Vicostone introduces versatile Ultrathin Quartz surface collection

The Evolve Stone company has introduced a new product to its line of building materials, the Monument Gate stone veneer. This product expands the existing offerings from Evolve Stone, which specializes in producing mortarless, color-throughout stone veneers. The Monument Gate veneer is presented in the Winter Valley color, a shade also available in the company’s National True style veneer. The primary innovation of Evolve Stone's products lies in their unique composition and installation method. Unlike traditional stone veneers that often require mortar and are considerably heavy, Evolve Stone's products are significantly lighter, making them easier to handle and install. This reduced weight contributes to a faster installation process, with the company claiming an installation time up to 10 times quicker than conventional methods. A key feature distinguishing Evolve Stone's veneers is their mortarless design. This characteristic simplifies the installation procedure, as it eliminates the need for mixing and applying mortar, a common and often time-consuming step in traditional stone veneer installations. Furthermore, Evolve Stone is noted as the sole manufacturer of a mortarless, color-throughout manufactured stone veneer that can be installed using a standard finish nailer. This tool-agnostic approach further streamlines the installation process, making it accessible to a wider range of installers and potentially reducing labor costs. The proprietary material developed for Evolve Stone products ensures that the color is consistent throughout the entire veneer. This 'color-throughout' property is crucial for maintaining the aesthetic integrity of the stone, especially when pieces need to be cut on-site. Traditional veneers might reveal a different color or material composition when cut, which can compromise the visual appearance. With Evolve Stone, the consistent coloring allows for on-site modifications without impacting the high appearance standards, mimicking the natural look of real stone even when altered. This ensures that edges and cut surfaces blend seamlessly with the rest of the installation. The Monument Gate stone veneer, along with other Evolve Stone products, is designed to offer a balance of aesthetic appeal, durability, and ease of use. The product caters to the demand for efficient and visually appealing building materials in construction and remodeling projects. By providing a lightweight, mortarless, and easy-to-install solution, Evolve Stone aims to address common challenges associated with traditional stone veneer applications. The company emphasizes the product's ability to maintain a natural, high-quality look while significantly reducing the time and effort required for installation. The Winter Valley color in the Monument Gate style provides a new option for designers and builders looking for specific aesthetic qualities for their projects. #EvolveStone #StoneVeneer #MortarlessInstallation #BuildingMaterials #HomeDesign #ConstructionInnovation #ProductLaunch

The article 'Ask the Experts: Hard Surfaces 101' discusses the complexities involved in selecting hard surfaces like stone and tile for homes, highlighting that beyond aesthetic preferences such as color or substance, several factors need careful consideration to avoid buyer's remorse and expensive re-dos. The piece notes the evolution of the stone and tile industries, moving beyond traditional granite countertops and travertine tiles to offer a wide array of products, each with distinct advantages and disadvantages for specific applications. Cosentino, a global manufacturer of kitchen and bathroom surfaces, offers products like Scalea (natural stone), Sensa (treated granite), Silestone (quartz), and Dekton (a blend of glass, porcelain, and quartz), each possessing different properties. Jodie Amore, general manager of Cosentino New Orleans, emphasizes the importance of providing comprehensive information to customers to prevent dissatisfaction. She advises clients to view full slabs before fabrication to understand the stone's appearance fully, including its veining and color. Beyond aesthetics, other properties become crucial when choosing solid surfaces for applications such as shower walls, tub surrounds, and fireplaces. John Cognevich, president of Stone Interiors, a Natural Stone Institute-accredited fabricator, stresses the necessity of understanding the long-term behavior of each material. For example, marble is characterized as a soft stone that ages and changes over time, a feature some customers appreciate, while others seeking a consistent look might find it unsuitable. This characteristic makes quartz a popular alternative for kitchen countertops due to its engineered, non-porous, and durable nature, often mimicking marble's appearance. The article clarifies the distinction between quartz and quartzite, two materials often confused. Quartz is an engineered stone made from natural quartz and other components, offering consistent color and pattern. Quartzite, conversely, is a natural stone known for its translucent, marble-like appearance. BJ Farrell, vice president of sales and marketing at Campbell Cabinets, notes that quartzite's natural look, particularly in colors like Taj Mahal and Cristallo, is highly appealing, and its translucent qualities allow for creative design options like backlighting. Chris Kornman, co-owner of Entablature Design-Build, also praises quartzite for its natural beauty and durability as a marble alternative in kitchens, despite its higher cost compared to engineered quartz. He highlights the significant advancements in engineered quartz, which now offers over 100 colors and increasingly realistic marble-like designs without the associated maintenance. Madeline Bernard, an interior designer at DMG, favors quartz for its combination of granite's durability, marble's beauty, and solid surface's color consistency, along with its non-porous, low-maintenance properties and design versatility. She mentions using quartz for a waterfall countertop island to create a focal point and expand kitchen functionality. For tile selection, particularly for floors and walls, large-format tiles, including larger subway tiles, continue to trend. Lindsay Swenson, chief executive merchant at Floor & Decor, observes a growing trend in using stone and tile for architectural focal walls, replacing wallpaper. To avoid regret with tile purchases, Swenson recommends three key steps: choose what you genuinely love, opt for timeless designs over fleeting trends, and always ensure a premium sealer is used during installation of stone tile, even suggesting purchasing it independently if necessary. These expert insights collectively guide consumers toward making informed decisions for their home's hard surfaces. #HardSurfaces #HomeImprovement #StoneSurfaces #TileDesign #QuartzCountertops #Quartzite #Marble #InteriorDesign #MaterialSelection

This article from Architectural Surfaces discusses the properties, evolution, and applications of quartz, an engineered stone product. Quartz is primarily composed of quartz sand, quartz powder, resins, and various pigments. The manufacturing process is likened to baking a cake, involving mixing raw ingredients, compressing them into a mold, baking the product, and then polishing the resulting slab. A quality assurance process follows to ensure the product meets industry standards. The article highlights the significant advancements in quartz technology over recent years. Initially, quartz was limited to plain white designs, but manufacturers can now create designs that closely mimic natural stone aesthetics. For instance, colors like "Luce Oro" offer depth and replicate the appearance of natural marble. New patterns have also emerged, such as the "Unique Calcutta Blue," which incorporates blue veining. The ability to customize vein thickness and patterns allows for the creation of unique designs that were unachievable just five years ago. In many instances, quartz designs are inspired by nature and are now considered to rival natural stone in appearance and functionality. One of the main advantages of quartz is its low maintenance requirements, making it a suitable choice for busy households, especially those with children. It is noted for its stain-resistant and scratch-resistant properties. The demand for quartz in the market continues to grow annually, partly due to its consistent quality. Unlike natural stone, where each slab is unique and requires hand-selection, quartz offers uniformity. Despite the distinct characteristics of natural stone, quartz can be effectively combined with it in design schemes; for example, a natural stone island can be complemented by a quartz surround. The continuous development of new quartz colors further enhances its versatility in design. The article also addresses the affordability of quartz, stating that there are various price points available to suit different budgets and aesthetic preferences. It acknowledges that while quartz has gained market share due to its advancements over the past five years, the ultimate choice between natural stone and quartz depends on individual family needs and project requirements. The piece concludes by emphasizing the progress quartz has made in material science and design, establishing it as a competitive and popular option for surfaces. #ArchitecturalSurfaces #QuartzCountertops #EngineeredStone #HomeImprovement #InteriorDesign #KitchenDesign #MaterialScience #HomeServices