General manager of Cosentino Newmarket Centre Ross Stewart answers the questions what is sintered stone and what value does it offer to kitchen and bathroom projects?

With a plethora of inspiration at customers’ fingertips, from apps such as Instagram and Pinterest to popular interiors blogs and websites, homeowners are opting for bolder looks in the kitchen and bathroom. 

The demand for industrial look products reminiscent of urban materials such as concrete and aged metal continues to grow in the UK domestic market, which once might have been a concern for stone manufacturers.  

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However, with the growing rise of sintered stone, which offers these on-trend designs with enhanced technical benefits, this is no longer the case.

Ultra-compact surface Dekton has expanded its Industrial Collection with matte concrete-inspired decors.

What is sintered stone?

Sintered stone is a revolutionary and innovative category, encompassing ultra-compact surfaces that provide highly resilient properties.

These are man-made from a sophisticated blend of inorganic materials and subjected to extremely high pressure and heat to create a very hardwearing, long-lasting surface.  

This manufacturing process imitates the natural formation of hard stone after many thousands of years.

This results in a material that offers a high resistance to scratches, stains, heat and UV rays, with a strength five times that of granite. 

Indoors and outdoors

These surfaces can then be used in a variety of environments, both indoors and outdoors, for a wide range of applications.

Looking beyond worktops and splashbacks, these hardwearing materials are suitable for wall cladding, external facades and flooring.

Large format slabs ensure wider areas can be covered with minimal joins, idea for creating a seamless look, whilst its excellent colour stability ensures an aesthetic that will last for years.  

With endless creative possibilities, Dekton’s newly launched ‘Slim’ range has surfaces at just 4mm thick for cabinetry cladding.

Unlike natural stones such a granite or marble, ultra-compact surfaces do not require on-going maintenance, such as sealers or lacquers to be applied.