How to distinguish artificial stone and quartz stone on the counter top
August 18 02:47:09, 2025
When consumers need to replace a damaged countertop, they often face a confusing and uneven market. If they attempt the replacement themselves, the wide variety of artificial stone available makes it challenging to make an informed choice. The quality of these materials is hard to assess, and even though quartz and artificial stone are commonly used, it can be difficult for the average person to tell them apart—especially when two stones with similar patterns are placed side by side.
According to Hu Zhongxin, the secretary-general of the China Household Building Materials Decoration Association, the standard for “artificial stone†in the industry is JC 908-2002, which defines solid surface materials, their composition, classification, requirements, testing methods, and packaging, labeling, transportation, and storage guidelines. Industry experts have also pointed out that there are many irregularities in the artificial stone market. Most vendors cannot provide specific certificates or test reports when displaying their products.
**How to Buy Artificial Stone Countertops**
With so many options and varying quality in the market, buying artificial stone countertops requires some careful attention. Start by learning how to differentiate between artificial stone and quartz. While both look similar, quartz is harder than artificial stone, making it more resistant to scratches. Some unscrupulous sellers may mislead customers, so it's important to rely on your own judgment. You can use a key or similar object to scratch the back of a sample. If it leaves a mark, it’s likely artificial stone. Quartz, on the other hand, will not show such marks. Additionally, if you tap two quartz stones together, you might notice a slight burning smell due to the high silica content.
Another tip is to pay attention to the brand and price. Established brands like DuPont and Corian have a long history in producing artificial stone, and their quality is generally reliable. However, smaller or unbranded products may lack consistency in color, environmental safety, and overall performance. In terms of pricing, medium-quality artificial stone typically costs around 1,000 yuan per meter, while quartz of the same grade is usually 200–300 yuan more expensive. If a seller offers a price significantly lower than this, especially under 1,000 yuan, it could be a sign of poor quality. Cheap artificial stone often uses excessive stone powder and low-quality resin, which can lead to issues like staining or cracking over time.
Finally, when purchasing, try to compare different manufacturers and check the product ingredients as much as possible. Always ask the seller to provide a test report and after-sales service information. This helps ensure you’re getting a genuine and reliable product. Taking these steps can help you avoid common pitfalls and make a more confident purchase.
A concealed shower valve is simply a built-in valve that is concealed behind the tiling in a shower enclosure. The only visible part of a concealed shower valve is the chrome control plate and handles; the rest sits neatly out of sight within the wall.
Are concealed showers good?
Due to the valve and any pipework being hidden beneath the tiles, concealed showers are the perfect choice for a bathroom with a minimalist aesthetic, and anyone that wants to create straight edges and reduce clutter. They are also an ideal option if you have a smaller bathroom and want to make the most of your space.
Concealed shower mixer:
The control part (spool) of the concealed shower faucet needs to be buried in the wall and connected with the hot and cold inlet pipe. The outlet pipe for supplying the shower water is also connected in the wall. After the installation, the wall only sees dark. The control panel and overhead shower with shower faucet have no extras on the wall, which can make the wall a clean and tidy flat decoration.
Advantages and disadvantages:
The overhead shower with shower is optional, and there are a variety of large-caliber Shower Heads, such as the 400mm large-diameter overhead shower from the German GROHE Rainshow Series, which can easily meet the needs of large-area showers. A shower experience that is irreplaceable with a shower. After the installed shower is installed on the wall, only the shower and control switch are left on the wall, which does not take up too much space in the bathroom. It is visually simple and elegant. The disadvantage is that the main part of the shower is buried in the wall when the valve core is buried. If there is a problem with the valve core after a long time of use, such as leakage of the valve plug interface, dripping of the shower, etc., the maintenance is troublesome and the wall needs to be opened. Repair or replace.