Why Emily Henderson Says To Avoid Engineered Stone Countertops

It's safe to say that interior designer Emily Henderson knows a thing or two about countertops. "Marble is a lifestyle choice," Henderson admitted on her blog while showing off the deep green veined honed marble she installed in her Portland kitchen. It can stain thanks to its high porosity that absorbs coffee, wine, you name it. Engineered stone, like quartz, is much lower maintenance because it's made of stone bound together with non-porous polymer resins, which is one of the reasons she installed it in her mountain house in Lake Arrowhead, California. Henderson admits the material "is highly durable and easy to clean." But although you can find large pieces for affordable prices, Henderson tends to avoid engineered stone countertops because they aren't as attractive as natural stone slabs and just don't look right in older homes.

"Of all the design debates while renovating a home, the 'natural versus engineered stone' one can really paralyze you," the interior designer wrote in her blog. She frequently opts for natural stone instead of quartz because it has more natural movement. Although engineered stone comes in practically limitless colors and patterns, it often looks much more uniform than natural slabs. If your goal is to make a traditional kitchen feel more modern, this characteristic may appeal to you. But Henderson's design philosophy is that if you already have or are trying to create a traditional or vintage style in your home, natural stone is the right choice.

There are many types of countertops you should know before starting a remodeling project. Engineered stone is actually a catchall phrase for any man-made composite material that combines crushed stone, resins, pigments, and other binders. Developed in the late 1980s, its affordability made it extremely popular for both bathroom and kitchen countertops. But although it can be designed to mimic the look of natural stone, engineered stone tends to be more pristine while also lacking the heat-resistant qualities that make materials like granite or marble ideal, especially in kitchens. Although you should always use a trivet under hot pots or curling irons, natural stone can stand up to direct heat, while engineered stone is much more likely to warp, discolor, or crack.

That isn't to say engineered stone doesn't work in some homes. When Emily Henderson wanted to create a kid-friendly space in her Scandinavian-inspired mountain home, she opted for a white Cambria quartz from Caesarstone. Henderson said, via her blog, "Going with a quartz which is less maintenance felt like the better move." She explained that the choice fit her design philosophy, since the mountain house has a mid-century feel. Henderson explained in another blog post, "If you have a midcentury, contemporary, or otherwise clean-lined and modern style home... You can do either real stone OR the right simple quartz." But despite leaning into engineered stone in the kitchen, the interior designer still opted for natural slate floors and marble countertops in the home's bathrooms.

Before choosing your material, there are three factors you should consider before buying new kitchen countertops. First and foremost, think about your lifestyle. Some natural stone choices will require you to be extra careful about stains and scratches and may require frequent sealing. Engineered stone can mimic the look of natural stone and doesn't require much maintenance, but Henderson says in her blog that "a lot of the veining on quartz can be incredibly fake looking." 

Second, think about where you plan to use the material. Kitchens are high-traffic areas, especially if you like to cook or entertain. Likewise, primary bathrooms, kids' bathrooms, and powder rooms often get more wear and tear than an infrequently used guest bathroom. Certain stones will hold up better to moisture (and toothpaste or other personal hygiene products) than others. Keep this in mind while deciding whether to install natural or engineered stone countertops in either space.

Finally, the Emily Henderson Design team recommends coming up with a realistic budget. Engineered stone does tend to be more affordable than natural stone, especially large slabs of spectacular marble or rare granite. But if you agree with Henderson that natural stone is best, there are less expensive options like travertine or limestone that can give you an aged look for less. Henderson suggests heading to a local stone yard to see slabs in person instead of making your selection based on samples.