One of the most commonly asked questions when selecting stone for your next remodel or construction project is, ‘What’s the difference between natural and engineered stone? ‘ Engineered and natural stones are both stunning. Plenty of options exist for each. However, there are several factors to keep in mind: project type, aesthetic preference, and cost. Before we venture into these, let’s discuss the composition of each to get a better understanding.
Engineered stone is a manufactured stone, hence the name! The process combines crushed quartz or granite aggregates, heated, pressed, and bonded with resins and, in some cases, pigments. Conversely, marble and granite are Mother Nature’s artwork created across different locations over time, extracted deep within the earth worldwide.
The project type for your remodel or new construction matters! Ask yourself, is this a high-traffic area? High usage? Children? If you’re looking for kitchen countertops, these considerations are extremely valuable. If you love to cook, throw parties, and have children running around with baseball bats and lax sticks. Marble may not be the most suitable material. It’s a more delicate stone with higher porosity, making it more susceptible to damage and stains. Granite and quartz, on the other hand, are considerably more durable if you love the aesthetic of a natural stone.
The look of consistency throughout your project(s) or varying design elements is a matter of personal preference. Since natural stone is mined from the earth’s quarries, there are no two identical slabs. Think of marble and granite as fingerprints. Fingers look similar, however, not quite the same, from one person to the next, and each person’s fingerprints are unique. Therefore, natural stones tend to vary in hues and veining, whereas engineered stone is manufactured, creating uniformity across its characteristics. Cost is a prominent, if not the most important factor to take into consideration. Engineered stone is manufactured with low environmental impact and, therefore, tends to be less expensive than natural stone. Even marble and granite have a wide range in cost depending on their properties or rareness, as well as the ability to source two or more slabs with similar color and ‘flow’ to complement one another. A project with a lot of cut-outs or size alone may require more material (think more slabs), increasing the cost. It’s always best to consult your stone specialist to understand cost factors better as they apply to your specific project. Regardless of your project or personal stone preference, our dedicated team at Marbleline will guide you on your journey. Our consultative approach, obsession with our work, and dedication to customer success will have you enjoying your new stone for years to come.
The project type for your remodel or new construction matters! Ask yourself, is this a high-traffic area? High usage? Children? If you’re looking for kitchen countertops, these considerations are extremely valuable. If you love to cook, throw parties, and have children running around with baseball bats and lax sticks. Marble may not be the most suitable material. It’s a more delicate stone with higher porosity, making it more susceptible to damage and stains. Granite and quartz, on the other hand, are considerably more durable if you love the aesthetic of a natural stone.
The look of consistency throughout your project(s) or varying design elements is a matter of personal preference. Since natural stone is mined from the earth’s quarries, there are no two identical slabs. Think of marble and granite as fingerprints. Fingers look similar, however, not quite the same, from one person to the next, and each person’s fingerprints are unique. Therefore, natural stones tend to vary in hues and veining, whereas engineered stone is manufactured, creating uniformity across its characteristics. Cost is a prominent, if not the most important factor to take into consideration. Engineered stone is manufactured with low environmental impact and, therefore, tends to be less expensive than natural stone. Even marble and granite have a wide range in cost depending on their properties or rareness, as well as the ability to source two or more slabs with similar color and ‘flow’ to complement one another. A project with a lot of cut-outs or size alone may require more material (think more slabs), increasing the cost. It’s always best to consult your stone specialist to understand cost factors better as they apply to your specific project. Regardless of your project or personal stone preference, our dedicated team at Marbleline will guide you on your journey. Our consultative approach, obsession with our work, and dedication to customer success will have you enjoying your new stone for years to come.
