Are Engineered Stone Floors Right For You?

Are Engineered Stone Floors Right For You?

Your home's flooring is one of its most distinctive features.

Not only does a quality floor increase the value of your home, it can also improve your home's appearance and make it more attractive. Both factors are important, especially if you are interested in reselling your home in the future.

There are many choices out there ranging from the most affordable to luxury materials, and the limit is only on your budget and your needs.

Engineered stone is just one of the options. You may be wondering what it is and if it is right for your home. In this blog post, we'll go through that.

What is Engineered Stone?

Engineered stone is a material made of a combination of crushed stone that is bound with a polymer resin adhesive. Engineered stone can be made of limestone, crushed marble or quartz.

The engineered stone we have is the Alterna series from Armstrong Floors. These floors are made of a composite of limestone and resin. Added to that is a decorative covering that can mimic the look of just about any kind of floors.

Quartz-based combinations are more suitable for countertops while marble-based combinations are better for flooring and walls.

Engineered stone is made in factories on large slabs or blocks and are cut and polished into specific shapes.

For countertops, it can be cut into large pieces and delivered to the site of the project. For floors, the engineered stone can be cut into tiles and made to just the right quantity.

5 Main Benefits of Engineered Stone

Engineered stone has become more popular due to its benefits that include:

  • Uniform quality
  • Unlimited supply
  • Affordability
  • Customizable look
  • Durability
These five main benefits are converting home and business owners all over the world to use engineered stone. Let's dive deeper into each reason.

Uniform quality

Because it is made in the same factory and not mined from natural sources, you can expect the same quality and price all the tiles required for your flooring project.

There is no need for your contractors to buy stone tiles from various vendors and sources, creating an unpredictable price quote.

Unlimited supply

Because you aren't depending on what is available naturally, you can be sure that you will have enough material to finish your home improvement project. This makes sure there are no delays in your project because you aren?t ordering from different vendors to get a uniform stone tile look.

Affordability

Because engineered stone is man-made and doesn't involve any supply or source issues, it is more affordable than natural stone.

Durability

Engineered stone is just as durable as natural granite surfaces. You will hardly be able to tell the difference between the materials, and the technology just keeps on getting better.

Customizable look

During the manufacturing process, manufacturers can add pigments to engineered stone to make unique colors for your tiles. There are also ways to integrate other unique materials like metal to give your stone tiles a more contemporary look.

Is engineered stone right for me?

That?s a good question. To answer it, ask yourself two vital questions.

  • What is my budget?
  • What is the scale of my project?
If your budget is small, then having engineered stone tiles is friendlier on the wallet and will stretch how far your funds will go while still not sacrificing on the stone surface you want.

Also, if you want to cover a large surface area, engineered stone can make sure that you get the same color, quality, and guaranteed quantity of the stone you want, regardless of the project?s scale.

If these two points resonate with your needs, then engineered stone may be the flooring that is right for your next home improvement project.

Alterna Engineered Stone by Armstrong

Armstrong is a brand that we highly recommend to our customers. Their Alterna engineered stone floors are tough as nails and will last a lifetime, even if you install it in high-traffic areas of your home. Being water-resistant as well, they are especially ideal for your kitchen and bathroom.

Some unique styles that Alterna offers are:

  • Marble
  • Travertine
  • Slate
These designs are stretching the aesthetic capabilities of engineered stone, integrating it with metals, reclaimed wood, concrete, and even linen. This gives homes a sleek and modern look that is unlike anything anyone has ever seen before.

One big advantage Alterna floors have over other natural surfaces is that they are warmer. They are also flexible enough to not crack over subfloors that may have a bit of warping, unlike natural stone tiles.

Alterna floors are also easy to clean. They resist stains and dirt and clean up well with regular sweeping, a light vacuum, and periodic use of professional floor cleaning agents.

With engineered stone, you can also rest easy that your floors will be looking their best for many years.

About Shawn Farina: Flooring Expert at Diverse Flooring

Shawn Farina operates Diverse Flooring, a family-run business in Maple Ridge, with his younger brother, Todd. He has been in the flooring industry for 18 years. Shawn is passionate about design and feels flooring has been a great avenue to help others make the best decisions for their homes.

Flooring is something we all will at one time or another have to purchase. It's really satisfying feeling to see when a client is truly happy with their choice in both the new flooring and our company. Shawn Farina

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