If you have ever invested in our world-famous Neolith countertops, then you are already familiar with the wonders of sintered stone. While at first glance it seems to be the same type of manufactured stone as quartz or porcelain, it could not be more different. The eco-friendly process of producing sintered stone sets our strong slabs apart from others on the market.

How is Sintered Stone Manufactured?

So, how is sintered stone manufactured, exactly? How is it made to be as strong as natural stone without needing thousands of years of heat and pressure? Why do we recommend Neolith Sintered Stone above all other types of countertops? Keep reading to get the answers to these questions and more!

Benefits of Sintered Stone

Many people believe that sintered stone is natural, and are surprised to learn that it is a manufactured slab. This is because the manufacturing process uses a patented technique to create something as durable and unique as the very stone that was carved out of the earth.

• Some of the many benefits of sintered stone that our customers enjoy are:
• Stain-proof and water-proof resistance
• Easy maintenance requirements
• Extreme durability for resistance to cracks, chips, or scratches
• Ability to withstand extreme heat or cold
• Safe non-toxic surfaces for ultimate food preparation
• Non-porous materials prevent the need for the stone to be sealed by a finish
• Beautiful aesthetic appearances and unique stone options that mimic natural designs

One of the biggest additional advantages of this material is that sintered stone is extremely versatile. It can be used for kitchen countertops, fireplace cladding, exterior walls, stairs, bathroom vanities, swimming pools, and more. This is an extremely strong, flexible, and colorful stone that is hard to beat no matter what your home remodeling plans are.

Sintered Stone: The Manufacturing Process

How is sintered stone produced in such a way that it can provide all of these unique benefits that you won’t find with other types of stone? Let’s talk about the manufacturing process itself:

Natural Stone Base

Like all man-made stones, sintered stone starts out with a real base. Some natural stone materials are used to mix with manufactured ingredients in order to create a super-strong product. This natural stone base is often mixed with patented materials like polymers and pigments to make each stone design unique.

Sintering Process

By definition, sintering is the process of utilizing extreme amounts of pressure and heat on a mixture of different parts to make the finished product stronger than the individual parts were before they were combined. This can happen in nature, and it is mimicked in the stone-making industry as well. We just speed up the process so that it doesn’t take an era to become durable!

Cutting Slabs

After the stone has been pressurized and then baked, it is then cut into differently-sized slabs. At Neolith, we pride ourselves on offering a wide range of sizes, shapes, textures, and colors of sintered stone slabs for homeowners to enjoy in a number of different ways.

Get Professional Sintered Stone Installation with Neolith Today

Interested in learning more about the sintered stone process? Neolith is proud to be the #1 supplier of large format sintered surfaces, using our patented Neolith sintering process to ensure the best quality on the planet. If you want a stone slab that will last many lifetimes, you might want to keep your eyes on our full range of Neolith products. From kitchen countertops to exterior wall cladding options, you will find plenty of durable and reliable products to fill your home with. Contacth one of our Neolith pros today to start!

When it comes to kitchen remodeling projects, the countertop is the true cornerstone of any space. More and more homeowners are choosing to install porcelain and sintered stone countertops for many reasons. They are both functional and decorative, adding so much value to kitchens of any size. Let’s compare porcelain vs sintered stone countertops.

Porcelain Vs Sintered Stone Countertops

If you are looking to buy one of our custom-made Neolith countertops, you may think at first glance that porcelain and sintered stone are the same things. Let’s take a look at the differences between porcelain vs. sintered stone so you know exactly the type of material you want for your next kitchen renovation project.

Sintering: The Biggest Similarity

One reason why people might confuse porcelain and sintered stone as the same material is that they both go through a similar “sintering” process when they are manufactured. Sintering is the process of turning stone – or an amalgam of materials – into a fine powder, and then transforming that powder back into a solid slab.

At Neolith, our sintering process is the most eco-friendly manufacturing system on the market, and we produce durable stone countertops that are built to last a lifetime. Our stone production uses a similar sintering process as porcelain to achieve such a strong material.

Raw Materials: The Main Difference

If both materials go through the same sintering process, then what exactly is the biggest difference between porcelain and sintered stone? Well, instead of looking at the manufacturing process to find the difference, it is important to look at the raw materials that go into the powder-production process.

The raw materials truly do make all the difference. Porcelain is sintered by condensing raw materials such as clay, silica, flint, or feldspar. Sintered stone, on the other hand, uses a unique combination of materials and temperatures that make the sintered stone a long-lasting product.

Types of Sintered Stone Available

Just like there can be different types of porcelain depending on the raw materials that go into it, sintered stone can be fabricated in a number of ways. The combination of materials, sizes, and temperatures can create different sintered stone products which include:

• Compact and ultra-compact surfaces
• Large panels
• Large format slabs
• Big or small panels

Each type of sintered stone possesses different characteristics that you may be looking for in the best kitchen countertop. This is why many often compare it to porcelain when used in similar environments.

Benefits of Having a Durable Countertop

There are other similarities and differences between porcelain and sintered stone that make either type of stone a good option for a long-lasting countertop. It is important to compare specific features when deciding which countertop is the absolute best for you:

• Hardness. The overall hardness of the stone will determine how durable it will be when using it. If you plan on cooking and chopping a lot, you want a scratch-resistant surface.
• Non-porousness. Spills will happen; make sure your countertop is a non-porous material that won’t’ absorb the stains right away.
• Easy maintenance. Strong, resilient countertops are easy to clean. Your countertop may require a different cleaning technique depending on the material you ultimately choose. Still, it remains important to fix it up every day.

Different sintering processes and raw materials contribute to the major differences between porcelain and sintered stone. It is important for you to understand those disparities before making the best choice for your kitchen.

Porcelain Vs Sintered Stone Countertops: Get Yours Today

Looking for the best of the best? Neolith sintered stone delivers both durability and decorative uniqueness. From our eco-friendly manufacturing process to the longevity of the final product, our countertops are the best on the market. Take a look at our diverse inventory of stone slabs and get in touch with our experts to find the perfect fit for your kitchen today!