news on natural and engineered stone market

Presentation of Stone Materials for Heima Architects

At the end of May, Baltic Stone consultants organised a seminar for architects from Heima architectural studio on natural and artificial stone materials. The team of young professionals, who have gained experience and knowledge working at architecture studios in Lithuania, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium and Spain, focus on architectural objects of various scales and purposes. Heima's professionals had the opportunity to hear about the types of natural stone used in interiors, as well as about famous brands of engineered countertop materials. 

6 Advantages of Porcelain and Ceramic Worktops

Kitchen countertops from Porcelain and ceramic materials have many great qualities - they are non-porous, do not absorb liquids and do not need to be sealed. Such surface will be durable, scratch-resistant and heat-resistant, but at the same time boast lightweight, modern and elegant appearance. Some high-tech ceramic surfaces look stunning. They are hardly distinguishable from real stone at a glance.

Gforma Reveals the Potential of Acrylic Solid Surface

Exceptional architecture, modern design and the harmony of nature, all come together in the Green Hall II business centre in Vilnius, located close to the Neris riverside. The project client, SBA Group, formed a hard task to Gforma solid surface fabricators to design and manufacture an exceptional reception desk representing the entire building, which would add to the spacious, light, nature-like interior with its plastic forms, and at the same time be functional and comfortable for the employees and visitors of the business centre.

Seminar about Natural and Engineered Stone at Vilnius Design College

Baltic Stone consultants held a seminar at Vilnius Design College for future interior designers and architects. Two hours passed by unnoticed as the conversation was evolving around  natural stone and artificial stone types and their application in interior design and architecture. The first and second year students were introduced to some well-known solid surface material manufacturers and popular brands. Many of them for the first time heard about four types of artificial stone: acrylic, quartz, ceramic and sintered.

Why is Engineered Quartz a Great Material for your Worktop?

Engineered quartz countertops not only have elegant look and beautiful patterns, but they are also extremely durable. They can make your kitchen and the whole house a real celebration. Don’t be suspicious of the product's beauty - this artificial hi-tech material is easy to care for. All you need is a sponge, soap and water. Engineered quartz pieces mimic real stones in their texture and patterns, but are more practical in everyday life. 

7 Unique Qualities of Acrylic Solid Surface

Hi-tech acrylic solid surface countertops are virtually non-porous, therefore they are resistant to mold, rot and staining. Bacteria and fungal spores do not penetrate into this long-life material. Even very old acrylic countertops can be renewed very quickly. If the surface no longer shines after ten or twenty years, it is enough to polish the product to make it look like new again. Can this really be true?

Engineered Stone Countertops Make Life Easy

While creating modern homes you will definitely come across artificial stone countertops that require little maintenance, but look stylish and hi-tech. They don’t absorb liquids, they are easy to clean, and the color range is almost limitless. These materials are suitable not only for horizontal surfaces, such as tables, baths, washbasins or window sills, but also for vertical surfaces, such as walls and furniture facades. 

Sintered Stone - Harder than Granite and Scratch-resistant

This type of artificial stone differs from other engineered stone types not only in composition but also in its qualities and the peculiarities of production. Sintered stone countertops look particularly modern, give an impression of lightness and elegance, but surpass natural stone in strength and durability. According to designers, this 100% natural material is the latest high-tech fad. 

Visit to Cuellar Stone Factory in Almeria

Baltic Stone representatives have visited the Cuellar Stone factory in Almeria region of Spain, where it has been working since 1958. Almeria is famous for its stone mines, so many blocks of completely unprocessed granite, marble and quartzite come to the Cuellar Stone premises. We observed the first working cycle at the factory, the fine cutting into slabs, the powerful equipment, and the detailed work of professional stone masters whom we even named stone sculptors. The owner and CEO of the company Diego Martínez Cano told us not only about marble and granite, he also talked about basketball and... Lithuania. He has visited Kaunas a decade ago, and even watched a basketball match in our country!