Sintered Stone vs Marble

In our Sintered Stone vs Marble article, we give you a detailed comparison as well as the pros and cons of both materials.

Since both materials have unique strengths and weaknesses, whether to pick sintered stone or marble depends on your priorities.

Dive into our full comparison of sintered stone vs marble properties to find the best choice for your space.

What is the Difference Between Marble and Sintered Stone?

Sintered stone is a tough, eco-friendly manufactured product that features natural minerals like feldspar and quartz, binders, and pigments. The most popular manufacturers of Sintered stone are Dekton & Neolith. The production involves replicating 100s of years of rock metamorphism by:

1. Mixing natural minerals with colours and binders
2. Compressing the mixture into slabs
3. Extracting moisture from the slabs
4. Sintering the mixture
5. Cooling the final product

On the other hand, marble is a natural rock that results from centuries of mineral fusion in limestone rock under extreme heat. Suppliers source it from quarries, cut it into different shapes, and polish it into different finishes ranging from matte to high gloss.

Here’s a comprehensive dive into how the different properties of sintered stone and marble result in differing appearances, durability levels, plus acquisition and maintenance requirements.

Stain and Etch Resistance

Sintered stone resists stains better than marble. While sintered stone can attain absorption rates as low as 0.1% or less, marble typically ranges between 0.8% and 1.0%. The quicker your worktop can absorb liquids, the faster it can stain. As such, marble, which is more prone to staining than sintered stone, needs more immediate cleaning of messes.

Different types of marble have different absorption levels and susceptibility to staining. For instance, polishing closes some pores. As a result, honed marble, which has more pores than polished marble, is more likely to stain.

Additionally, sintered stone is more resistant to acidic spills, such as lemon juice and tomato sauce. Conversely, marble tends to etch more readily after exposure to acidic spills. Polished marble shows blemishes more easily than honed marble because polished marble is shiny, while honed marble has a matte finish.

Scratch Resistance

Sintered stone worktops resist scratches better than marble ones. Sintering results in a super-hard product with a 7-8 Mohs rating, making it more difficult to scratch.

Meanwhile, marble worktops are softer, with a 3.0 Mohs rating. Hence, they’re more likely to scratch than sintered stone.

Still, the different types of marble mean some are more scratch-resistant than others. For instance, honed marble’s matte finish makes it less likely to attain scratches than polished marble countertops. Additionally, because the surface isn’t shiny, scratches on a honed marble worktop are less noticeable than a polished one.

Heat Resistance

While marble and sintered stone are heat-resistant, the latter is more resilient. Sintered stone production happens at temperatures over 1,000°C. Marble can also withstand high temperatures and only disintegrates once temperatures surpass 825°C. Still, some types of marble have slightly lower melting points, like Fangshan marble at 800°C.

The biggest advantage of sintered stone over marble regarding heat is its ability to remain stylish even when subjected to high temperatures. Conversely, marble tends to discolour under high heat. So, it isn’t the best choice if you often leave hot items on your worktops.

Maintenance

Both worktop types are a cinch to maintain, but sintered stone has a slight edge over marble worktops. Because sintered stone worktops are less prone to staining, you don’t have to worry about forgetting messes for a while and dealing with stain removers.

Marble’s higher porosity than sintered stone means it requires sealing, which is an added cost. Unlike sintered stone, which is a set-and-forget material, marble requires sealing every three to five years.

Appearance

Marble’s distinct, elegant look makes it a top choice for many homeowners. Marble is well known for its timeless, intricate veined patterns and colours. This long-lasting beauty is why manufacturers try to mimic marble when producing alternatives like sintered stone.

Sintered stone is an engineered product, so it is available in numerous colours and designs. With so many colours and designs available, home-owners can find the exact look for their project, whereas marble is limited to what is produced by nature.

Both marble and sintered stone come in numerous finishes, from matte to high-gloss. So you can seamlessly find something that suits your style.

Costs

Marble is more suitable if you’re looking for minimal upfront expenses. According to The Spruce, marble costs £29.92 to £74.80  per square foot, while sintered stone costs £48.62 to £112.21.

Nevertheless, some types of marble can cost just as much or more than sintered stone. For example, Calacatta averages £134.65 per square foot, while Arabescato Vagli retails at  £112.21 for the same dimensions.

If you’re looking for the most budget-friendly marble options, consider Carrara and Statuario, which average  £29.92 and £37.40 per square foot, respectively.

Remember, you’ll need to seal marble twice or thrice every decade. The cost to do so averages £0.37 per square foot but can be as little as £0.37 and as much as £1.50.

Sintered Stone vs Marble: Pros and Cons

Ready for a New Sintered Stone or Marble Worktop?

Whatever choice you make, Paramount Stone Specialists is ready to help you achieve your decor aspirations. We provide durable sintered stone, marble, and other products all over the UK in multiple finishes to suit all styles and spaces. Call us or visit our showroom. Alternatively email us for a free quote.