Select the right Product for your Project
Natural Stone
Natural stone is known for its timeless appeal and variety, no two pieces are alike which makes it the perfect addition to your home for a unique centrepiece.
Granite and quartzites are well known for durability, being inherently scratch and heat resistant. With colour’s and finishes to suit any design aesthetic there is sure to be colour for your project. With proper care and maintenance they will far outlast engineered stone products in your home making them a lifetime investment.
Marble and limestone products can vary wildly, from the subtle and subdued tones of Turkish limestone through to the classic and extravagant Calacatta and Arabescato marbles famously Italian. These stones are softer and require more care in order to retain good condition, making them suitable for certain projects.
Dolomites bridge the gap between harder and softer stones, giving some of the extravagance of marble but more of the durability you would expect out of a granite. Having said that, they still require care but are more suitable to projects where some wear and tear can be expected but a visual statement is desired.
Natural Stone is the perfect choice for alfresco or outdoor kitchen benchtops, as it holds heat resistant qualities. Similarly, Natural Stones offer UV resistance which minimises the risk of these benchtops breaking down over time due to prolonged sun exposure.
Please note that all natural stones, eg. Marble, Granite, Limestone, Onyx and Quartzite are a natural material and variations can occur. Colour variations, fissures and pitting may be present throughout natural stone.
Due to the nature of Natural Stone if you do select this for your project please be aware there is no warranty of the Product.
Engineered Stone
Engineered Stone is a scientifically developed stone product comprised of quartz and other minerals bound in a resin state. Other additives are added to improve workability, durability and to effect appearance. Modern technology has continually improved the resistance and durability of man-made stone alternatives since the introduction of the product.
Engineered Stone surfaces are essentially non-porous as they are manufactured with quartz as a key ingredient, one of the hardest minerals on earth. Engineered Stone surfaces have excellent durability when compared to Natural Stone tops, whose resistance against scratches and chips cannot be guaranteed.
Engineered Stone surfaces are certified using some of the world’s most rigorous and comprehensive standards. Some of these include CSIRO certification for resistance to extreme heat, chemicals and stains, as well as the National Sanitation Foundation’s food safety certification.
Engineered Stone is quality controlled to a specific recipe, offering identical products within each batch. This allows for consistency in style and colour which can benefit when trying to achieve a consistent aesthetic. Natural Stone, on the other hand, displays large variances between each product, making matching surfaces more difficult.
Porcelain and Sintered Stone
There are various advantages to porcelain products. When creating porcelain benchtops, manufacturers use a special kind of clay. Often, the material used in its manufacture is a certain clay from China, which contains a high percentage of kaolinite, silica and feldspar. Manufacturers mix them with other mineral oxides, making the high-quality porcelain countertops both durable and robust.
Sintered stone products are a more modern take on porcelain and involve taking recycled materials, other minerals and subjecting the slabs during production to massive amounts of pressure. This produces a more durable product.
Unlike many other stone products available in the market, the colour and pattern options for porcelain surfaces are virtually endless. Manufacturers have worked on meeting all aesthetics, from the industrial through to the classical as well as emulation of natural stones.
Since these products are resistant to UV damage and heat, they are suitable alternatives to natural stone to be considered for alfresco areas and outdoor features where they can provide a more maintenance free surface.
It is worth noting that at this stage there are no porcelain or sintered stone products on the market which exhibit full body veining, ie they are a surface print and the vein does not run from the top over the edge. This means that to create that edge we must make the surface a mitred piece and when polishing we will reveal the colour underneath the print along the edge of the surface.
Terrazzo
Terrazzo was first created 500 years ago in Italy. This vintage material is generally composed of marble chips, glass, cement and , with modern innovation, resin. What was once considered a frugal alternative to marble, terrazzo has evolved into a very versatile material demanded by consumers for interior and exterior applications.
New-age terrazzo is manufactured using high compressive strength. The vacuum and vibration process produces a very compact and durable material that can withstand heavy machinery and foot traffic. In the past, terrazzo was primarily used as a flooring material. Today, its usage has expanded to include kitchen countertops, backsplashes, table surfaces, shower stalls, feature walls, and staircase and wall cladding. Its resistance towards high heat, UV rays and natural elements makes it also suitable for outdoor usage.
Terrazzo uses a variety of stone and glass fragments to produce a wide range of designs. Whether you prefer minimalist neutral shades or colourful specks, the style can be easily incorporated into your modern home. Modern terrazzo comes in a variety of beautiful and bold colours. As it is comprised of natural materials, there will be a slight difference in veining, colour and tone.
