You’ve probably started seeing “sintered stone” on slab tags and design blogs. It’s one of the most advanced surfaces available today but the name doesn’t mean much to most people.

What is sintered stone?

Sintered stone is an engineered product made by taking natural minerals and fusing them together under intense heat and pressure. The process is called “sintering” and it mimics and speeds up the same process Mother Nature uses to form natural stone in the earth. Crucially for today’s environmentally conscientious consumers, it does not contain resins or binders. A nice enhancer, the lack of resins and binders make it more durable.

How is sintered stone made?

Finely ground minerals are taken and pressed together while being exposed to extreme heat until the particles fuse into a single dense slab. The end result is a surface that’s dense, non-porous, and functionally a slab stone product.

Performance

Sintered stone resists heat, scratches, UV, stains, and exposure to frost. You can put a hot pan on it, leave it in direct sun outdoors, and clean it without concern for etching. Of special note, because it’s non-porous, it never needs sealing like most natural stone surfaces require.

Sintered stone vs. quartz vs. porcelain

In truth, porcelain is actually a type of sintered surface, so the production method overlaps. When sintered stone is compared to engineered quartz, sintered stone handles heat and UV far better. Quartz will often discolor.

Applications for sintered stone

Sintered stone is a smart choice for kitchen counters, outdoor kitchens, floors, walls, fireplace surroundings, and cladding. It works nicely for applications both indoors and out. Its thin, large format makes it exceptionally versatile.

Cost and considerations

Sintered stone is priced competitively to premium quartz and porcelain. Quality, quantity, and delivery urgency will effect price, so you are best advised to work with a well-experienced provider.

Where to buy

Zion Stone Gallery is Southern Utah’s headquarters for sintered stone, porcelain, and exquisite imported natural stone slabs. Come by and see for yourself the wide selection offered within the climate-controlled comfort of our 25,000 square foot facility. Walk down row after row of prime selections and pick out exactly what you want. Talk to our highly qualified techs and designers, many of whom have personally traveled the world and often were the ones hand selecting the very piece you cherish.