Porcelain Vs Sintered Stone
Due to advances in technology and greater design freedom, the use of Porcelain and Sintered Stone slabs for bench tops, wall cladding, floors and facades is becoming increasingly popular.
Often confused as the same product, Porcelain and Sintered Stone have some subtle variances - they differ in ingredients and in the specific processes through which each is produced.
Although both sintered stone and porcelain materials make use of the sintering process, they differ in a couple of important respects. First, the raw materials used are different. Second, the sintering process itself varies from one manufacturer to the next.
Ultimately, the sintering process is designed to mimic the metamorphic process that occurs in nature when a stone or granite is formed. The end result? A hard, non-porous, and chemical tolerant surface which is extremly versatile and durable for use in interior and exterior applications.
The properties of both surfaces are comparable in their benefits:
Abrasion resistant
Scratch & impact resistant
Water & stain resistant
Extreme temperature & fire resistant
UV-ray resistant, outdoor proof
Easy to clean, hygienic surface
Environmentally friendly - most manufacturers are carbon-neutral using only natural materials.
Some of the ultracompact porcelain & sintered stone brands we have on offer in the design industry include Dekton, Laminam, Neolith, Caesarstone Porcelain and Techlam all of which manufacture their products to the highest European standards. Most suppliers offer the standard 12mm and 20mm thick sheets with thinner panels also available for cladding applications. The large slab size means most installations will require little or no joins.
When selecting which material or brand you’d like to opt for, its best to thoroughly research each product and touch and feel samples in real life. Our suppliers offer their own unique design and colour options and benchtops must be supplied by specialist stone fabricators who have experience in that specific product.
For more information or to view samples in our showroom, feel free to give us a call on (08) 6101 1190 or visit us at 156 Onslow Rd, Shenton Park W.A.
Our local supplier of Techlam sintered stone, Asetica Surfaces, also has an informative guide to their product which can be accessed here and gives a great explanation of their sintered stone benchtops.
Laminam - Canadian House A private residence in Toronto designed by VFA Architecture & Design
Peppermint Grove Project by Retreat Design using Dekton Kelya
City Beach Residence by Retreat Design using Caesarstone Mirabel Porcelain
Mt Claremont Project by Retreat Design featuring Laminam Diamond Cream Splashback
Nedlands Project by Retreat Design featuring Dekton Laurant Natural
Techlam Montblanc Sintered Stone