What Is Sintered Stone and How Does It Compare to Other Countertops?
It’s tough and beautiful, and you can use it both indoors and out
Highlights
High pressure and heat turn minerals and materials into sintered stone during the sintering process.
It’s durable, nonporous, and can withstand extreme temperatures.
You’ll find a wide variety of designs to suit your style preferences.
Sintered stone is a durable option for countertops, walls, flooring, and more.
It costs between $60 to $100 per square foot installed.
If you are searching for a durable building material that is scratch-proof, nonporous, and eye-catching to boot, take a closer look at sintered stone. Sure, the idea of a luxe granite or marble kitchen countertop can be hard to ignore, but sintered stone is low maintenance (no sealing required!) and will last longer. Better yet, it is available in a variety of design options, many of which mimic the beauty of natural stone.
Sintered Stone Manufacturing Process
Imagine getting something done in mere hours that normally takes thousands of years. It sounds impossible, but that is what happens during the manufacturing process for sintered stone, known as “sintering.”
Sintered stone manufacturers each have their own patented process, but they generally follow the same basic steps. First, they prepare a mixture of minerals and materials—typically granite, quartz, feldspar, glass, silica, and natural oxides. Then, they put that mixture under immense pressure and heat it to extremely high temperatures.
The pressure used to make sintered stone ranges between 370 to 25,000 tons. For perspective, 25,000 tons is equal to about two and a half Eiffel Towers. After that, special ovens heat the slabs to temperatures reaching or exceeding 2,190 degrees Fahrenheit, which is comparable to the hottest lava.
When comparing engineered stone vs. natural stone, consider that sintered stone contains no adhesives, resins, or other bonding agents, unlike popular types of engineered stone countertops.
Sintered Stone Options
If you have a specific vision for your home project, you can likely achieve it with sintered stone because manufacturers can print any design onto the slabs. You have many options to choose from:
Colors: Natural hues, including white, beige, black, dark blue, and light pink
Designs: Can mimic wood, marble, granite, and more
Textures: High gloss, matte, velvety soft, brushed, sandblasted, and more
Pros of Sintered Stone
Sintered stone checks the boxes for all kinds of indoor and outdoor home projects, thanks to these features:
Waterproof
Weatherproof—not impacted by heat, UV rays, ice, or freezing temperatures
Stain-proof
Scratch resistant—scores seven on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness (from one to 10)
Easy to clean and will not react to chemicals
Nonporous—keeps bacteria out and does not require sealing, ever
Lightweight—weighs up to 1.5 pounds per square foot
Stands up to heavy wear and tear, including foot traffic
Recyclable
Cons of Sintered Stone
Sintered stone surfaces do have some downsides. Here are the cons you should know before making a decision:
It is more expensive than other stone materials, such as granite, quartz, or marble.
It can crack or chip if subjected to hard blows, particularly on edges.
Color, patterns, and textures do not run through the entire slab, so edges may not match tops.
It can be hard to source; there are relatively few manufacturers, fabricators, and sellers.
Installation is tricky and requires a pro.
Chips and damage are hard to repair.
How Much Does Sintered Stone Cost?
Sintered stone costs around $60 to $100 per square foot, including installation by a local stone countertop contractor near you. The price depends on the stone's quality, design, and installation difficulty.
Sintered Stone Countertop Comparisons
Although there are many differences between natural and engineered stone, sintered stone is also uniquely different from other engineered materials. Here is how it compares to the competition.
Sintered Stone vs. Granite
| Sintered Stone | Granite |
|---|---|
| Hard to scratch | Hard to scratch |
| Heat resistant up to 300°F | Heat resistant up to 1,200°F |
| Never needs resealing | Reseal every 12 to 18 months |
| Will not etch | Acids will etch it |
There are several options for natural stone countertops, and granite is often at the top of everyone’s list. Like sintered stone, granite is a strong material that is hard to scratch and can handle high heat. Unlike sintered stone, granite requires pH-neutral stone cleaner and resealing every two to three years.
Granite countertops cost $80 to $130 per square foot installed, so expect to pay more for this option than for sintered stone.
Sintered Stone vs. Marble
| Sintered Stone | Marble |
|---|---|
| Hard to scratch | Scratches easily |
| Heat resistant up to 300°F | Heat resistant up to 350°F |
| Never needs resealing | Reseal every 6 months |
| Will not etch | Acids will etch it |
Marble is another natural stone that people love for its elegant appearance. It can dissolve, however, when exposed to highly acidic foods like lemon juice and vinegar. It can also scratch and stain easily. For these reasons, sintered stone can be a better choice for kitchen countertops if you are looking for something easier to maintain and more hygienic.
You can expect a marble countertop to cost $40 to $100 per square foot installed.
Sintered Stone vs. Quartz
| Sintered Stone | Quartz |
|---|---|
| Hard to scratch | Scratch resistant |
| Heat resistant up to 300°F | Heat resistant up to 150°F |
| Never needs resealing | Never needs resealing |
| Will not etch | Will not etch |
Sintered stone and quartz are both engineered materials, but the similarities end there. Manufacturers make quartz from a mixture of minerals and a binder, typically resin, and its designs run through the body of the material, so they are visible from the sides. Manufacturers print sintered stone designs on top of the material, which leaves the sides plain. While quartz is harder than granite and nonporous, sintered stone is even more durable and resists stains better.
The cost of quartz countertops can surpass sintered stone, with the typical range being $50 to $200 per square foot installed.
Installing Sintered Stone
Installing sintered stone, especially sintered stone countertops, is not usually a DIY job because improper handling can damage or crack the material. Unless you have extensive experience working with this or other engineered stone, you are better off hiring a countertop installer. A pro will cut slabs off-site with special tools, which leaves no room for error on the job site—and no stress for you.