With years of experience in the home improvement industry, Gardner design & Construction has helped many homeowners select the right stone for their projects, whether that be engineered or natural stone. While these two materials may appear similar, their compositions are quite different so let’s dive into the key differences below.
What is Natural Stone?
Natural stone is quarried from the earth and includes varieties like marble, granite, travertine and onyx. After extraction, it undergoes a detailed process of transportation, cutting, and polishing before it can be used, this process naturally makes natural stone more expensive than engineered stone.
Cost
The process required to prepare natural stone for use makes it inherently more expensive than engineered stone. Costs can vary based on the type of natural stone, project complexity, availability, and sourcing location but typically ranges from $700 to $2,500 per square meter, including installation and fabrication.
Durability
Natural stone is formed over a significant period of time through natural geological processes creating an incredibly resistant and durable material especially granite and quartzite. When well maintained it can last a lifetime especially outdoors.
Maintenance
Natural stone is porous, making it susceptible to damage from scratches and stains caused by acidic liquids. While sealants can offer some protection, they require regular reapplication every 6 months to annually so extra care is needed to maintain the stone’s appearance. Using protective measures such as coasters and cutting boards can help prevent scratches, stains and damage.
Refer to our Hunters Hill project to see natural stone in all of its glory crafted into a bespoke basin and vanity top.
What is Engineered Stone?
Engineered stone and porcelain, while not directly extracted from nature still utilises natural materials, It is a composite material made from crushed stone and other materials mixed in a controlled environment. This results in a product with consistent colour and patterns across multiple slabs, each slab provides consistent design, simplifying colour matching for any project.
Cost
Engineered stone is generally more affordable compared to natural stone due to its manufacturing process allowing for cost control and mass production. Engineered stone typically ranges from $390-730 per square metre.
Durability
Engineered stone’s non-porous nature constructed from crushed stone and resin provides exceptional durability and is highly resistant to scratches, stains and heat exposure.
Maintenance
Engineered stone and porcelain are non-porous compared to natural stone, making them resistant to scratches, stains, and germs in turn creating minimal upkeep as they do not require annual sealing.
As used in our Kingsford project, the engineered stone kitchen benchtops take center stage, adding sophistication and elegance to the space whilst perfectly complementing the kitchen’s VJ paneling and timber elements, making it an excellent choice for this stunning home.
