THE GROWING popularity of engineered stone is entirely understandable. Engineered stones offer qualities that not many natural stones could match.

The term “engineered stone’ describes the combination of natural stone with other materials processed together into the final product.

The stone material is typically in aggregate or crushed form held together by a resin binder.

“The combination is processed under heat and pressure to compact the materials together, which removes porosity. The end result is a hard, stone-like product that has all of the good characteristics of stone without the drawbacks,” explained Kirdwin Cu, GT Stoneworks marketing manager.

“Moreover, engineered stones have no fissures, veins or other imperfections that may compromise the strength of natural stones. Also, engineered stones no longer make it hard for installers to match seams or slab edges,” Cu added.

Aside from being durable, lightweight and easily installed, engineered stones can be manufactured in many different and unique colors and patterns.

Cu noted that because of these characteristics more and more homeowners are choosing engineered stones in their floors, wall cladding, toilet partitions etc.

GT Stoneworks has been a popular choice among homebuilders because their engineered stone products possess color and design consistency that few real stones offer.

This is made possible by the unique concrete stamping system able to duplicate nature’s texture with incredible realism. “It’s like having the real granite, slate, stone and brick,” said Cu.

He added that their quality of their products would greatly improve now that GT Stoneworks has acquired the franchising, licensing and manufacturing agreement from Matcrete USA for the Asian territories to produce their own decorative concrete stamping system.

This also means that all products, such as color hardeners, antique powdered release agents, liquid release agents, polyurethane sealers, anti-slip Rhino grip additives, stamping tools and other stamping products, will be produced locally, using imported materials.

“The stamping tools from Matcrete USA are considered the most durable and the company’s attention to detail is well known worldwide,” he said.

In fact, as one of the country’s favorite suppliers of stone wall claddings, Cu announced they even extended their popular 5-10-20 promo, which provides gifts to customers purchasing either 5, 10 or 20 square meters of stone claddings.

“The gifts customers receive from this promo could be used for the engineered stones’ installations, resulting to greater value for money,” he said.

The 5-10-20 promo is available at all Wilcon Builders Supply and Depot outlets.

GT Stoneworks has “an inventory of 45 distinct profiles with unlimited color combinations for indoor and outdoor stone wall finishing in residential and commercial projects,” Cu said.