If you’re looking to upgrade your home’s surfaces to engineered stone, two popular options you may be considering are StoneScapes and QuartzScapes.
Both offer durable and stylish options for countertops, flooring, walls, pools and more. But what are the key differences and which is better for your needs?
This comprehensive guide examines the pros, cons, costs, applications and more of StoneScapes and QuartzScapes.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | StoneScapes | QuartzScapes |
| Material Composition | 93% crushed stone/minerals, 7% resin | 90% quartz, 10% polymer resin |
| Appearance | Natural stone look, wide color/pattern variation | Consistent, uniform appearance |
| Durability | Very durable at 6.5 on Mohs scale | Extremely durable at 7 on Mohs scale |
| Maintenance | Occasional sealing required | No sealing required |
| Cost | $50-$100 per square foot installed | $70-$125 per square foot installed |
| Applications | Countertops, flooring, walls, pools | Countertops, floors, walls, outdoor use |
| Pros | Natural appearance, huge selection | Hardest mineral, stain/scratch resistant |
| Cons | More prone to damage than quartz | Less natural looking than stone |
Overview of StoneScapes and QuartzScapes
StoneScapes and QuartzScapes are both engineered stones made from natural materials and resin binders. This makes them more durable and lower maintenance than natural stone.
- StoneScapes consists of around 93% crushed stones, minerals and natural crystals blended with 7% resin binders. The stone materials are sourced from quarries across the world, providing unique color and pattern options.
- QuartzScapes contains about 90% ground quartz along with 10% polymer resins and pigments. The quartz used is one of the hardest minerals, making the material very durable.
Both offer advantages over natural stone like granite, marble or slate.
They resist scratches, stains and heat better.
And the manufacturing process creates more consistent colors and patterns without natural stone’s veining or pitting.
Key Differences Between StoneScapes And QuartzScapes
Appearance
The key difference in appearance comes down to StoneScapes’ use of diverse natural stones versus QuartzScapes’ quartz base.
- StoneScapes has an earthier, organic look with more variation in colors, patterns and movement. Different mineral crystals and shells add visual interest. There are designs mimicking materials like concrete, travertine and onyx marble. The natural stones can create subtle veining or speckling.
- QuartzScapes has a more uniform, consistent appearance. The fine ground quartz creates a smooth, gleaming surface. Colors tend to be solid and uniform. Patterns can replicate natural materials like marble or granite but with less variation. Some options include metallic, sparkling or mirrored flecks for visual pop.
Both offer a large palette of color choices from neutral whites and blacks to bold blues, greens and reds. StoneScapes’ diversity of natural stones allows for greater color range while QuartzScapes colors are dependent on added pigments.
For a smooth, flawless look, QuartzScapes is the better choice. But StoneScapes provides more distinct, unique visuals.
Durability
StoneScapes and QuartzScapes are both highly durable options suitable for any application in your home. However, QuartzScapes has a slight edge when it comes to resilience.
The quartz used in QuartzScapes is one of the hardest minerals at 7 on the Mohs scale. This makes it very scratch resistant and ideal for high traffic locations. The uniform texture also better resists chipping or cracks compared to natural stones.
StoneScapes is still an extremely durable material, rated at about a 6.5 on the hardness scale thanks to minerals like granite. The resin binder helps reinforce the crushed stone blend.
But the various source stones mean there can be some differences in texture and susceptibility to damage.
Both materials are non-porous so they resist staining from spills or liquids. You don’t need to seal or treat StoneScapes or QuartzScapes surfaces. And they can withstand exposure to moisture, heat and sunlight.
For absolute durability, QuartzScapes has a slight advantage. But StoneScapes offers excellent resilience for real world use.
Maintenance and Care
A benefit of engineered stone is the ease of care compared to natural stone. StoneScapes and QuartzScapes are both simple to maintain.
For everyday cleaning, you only need a mild soap and water to keep StoneScapes or QuartzScapes looking like new.
Avoid abrasive cleaners or scouring pads as these can wear the finish over time.
A thorough cleaning with a stone-safe cleaner is recommended once a month or so.
You’ll also want to wipe up spills as soon as possible.
Though engineered stone resists stains remarkably well, some highly pigmented liquids could soak in over time. Heat can also damage surfaces, so use trivets or hot pads.
One maintenance advantage of QuartzScapes is not needing regular sealing. The dense surface resists penetration or etching. StoneScapes may require periodic sealing, especially for more porous finishes like concrete-style materials. Check manufacturer guidelines.
With basic cleaning and care, both engineered stones provide years of trouble-free use. The smoother QuartzScapes may require slightly less effort to keep looking pristine.
Costs
As premium engineered stone products, both StoneScapes and QuartzScapes carry higher price points:
- StoneScapes ranges from $50-$100 per square foot installed. More exotic finishes or intricate patterning increases costs.
- QuartzScapes starts around $70 per square foot installed and goes up to $125 per square foot for high-end options. Metallic or sparkle finishes are pricier.
StoneScapes’ use of real stone flakes and shells means material costs can be higher in some cases. But the price range has more overlap depending on factors like pattern complexity. Consult local suppliers for exact estimates.
Both offer valuable benefits over natural stone to justify the higher investment. Long-term durability, low maintenance and resistance to damage recoup costs over time.
Applications
Thanks to their durability and visual appeal, both StoneScapes and QuartzScapes work beautifully in all areas of residential and commercial spaces:
- Countertops – Highly resistant to stains, scratches and heat. Great for kitchens or bathrooms. QuartzScapes offers more colors.
- Flooring – Hard enough for any high traffic area and visual interest. StoneScapes better mimics natural stone look.
- Walls – Easy-to-clean alternative to tile. Modernizes shower walls or backsplashes.
- Pools – Durable, attractive alternative to plaster. Stain, chemical and slip resistant.
- Outdoors – Can withstand sun, rain and temperature extremes. Ideal for patios, walkways and cladding.
StoneScapes’ range of colors and textures make it adaptable option both indoors and out. QuartzScapes sleek durability is ideal for surfaces needing scrubbing like kitchens. Both offer extensive design possibilities.
StoneScapes Pros and Cons
Pros
- Natural stone appearance with depth and interest
- Huge selection of colors, patterns and finishes
- Resists stains, scratches, heat and damaging UV rays
- Durable enough for any application
- Lower maintenance than natural stone
Cons
- Higher price range than basic engineered stone
- More porous than quartz, needs occasional sealing
- Natural materials can show wear over time
- Less scratch resistance than quartz
QuartzScapes Pros and Cons
Pros
- Made from one of the hardest minerals, extremely durable
- Very stain, scratch and crack resistant
- Smooth, uniform appearance; no pores or pits
- Never needs sealing
- Large color selection
Cons
- Less natural appearance than StoneScapes
- Limited patterns and movements
- On the higher end of price scale
- Heat and impact damage still possible
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The smoothest finishes from StoneScapes include the polished, River Washed and Suede options. These have a tight, uniform texture perfect for high traffic areas where scratches would show.
StoneScapes Mini Pebble is a popular choice for pool finishes. The smaller stones create traction and the color resistant minerals handle pool chemicals. Other options are medium-size Natural Pebble or classic River Rock.
StoneScapes Puerto Rico blend features natural stones, shells and glass sourced from Puerto Rican beaches. It has a tropical, coastal vibe with ocean blues blended with tan and white shells and stones.
StoneScapes Mini Pebble does have a naturally coarse, grippy texture from the small pebbles used. So it’s not as smooth as the polished finish but offers non-slip durability for exterior applications. The small stones minimize roughness.
Final Thoughts
When deciding between StoneScapes and QuartzScapes engineered stone, consider your design goals, usage needs and budget.
Those wanting a close replica to natural materials like travertine, concrete or exotic minerals will appreciate StoneScapes diverse palette. QuartzScape’s restrained colors better suit modern, minimalist spaces.
For heavy use in kitchens or bathrooms, QuartzScapes extreme durability has an advantage. But StoneScapes offers comparable resilience for most homes.
Budget-wise the two are competitive depending on the style chosen. Consult suppliers to compare pricing for your specific project.
In the end, you can’t go wrong with either of these beautiful, high-performance engineered stones. Take into account the textures and appearances you prefer along with functional needs to make the perfect choice for your next design project.