The Ultimate Buyer's Guide for Purchasing Marble Sintered Stone
Jul. 28, 2025
Buyer's guide to sintered stone (ceramic slabs): price cost and brands
Buyer's guide to sintered stone (ceramic slabs): price cost and brands
Sintered stone is a popular choice for countertops, flooring and wall coverings due to its durability, heat resistance and beauty.
However, one of the biggest concerns for buyers is the price of Sintered stone. In this article, we will analyze in detail the cost of Sintered stone, the key factors that affect pricing, and valuable buying tips to help you make an informed decision.
1. Costs of Sintered stone
1) Price per square foot for Sintered stone
The cost of Sintered stone depends on factors such as brand, thickness, finish and region. Below is a general pricing breakdown:
Basic Sintered stone (standard colors and finishes): $40 to $70 per square foot.
Mid-range Sintered stone (more design options and patterns): $70 to $100 per square foot.
High-end or premium Sintered stone (rare designs, luxury finishes): $100+ per square foot.
2) Cost comparison of Sintered stone with other materials
Sintered stone is in the low to medium range compared to other materials (per square foot, approximate):
Granite: $40 to over $200 per square foot. Granite comes in a wide variety of colors. Basic, common colors are less expensive. Exotic, rare slabs may even exceed the highest Sintered stone prices.
Quartz: $50 to $100+ per square foot. Quartz pricing is usually more stable than granite. High-end quartz with complex textures or unique colors may approach or even exceed the cost of some Sintered stones.
Marble: $60 to $200+ per square foot. Like granite, marble comes in a wide range of prices. Common, ubiquitous marble is less expensive. Rare, highly sought-after marbles can be very expensive. Sintered stone can often mimic high-end marble, but may be less expensive (and more durable).
Sintered stone Guide - an in-depth look at how it differs from porcelain tiles
Sintered Stone Use Guide: Comprehensive Insights into Composition, Cutting, and Versatility
Sintered stone costs: understanding the factors that influence its price
Sintered stone is generally less expensive than quartz, marble and granite, and also offers superior durability and maintenance-free benefits, making it a cost-effective long-term investment.
3) Installation costs
In addition to the cost of materials, installation costs add to the total price. Installation costs vary depending on the complexity of the project, the size of the area, and local labor rates:
Basic installation: $40 to $75 per square foot.
Custom edge treatments and finishes: $10 to $30 per foot
Seamless Large Panel Installation: $200 to $500 extra for complex projects
4) Maintenance Costs
Sintered stone is virtually maintenance-free, saving you money in the long run. Unlike natural stone, Sintered stone does not require sealing, polishing or extensive maintenance, which reduces lifetime costs.
2. What influences the price of Sintered stone?
1) Raw materials
The quality and origin of the raw materials (natural stone powder, clay, pigments) play an important role. High quality materials and unique pigments may increase the cost.
2) Manufacturing Process
The sintering process is complex, involves high pressure and high temperature, and requires advanced technology. Manufacturers with cutting-edge technology and strict quality control may offer higher prices.
3) Brand and Manufacturer
Top brands tend to charge more because they have higher quality standards, more advanced manufacturing processes, and better warranty policies. Leading Sintered stone brands include:
- Neolith: Premium pricing with luxury finishes
- Dekton: High durability with modern designs
- Laminam: Wide variety of colors and applications
- Lapitec: High-performance sintered stone with eco-friendly properties
- DiTuo Sintered Stone: Affordable price with a wide range of colors and finishes
4) Thickness & Size
Sintered stone is available in different thicknesses:
- 9mm slabs (for wall cladding/furniture): Lower cost
- 12mm slabs (for floor and wall cladding): Generally cheaper than 6mm and 12mm
- 15mm slabs (for countertops): Mid-range price
- 20mm slabs (for heavy-duty surfaces): Higher cost due to durability
Larger slabs typically cost more due to shipping, handling and customization requirements.
5) Colors and finishes
Certain colors and finishes can affect pricing:
Solid colors and simple patterns: more affordable
Marble look or exotic patterns: more costly
Matte finishes: standard pricing
Textured finishes: more expensive due to additional processing required
6) Designs and Patterns
Complex designs, realistic grain patterns (mimicking natural stone) and unique color combinations are more expensive to produce. Sheets with complex texture or marble patterns require higher manufacturing precision, which affects cost.
7) Purchasing volume and scope
While larger projects may offer some discounts, very small projects sometimes incur higher unit costs due to setup and manufacturing minimum requirements.
8) Region and Availability
Prices will fluctuate depending on local availability, import taxes and shipping costs. In regions where Sintered stone is produced, prices may be lower than in regions where imports are required.
9) Installation complexity
Simple installations (such as standard countertops) cost less.
Custom shapes, curved edges and waterfall countertops increase the price.
Full-wall cladding and large-size panels require specialized handling, increasing labor costs.
3. Tips for buying Sintered stone
1) Compare different brands and suppliers
Don't settle for the first price you come across. Compare multiple brands and suppliers to find the best value without compromising on quality.
2) Choosing the right thickness
For areas such as wall panels or furniture, choose thinner sheets (6 mm or 9 mm 12 mm) rather than thicker countertops (12 mm or 20 mm) to save money.2) Choosing the right thickness
3) Choose standard colors and finishes
If you're on a budget, avoid rare colors or extravagant finishes. Neutral colors and basic finishes are more affordable.
4) Buy during sales
Manufacturers and suppliers often offer discounts during clearance sales, year-end promotions or bulk purchases.
5) Consider local suppliers over imported brands
Locally produced Sintered stone is cheaper than imported slabs because it reduces transportation and customs fees.
6) Buy in Bundles
If you're refurbishing multiple areas, buy countertops, flooring, and walls in bulk Purchasing larger quantities may qualify for a discount.
Conclusion
By understanding the costs, factors that affect price, and following these buying tips, you can confidently choose the perfect Sintered stone for your project while staying within your budget. Remember, thorough research and careful planning are the keys to a successful and cost-effective Sintered stone project.
Are you considering Sintered stone for your next project? Please feel free to contact us, our Sintered stone experts are ready to help you.
Sintered Stone Countertops Buying Guide | All You Need To Know
Sintered stone countertops buying guide: All you need to know
If you’re looking for a new kitchen countertop, you may have come across the term sintered stone. But what is sintered stone? Why choose sintered stone? And is sintered stone any good?
We’ve pulled together this helpful buying guide to tell you everything you need to know about sintered stone countertops.
What is sintered stone?
Sintered stone is an engineered (or man-made) stone material. Unlike natural stone, which is dug up out of the ground in one piece, it’s manufactured using natural stone minerals.
Sintered stone is used for several indoor and outdoor applications, such as flooring, tiling, wall cladding, building facades… as well as countertops. The fact that sintered stone can be walked on and survive outside gives a good indication of just how hardwearing the surface is.
What is sintered stone made of?
Sintered stone countertops are made entirely from natural minerals. Different manufacturers and brands have different mineral mixes. But generally, the materials used tend to be porcelain, glass, quartz, and other crushed stones.
The only other material you’ll find in sintered stone is colour pigment. The way they are made (see the next section) means there’s no need for any resin to hold the minerals together.
How is sintered stone made?
Sintered stone is made through a manufacturing process called sintering. This process mimics how natural stones, like marble, form deep in the earth’s crust.
The natural minerals are mixed and treated with extreme heat and pressure, so they melt and stick together without the need for a bonding agent. The resulting product is a very dense, solid surface that’s non-porous and hardwearing.
Sintered stone pros and cons
If you’re considering installing sintered stone countertops, you’re probably wondering, is sintered stone good?
So, let’s look at the pros and con
Sintered stone countertop pros:
Sintered stone countertop cons:
Sintered stone brands
Sintered stone countertops are made by several manufacturers who all have their own brands.
The first sintered stone surfaces were made by a Spanish, family-owned company called Cosentino. They are one of the biggest worktop manufacturers in the world. Their sintered stone countertops brand is called Dekton®, and it’s one of the most popular, best-selling sintered stone brands available on the market.
You will get efficient and thoughtful service from Estrella.
Lesser-known sintered stone countertop brands are also available, such as Neolith®. And although they aren’t as well known, their sintered stone countertops benefit from the same desirable features as the biggest brand.
Colours, styles and textures of sintered stone worktops
The great thing about engineered stone countertops is that they can be made to look like other materials. So, if you want a worktop that looks like natural stone, you’ll be able to find a countertop that looks like marble or granite.
Is sintered stone expensive?
Sintered stone is certainly not a cheap countertop material. But it’s not the most expensive either. Generally, the cost of sintered stone sits between laminate and wood (the cheapest) and natural stones, such as granite and marble (the most expensive). But that’s not a hard and fast rule because the cost will depend on who you buy from.
Prices can vary significantly between suppliers, so it pays to shop around. You’ll probably pay significantly more to a supplier with showrooms and sales teams, for example, than to a supplier who sells online and doesn’t have the same overheads.
How are sintered stone countertops installed?
Sintered stone countertops are a bespoke buy, which means they’re made to order to fit your kitchen perfectly. Unfortunately, they’re not available to buy off the shelf and aren’t suitable for a DIY installation. This is because they must be cut with specialist machines.
When you order a sintered stone countertop, the supplier will first send their installers to your home to measure up and make a worktop template. They’ll then take the template away and make your countertop in their own workshops. Finally, when the countertops are ready, they’ll come back to your home and fit them.
The length of time this all takes depends on the supplier. Some suppliers take 6-8 weeks to go through this process. But at SEH Interiors, we can visit you within a week of placing your order to make the template and fit the worktop 1-2 weeks later.
Where to buy sintered stone countertops
Many suppliers and companies sell sintered stone countertops. You’ll be able to purchase them through kitchen companies that sell the complete kitchen package. And there are also specialist worktop showrooms plus many companies that sell sintered stone countertops online.
It’s worth weighing up the pros and cons for the different types of companies. For example, if you’re buying a complete kitchen from a supplier with showrooms, it’s slightly less hassle because they’ll take care of everything for you. But then you’re likely to pay over the odds for the worktop because they need to cover their overheads.
But if you buy from a company that sells online, you’re likely to pay a lot less because they don’t have showrooms and sales teams to pay for. It does mean you’ll have to organise the installation yourself, but the process is usually straightforward.
Things to consider before buying a sintered stone countertop
If you’ve decided to take the plunge and buy sintered stone countertops, here are some things to think about to ensure you don’t miss out on any great design ideas:
Do you want upstands or splashbacks?
Do you want an undermount sink or flush-mounted hob?
An undermount sink is a sink that sits under the countertop, instead of lapping over its edge. They look much tidier than standard sinks and give your whole sink area a sleek look. Especially when they are combined with either a recessed drainer or drainer grooves, which are cut into the worktop surface.
In summary
Sintered stone is one of the best engineered stone countertops available due to its durability, high performance and longevity. And with plenty of brands, colours and styles to choose from, it’s easy to find something that will suit your tastes. Of course, it’s not cheap, but when you consider its quality, stunning looks, and the fact that it will last for many years, we think it really is worth the investment.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Marble Sintered Stone.
22
0
0
Comments
All Comments (0)