An outdoor kitchen on a covered patio with a matte pale-gray sintered stone counter around a grill station, a cast-iron pan resting on it

Sintered stone countertops

Mineral slabs fused into a surface that takes heat, sun and knives.

What this covers

Sintered stone is made by compressing natural minerals under extreme heat and pressure into dense slabs with the pattern through the body or on the surface, depending on the product. It resists heat, scratches, stains and ultraviolet light, which makes it one of the few counters that work in an outdoor kitchen. Fabrication requires trained shops; installation needs full, flat support under the slab.

When to call

  • An outdoor kitchen or a sunny indoor counter.
  • A surface that takes hot pans straight from the stove.
  • A modern look in large slabs with few seams.

What to expect

  1. ChooseColor and finish from samples and full slabs.
  2. Template and fabricateTemplating after cabinets are set; cutting and edging by a trained fabricator.
  3. InstallSet on full support, seamed, with the sink mounted.
  4. CheckEdges, seams and cutouts inspected with you.

Get a certified company

Look up a certified company by ZIP code. Every company's license, insurance and trades are verified before it is listed, and placement is never paid.

Questions people ask

How is it different from porcelain slab?

They are closely related; sintered stone is generally thicker and denser with more through-body options. Both are fired mineral products.

Is it hard to repair if chipped?

Chips are rare but harder to repair than on softer materials. Edges are the vulnerable spot, which is why they are often eased or mitered.

Can it go outside?

Yes. It does not fade or absorb water, so it suits grills, bars and patios.

Related: Porcelain slab countertops · Quartz countertops · Concrete countertops · All cabinets and countertops

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