The Battle of Sintered Stone vs Quartz in the Dining Room
Massa Sintered Stone Top Dining Table | Cellini
A trendy eat-in kitchen or a modern dining room, regardless of the design theme you are going for, a dining room should be far from a stuffy place where one drags their feet for a meal. A space where you could hang out for a long time and have some drinks over a few conversations, the area should be enveloped in an aura that radiates cosiness. And while the dining room design has a big role to play in pulling such a vibe off, the materials you opt for also do their part in reflecting this charm. Hence, besides the stereotypically safe wooden furniture that many tend to gravitate towards, the imaginative use of modern stone dining tables can completely shift the feel of the dining room. Not only an eye-catching showpiece, stones like quartz and sintered stone are functional solutions that hold up to the activities in the busy dinette.
While the Quartz stone dining table has long been loved by design enthusiasts, there is a fast-rising star in the material world. Extremely hard by nature, sintered stone is made from 100% natural materials. Giving off a similar premium and natural-looking vibe like quartz, sintered stone surfaces are meandering their way through the design community. Just like quartz, sintered stone possesses a natural stone look and comes in a wide variety of colours, textures, and graining. Beyond its appealing visual texture and colour selection that draws the attention of discerning homeowners, the thickness of sintered stone also makes it an ideal choice for installation in places including the dining room – just like quartz stone dining furniture. Since both these materials are some of the hottest topics in the interior design world, understanding their differences and similarities will come in handy when narrowing in on the choices you have available.
Sintered Stone vs Quartz: Their Differences
Quartz and sintered stone are both man-made materials that have many desirable properties. However, despite sharing similar traits, they are definitely not the same material.
1. Composition
Quartz is made from natural quartz stone and other auxiliary materials like resin binders and pigments. The material is optimally balanced and then compressed together through intense vibration and high pressure. Sintered stone, on the other hand, is a manufactured surface material that is made of purely natural minerals. This means that it is composed of natural quartz stone and other natural raw materials like inorganic clay and minerals that might have otherwise been used to make glass or porcelain surfaces. These natural minerals are then fused with high temperature as well as some form of force like pressure or electricity.
2. Production Process
During the manufacturing process, quartz is compacted under vacuum before being heated to about 110ᵒC. Sintered stone goes through a special process known as sintering. Sintering is basically the man-made combination of various materials that mimics the natural process of the earth to create a specific surface. This process involves the materials being pressed by roller machines and cured in temperatures above 1200ᵒC in a furnace to create a single solid piece of stone.
3. Appearance
Gris Sintered Stone Top Extendable Dining Table
On the surface, quartz and sintered stone might look similar. But quartz is often available in a thickness of 20-30mm, and its pattern can be seen running throughout the stone slab. This homogeneity is not found in sintered stone as its pattern is only visible on the top surface. This is because high-definition printed graphics are utilised to give this 3-20mm thick stone the illusion of unique qualities. Natural faults like graining can also be printed on, so sintered stone dining tables can be engineered to look like a vast array of natural materials like wood or other smooth surfaces.
Sintered Stone vs Quartz: Their Similarities
Given these differences, does that mean that one material triumphs over the other? Not necessarily, since they’re hardy materials that are equally good in spaces like your dining room. Some of their common characteristics include:
1. Durability
Unlike natural marble which is porous and requires maintenance from stains and scratches, both these stone types are non-porous and are extremely hardy. Since they are stain-resistant, liquids will not be able to penetrate through them and leave permanent discolouration, making them ideal for the dining space. Be it spills on your dining room table or tiny scratches; you can rest assured that both these materials have the ability to remain in tip-top condition in instances of carelessness. However, it is crucial to note that sintered stone is harder than quartz as its mineral hardness is 7 to 8 on the Mohs scale, compared to quartz’s surface hardness of 7 Mohs. Also, given sintered stone’s production process which exposes it to high heat, sintered surfaces tend to be more weather-resistant and fadeproof. This means that they are perfect for indoor and outdoor use and leaving a hot pot on your sintered stone table will not leave a mark either.
2. Longevity
Given the hardiness of both these materials, they are guaranteed to last long too. Although many homeowners get thrown off by the upfront cost of these materials, their durability justifies the initial price tag. A practical investment, it is no wonder these materials often make the list of ideal dining tabletops.
3. Aesthetic Appeal
When finding the right quartz or sintered stone top dining table, options are aplenty. From the Gris Sintered Stone Top Extendable Dining Table to grey stone dining tables like the Kay Grey Quartz Top Dining Table, you will be spoilt for choices. Ideal choices for decoration, it ultimately comes down to your personal preference as to which stone tabletop will complement your design scheme.
Not sure where to buy modern stone dining tables in Singapore? From quartz stone dining tables to sintered stone tabletops, Cellini has all your dining room furniture needs available on sale both in our furniture shop in Singapore and online. Visit our virtual showroom or head down to one of our stores in Singapore to get a closer look at our extensive range of furniture.
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