Comparing Granite With Sintered Stone

Each of these materials has a significant contribution to make in the way of desirability factors. One is a long time material that has been used for various purposes over the years. The other is a relatively new material that is making a huge impact. We provide a number of articles that compare materials on our website. In this article we will explore some of the similarities and differences between sintered stone and natural granite. We will also look at some of the traits possessed by these materials. As we consider the information, we will discuss some of the distinguishing features each of these materials has.

Why Compare Granite With Sintered Stone?

One reason to compare granite with sintered stone is each of these materials is used for countertops. This means that consumers will want to be informed about the differences between these two materials. Another reason to make the comparison between sintered stone an granite is that each material brings with it some distinctive benefits. Knowing what these benefits are allows buyers and salespersons to make buying decisions and convey information respectively.

Characteristics of Sintered Stone and Granite

As previously mentioned, each material offers benefits. These benefits stem from the composition and/or the characteristics of the materials. So let's take a brief look at the characteristics of each of the two materials we are considering. Then, we will delve into the similarities and differences between them.

Properties of Sintered Stone

Sintered stone is a resilient material that is versatile and durable. This tough substance is very hard and resists scratching, heat, and stains. Since this is the case, sintered stone makes its way as a material for all sorts of surfaces including flooring and countertops.

Sintered stone also is available in many colors. Because manufacturers can produce a wide array of colors, sintered stone can be worked into various design styles. Color palettes are diverse and the number of textures is ever-growing.

Cleaning sintered stone surfaces is easy since the material can be exposed to a variety of cleaners and solvents. The non-porous surface keeps potential stain-causing substances at the surface so the consumer does not usually need to trek down into the pores of the material to get to an unwanted substance.

Granite's Attributes

Granite also has many positive qualities that make it the choice of consumers. One such trait is the fact that natural granite is a product of natural processes married to the effort of stone workers that quarry, fabricate, and install this material. This basically means that the essence of a natural granite surface is unique. As a result, surfaces made from granite are often times viewed by some as works of art.

Another attribute of granite is that it is a very hard material that resists scratches and heat. Because granite is hard, it works well as a material for many applications. Flooring, stairs, walls, and sculptures are all applications in which granite has been employed.

Cleaning, care and maintenance is fairly easy for owners of granite surfaces. Using an impregnating stone sealer and cleaning with a pH neutral stone cleaner is a technique that work well for maintaining a granite surface.

Similarities Between Granite and Sintered Stone

As you may have inferred from the reading thus far, there are some common characteristics between granite and sintered stone. Some of these include:

• Hardness
• Versatility
• Heat Resistance
• Scratch Resistance
• Design Compatibility

The hardness, heat resistance, and scratch resistance really could be grouped into one area of similarity. Yet, we mention this as three distinct traits for the sake of clarity.

Versatility could be viewed as a bi-product of the materials' hardness because many consumers are looking for materials that meet this qualification. Both sintered stone and granite are considered very hard (registering a 7 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness) materials. This makes either of them a good candidate for many applications.

The shear number of colors that one can find granite in means that it is compatible with just about any design style out there. And because

Differences Between Sintered Stone and Granite

A few distinctions can be made between these materials too. One of the biggest differences between sintered stone and granite is one that we have already alluded to. Sintered stone is a man made material and granite is a natural stone. Let's take a deeper look at why these materials are so different.

As its name implies, sintered stone is the product of a process using heat and pressure to make a material that otherwise would not exist. This process is called "sintering". Sintering involves taking various raw materials in powder form and heating them and putting pressure on them to just the right degree so that they transform into a solid mass of material.

Granite on the other hand is an igneous rock that forms naturally without any help from humans. Volcanic molten rock cools and as it does so, granite is formed. Granite contains quartz, feldspar, and mica as well as other natural substances.

In the end, deciding on which material to go with could come down to some simple factors like, how unique the consumer wants the surface to be. Or, whether the end user is willing and able to care for the surface the way each material requires. Finally, how much value the owner places on a completely natural material.