Engineered Stone Kitchen Counter Tops
A popular surface for kitchen counter tops today is engineered stone. Engineered stone kitchen counter tops are extremely tough, easy to maintain, heat resistant and have a number of other beneficial properties. Engineered stone kitchen counter tops are made mainly from rock particles with a little resin and pigment added

The Benefits of Engineered Stone Kitchen Counter Tops Engineered stone kitchen counter tops are becoming a very popular choice in today’s kitchen and provide many advantages. Firstly, they are very strong and durable which is often an important consideration in many kitchens. They are also easy to install and flexible. Engineered stone kitchen counter tops are resistant to scratches, heat and burns and are very easily maintained. You can also choose a color and style that best suits your kitchen from the more natural looking engineered stone to pastel shades.

Disadvantages of Engineered Stone Kitchen Counter Tops
Although there are many advantages to using engineered stone kitchen counter tops there are also a few disadvantages that one has to bear in mind when selecting this type of kitchen counter top. If you want a natural looking surface then engineered stone kitchen counter tops may not be the right option for you as they are often very uniform in color and pattern for the slab you choose. There may also be visible seams in the placing of the kitchen counter tops. The price is another consideration for some people as engineered stone kitchen counter tops are not cheap at $100-$150 per linear foot.

Disadvantages of Engineered Stone Kitchen Counter Tops
Although there are many advantages to using engineered stone kitchen counter tops there are also a few disadvantages that one has to bear in mind when selecting this type of kitchen counter top. If you want a natural looking surface then engineered stone kitchen counter tops may not be the right option for you as they are often very uniform in color and pattern for the slab you choose. There may also be visible seams in the placing of the kitchen counter tops. The price is another consideration for some people as engineered stone kitchen counter tops are not cheap at $100-$150 per linear foot.

How Engineered Stone Kitchen Counter Tops are Made
The first step in creating engineered stone kitchen counter tops is the collection of stones such as quartz and marble that will be used in the manufacture of these counter tops. These stones are then bound together using about 50-10% resin. This mixture is then heated and goes through vibrocompaction in which the slabs of engineered stone are created. This stone is then checked for quality and made into kitchen counter tops.

Installing Engineered Stone Kitchen Counter Tops
Although it is best to have professionals install your engineered stone kitchen counter tops, at times you may need to do this yourself. If you do need to do it then it is important that you follow the instructions exactly. In general when installing engineered stone kitchen counter tops you will begin by putting them in place and then secure them to the cabinet frame with the appropriate screws. After installing the counter tops you can then add backsplashes.

Cleaning and Maintaining Engineered Stone Kitchen Counter Tops
Engineered stone kitchen counter tops are very easy to clean and maintain, and do not stain easily. They also do not tend to grow bacteria or other harmful bacteria. Although engineered stone kitchen counter tops are generally heat and burn resistant, it is still best to avoid putting hot items directly onto the surface. Avoid using very strong chemicals to clean the engineered stone, but rather choose a cleaning agent recommended by the manufacturer for best results.
Engineered stone kitchen counter tops are becoming very popular as they are durable, strong, and easy to maintain and clean. They are however quite expensive and you can often see the seams between slabs in the counter top. Engineered stone kitchen counter tops are primarily stone particles with a bit of resin and pigment. In order to clean and maintain engineered stone kitchen counter tops it is recommended that you take the usual precautions to prevent burning or stains and use cleaners that are recommended by the manufacturer of your kitchen counter tops.

Engineered Stone Countertops: Increasingly Popular Countertops The strength, vast varieties and easy maintenance of engineered stone are causing its rapidly increasing popularity.
Engineered stone is available in a larger range of colors than granite and has a nonporous surface that resists scratches. This stone is the most durable surface material and is uniform in color, pattern and texture. Unfortunately it is similar to granite in price, as it can be expensive.
Engineered stone countertops are offered by a variety of manufacturers.
Engineered stone is composed of quartz particles.The process of converting quartz to a countertop uses raw quartz crystals ranging in size

from coarse grains to the size of rock salt.Once the quartz is grounded and selected, the crystals are combined with bonding agents and color, and then heated to form an impenetrable surface.The resulting slabs are free of fissures and cracks and are impervious to water, moisture, and bacteria.

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A Closer Look

Why Not 100% Quartz?
First off, quartz 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 a wide range of varieties and colors.Quartz is the fourth most scratch-resistant material; only the diamond, topaz, and sapphire are harder.

So, why engineered stone instead of quartz?One major reason keeps quartz from forming countertops all on its own.The problem is that quartz grows in clusters and doe not form huge stone blocks like granite. This makes it unsuitable to make into countertops or other large slabs in its natural state, meaning that it needs to be converted into engineered stone to make it usable.

More on Engineered Stone
* It can be produced to look like marble, travertine, concrete and other natural stones.
* These countertops should be installed by professionals since they can minimize the amount of broken slabs and waste that occur in the process.