Material Moment: SINTERED STONE
Image via Lapitec®
Sintered Stone
When it comes to manufactured surface materials, quartz has long been a top choice for interior designers. It’s durable, low maintenance and advances in manufacturing have resulted in a plethora of beautiful pattern options (if there’s one thing interior designers love, it’s options, lol). In the past number of years, porcelain surfaces have made their way onto the scene boasting a particular advantage over quartz, superior heat resistance. Porcelain can be used in exterior applications and in high heat locations such as fireplace surrounds and range backsplashes. Enter sintered stone, the aesthetic of quartz coupled with the heat resistance of porcelain plus a bonus benefit, it’s silica free.
Could sintered stone be the best of both worlds in manufactured stone surfaces? We chatted with Page Johnston from Willis, the distributor for the Italian sintered stone line Lapitec® , about this innovative material.
What is Sintered Stone?
Sintered stone is an industrial product made from a wet mixture of 100% natural minerals, without the use of resin or cement, cold-formed by means of vibro-compression under vacuum and consolidated, after drying by sintering.
The process of sintering involves transforming a powdered material, in this case minerals, into a solid mass through the use of heat and compression.
Sintered stone can be used in countless surface applications, both horizontally and vertically, including countertops & backsplashes, bathroom surfaces and reception desks. This low-maintenance surface material is durable and eco-friendly. Sintered stone is available in a variety of gorgeous colours and patterns and a range of finishes from glossy to honed.
Image via Lapitec®
How is sintered stone different from quartz or porcelain SURFACES?
Sintered stone is essentially combining two worlds. The porcelain category, which is a high-impact and durable, combined with the workability of natural stone or quartz. When you put those two together, we create a hybrid and that’s sintered stone.
How is sintered STONE maintained?
It’s easy, simply remove dust and stains using a damp microfibre cloth and a neutral detergent. For more stubborn residue, Lapitec® has a cleaning guide recommending common household products such as degreaser, a white scotch brite pad or a bristle brush.
Is the price point similar to quartz and porcelain?
Yes, depending on the thickness it can fall into a similar price range. Lapitec® is available in three different thicknesses, 12mm, 20mm & 30mm.
What else makes sintered stone unique?
Here are a few more differentiating factors:
Lapitec® sintered stone is SILICA FREE. Lapitec® is a safe choice for fabricators and promotes responsible production practices. (Silica dust is a known carcinogen and exposure during manufacturing and fabrication can contribute to a host of lung-related illnesses).
Sintered stone is thermal resistant. Hot pots can be placed directly onto the surface. In fact, Lapitec® warranties the product in the event of cracks caused by direct exposure to heat through normal household use!
Sintered stone is an up-and-coming product. The EC (European Commission) officially defined a new product category known as Sintered Stone. Lapitec® is the only material that currently meets all the requirements. As a result, it has been granted the CE MARK for the building category as the only sintered stone in the world.
Sintered stone is eco-friendly. Throughout its life-cycle - production, processing, installation, use and end of life, the approach is inspired by a cradle-to-cradle philosophy. Lapitec® does not contain any raw material obtained through petroleum processing. Lapitec® is completely inert and does not release any substance into the environment. When scrapped, it could be milled and recycled as an aggregate or simply disposed of in a waste treatment plant that treats inert waste products.
ARE THERE ANY LOCATIONS WHERE SINTERED STONE IS not a good fit?
No, you can use sintered stone everywhere! It can be used as exterior cladding, pool coping, paving, and flooring. Sintered stone can be backlit and carved into fluted panels. It’s anti-bacterial, UV resistant, scratch resistant, chemical resistant, heat resistant, frost resistant and easy to clean. The options are truly endless.
Thank you Page! We’re looking forward to testing out sintered stone on a few of our new projects.
For more information on Lapitec® you can visit their website or reach out to Page Johnston at Willis.
Would you use sintered stone on your project? Tell us in the comments!
