The luxurious material you’ve never heard of
Sintered stone is created by compressing minerals under extreme heat and pressure, making it a durable, nonporous surface that resists scratches and heat damage.
Expect to pay $60 to $200 per square foot for sintered stone countertop materials and installation, reflecting its premium durability and limited availability.
Your sintered stone needs professional installation because it cracks and chips easily around edges, especially when handled by someone unfamiliar with the material's unique properties.
Hiring a local stone countertop professional keeps your installation smooth and damage-free, using specialized tools and techniques to prevent costly cracks during cutting and fitting.
Sintered stone is a durable building material that’s scratch-proof, nonporous, and attractive. Unlike marble and granite, it doesn’t require sealing, making it a low-maintenance option for anyone who wants a natural stone countertop or floor without the downsides that often come with these materials. Here’s what you need to know about sintered stone.
Sintered stone is made by compressing minerals together under extremely high heat, forcing them to fuse. The process involves applying pressure between 370 and 25,000 tons (or the equivalent of two and a half Eiffel Towers) and heating the slabs to 2,190 degrees Fahrenheit (around the temperature of the hottest lava). The result is highly durable, resistant to heat damage, and looks similar to solid stone countertops.
While sintered stone is mainly used as a type of stone countertop material, it also has other uses around the house. Due to its high durability, sintered stone works well for flooring, stairways, wall cladding, around fireplaces, outdoor walkways or patios, and swimming pool tiling. As a bonus, this material requires less maintenance than comparable materials like marble and quartz.
Like any natural stone or synthetic stone countertop material, sintered stone has several pros and cons.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Scratch- and stain-resistant | Expensive |
| Heatproof up to 300ºF | Prone to cracking or chipping |
| Weatherproof | Hard to source |
| Nonporous | Hard to install and repair |
| Easy to maintain | |
| Lightweight | |
| Recyclable |
Sintered stone is naturally resistant to stains, scratches, and heat damage. It’s nonporous, so it doesn’t require sealing. It’s also lightweight and can be recycled once it reaches the end of its lifespan, making it a sustainable option.
However, sintered stone is expensive compared to similar materials. Due to its limited availability, it’s hard to source, so you’ll have fewer options. Sintered stone is also difficult to install and repair, and it’s prone to cracking and chipping around the edges.
If you’re considering sintered stone for your kitchen or bathroom countertops, you might also consider granite, quartz, and marble. Here’s how sintered stone compares to these alternatives.
| Sintered Stone | Granite | Quartz | Marble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hard to scratch | Hard to scratch | Scratch resistant | Scratches easily |
| Heat resistant up to 300°F | Heat resistant up to 1,200°F | Heat resistant up to 150°F | Heat resistant up to 350°F |
| Never needs resealing | Reseal every 12 to 18 months | Never needs resealing | Reseal every 6 months |
| Will not etch | Acids will etch it | Will not etch | Acids will etch it |
Granite countertops are made from naturally formed rock extracted from a quarry and cut into slabs before being polished. Like sintered stone, granite is highly heat resistant and hard to scratch. While sintered stone never requires sealing, granite must be resealed every 12 to 18 months to protect it from spills and stains. Granite countertops cost $40 to $60 per square foot installed.
Like sintered stone, quartz is an engineered material. However, quartz is made using resin to bind together the minerals, while sintered stone uses high heat. That means sintered stone can withstand much higher heat than quartz, making them ideal for kitchen countertop use. Expect to pay between $70 and $100 per square foot in quartz countertop costs.
Marble is a natural stone cut into slabs for countertops. It’s as heat resistant as sintered stone, but it scratches easily. Marble is also porous and needs to be resealed every six months to maintain its stain resistance, making it much higher maintenance than sintered stone. Marble countertops cost $60 to $100 per square foot installed.
When it comes to countertop materials, granite and quartz are the clear favorites among homeowners. Responses from 8,100 Angi customers show that 44.6% requested granite countertops, while 29.3% opted for quartz. These numbers highlight how homeowners strike a balance between durability and style when selecting a countertop material.
Sintered stone is prone to cracking and chipping—-especially around the edges—and a DIYer can cause damage that’s more expensive to remedy than the amount they saved in labor costs. A local stone countertop installer can give you a quote based on your project and install it using professional tools and equipment to prevent damage. For installation in outdoor areas, a brick paver near you can help.
Sintered stone costs $60 to $200 per square foot for materials and installation. Countertop installation costs vary depending on the material, and the relative newness of sintered stone means prices are high compared to other natural or engineered stone surfaces.
I had FabClean 614 clean my apartment, and she did an outstanding job. She was so professional and efficient. My apartment looks absolutely spotless every surface, every corner, all cleaned to perfection. Definitely highly recommend FabClean 614 if you're looking for top-notch cleaning...
Fab Clean 614Cole has been handling plumbing and general contracting for our four properties over the past three years, and he’s always done a great job. Most recently, he installed a sink and countertop in our retail store where none existed before, and it turned out exactly how we needed. He’s...
ANB Renovations LLCThis company is my go to resource for all my post renovation clean ups. They get the place spotless! All we have to do after is stage the place and sell, sell, sell! They are super professional and have some amazing scent that is left in every property. I highly recommend!
The Royal Sanitation GroupI had Ace Fireplace Services install custom chimney caps for my home, and the results are stunning. They fit like a glove and have added a touch of sophistication to my chimney. I can't recommend their services enough.
Ace Fireplace ServicesSupreme Brick & Chimney did an excellent job restoring the brick and mortar joints on my home. Their team was professional, knowledgeable, and completed the work on time. I highly recommend them and will hire them again in the future! Thanks!
Supreme brick & chimneyI recently hired Custom Paint Jobs LLC to repaint my home, and I couldnt be happier with the results. Their attention to detail and professionalism were outstanding. Highly recommended
Custom Paint Jobs, LLCWindow Depot did an amazing job on my deck. I wasnt sure what I wanted to do, but their composite decking was affordable and will last a long time. I am excited to have family over, and I am no longer embarrassed by my backyard. Jeff and the ground crew were polite, respectful, and caring for...
Window Depot USA of Central OhioIf I could give 10 stars for Kitchen Tune Up, I would. I cannot say enough good things about my experience with Kitchen Tune Up and the entire team involved in the process of my kitchen project. They went above and beyond as far as service and quality with my cabinets, paint, countertops, and...
Great job...edging and pre clean up went well with a great job with seal coat. Friendly, efficient and professional.
All Star Paving and SealingThey are very reliable and available. They the drains all the time
The WaterworksFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
While a stone wall typically costs thousands of dollars, the value it brings to your home can raise its value both aesthetically and monetarily.
Discover natural stone flooring costs for your home. Learn about material, labor, and installation factors to budget confidently for your flooring project.
The cost of stone steps can vary considerably depending on the material you choose and how much labor is required. This guide shows you the cost of popular stone steps and all the extra fees you need to consider when tackling this project.
Find out everything you need to know about engineered stone so you can decide whether it is the right fit for your home.
Are you weighing engineered stone vs. natural stone countertops? Both offer many of the same benefits, but there are differences in price, durability, and appearance.
Leftover natural stone and bricks don’t need to end up in a landfill. Once a remodeling home project is complete, you can use luxury remnants like marble and quartzite as art, coasters, side tables, and more. Get inspired with these tips.
