What is Artificial Stone?
Artificial stone also known as engineered stone or artificial slabs is a man made stone. It is manufactured in factories and it is made from natural stone. Quartz, Engineered Marble, Terrazzo and Porcelain Tiles are all artificial stones. These stones have different and multiple uses. Customers get attract to the beauty of these stones and due to its uniqueness and completely new appearance. It is also generally more affordable than natural stone, making it a popular choice for countertops, flooring, and other applications.
How Artificial Stone is manufacture?
1. Selecting the material -The first step is to select the raw materials. In this process the crushed pieces of natural stone and granite are used in manufacturing an engineered stone by adding resins and pigments for creating different colors and designs.
2. Mixing - The next step is to mix all the materials in fixed portion. All of them are mixed together with the resin and pigments in a mixing machine. This process make sure that all the materials are equivalently distributed and well coated.
3. Vacuum vibrating - After properly mixing the mixture is placed into a vacuum vibrating machine. This machine helps to remove any trapped air bubbles and further make sure consistent distribution of the materials.
4. Molding - Then the mixed material is poured into molds to give it the desired shape and size. These molds can be adapted to create various forms, such as slabs, tiles in different size and thickness.
5. Compression and Restoring - The filled molds are placed into a hydraulic press. The pressure helps to compress the mixture deeply and take out any prevailing air bubbles. The compressed molds are then transferred to a curing oven, in high temperatures and pressure for a fixed period to harden and bond the material together.
6. Trimming and Finishing - After the curing process is complete artificial stone or products are removed from the molds. They may go through further trimming and shaping to achieve the desired dimensions and thickness. The surface of the stone can also be polished according to the desired finish.
7. Quality Control and Inspection - The finished artificial stone slabs products are inspected for quality and consistency. This includes checking for any defects, color variations, or imperfections. Only the products that meet the necessary standards are consider acceptable for sale or installation.;
What are the advantages of Engineered Stone?
1. Appearance – Artificial stone slabs have a wide range of color options. There are some top brands which keep manufacturing new colors every year providing multiple options to customers. It has all the type of shades and every design is unique in itself. It has shades that even gives look like natural stone available at reasonable prices in the market. Whether one prefer a sleek and modern look or a more rustic and textured appearance, artificial slabs can be adapted to suit your appealing preferences.
2. Durability – It is durable because of the material used in it. It is stain resistance , scratch resistance and strong enough. It is designed and manufactured in such a way that it can be used for flooring , countertops , stairs and walls and for other things as well.
3. Cost Effective – It have many options and all these are available at reasonable prices. Prices depend on design and also on the brand value. However , approximate price starts from 300/- per square feet and goes up to 2000-3000/- per square feet depending on the brand.
4. Consistency – Engineered stone is a factory made stone and it is its one of biggest advantage as it ensures consistency in terms of color , shape size and thickness. Due to its standard size there is less wastage in comparison with natural stone.
5. Multiple uses – There is no doubt that it has multiple uses such as quartz stone is use for countertops , composite marble is use for flooring and stairs , porcelain tiles are use for flooring , wall cladding and even for countertops.
6. Availability in the market -Artificial slabs are easily available in the market as there are many big dealers who deals in valuable brands.
Moreover , before buying one needs to do complete research that which stone he wants to buy and for what use for which he should get complete knowledge about brands and their stones.
What is the difference between Artifical Stone and Natural Stone?
Origin and Composition:
- Natural Stone: Natural stone is quarried from the Earth and is formed over millions of years through geological processes. It includes materials like granite, marble, limestone, slate, and sandstone.
- Artificial Stone: Artificial stone, also known as engineered or synthetic stone, is manufactured by combining various aggregates (such as crushed stone, quartz, or marble), resins, and pigments. It has many colors some of which looks completely like natural stone.
Appearance and Variety:
- Natural Stone: Natural stone is renowned for its authenticity, uniqueness, and natural beauty. It showcases a wide range of colors, veining, and textures that are shaped by natural processes.
- Artificial Stone: Artificial stone, also known as engineered stone or composite stone, is a material designed to mimic the appearance of natural stone while offering additional benefits such as increased durability and versatility.
Durability:
- Natural Stone: Many types of natural stone are known for their durability and longevity. However, the durability varies depending on the type of stone and its susceptibility to weathering and chemical exposure.
- Artificial Stone: Engineered stone is designed to be more consistent in terms of durability and resistance to factors like moisture, staining, and chipping.
Maintenance:
- Natural Stone: Natural stone may require specific maintenance depending on the type of stone.
- Artificial Stone: Engineered stone is often less porous than some natural stones, which can make it easier to clean and maintain. However, its long-term performance depends on the quality of the manufacturing process.
Cost:
- Natural Stone: The cost of natural stone varies widely based on factors such as rarity, location, and type.
- Artificial Stone: While initial costs for engineered stone can be more predictable and consistent, they can still vary based on brand, design, and customization
Popular Brands dealing in Engineered Stone
Most asked questions about Artificial Stone
Actually it depends on the fact that which engineered stone a person is using and for what purpose. If one wants stone for kitchen top than one must use quartz as it is non- porous because it is formed from granite. If one is going to use composite marble than it will absorb as it is made from natural stone which also absorbs. So, it depends on the uses of a stone. And every stone has different uses.
No, it is not expensive even it is cheaper than natural stone that’s why customers prefer it over natural stone. It also depends on the brand but there many brands in India which provides these stones at reasonable prices with good quality material. Remember that price of engineered stone depends on its color and shades. Approximately the prices of engineered stone starts from 300/- per square feet and goes up to 2000/- per square feet depending on the brand.
There are many varieties in engineered stone. Quartz stone is used for counter and its size is 123 inches in length and 56 inches in width whereas the size of marble and terrazzo are 120 inches in length and 48 inches in width. Note that these are approximate sizes. Actual sizes may vary from company to company.
Although, there are many brands available in the market which provides good quality of stone. But some of the top brands are AGL , Kalinga stone and Caesartone.