Flexural & compressive strength
Sintered compact surfaces are pressed and fired into an extremely dense slab. They are markedly stronger than marble and granite, which means thinner profiles, longer unsupported overhangs and fewer joins.
Core performance
What makes a great benchtop.
These are the four things we assess for every project before recommending a surface.
Scratch & stain resistance
Compact and granite surfaces resist everyday knife marks and spills. Marble is softer and etches with acids, a patina many clients love. We'll help you decide.
Thermal tolerance
Fired surfaces handle hot pans and direct sunlight without discolouring. We still recommend trivets on every stone.
Low porosity for maximum hygiene
Non-porous compact surfaces absorb almost no liquid. Natural stones are sealed with food-safe impregnating sealers before handover.
Material comparison
Compare surfaces side by side.
A general guide only. Individual products vary, so we'll provide the manufacturer's technical data sheet for the exact slab you choose.
| Property | Compact / sintered | Granite | Quartzite | Marble |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Scratch resistance | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Stain resistance | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Heat tolerance | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Porosity (lower is better) | Very low, no sealing | Low, seal periodically | Low to medium, seal | Medium, seal regularly |
| Crystalline silica content* | Varies by product | Moderate to high | High | Very low |
| Character | Consistent, bookmatch-ready | Speckled, bold | Marble look, harder | Unique veining, soft patina |
*Silica exposure is a risk during cutting, not in your finished kitchen. We follow WorkSafe Victoria controls for all fabrication.
Safety first
Engineered for safety, from workshop to kitchen.
Since 1 July 2024, engineered stone has been banned in Australia because of the silicosis risk to the workers who cut it. We fully support the ban.
- We supply no engineered stone. We offer natural stone and compliant compact surfaces.
- Low-silica choices such as natural marble, plus recycled-content options on request
- Wet cutting, on-tool water suppression and respiratory protection in our workshop
- Clean, dust-controlled installation in your home
Eco-conscious
Beautiful choices, lighter footprint.
We optimise slab layouts to cut waste, recycle offcuts into vanities, shelves and hearths, and can source recycled-content surfaces for clients who want them.
- Digital slab nesting to reduce offcuts
- Offcuts reused for vanities, sills and splash ledges
- Water recycling in our cutting process
- Long-life surfaces that don't need replacing
Warranty
10-Year Workmanship Warranty.
We stand behind every join, edge and cut-out we make. Our workmanship warranty covers fabrication and installation defects for 10 years from installation.
- Covers joins, edge finishing, cut-outs and installation fixing
- Material defects are covered by the manufacturer's own warranty, and we handle the claim for you
- Excludes misuse, impact, heat shock, unsealed or poorly maintained natural stone, and movement in cabinetry or the building
- Your warranty certificate and care guide are issued at handover
Check your warranty: email your invoice number to mmg.designs@live.com and we'll confirm your coverage and care requirements.
Start your project
Ready to see your stone in person?
Visit our Laverton North workshop to see full slabs, edge samples and finished work. Or send us your plans and we'll send back a detailed, obligation-free quote.