We all love the look and feel of marble, granite and quartz, yet natural stone is costly, due to the nature of its acquisition and treatments that turn the slab into a highly polished surface fir for any kitchen. There are solutions that come in the form of engineered stone, such as the stunning Calacatta marble, with a classic gold vein and an antique white background, plus there are many other finishes that are based on natural marble.
How is Engineered Stone Made?
While there are many ingredients that might be added to produce the desired effect, crushed stone and a form of epoxy resin are main components, with colours attained from using natural pigments, which is eco-friendly. It is a highly skilled process to cut and polish a slab of engineered marble, and there aren’t that many companies with the know-how and resources to create such high-quality man-made solutions.
View Full Slab Designs
As with natural marble, you really have to see the full slab in order to fully appreciate it, and a Google search will help locate a nearby supplier and you can view the stone in its large slab form. This means you can choose the kitchen worktop counters and splashbacks, which will be cut to precise measurements, ready for installation. If you are particularly fond of Italian travertine, for example, there would be such designs that are based on natural stone works, and you are not limited in terms of choice.
Premium Marble
This is the very pinnacle of engineered stone, with skilled technicians working to create stunning patterns with authentic colours, and for much less that the natural option. Search online for ‘premium engineered marble’ and this will take you to the website of a stone specialist that offers this premium level.
Environmentally Friendly
Creating engineered stone has less of an impact on the environment than acquiring stone the natural way, and by using natural colour pigmentation, there are no chemicals or toxins used in the manufacture process. When compared to the cost of natural marble, you can save a lot of money and still have the best surfaces that will outperform natural stone.
Online Resources
There are free resources regarding engineered stone, with details of the manufacture process and how the stunning finishes are achieved, and when you read the online customer reviews, you realise that engineered stone looks and feels like natural stone, but at a lower price.
