When it comes to home renovations, one aspect that often gets overlooked is the choice of flooring. While hardwood floors and tiles are popular options, have you considered sintered stone tiles? Sintered stone is a durable material made by combining and heating various minerals until a solid stone is formed. It is known for its resistance to scratches, stains, and burns, making it a great choice for high-traffic areas in your home.
However, before you rush to install sintered stone tiles in your home, it's essential to weigh the pros and cons. While the durability and low maintenance of sintered stone tiles are definite advantages, factors like cost, installation challenges, and the risk of cracking should also be taken into consideration. By understanding both the benefits and drawbacks, you can make an informed decision on whether sintered stone tiles are the right choice for your home.
Installing them yourself won't save you money
While DIY projects can help save money on home renovations, installing sintered stone tiles yourself may not be the best idea. Due to the material's density and hardness, cutting and shaping sintered stone tiles can be challenging without the proper tools and experience. Mistakes during installation can lead to costly repairs or replacements, outweighing any initial savings from DIY installation. To ensure a successful and long-lasting sintered stone tile installation, it's best to hire professionals with experience working with this unique material.
One of the biggest downsides of sintered stone countertops is their high cost. If you choose to get them installed by a professional, the cost will be around $60 to $100 per square foot. This price-per-foot can drive up your budget fast, no matter the size of your kitchen.
Moreover, if you're hoping to save some money by installing the countertops yourself, unfortunately, you won't be able to. You can't install sintered stone unless you're a professional. This is because sintered stone is extremely heavy, and requires special tools that only experts have. To make installation all the more complicated, once sintered stone is fitted to a space, it cannot be altered. If you need any changes made to the stone once it's been installed in a space, rather than make small adjustments, the whole countertop may need to be scrapped and re-done.
When it comes to choosing sintered stone for your countertops, it's essential to remember that this material does not offer a consistent appearance. If the idea of having non-uniform edges bothers you, then sintered stone may not be the best choice for your countertops. Despite this drawback, sintered stone remains a viable option for countertops. However, factors such as its high cost and susceptibility to damage should be taken into consideration before making a decision.
