CaesarStone Countertops

“Pretty” isn’t enough to sell high-end countertop surfaces anymore. They have to be low- to no-maintenance. They have to be environmentally correct. And they have to look fabulous. Enter CaesarStone, the posh choice in engineered stone kitchen and bath countertops.

Builders already are staunch supporters of products from this global manufacturer. Homeowners are swelling the ranks of loyal CaesarStone countertop fans. This doesn’t mean that the aggregate surface is right for every home or owner, but a lifetime warranty for residential installations certainly does sweeten the pot.

For new home interiors, CaesarStone’s environmental certification status helps a “green” building project move forward. For remodels, CaesarStone’s look and performance are usually the deciding factors. Now that you’ve heard the buzz, get the dirt on these upscale stone countertops.

What Is CaesarStone?

CaesarStone is 93% natural quartz, with some pigment and polymer thrown in for good measure. That means that you get extra color and extra strength in your countertop. It is smooth as glass or textured, as you desire. CaesarStone improves on Mother Nature. The process of breaking down the quarried quartz and re-engineering it results in a more perfect stone.

• Does it come in large sizes? CaesarStone is shaped from aggregate quartz particles, not cut from existing slabs. It can be sized and molded to a very wide range of specifications. CaesarStone countertops retain a sleek profile. Larger pieces leave few or no seams in your kitchen work and dining surfaces. Engineering flexibility allows for a variety of special applications, too, from matching wall facing to backsplashes to tabletops.
• Does it come in many colors? Dozens. The ability to isolate pigments lets the manufacturer create incredibly consistent solid tones, such as CaesarStone Absolute Noir, and distinctive veined color schemes, such as Copper Canyon. Many other visual effects are available to choose from, as well as CaesarStone’s new textured countertop collection, Motivo.
• What makes it “green”? CaesarStone is consciously manufactured toward efficiency, earning it the top rating in the green building field. Minimal energy use and waste production make CaesarStone production green. Integration into your new or remodeled home uses an abundant, sustainable material (quartz) with a long life. CaesarStone’s new recycled line incorporates up to 7% recycled quartz. Safe glues and adhesives for countertop placement are certified by the U.S. Green Building Council for use in LEED-certified building projects.

Who’s Got to Have It and How to Get It

Versatile CaesarStone appeals to many tastes and purposes, while satisfying other building objectives. Anyone who does custom work will appreciate the ways in which CaesarStone room accents can complement a countertop and kitchen design scheme.

A wide palette of countertop and accent materials are available to:

• Discriminating homeowners
• Commercial property managers
• Institutional food preparation managers
• Cutting-edge interior designers
• Innovative architects
• Custom cabinetry crafters
• General contractors

Interior design showrooms around the world feature CaesarStone. Retail consumers, such as those who are looking to remodel a home, restaurant or office space, can view CaesarStone at work in kitchen, bath and flooring showrooms. Find one near you in the U.S. through your general contractor or the CaesarStone website.

Designers, contractors and installers can also view show pieces in person or order samples of colors and textures of CaesarStone online. Once the decision has been made, measurements and edge preferences can be sent to the U.S. fabricator, who will make the custom piece.

Benefits

Named for a Roman city, CaesarStone reflects the innovation and technical excellence of early Roman architecture. Strength and beauty were paramount concerns; these are coupled with today’s emphasis on safety and easy care in countertop materials.

• Strength: Unlike plain quartz slabs, CaesarStone countertops are engineered to resist scratches, stains and heat (to 350 degrees). Polymer additives increase strength and countertop life.

• Beauty: CaesarStone colors far surpass natural granite or marble, and they are available in solids, speckles or other patterned presentations. Subtle shades and textures outdo laminate finishes and even new solid-surface acrylics, such as Corian.

• Safety: Nonporous quartz and seamless construction result in top food safety quality. CaesarStone countertops meet sanitary standards for use in restaurants, hotels, hospitals and other institutions.

• Easy Care: Unsealed CaesarStone countertops never need refinishing or expensive soaps. The smooth surface thwarts staining liquids and caked-on solids. Nonabrasive cleanser and a soft cloth keep most CaesarStone products looking like new.

Risks

Consumers reported online that they are experiencing all of the above benefits—as well as countertop concerns and catastrophes. Some homeowners say that their newly installed CaesarStone chipped or scratched immediately. Chips, once aggravated, can grow with increased use of the surface.

Others relate incidents where cracks seemed to form over time and “explode” from within the countertop. These weren’t minor nicks; even experienced contractors could not repair some of the CaesarStone lemons.

Whether a percentage of the stone aggregate products break down or there are errors on the part of the manufacturer, fabricator, delivery system or installer may remain a mystery. CaesarStone provides no notice of adverse incidents, instead offering residential consumers a lifetime warranty.

But, according to reviews, many warranty claims are rejected. Prospective CaesarStone owners should read warranty agreements before purchasing their custom-cut countertops. Strength, beauty and easy care may outweigh CaesarStone’s alleged risks.