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Home Reno: Quartz or Sintered Stone Countertop for You?
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Hey guys! We are back here again! ☺️ Today’s sharing is about countertop materials. Our ID works with Lian Hin for countertops so we headed down for a visit even though we weren’t planning to at first but since it was near EDL/Panaplast and Lamitak so might as well 😂 Initially we thought we could just see from photos since our options were quite limited based on our ID’s quotation, but nope, we were wrong again LOL. Thankful that we actually went down. Seeing the materials in person made such a big difference! The texture, vein line, colour tone and finish really can’t be fully captured in photos. If you are also stuck choosing between quartz and sintered stone hope this helps! 💡✨ 🔸 Quartz What it is: It is a manmade material created by mixing small bits of natural stone with resin, then pressing and heating it to form a solid slab. Pros: • Thicker and feels more solid. It is common to find thicknesses at 20mm for a fuller front profile • Full-bodied (what you see on the surface runs all the way through) • More chip-resistant than sintered stone because of the resin • Easier to touch up as cracks can be repaired without obvious lines Cons: • Can yellow over time, especially lighter colours! 🟡 This is unavoidable as it is a natural property of resin. • Yellowing happens faster when exposed to sunlight (e.g. near windows or in outdoor kitchens) ☀️ • Lower-quality quartz tends to have more resin, which increases the risk of yellowing. Resin itself comes in different qualities and quartz made with lower-quality resin tends to turn yellow much faster. • Because of this, pure white quartz should only be considered if it is from a reputable brand. Cost: • Premium quartz brands (like Caesarstone) are more stable but also more expensive • Pricing depends on brand, colour and thickness • Based on our ID’s quote, we were offered quartz options for our toilet, but the series available to us felt quite limited. If we want to upgrade to sintered stone, it would cost an additional top-up of about $50 per foot run compared to quartz. So yes, sintered stone is more exp. 
🔸 Sintered Stone What it is: It is also a manmade material created by compressing natural minerals (like clay) at extremely high temperatures and pressure. Basically a “homogenous tile” but baked at higher pressure and temperature than quartz. Pros: • Very dense and less porous hence more heat and stain resistant • Usually comes in thinner profiles compared to quartz (e.g. 12mm) • Sleek and modern finish (basically more patterns available since the design is printed on) Cons: • Not full-bodied meaning the design is only on the surface. If chipped, the inside looks dull or plain (unlike quartz, which is consistent throughout). • No resin means it is more brittle and prone to chipping • Surface scratches more visible on polished finish compared to matte • More fragile during fabrication and handling, especially the edges must be handled very carefully • Repairs are harder to touch up as once chipped or cracked, it is hard to fix without visible marks and often requires full replacement Cost: • Advertised price by Lian Hin is around ~$200+ psf, but through ID packages, it may go lower. Our ID quoted ~$160+ psf for all-series under Vulcan (likely similar across other IDs) • Overall, sintered stone is more expensive than quartz based on our ID's quote • 12mm thickness is the standard. 15mm to 20mm options are significantly pricier and heavier, therefore not commonly recommended or used. 
⚠️ Pro Tip Always double-check with your ID: • What brand and series of the countertop are included in the quotation? • Is the quote based on 12mm or 15mm thickness? • Are there any top-ups for better colours or finishes? ‼️ Make sure to ask for brand and design options before confirming anything. Ensure all details are clearly stated in the quotation. Otherwise, you may face unexpected “top-up” later. Also, be aware that some IDs may recommend sintered stone because it offers them better commission margins. Choose what feels right for your lifestyle and aesthetic needs after considering all options ✍🏻 • Always check your countertop for scratches or defects before installation • Countertops are usually installed last, after cabinets, appliances etc. • Material finish, brand, colour, thickness and fabrication work all affect the final cost. Just like tiles, prices can vary within the same material depending on quality, size, and finish. Glass backsplashes also come in different types. Normal tempered glass has a natural green tint and is the most affordable, while clear or crystal white glass looks cleaner but usually costs much more 😮💨 • Matte finishes on sintered stone tend to hide scratches better than polished ones • Wet kitchens are worth splurging on as durability matters more in heavy-use areas Hope this is helpful for you and stay tuned as we share more of our reno journey ahead!
18 September
