Pros and cons of artificial stone countertops

The working area of the kitchen should be made of materials that are durable, practical, easy to care for and beautiful. All these requirements apply not only to the apron, but also, of course, to the countertop.

Today we will try to figure out whether artificial stone countertops have the above qualities, evaluate their pros and cons, and compare them with each other.

Types of artificial stone

Many buyers opt for such countertops, because they are cheaper than natural analogues, have most of their positive qualities, and in some respects even surpass them.

Currently, countertops can be made of such materials:

• acrylic stone is one of the most modern materials. It was invented in the 1960s by specialists of the industrial giant DuPont and is known all over the world under the name “Corian”. In fact, such a “stone” is a composite material, which consists of acrylic resins (plexiglass), crumbs of natural stone or minerals, as well as appropriate pigment additives.

Interesting fact: artificial acrylic stone was developed by DuPont scientists not at all for construction purposes, but as a super-material for artificial bones.

• quartz agglomerate is an artificial material that is no less popular for finishing works. Like the acrylic analogue, the agglomerate is a composite. It consists of natural quartz crumbs (90-96% of the composition), polyester resin, dyes and various decorative additives.

Now let’s move on to a detailed consideration of the pros and cons of each of these types of artificial stone.

Acrylic Stone

The unusually high popularity of acrylic as a material for countertops and other surfaces raises a number of questions. How practical and durable is it? Is it true that it is more pleasant to the touch than the agglomerate? What can you bet on it, and what can’t?

Now we will look at the pros and cons of this material based on the real reviews of the owners and consulting specialists who participated in writing this article.

At the beginning, the advantages of acrylic countertops:

• perfectly imitates natural rocks of stone;
• absolutely homogeneous structure – there are no even microscopic pores, impervious to any bacteria. This has a very positive effect on the sanitary qualities of the surface;
• it is better suited than other materials for the formation of complex ideas, non-standard, round and curved shapes;
• seamless – due to the fact that acrylic can be sanded, the places in the joints can be sanded to their complete invisibility of the joints;
• a very wide variety of colors and patterns that do not fade with time;
• more “warm” to the touch than natural stone, as it “heats up” to room temperature;
• it can be polished, sanded, thereby eliminating small scratches on its own;
• harmless to humans and the environment.

The disadvantages include:

• on such a surface there are traces of mechanical impact – traces of cuts, dents, scratches, etc.;
• it is exposed to acids – if such liquids get on the surface, it must be wiped immediately;
• can absorb strong dye;
• low thermal stability;
• in case of significant damage to the surface, it is necessary to call a specialist to carry out professional grinding.

Conclusion: such a countertop is suitable for those who want to implement an original design of a work surface with complex geometric shapes in their kitchen. If you follow all precautions in operation, then all the disadvantages of acrylic will be minimized.

Quartz (agglomerate)

For a complete picture, it is also necessary to describe the pros and cons of quartz agglomerate work surfaces. Let’s say right away that in terms of performance, artificial stone made of quartz chips, in our opinion, is a cut above acrylic.

First of all, this is due to the composition of the agglomerate, but let’s take it in order.

Positive:

• very strong and durable material;
• no pores, impermeability to microorganisms, absolute hygiene;
• excellent resistance to mechanical stress, acids and dyes;
• short-term resistance to high temperatures;
• quite a large range of color solutions;
• very easy to clean up;
• does not require special care or maintenance;
• it can be glossy, matte and even textured;
• harmless to humans and the environment.

Minuses:

• high cost;
• duration of manufacture;
• complex and expensive installation;
• conditional heat resistance;
• the visibility of seams, as it is made by plates (slabs);
• can only be used for simple geometric shapes.

If your budget allows you and you want an almost eternal countertop of a simple shape, but perfectly imitating natural stone and with high performance characteristics — order a countertop made of agglomerate.

Operating Tips

There are certain recommendations for each type of countertops, following which will prolong the life of your work surface. We cite only the most important ones.

Acrylic countertops:

• do not use aggressive chemical liquids and abrasive detergents;
• cut food only on a cutting board;
• do not put hot dishes and other utensils on the countertop;
• do not hit or drop heavy objects on the surface;
• do not use sponges with a rough (hard coating).

Quartz Countertops:

• a hot object can be placed directly on the countertop for only a few seconds (in an emergency);
• try to use a stand for hot dishes;
• dark glossy surfaces require constant wiping, as prints are clearly visible on them;
• it is not recommended to use abrasives, as well as hard brushes, sponges, etc.

Cost

Kitchen repairs are not cheap, so the question of the purchase price and installation of a countertop made of artificial stone is very important for absolutely all buyers.

We should immediately note that the use of acrylic or quartz surfaces is quite expensive. The final price depends very much on the manufacturer of the material, as well as the prices for the delivery and installation of the finished product.

Price range for artificial stone countertops (per sq.m.):

• acrylic – from 100 to 320 dollars;
• quartz – from 150 to 500 dollars.

If you choose domestic brands, you can save quite a lot. It is only necessary to take into account that the quality of the product and service from our manufacturers is sometimes lame.

Recommended Manufacturers

There are already about three dozen brands on the domestic market, under which various models of artificial stone are produced. We will highlight only the list of the best manufacturers, compiled on the basis of reviews from real buyers. The list is compiled in descending order of price (from expensive brands to cheaper ones).

Acrylic surfaces:

• brand Corian, Montelli (manufacturer DuPont, USA);
• Staron brand (Samsung manufacturer, South Korea);
• Hi-Macs brand (manufacturer LG, South Korea);
• Max-Top (Russia).

Quartz agglomerate surfaces:

• Zodiaq brand (manufacturer DuPont, USA);
• Silestone brand (manufacturer Cosentino, USA);
• Caesarstone (Israel, USA);
• Technistone (Czech Republic);
• HanStone (South Korea);
• Plaza Stone (Russia);
• VicoStone (Vietnam).

Final Thoughts

Artificial stone countertops offer a compelling option for any remodeling company or homeowner seeking a balance of aesthetics, durability, and affordability. While these countertops present an array of advantages such as a wide variety of designs, non-porous surfaces, and low maintenance requirements, they also come with some drawbacks including potential vulnerability to high heat and less uniqueness compared to natural stone. However, for those prioritizing a modern, uniform look and cost-effectiveness in their remodeling projects, artificial stone countertops emerge as a practical and stylish choice. Ultimately, the decision to use artificial stone countertops should be guided by individual preferences, budget, and specific remodeling needs.