer you many great benefits. Here are just a few.
Sintered stone countertops are built to last, making them the perfect choice for heavy-traffic areas and busy kitchens. Throughout the sintering process, the countertop's surface becomes ultra-dense and super-resistant to cracks, chips, and scratches, and thus your countertop will be immaculate for decades. Compared to natural stone, which is fragile against breaks, sintered stone has the ability to keep its strength even when put through heavy usage and remains a stable choice for commercial structures and families.
One of the most noticeable strengths of sintered stone is its unparalleled heat resistance. Whereas quartz will burn or change colour when subjected to direct heat, sintered stone remains unchanged by high temperatures. This also means resistance to staining, so hot pots and pans can be placed on the surface directly without harm.
Also, sintered stone is totally non-porous, a barrier to stains from food, wine, coffee, and domestic chemicals. Unlike granite or marble, which need to be sealed every so often to avoid staining, sintered stone retains its resistance naturally, making it a low-maintenance choice for homeowners.
If sustainability is of importance to you, sintered stone is among the greenest countertop materials on the market. Sintered stone is produced using natural minerals and no synthetic resins or binders, so the product is non-toxic and environmentally sustainable. The process of manufacturing it is energy efficient with low waste and emissions, less than many other engineered surfaces.
Moreover, sintered stone is 100% recyclable, which means it can be reused upon its life cycle completion rather than sent to landfills. Its low carbon emission and sustainable origin make sintered stone a fantastic choice for homeowners who want to make environment-friendly decisions within their home interior design.
Sintered stone countertops are a great option for many people, however, there are some factors that you need to take into consideration before deciding whether or not they are the right option for your home.
Sintered stone is a premium material, and the price tag for it reflects the sophisticated technology and process used in developing it. Sintered stone is pricier than material like laminate or some of the quartz material, so you may feel that it is too much for your budget. As much as longevity and durability may offset the expense eventually, the initial cost may be too high if you are watching your pennies.
Despite its great durability, sintered stone is not damage-proof. If a countertop cracks or chips, it can be hard and costly to repair due to the hardness and density of the material. Unlike natural stone, where resin or filler can sometimes revive it, sintered stone must be subjected to special restoration methods. In extreme damage, replacement is the only option, so careful use and professional installation are necessary.
As compared to quartz and natural stone, sintered stone provides less scope for edge profile customization. Due to the fact that it is ultra-dense, detailed or elaborate edges are difficult to create, and design choices are limited for homeowners looking for very ornate countertops. Plain and minimalist edge profiles like straight, beveled, or eased edges can be achieved, but homeowners who look for detailed or rounded profiles may find sintered stone less versatile than granite or quartz.
Sintered stone is one of your best choices for kitchen countertops because it is extremely durable, heat resistant, and non-porous. It is perfect for busy kitchens where spills, heat, and sharp knives are the order of the day. Additionally, its seamless appearance and ability to mimic natural stone make it a trendy option for kitchen islands and backsplashes.
Sintered stone countertops are both water and stain resistant, which makes them an ideal material for your bathroom vanities. Unlike porous materials that absorb water and must be sealed over and over again, sintered stone is easy to maintain and hygienic in damp bathroom environments.
Because of its UV resistance, sintered stone is also a great choice for outdoor kitchens. Unlike quartz, which yellows or discolours when used outdoors in direct sun, sintered stone's colour and structure remain intact even in harsh weather conditions. It is therefore ideal for patios, BBQ areas, and outdoor cooking spaces, offering long-lasting beauty and functionality.
Sintered stone's hardness, strength, and minimal maintenance make it a high-traffic favorite for commercial spaces. It is used extensively in restaurants, hospitality venues, and retail spaces, where countertops, bar tops, and worktops have to withstand heavy foot traffic. Its scratch and stain resistance ensures it will remain as good as new with minimal maintenance, which makes it an economic option for companies looking for long-term value.
Sintered stone is an extremely heavy and hard material, hence it is more difficult to cut and install compared to other countertops like granite or quartz. Due to its brittleness prior to installation, it can crack or shatter when handled. For this reason, expert installation is highly recommended for precise cutting, proper support, and seamless integration. Expert installers have the necessary special equipment and expertise to handle sintered stone safely and effectively.
Sintered stone countertops come in a variety of thicknesses from 6mm up to 20mm. Slabs at a thinner 6mm or 12mm are typically used for backsplashes, wall cladding, or furniture tops, while thicker slabs at 20mm and more are used for kitchen countertops and heavy-use worktops.
When designing your installation, it's crucial to have seam placement and total weight in mind. Slabs in larger formats minimize seams, giving your installation a sleeker, higher-end look. But structural support is necessary, particularly for heavy or oversized slabs. Installers will visit your site and advise on ideal slab thickness and configuration to promote durability and appearance.
If you're looking for countertops that will withstand heavy, daily wear and tear, sintered stone is perfect. It is scratch resistant, heat resistant, and stain resistant, so it is an excellent choice for high-traffic kitchens and busy households. It doesn't require sealing on a regular basis like natural stone or excessive maintenance, making it a perfect minimal-maintenance material.
Sintered stone is 100% natural, as it is made from natural minerals without resins or synthetic binders. This makes it a more sustainable option than quartz or other engineered materials. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly countertop with a lower carbon footprint, then sintered stone is a great option.
While sintered stone offers numerous benefits, it’s important to weigh the higher cost and limited edge profile options against your budget and design preferences. Additionally, since repairs can be difficult, you’ll want to hire a professional to install and carefully handle it to ensure that it lasts longer.
“Highly recommend. From the minute we entered the showroom and were greeted by Denisa to the installation, Natural Stone City has been top notch. Viewing the indoor showroom was great with samples on site to take with. Denisa provided us with an on the spot quote based on our plans. She was wonderful to work with making sure we got exactly what we wanted. The speed of templating to installation is unheard of - templating on Tuesday and installing on Friday. This significantly fast-tracked our renovation. The care of the people cutting the stone cannot be overlooked. We chose to use the countertop as backsplash and they went to the effort that the veins are continuous from the backsplash to the counter. The installation was perfection as well. Our very large island required a seam and it is virtually unnoticeable due to the care of the installers and the attention of the person laying out our stone for cutting. We are so incredibly pleased with our countertops. Great business, great people, and great product. Highly recommend.”
— Susan Cruickshank