Advantages and disadvantages of quartz agglomerate, acrylic, polyester stone, and cast marble and recommend what to look for when choosing an artificial material for a countertop.
Natural stone is beautiful and durable, but very expensive. Therefore, its high-quality imitation began to be in demand. Moreover, a non-specialist will not find visual differences between one and the other. Especially popular countertops made of artificial stone. We will understand their varieties and determine the criteria for choosing products for the kitchen and bathroom.
Why choose artificial material
It is suitable for countertops in the bathroom and kitchen. Outwardly, it does not differ from its natural counterpart, but the list of advantages does not end there.
Pros
- Moisture resistant. There are very few pores on the surface, the liquid cannot penetrate into the thickness of the material and destroy it.
- High strength. Comparable to the strength of the natural analog, in some cases it surpasses it.
- Resistant to temperature extremes and aggressive environments.
- Hygiene. Fungus and mold do not settle on a smooth surface.
- Durability. With proper operation, it does not lose its properties and attractive appearance for decades.
- Environmental Safety. Only non-toxic substances are used as raw materials.
We have considered the pros, let’s move on to the cons of artificial stone for countertops. There are few of them, and they do not belong to the entire group of materials but differ for each of its varieties.
Cons
- Agglomerate is not subject to restoration.
- Acrylic and cast marble are sensitive to mechanical damage.
- Cast marble does not tolerate sudden changes in temperature.
- Polyester stone has an unpleasant odor that disappears over time.
Varieties of artificial material
Different technologies are used for the manufacture of stone slabs. As a result, materials of various properties and types are obtained. For the production of countertops, four varieties are most often used. Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Quartz agglomerate
It is made from a mixture of natural filler with polyester resins. As a filler, small pieces or crumbs of quartz, sometimes granite or marble, are used. Its share in the composition of raw materials reaches 90-93%. This explains the high quality of the material, in some properties, it surpasses the natural analog. Sometimes pigments are added to the mixture, which allows you to give the desired shade. Agglomerate is available in different colors, it is very difficult to distinguish it from its natural counterpart.
Pros
- Full moisture impermeability and micropores on the surface are closed. Mold and fungus do not develop on the coating.
- Increased strength. It is much stronger than granite and marble. Not sensitive to shock and other mechanical damage.
- Resistant to high temperatures. The dishes heated on the stove or in the oven can be safely placed directly on the coating.
- Ease of maintenance. Easy to clean by any means. Aggressive chemicals and preparations with abrasives are allowed.
The disadvantages of quartz agglomerate are few, but they are.
Cons
- A damaged coating cannot be repaired.
- It is impossible to make a slab longer than three meters. Therefore, long models have to be assembled from several fragments. True, the seams are sealed in such a way that it is very difficult to notice them.
Another disadvantage of the agglomerate is sometimes considered a cold surface. But this is a rather controversial statement since not everyone pays attention to such minor details.
Acrylic stone
It is a composite based on natural filler, aluminum hydroxide, pigments, and acrylic resins. Unlike quartz agglomerate, the share of stone chips is only 60-70%. Therefore, the technology for manufacturing acrylic is also different. The viscous mixture is molded and left to harden. As a result, models of any size, area, and shape are obtained. This is the main, but not the only plus of acrylic stone.
Pros
- Impact resistance and high strength.
- Pleasant to the touch warm surface. If necessary, it can be restored. This is usually sanding to remove scratches.
- High moisture resistance. The surface micropores are completely closed. Bacteria and fungi do not develop on acrylic.
- Ease of maintenance. Contaminants are washed off with a mild soapy solution.
- Wide selection of textures and colors. There are a lot of options: from high-quality imitation of natural materials to fantasy models.
There are a few drawbacks to acrylic stone, but they are significant.
Cons
- Acrylic scratches easily. Scratches are especially noticeable on a dark coating. It can be polished, but for this, you will have to invite masters.
- Hot objects leave marks on acrylic. Therefore, special coasters are necessarily used on kitchen countertops made of artificial acrylic stone.
Polyester stone
It is made according to a technique similar to acrylate, but polyester rather than acrylic resins are used as a binder. It is cheaper, so polyester models are more affordable than acrylic ones. They are also strong, durable, and moisture-resistant. Their characteristics are very similar. However, there are specific drawbacks that explain the limited use of polyester stone slabs. They have a specific smell, which disappears over time. But at first, it can be a very unpleasant surprise. In addition, there are some features of the production of polyester products. They cannot be curved, only clear geometric shapes. This is not always acceptable to the buyer.
Cast marble
It is made on the basis of natural filler with the addition of polyester resins and dye. It contains marble chips, in the mass of the mixture is about 80%. The finished product is covered with a gel coat, this is a protective and decorative layer. It can be colored or transparent.
Pros
- High strength, in this it surpasses the natural counterpart.
- Closed pores on the surface. Due to this, it does not absorb moisture and other substances. Dirty and greasy stains are also not absorbed. If necessary, they are easy to wash off.
- Resistant to elevated temperatures.
- Ability to manufacture products of any shape and size. The sinks that are integrated with the countertop are especially good. They are suitable for the kitchen and bathroom.
Cast marble has several drawbacks.
Cons
- Sensitivity to shock loads. Dropping a heavy object can ruin it and even split it.
- Sensitivity to sudden changes in temperature. They also damage the surface of the material.
- Cast marble products require precise installation. Distortions, excessive tension, and excessive tightening of fasteners lead to their damage.
- Do not wash the coating with abrasive products.
How to choose a countertop made of artificial stone
The choice of product is not limited to the choice of material and color. We have prepared a list of characteristics that you need to pay special attention to.
Product shape
If a model of a non-standard shape or longer than 3 m is being designed, it is best to make it from cast marble or acrylic. Agglomerate and polyester stones are limited in size, only straight products with clear geometric shapes are made from them. Of these, you can also assemble countertops of complex configurations, but for this, you need to make joints. This greatly complicates the installation and increases its cost.
Plate thickness
The artificial stone slab can be glued to the frame substrate. It is made from moisture-treated wood boards. Acrylic is almost always glued to a substrate. In this case, the height of the acrylic layer can vary from 3 to 14 mm, sometimes more. The thickness of the stone sheet has an impact on performance. The main thing is that the substrate is strong and moisture-resistant, and the glue line is strong. The only thing that affects the height of the acrylic layer is the ability to sand the surface. The thicker the stone layer, the more grinding can be done. Thus, the service life is extended.
The agglomerate is also glued to the substrate but for a completely different reason. It is not subject to restoration, so the thickness of the top layer does not matter. The frame is used to reduce the weight and price of the slab. For normal operation, a thickness of 10-15 mm is sufficient. However, such a countertop looks too thin and fragile. Therefore, a frame is used. An alternative solution is a side that visually increases the thickness of the slab.
Color and texture
There are a lot of colors, especially for acrylic plates. Monophonic, with color inclusions, and imitations of a natural stone. The texture is also different: matte, semi-gloss, or glossy surface. When choosing, it is necessary to take into account not only the design of the room but also the material of the countertop. Yes, acrylic scratches easily. Scratches are clearly visible on a dark monochromatic gloss, so it is more practical to choose light matte models with color inclusions.
Artificial stone is a practical, beautiful and expensive material. The total cost will consist of the price of 1 m 2 and installation. Moreover, the price of installation can be very high, especially if you need to assemble a countertop of complex shape with a large number of joints.
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