Interior Design M.V.P. of 2014
By Stephanie Miller, Marketing Coordinator
Interior design trends tend to be slow-moving, but in 2014 we saw 85% of our homeowners selecting one product to have it in their homes. So which product was the major highlight of last year? That would be engineered stone countertops! Granite and engineered stone are standard options in each of our homes and in 2013 we saw lots of home buyers choosing granite. So for this week’s blog we thought we’d take a look at the advantages of engineered stone to help shine a light on why it’s become such a popular choice.
One of the main reasons home buyers select engineered stone is because of the products uniformity. When visually comparing granite to engineered stone, this is the most obvious difference. Granite is a natural product that’s mined from the earth then cut into slabs. These slabs are then used to create granite countertops that are unique and can vary as it’s a natural product. Engineered stone however, is created by combining 93% of crushed natural quartz stone with polymer resins. This creates a product that is fairly consistent in colour and pattern, but still has the look and properties of stone.
Here's a look at the engineered stone options in our Design Centre.
Another benefit to engineered stone is that it’s a non-porous material which means that it’s not absorbent and therefore doesn’t have to be sealed. This also allows engineered stone to be resistant to stains; however, if not properly maintained, then messes on your beautiful white countertops can eventually turn into stubborn stains. This can be avoided by simply using warm water along with a mild detergent to clean your countertops, and then dry it off with a microfiber cloth.
Engineered stone is a durable product that is resistant to scratches and heat. As this doesn’t mean that the product is scratch and heat proof, our supplier still suggests that hot pots and pans never be placed on the counters surface. They also recommend avoiding using sharp objects directly on the engineered stone.
Engineered stone can be an excellent option if you want to keep your home looking clean and modern or you could even pair it with an intricate backsplash and avoid competing patterns. We look forward to seeing what trends are in demand for 2015!
Have a good weekend,
Cedarglen Marketing