COMPARISON BETWEEN ENGINEERED STONES: QUARTZ - SOLID SURFACE - SINTERED STONE

Each type of stone has its own unique composition, structure, and characteristics. You can refer to the comparison table below to choose the type of stone that best suits your needs.

Criteria Solid Surface Quartz (Engineered Quartz) Sintered Stone
Main composition Mineral powder (Aluminium Trihydrate – ATH) + acrylic or polyester resin + pigments 90–95% quartz powder + 5–10% resin + additives Natural minerals (quartz, feldspar, silica, metal oxides) – no resin
Structure Homogeneous, solid, non-porous material; color & pattern run throughout; thermoformable Bound with resin; color & pattern either on the surface or throughout in engineered form Pressed and fired at high temperatures, simulating natural stone structure; extremely dense
Hardness Medium (good impact resistance but prone to scratches) High, good scratch resistance Very high, almost scratch-proof
Heat resistance Medium (withstands ~100–120°C; needs a pad for hot pots) Fairly high (~150–200°C) but resin may still be damaged Very high (>500°C); unaffected by cooking heat
UV resistance Poor (fades easily outdoors) Not recommended for outdoor use Excellent UV resistance, colorfast outdoors
Water resistance & hygiene Non-porous, easy to clean, good antibacterial properties Non-porous, good antibacterial properties Non-porous, antibacterial, stain-resistant
Fabrication Easy to thermoform and shape; seamless joints Can be cut and polished but not thermoformed Cut like natural stone; not thermoformable; requires specialized machinery
Color & pattern Very diverse, can create special effects Diverse, beautiful natural stone veining Diverse, simulating marble, cement, metal, basalt, etc.
Common applications Kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, reception desks, interior décor Kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, wall cladding, staircases Kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, flooring, walls, exterior façades
Price range Low – medium Medium – high High (but gradually decreasing in Asia)
Strengths Easy to shape and fabricate, seamless joints, cost-effective Hard, durable, attractive, low maintenance Extremely durable, heat-resistant, scratch & UV-resistant, safe for health
Weaknesses Prone to scratches, low heat resistance, unsuitable for outdoor use High free-silica content – risk of silicosis during fabrication Difficult to fabricate, high initial cost, requires skilled labor
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