The Low Down on Stone

Engineered Stone

These days engineered stone is the most common product used in kitchens and bathrooms. Engineered stone comes in various styles and designs and can used in various thicknesses – 20mm being the thinnest option. Any thickness above 20mm has a mitred edge is used to create the look of 40mm/60mm slab of stone – the stone is not this thickness all the way through - it would be way to heavy for your cabinetry to hold let alone man handle and install. There are many brands on the market but all use similar materials to make up the end result. A mixture of crushed Quartz and manmade materials bound together by an adhesive, most commonly polymer resin. Engineered Stone is both heat and stain resistant making it the perfect product for your kitchen project. The drawer back and the reason some interior designers steer away from engineered stone is that each piece is exactly the same – where natural stone is original in every way – no piece is the same.

Natural Stones

Here are numerous types of natural stone, each with their own characteristics, so researching the sustainability of natural stone is important if you want to use it in your new home.

Basalts

Basalts are one of the most common rock types in the world. They are usually grey to black in colour and are fine-grained. They are sometimes characterised by small holes in the stone structure and their grey tones and subtle patterns make it a very popular choice for both interior and exterior applications.

Granite

Granite is an igneous rock formed from magma deep within the earth's crust. Granite is generally composed of quartz and feldspar making it extremely scratch, heat and chip resistant. Its low porosity makes it an excellent material for both internal and external applications, mainly suited to kitchen benchtops and flooring. Interior Designers in the USA love using granite and you will see in most kitchens you see on renovations shows you see filmed in the States.

Quartzite

Quartzite has similar, if not stronger, physical-mechanical features than granite. It is suitable for both internal and external applications depending on the particular type and can uniquely offer colours and veining similar to that of marble with the added benefit of the hardness of granite, making this the ideal kitchen bench top material.

Limestone

Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of calcite. Commonly Limestone is produced in a honed finish, as most are not able to take a high polish due to its delicate nature. Limestone is generally ivory, browns or greys in colour and has a low to mid-range hardness.

Marble

Marble is a metamorphic rock that forms when limestone is subjected to the heat and pressure of metamorphism. It is soft and can be easily damaged, comprising primarily of calcite and often containing other minerals such as clay, micas, quartz, iron oxides and graphite. Marble can be covered in a protective coating to assist with staining etc. Interior Designers love marble for the Hamptons look which is still very popular.

Onyx

Onyx is a calcareous material with a very fine grain and veins running alongside each other. It's a translucent stone synonymous with luxury living and often produced in a high polish finish to expose the colours and patterns.

Read more about interior design here.

Semi-precious stone

Semi-precious stone slabs incorporate an impressive arrangement of hand selected Quartz, Amethyst, Petrified Wood and Fossils. Available in large format slabs, the 30mm thick slabs are resin backed making them suitable for further fabrication.

Travertine

Travertine is a banded, more compact form of Limestone, characterised by the many holes and chambers through the stone. It varies in colour from dusty white to silver-grey, to gold, coral red and toffee.

Low Silica Stone

Due to the health issues related to Silica products the industry is starting to create low silica options – which keeps the industry and the workers same within it. SmartStone have now released a low silica stone range which has not compromised on style or function. A great option to be recommended by your Interior Designer to keep the industry going.

UV rated Stone

Technistone and Caesarstone have released a UV range of stone, which is recommended for any outdoor kitchen that has direct sunlight and will limit yellowing over time. Your Interior Designer should be recommending this option for any outdoor use that gets sun.

Porcelain

Porcelain bench-tops are growing in popularity over Australia, but what are they and how are they different from more conventional materials?

Porcelain bench-tops are a ceramic product composed of powdered clay and coloured pigments that are bonded together using extreme high temperature and pressure. This ultra-compact surface is extremely durable. You can read the pros and cons about Porcelain in separate blog. Interior Designers Love this look as its very low profile and modern.