Step 1: Choosing a Stone Type / Engineered Stone Countertops
Engineered Stone

Brands Available in South Africa

 

Here is a list of the brands of engineered stone available in South Africa. Note: The products advertised are manufactured, supplied and/or imported by third parties which are not connected or associated with and do not necessarily endorse Granite & Stone and/or the services it provides.

 

Caesarstone / Caesar Stone

 

Available in approximately 32 colours – National, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban

Please contact us for the contact details of the wholesale suppliers of Caesarstone in South Africa.

Café Quartz

 

Available in 6 colours - National, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban

Please contact us for the contact details of the wholesale suppliers of Cafe Quartz in South Africa.

VicoStone / Vico Stone

 

Available in 16 colours – Cape Town, Johannesburg

Please contact us for the contact details of the wholesale suppliers of VicoStone in South Africa.

ProQuartz / Pro Quartz

 

Available in approximately 10 colours – Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban

Please contact us for the contact details of the wholesale suppliers of ProQuartz in South Africa.

Teltos / Teltos Quartz

 

Available in approximately 13 colours – Cape Town

Please contact us for the contact details of the wholesale suppliers of Teltos in South Africa.

Samsung Radianz

 

Available in approximately 11 colours – Johannesburg, Cape Town

Please contact us for the contact details of the wholesale suppliers of Samsung Radianz in South Africa.

HanStone / Han Stone

 

Available in approximately 20 colours – Johannesburg, Cape Town

Please contact us for the contact details of the wholesale suppliers of HanStone in South Africa.

Venice Stone

 

Available in approximately 4 colours – Johannesburg, Cape Town

Please contact us for the contact details of the wholesale suppliers of Venice Stone in South Africa.

TechniStone / Techni Stone

 

Available in approximately 40 colours – Johannesburg, Cape Town

Please contact us for the contact details of the wholesale suppliers of Technistone in South Africa.

Enduro Quartz / EnduroQuartz

 

Available in approximately 15 colours – Johannesburg

Please contact us for the contact details of the wholesale suppliers of Enduro Quartz in South Africa.

SileStone / Sile Stone

 

Available in approximately 50 colours – Johannesburg

Please contact us for the contact details of the wholesale suppliers of SileStone in South Africa.

LG Viatera / LG Engineered Stone

 

Available in approximately 4 colours – Johannesburg, Cape Town

Please contact us for the contact details of the wholesale suppliers of LG Viatera in South Africa.

Phoenix Stone

 

Available in approximately 12 colours – Cape Town

Please contact us for the contact details of the wholesale suppliers of Phoenix Stone in South Africa.

Surrino Quartz

 

Available in approximately 12 colours – Johannesburg, Cape Town

Please contact us for the contact details of the wholesale suppliers of Surrino Quartz in South Africa.

Brands no longer available in South Africa

 

Quarella

 

Quarella was available in South Africa up until 2010.

Please contact us is you are looking to source Quarella Engineered Stone - or similar colours.

 

TrafficStone / Traffic Stone

 

TrafficStone was available in Cape Town, South Africa up until 2013.

Please contact us is you are looking to source TrafficStone - or similar colours.

 

Engineered Stone Durability

 

Scratch Resistance

Heat Resistance Stain Resistance Chemical Resistance Hygiene Rating

Scratch Resistance

Heat Resistance
Stain Resistance
Chemical Resistance
Hygiene Rating

4.5 star

5 star 5 star 5 star 5 star
 

 

warning

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although engineered stone is rated 5 stars for most resistances, this does not mean that it is impervious to damage.  We recommend that you take care of your countertops. For more information, see our care and maintenance tips.

 

To prevent heat damage, don’t place hot pots directly on the surface

To prevent scratching, use cutting boards and avoid scraping heavy object across the top.         To prevent staining, clean up spills as soon as possible.

 

If you intend using chemicals on the surface, we recommend that you confirm with your stone fabricator that the surface type is resistant to the chemicals.

 

Scratch Resistance Engineered Stone Scratch Resistance
4.5 star

 

Engineered stone consists of approximately 93% crushed quartz.  Quartz is the 4th hardest natural mineral on earth,  only diamonds, rubies, sapphires and topaz are harder. This hardness gives engineered stone one of the highest scratch resistances of all manmade countertop materials and puts it on par with granite.  It resists scratches from objects such as knives, pots, plates, and mugs. 

 

The use of cutting boards is recommended because cutting on such a hard surface will in fact dull the knives.

 

Heat Resistance Engineered Stone Heat Resistance
5 star

 

Due to the resin content in engineered stone, countertops can be damaged and discoloured by intense heat. Therefore, it is recommended that you avoid placing hot cookware directly on the surface, and instead, use heat pads. 

 

The surface is resistant to the heat of hot plates up to the temperature of 150°C.

 

Stain Resistance Engineered Stone Stain Resistance
5 star

 

Engineered stone countertops have a very high resistance to staining because the surface is non-porous.  However, it is always recommended that an spills be wiped up immediately.

 

Weathering Resistance Engineered Stone's Resistance to Weathering
5 star

 

Due to the resin content in Engineered Stone, countertops can be discoloured from continuous long term exposure to direct sunlight. 

 

Hygiene Resistance Engineered Stone Cleanliness & Hygiene
5 star

 

Engineered stone is a non-porous material and resists growth of mold, mildew and bacteria.  This makes it perfectly suited for kitchen areas where food is prepared.

 

Engineered stone surfaces are industry approved for installation in hotels, restaurants, and hospitals and endorsed by the Public Health and Safety Company (NSF) in accordance with international NSF 51 sanitary standards.

 

A study was conducted in 2006 by Dr. Snyder (president of The Hospitality Institute of Technology), where four widely used countertop materials were compared – two granites, one marble and one quartz surface (engineered stone).  The study showed that all are easily cleaned to meet FDA sanitizer criteria of 5-log reduction pathogens on the surface.  “Overall, there was no statistical difference in reduction after wash and rinse for any of the four stone surfaces,” said Dr. O. Peter Snyder.

This was a follow up study to from one completed in 1999, also conducted by Dr. Snyder, which proved granite to be one of the most cleanable hygienic countertop materials available after wash and rinse... over 1000 times more cleanable than a plastic laminate.

Look & Feel

 

engineered stone sample

 

 

Appearance

 

The appearance of an engineered stone surface depends on the mixture of quartz granules used in manufacturing the material.  Small quartz crystals give the surface a more consistent uniform appearance, while larger crystals provide a more speckled look. 

 

Colours & Patterns

 

Engineered stone is available in a variety of modern-looking colours and surface patterns.
Each manufacturer has their own range of available colours.

 

An aesthetic characteristic which is prominent in engineered stone is the controlled consistency throughout the colour and surface pattern.  This gives the surface a  "man-made" appearance.

 

Below are 3 examples of full granite slabs (+- 2.8m x 1.6m), from one of the most consistent surface patterns to one of the more “wavy” patterns”.

 

Engineered Stone Consistency Engineered Stone Consistency Engineered Stone Consistency
Engineered Stone Consistency Example Engineered Stone Consistency Example Engineered Stone Consistency Example

 

More Consistent arrow Less Consistent

 

 

Choosing a brand and colour

 

As mentioned, numerous manufacturers have entered the market, each with their own range of colours and patterns. Since the durability qualities between the various brands are roughly equal, choosing the right brand comes down to which brand provides the colour and pattern you are looking for.  

 

Our online colour gallery showcases a combination of all brands and colours available in South Africa.

After you have made a list of your favourite colours the next step will be to visit the stone show rooms to see the stone slabs in person. This will help narrow down your list of options.

 

Seeing the stone slabs in person is a very important, exciting, step in the process and will ensure that you make the right colour choice for your project before getting quotes from the stone fabricators.

 

Engineered Stone's Surface & Touch

 

Engineered stone has a solid, smooth, cool, elegant, polished stone feel

Like granite, engineered stone countertops also can have a high gloss surface shine.  The shine is accomplished by polishing the surface to a mirror-finish using diamond polishing tools.  It's not caused by something coating the surface.  Therefore, polished engineered stone will keep its beautiful high glossy shine for decades!

Engineered Stone Pricing

 

Engineered stone is currently one of the most expensive countertop options available, other than a few exotic natural stone materials.  This cost is attributed to the extensive research and process in which the material is manufactured.  However, the value-for-money and durability of engineered stone makes it a more cost effective option than other cheaper man-made alternatives.  Like natural stone, engineered stone will retain its beauty for decades, improve the long term home experience, and increase the value of your property.  This makes engineered stone a sensible, economical solution and investment for your countertops and other surfaces.

 

The cost of engineered stone countertops varies. Expect to pay between R2800 and R4250 per m2, depending on the manufacturer (brand), colour and complexity of the installation.

Engineered Stone in Application

 

Engineered Stone kitchen countertops

 

Engineered Stone gives a kitchen a clean modern look.

Like granite, engineered stone kitchen countertops are durable enough to withstand the everyday life of a modern kitchen and will look as good as it does today years from now.

Normal kitchen knives, cutlery, and cookware can all be used on engineered stone kitchen countertops without the worry of scratching the surface.

It's non-porous surface makes engineered stone highly stain resistant and very easy to clean.  It's also ultra hygienic, rated one of the top surfaces for hygiene and cleanability (see above).

Unfortunately, engineered stone is not as heat resistant as granite and you will need to avoid placing hot cookware directly on the surface.

The following limitations need to be considered:

  • Placing hot pots directly on the surface is not recommended - use heat pads


To read more about the different kitchen countertops, go to Kitchen Countertops page.

 

Engineered Stone in the bathroom

 

Engineered stone gives a bathroom a clean harmonious appeal.

It's non-porous surface makes impervious to water and the ideal choice for all bathroom surfaces.

 

Aside from using engineered stone for bathroom vanity units, it can also be used for the floors of the bathroom as well.  Like any other smooth surface floor, the polished surface of a engineered stone can be slippery if it gets wet and a honed surface is recommended, especially for shower floors.

 

Other Applications

 

Engineered stone can also be used for bar tops, table tops, reception countertops, floor tiles and more...

 

We do not recommend engineered stone for fireplace surrounds or exterior applications due to its vulnerability to heat and sun.

Step 2: Choosing a Stone Colour

Step 2: Choosing a Stone Colour

 

    • Granite colours gallery
    • Engineered Stone colours gallery
    • Marble colours gallery
    • Synthetic surfaces colours gallery

 

Don’t miss out on available stock - make a list of your favourite stone colours before scheduling appointments to view the slabs at the showrooms.

 

step2

Step 2: Choosing a Stone Colour