Introduction to Natural Stone and Caesarstone
Natural stone countertops and surfaces have been coveted for centuries for their timeless beauty and elegance. From marble and granite to travertine and limestone, natural stone evokes a sense of luxury and sophistication. However, while gorgeous, natural stone does require some maintenance to keep it looking pristine. This is where engineered stone like Caesarstone comes in.
Caesarstone is a patented engineered quartz surface designed to have the look and feel of natural stone but with more durability and less maintenance. Caesarstone surfaces are composed of up to 93% crushed quartz aggregate combined with resins and pigments. This innovative blend makes Caesarstone remarkably strong, scratch-resistant, and non-porous compared to natural stone. So while it looks like marble, granite, and other stones, Caesarstone is essentially maintenance-free.
In this article, we’ll explore the key benefits of Caesarstone and engineered quartz and how it provides the natural beauty of stone in a more practical and low-maintenance package. Whether you’re looking to remodel your kitchen, design a bathroom, or outfit any space in your home or business, Caesarstone offers the best of both worlds: natural good looks and fuss-free durability.
What is Caesarstone?
Caesarstone is a manufacturer of engineered quartz surfaces for countertops, walls, floors, and more. The company was established in 1987 and is headquartered in Israel. Caesarstone pioneered the original engineered quartz surface and remains an industry leader in technological innovation and design.
So what exactly is engineered quartz? It’s made from approximately 90% crushed quartz combined with polyester resins and pigments. The quartz provides strength and stiffness, while the resins act as a binding agent. Color and patterns are added through the pigments blended into the material.
Caesarstone uses only the highest quality quartz, sourced from quarries around the world. By combining it with resins and pigments under intense heat and pressure, they create an incredibly hard, non-porous material that looks and feels remarkably like natural stone. In fact, Caesarstone is nearly twice as strong as granite while still offering refined aesthetics.
Compared to marble, granite, and other natural stones, Caesarstone has some key advantages:
- Greater stain, scratch, and heat resistance
- Non-porous so does not require sealing
- Less prone to cracking and chipping
- Easy cleaning with just soap and water
- Available in a broad range of colors and patterns
- Can be fabricated into large slabs with minimal seams
So while marble and granite require significant maintenance to prevent staining, etching, and sealing, Caesarstone needs virtually none. Just wipe spills as they occur and clean occasionally with mild detergent. This makes Caesarstone an ideal choice for busy kitchens and baths.
Natural Looking Caesarstone Styles
One of the most appealing aspects of Caesarstone is how realistic it looks compared to natural marble, granite, and other stones. The combination of quartz, resins, and pigments allows Caesarstone to mimic patterns and textures found in nature. Here are some of the most natural looking Caesarstone styles available:
Fresh Concrete
The Fresh Concrete colorway recreates the look of raw, freshly poured concrete. Its gentle gray background is flecked with small pores and cracks that resemble a newly set slab. The overall effect is organic, raw, and industrial chic.
Excava
With sandy beiges swirled with cloudy whites, Excava evokes natural travertine marble. Its subtly elegant palette works equally well in traditional and contemporary spaces.
Noble Grey
A cool gray with delicate white veining, Noble Grey is reminiscent of marble while retaining a modern sensibility. It’s a versatile neutral that pairs well with many styles and materials.
Raven
Dark, dramatic Raven delivers the sophisticated look of polished black granite. Its dense black background is shot through with spiderweb gray veining that catches the eye.
Statuario Nuvo
Statuario Nuvo mimics the beauty of white Carrara marble, with graceful gray veining that adds depth and visual interest. It’s at home in any classical kitchen or bath design.
Taj Royale
Taj Royale looks remarkably like rare and precious Taj Mahal quartzite, with ethereal white swirled with beige, taupe, and gray. This striking surface brings artistry to any space.
These are just a few examples of Caesarstone collections that authentically emulate premium natural stone. With thoughtful design and expert craftsmanship, Caesarstone offers the look of marble, granite, and other stones but with more strength and negligible maintenance.
Benefits of Caesarstone over Natural Stone
While gorgeous, natural stone does come with some downsides that can make it impractical, especially for busy kitchens. This is where Caesarstone engineered quartz offers clear advantages:
Durability
Being up to 93% crushed quartz makes Caesarstone remarkably resilient compared to natural stone. It stands up to heavy use, scratches, chips, cracks, and heat much better than marble or granite. Caesarstone won’t etch from acidic foods either. This makes it ideal for heavy-traffic areas like kitchen counters and floors.
Low Maintenance
Since it’s non-porous, Caesarstone does not require any sealing. Spills and messes can be simply wiped away without worrying about stains. You don’t have to polish, treat, or regularly seal Caesarstone. For busy homeowners, this convenience can’t be beat.
Consistent Patterning
With natural stone, it can be hard to achieve a consistent look as patterning and colors vary from slab to slab. Caesarstone’s engineered process ensures reliable, uniform patterning across all slabs of a design. What you see is what you get.
Larger Slabs, Less Seams
Caesarstone slabs come in sizes up to 120″ x 56″, allowing for fewer seams in installation. Natural stone slabs are smaller and often need more sections pieced together. Minimizing seams highlights Caesarstone’s continuous, natural-looking patterns.
Broad Color Range
While natural stone is limited to the colors and patterns found in nature, Caesarstone has over 120 designs including vibrant colors impossible with marble or granite. From elegant neutrals to bold, colorful styles, the extensive palette offers endless options.
For any home or business where practicality and low maintenance matter just as much as beauty, Caesarstone offers an ideal balance. Enjoy natural elegance without the typical fragility and hassles.
Popular Caesarstone Kitchen & Bath Applications
Thanks to its good looks and rugged durability, Caesarstone is commonly used for kitchen counters, bathroom vanities, walls, floors, and beyond. Here are some of the most popular applications in residential and commercial projects.
Kitchen Countertops
The kitchen is where Caesarstone truly shines. Engineered to be non-porous, scratch and stain resistant, and heat proof, Caesarstone stands up to all the spills, cuts, nicks, and accidents that happen in kitchens. After cooking, just wipe the counters clean. For avid home cooks and bakers, Caesarstone is a lifesaver.
Bathroom Vanities
In bathrooms where sinks, faucets, and cosmetics can leave behind hard water spots, soap residue, and stains, Caesarstone makes an ideal vanity top. Its impervious surface stays spotless with just mild cleaning. You can enjoy natural stone beauty in the bathroom without worry.
Backsplashes
On the walls behind sinks, stoves, and counters, backsplashes take a beating. From cooking grease to splashing water, they need to withstand messes. Caesarstone makes an excellent backsplash material thanks to its durability and moisture resistance. Wipe backsplashes clean as needed.
Shower Walls
As a completely waterproof material, Caesarstone also works well as shower wall cladding. Alternatively, opt for large format subway tiles made from Caesarstone for a classic shower wall look. The non-porous surface prevents mold, mildew, and soap deposits from taking hold.
Floors
In high traffic areas like kitchens, entryways, and commercial spaces, Caesarstone floor tiles hold up well to heavy foot traffic. The combination of strength, slip resistance, and easy maintenance makes Caesarstone an ideal flooring choice.
For any space where beauty, utility, and low maintenance matter, there’s a Caesarstone solution. With proper installation, Caesarstone results in worry-free, natural looking surfaces.
Caesarstone is the Natural-Looking Low-Maintenance Option
In spaces like busy kitchens and bathrooms that demand both aesthetic appeal and unfussy durability, Caesarstone offers the best of both worlds. Made from up to 93% pure crushed quartz, Caesarstone combines incredible strength, scratch and stain resistance, and heat tolerance with natural-looking colors and patterns. Unlike high maintenance marble, granite, and other natural stones, Caesarstone needs virtually no sealing or polishing to stay looking pristine for decades. Just wipe down spills and messes as they happen, with no need to seal or regularly treat the surface.
With over 120 designs ranging from cool grays, beiges, and whites that resemble marble and granite to bold and vivid colors, Caesarstone has endless options to suit any style. Thanks to advanced manufacturing techniques, Caesarstone slabs exhibit consistent, natural-looking patterns across the entire surface area with minimal seaming. This gives spaces a beautiful natural stone aesthetic but with none of the hassle.
For homeowners, designers, and builders looking for the ideal worry-free material, Caesarstone offers the best of all worlds: the beauty of natural stone, unfussy durability, and long-lasting low maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions about Caesarstone
Here are answers to some common questions about Caesarstone engineered quartz:
Is Caesarstone more durable than granite?
Yes, Caesarstone is more durable than natural granite. Being over 90% crushed quartz makes it incredibly resilient against scratches, chips, cracks, and heat. Caesarstone is also stain-resistant and non-porous, so it does not require regular sealing like granite does. Overall, Caesarstone offers better long-term durability with minimal maintenance.
Can you cut on Caesarstone?
Yes, Caesarstone can be used as a cutting surface thanks to its strength and scratch resistance. However, using a cutting board is still recommended to keep Caesarstone looking its best. Avoid cutting directly on the surface when possible.
Does Caesarstone need to be sealed?
No. Since Caesarstone is non-porous, it does not require sealing to prevent stains. One of the major benefits of Caesarstone is that it is essentially maintenance free compared to natural stone counters that demand regular sealing.
Is Caesarstone heat resistant?
Yes. Caesarstone is heat resistant and can withstand brief exposure to very high temperatures up to 1100°F. However, prolonged direct heat exposure should be avoided by using trivets or hot pads. Caesarstone won’t burn or crack under normal use.
Can you put hot pots and pans on Caesarstone?
Yes, Caesarstone can temporarily withstand very hot cookware. Though it does not burn or etch easily, prolonged direct contact with extreme heat should be avoided. Using hot pads is recommended to keep Caesarstone in top condition.
Does Caesarstone stain?
Caesarstone is highly stain resistant and non-porous, so stains from foods, liquids and other common household sources are extremely rare. If a spill does occur, wipe it away promptly to avoid any possible staining or damage.
Is Caesarstone good for bathrooms?
Yes, Caesarstone is an excellent choice for bathroom vanity tops and wet areas like showers. Its waterproof, non-porous surface resists mold, mildew, and soap buildup. Caesarstone requires very little maintenance to stay looking clean and fresh.
Conclusion
For decades, Caesarstone has offered homeowners, designers, and builders an innovative alternative to natural stone surfaces. Combining up to 93% pure crushed quartz with pigments and resin creates a highly engineered stone product with exceptional strength, style, and durability. Unlike high maintenance marble and granite, Caesarstone needs virtually no sealing or polishing, just simple cleaning as needed. With over 120 designs that authentically mimic patterns found in nature, Caesarstone delivers the beauty of natural stone but with more flexibility, consistency, and convenience. In busy settings like kitchens and bathrooms that demand both aesthetic appeal and unfussy durability, Caesarstone represents the best of all worlds.