Neolith — Sintered Stone
10,000 years of mineralogy in 90 minutes in a kiln
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Neolith is a sintered stone surface by TheSize (Spain). Composition: 100% natural minerals (clays, feldspar, silica, mica, oxides), pressed at 25,000 tons and fired at 2,300°F. Thickness: 3, 5, 6, 12, 20 mm. Format: up to 141" × 47". Water absorption: < 0.08% (lower than granite). Mohs: 6–7. Applications: countertops, fronts, wall panels, flooring, building facades. Competes with Dekton (Cosentino), Laminam, Lapitec. Standards: EN 14411, ISO 10545.
TECHNICAL PASSPORT
Reception Space uses Neolith on 15% of premium projects: kitchen countertops 12 mm (vs quartz 20 mm — thinner, lighter, yet stronger), wall cladding (3 mm = lightweight), ventilated building facades. Neolith vs Dekton: same principle (sintering), but Neolith offers: 1) More formats (up to 141" × 47"). 2) Iron collection (rusted metal), Calacatta (marble), Pulpis (dark stone) — 80+ décors. 3) Riverwashed system: textured relief (3D tactility). Limitations: brittle on point impact (3–5 mm), expensive, complex fabrication (specialized tools).
Varieties & Types
Neolith Classtone (Classic Stone)
$$$$Collections: Calacatta, Estatuario, Pulpis
Natural stone imitation: marble, onyx, travertine. Photorealistic printing + Silk/Riverwashed texture. For countertops and walls. 60% of sales. Calacatta Gold and Abu: bestsellers. Full-size format: seamless 'slab' look.
Neolith Iron (Metal Décors)
$$$$Collections: Iron Corten, Iron Copper, Iron Frost
Oxidized metal effect: rust (Corten), patinated copper (Copper), frosted metal (Frost). For facades, wall panels, bar counters. Unique tactility: 'metal that doesn't rust.'
Neolith Fusion (Concrete & Cement)
$$$Collections: Beton, Fokos, Phedra
Concrete, microcement, lime plaster imitation. Silk and Riverwashed textures: smooth to rough. For loft interiors, industrial style. 12 mm: countertops + bar counters.
Neolith Skyline (Thin Facade)
$$$3 mm and 5 mm for ventilated facades
Ultra-thin panels for exterior: 3 mm (ventilated facades), 5 mm (interior walls). Frost resistance: 200+ cycles. UV resistance: absolute (inorganic composition). For buildings, malls, hotels.
Advantages
- ✓Heat-proof — hot pot directly: zero marks (sintered at 2,300°F). Superior to quartz stone
- ✓Chemical resistance — pH 1–14: acids, alkalis, solvents, household chemicals — no damage
- ✓UV-proof — 100% inorganic: 30+ years without color change. For exterior building facades
- ✓Hygienic — < 0.08% water absorption: non-porous. Bacteria, mold cannot proliferate
- ✓Thin profiles — 3–12 mm vs quartz 20 mm: lighter, thinner, more elegant. 3 mm: building facades
- ✓Eco-friendly — 100% natural minerals. No resins or polymers. Recyclable as inert aggregate
Limitations
- ⚠Brittleness — on point impact: 3–5 mm panels may crack (heavy object dropped on edge)
- ⚠Cost — from $132/sq ft (12 mm): more expensive than quartz (from $90/sq ft). Installation: +50% of material
- ⚠Fabrication — specialized tools required (diamond blades, water-fed CNC). Not every fabricator works with Neolith
- ⚠Repair — chips don't sand out (like quartz). Epoxy fill visible. Major chip → panel replacement
- ⚠Seams — large-format panels (141" × 47"): if countertop > 10 ft → seam needed (vs acrylic: seamless)
- ⚠Weight — 12 mm: 6 lb/sq ft (like granite). Large countertops: 2–3 people or crane
Applications
Kitchen countertops — 12/20 mm: heat-proof (hot pot without trivet), chemical-resistant, non-porous.
Wall panels — 5/6 mm: lightweight, large-format (141" × 47"). For bathrooms, kitchen backsplashes.
Building facades — 3 mm: ventilated systems. UV-proof: 50+ years. For hotels, malls, offices.
Bar counters — Iron Corten: 'rusted metal that doesn't rust.' Industrial chic.
Floor covering — 6/12 mm: Mohs 6–7. For lobbies, restaurants. Minimal joints (large format).
Bathrooms — walls + countertop + floor: unified décor. Water absorption < 0.08%: ideal for wet zones.
Pricing & Economics
Pricing Factors
- ·Thickness — 3 mm: base. 12 mm: × 2.5. 20 mm: × 4
- ·Décor — standard: base. Classtone Premium (Calacatta): +20–30%. Iron: +15–25%
- ·Fabrication — straight cut: base. Cutouts, bevels, mitering: +30–50%
- ·Format — standard 126" × 59": base. Max 141" × 47": +10–15%
- ·Volume — > 200 sq ft: 10–15% discount. Projects > 1,000 sq ft: custom pricing
Care & Longevity
Daily Care
Soft cloth + any household cleaner. Neolith is one of the lowest-maintenance surfaces available.
What to Avoid
Point impacts (don't drop heavy objects on edges). Abrasive cleaners won't harm it, but aren't necessary.
Periodic Maintenance
Zero maintenance. No sealers, no polishing, no treatments needed. 30+ years without intervention.
Professional Care
Chip: epoxy fill (from $30). Panel replacement (major damage): material cost + installation.
Expert Reviews
Average Rating · 5 expert reviews
«7 years with Neolith: material of the future. Harder to work with than quartz (special tools, wet cutting), but results are worth it. Classtone Calacatta Gold 12 mm: clients don't believe it's not natural marble — until they place a hot pot (and nothing happens). Zero sealers, zero maintenance, zero degradation.»
«Neolith in kitchens: solves the #1 problem — 'marble is beautiful but stains.' Classtone Pulpis (dark): countertop + backsplash + island — unified décor, 3 mm on walls + 12 mm on countertop. Client after 2 years: 'Why would I need sealers? Nothing absorbs!' Over 5 years: 40+ kitchens, 1 chip (dropped cast iron pot).»
«Installing Neolith is precision work: 141" × 47" panel weighs 287 lb (12 mm), two people + vacuum lifters. One wrong move = chip (and panel costs $240/sq ft). Over 4 years: 2 panels cracked during install (insurance covered). Final result: WOW. But nerves — every single time.»
«Kitchen: Neolith Estatuario 12 mm countertop + 5 mm backsplash. Bathroom: walls + countertop (same décor). Result: stunning, guests don't believe it's 'not marble.' Problem: small chip on countertop edge (dropped glass jar). Repair: epoxy fill — visible on close inspection. Quartz would've sanded out. Conclusion: beautiful, but handle with care.»
«Neolith 3 mm for vent facades: 1.5 lb/sq ft — light as composite, durable as stone. Project: hotel 54,000 sq ft facade, Iron Corten. 3 years → zero defects, zero maintenance, zero color change. Comparison: fiber cement same scale: faded after 2 years. Neolith: premium, but over 30-year lifespan it pays for itself.»
Frequently Asked Questions
Same principle: mineral sintering at 2,200–2,300°F. Neolith (TheSize, Spain) and Dekton (Cosentino, Spain). Differences: 1) Format: Neolith up to 141" × 47". Dekton: up to 126" × 59". 2) Collections: Neolith Iron (metal), Dekton Industrial. 3) Price: comparable (±10%). 4) Distribution: Dekton more widely available. Practically interchangeable.
Yes — without a trivet. Neolith is sintered at 2,300°F: a pot/pan (400–570°F) is cold compared. The only kitchen surface that does NOT require trivets (vs quartz: needed, acrylic: mandatory, marble: risky). This is its #1 competitive advantage.
Thin panels (3–5 mm): heavy object dropped on edge — chip possible. 12 mm: withstands household loads. 20 mm: virtually indestructible. Key: Neolith is strong in bending and compression, but brittle on point impact (like glass). Don't drop cast iron skillet on corner.
In specific parameters — yes: heat resistance (hot pots OK vs quartz no), UV resistance (exterior OK vs quartz no), chemical resistance (pH 1–14 vs quartz limited). Quartz better: price (30% less), repairability (sandable vs Neolith replacement), impact resistance. For kitchen: Neolith if budget allows.
Yes — 3 mm panels for ventilated facades: lightweight (1.5 lb/sq ft), UV-proof (30+ years), frost-proof (200+ cycles), non-combustible (A1). Mounting: visible (clamps) or concealed (adhesive). For hotels, malls, office buildings. Hundreds of projects in Europe. Growing trend 2024–2026.
Specialized tools: diamond blades for wet cutting, water-fed CNC. Standard tile cutter: no (brittle with improper cutting). Edge: straight, bevel, miter (45°). Not every shop works with Neolith — certified fabricator needed. In most metro areas: 10–15 qualified fabricators.
Virtually no. Water absorption < 0.08%: coffee, wine, oil, marker — don't penetrate. Wipe with damp cloth. Neolith requires zero sealing (vs marble: mandatory, vs granite: recommended). Exception: Riverwashed texture (relief): dirt may lodge in texture — clean with brush.
Countertop 10 lin ft (12 mm, Classtone): $1,800–3,000 (material + fabrication + install). Backsplash 30 sq ft (5 mm): $2,160–3,600. Full kitchen (countertop + backsplash + island): $5,000–10,000. Compare: quartz: $3,000–6,000. Marble: $4,000–8,000.
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