Choosing suitable materials is said to be one of the most challenging stages in any home makeover. But because of their purported versatility and durability, engineered stone benchtops remain one of the top choices among contractors. These construction materials are artificial yet still manage to look stylish and natural.
Also often referred to as quartz countertops, engineered stone benchtops are believed to be cheaper than natural stones such as marble. It’s not surprising then that they’re present in many houses across the country today.
If you’re planning a home renovation anytime soon, it’s essential to consider synthetic, engineered stone benchtops as one of your primary construction options. In this feature, you’ll discover what engineered stone benchtops are and how you can use them to spruce up your living spaces.
What Are Engineered Stone Benchtops
Contrary to its name, engineered stone benchtops can be used in most sections of your home and not just only as benchtops. Crushed quartz, regarded as one of the most abundant and hardest minerals on the planet, makes up more than 90% of these construction slabs.
Granite aggregates, shells, and glass are bonded together using resin to complete the material’s composition. Pigments and other additives provide engineered stone or quartz tops with unique colors and patterns that give a certain living space its own identity and personality.
6 Novel Uses Of Engineered Stone Benchtops In Your Home
Quartz countertops, as mentioned, are packed with properties that make them highly attractive for use in construction and home improvement works. Engineered stone can be used in the kitchen, bathroom, and living room thanks to its non-porous, durable, and customizable nature.
Below are just some of the practical alternative applications of using engineered stone benchtops in your living space:
As Kitchen Benchtop
Engineered stone benchtops are said to be versatile and come in almost any imaginable color. Additionally, they can come in different patterns or hues. So, whether you’re looking for a modern or classic design to complement your house’s theme, take a look at the vast quartz top choices available in the market for a perfect match.
Besides being stylish, many home experts say that engineered stone benchtops are easy to maintain and clean. The material can withstand heat, stains, scratches, and chemical mainstays in the kitchen too.
As Flooring
Wood flooring may look nice, but they require ongoing maintenance such as refinishing or replacement, especially if you have kids, pets, and frequent guests. Vinyl floors can be a good alternative, yet they can easily be stained and chipped.
Nevertheless, with engineered stone tiles as flooring, you don’t have to worry about the heavy foot traffic and your pets taking their toll on the floor of your home. What’s more, its durability guarantees that you’ll always have nice-looking floors that’ll likely last a lifetime.
As Bathroom Vanity Top
Besides the kitchen, your bathroom may as well be one of the busiest places in your home. Quartz countertops are a recommended top choice if you want a more resilient material that can keep up with your daily hygiene and beauty routine. Apart from being extra durable and reliable, engineered stone benchtops can be molded into different shapes. It’s also easy to install and doesn’t require too much upkeep, making it an ideal choice when remodeling your bathroom.
As Home Mini-Bar Counter
If you’re big on entertaining friends and family members to a cocktail or beer party, your mini-bar counter must feature an engineered stone benchtop to prevent damages from accidental spills and scratches caused by sharp objects. Homeowners can choose to use mini-bar counters outdoors to serve as a kitchen extension, so they must be resilient enough to withstand culinary and beverage mishaps.
As Bathroom And Other Indoor Space Walls
Many modern bathrooms these days are said to feature a wet room. As its name implies, it’s a section of a regular bathroom that’s purposely designed to handle moisture. This area is often known as the shower space, where a bathtub is also a fixture that’s enclosed and isolated from the vanity top and toilet.
Besides using them in your bathroom, engineered stone benchtops can also be installed indoors and on top of your concrete walls. When used as an interior cladding material, like a kitchen backsplash, quartz can provide aesthetic and practical values. They’re hygienic, non-porous, and water-repellant, protecting your kitchen walls and other interior space walls from damage.
As Fireplaces
Because of their high heat-resistance properties, engineered stone benchtops can also be used as a material to build a fireplace. If you want to amp up your living room’s appearance, quartz slabs provide a variety of looks: from simple and sleek to elegant and modern.
Final Thoughts
Man-made stone benchtops or engineered stone benchtops are regarded to be very useful in a myriad of ways in your home, primarily because of their versatility and durability. Though manufactured, engineered stone benchtops are said to be highly resistant to chips, dents, scratches, high temperatures, chemicals, and others.
As most engineered stones in the market are manufactured under strict standards, their fixed structure makes them more durable than natural stones. Quartz benchtops are cheaper than granite and marble despite the mentioned superior qualities, making them the top choice among the majority of homeowners and renovators nationwide.