BretonStone® is a revolutionary engineered quartz surface created using Breton’s patented vibration technology. This innovative manufacturing process allows quartz slabs to be made thinner and more translucent than traditional quartz, opening up exciting new applications for this material.
An Introduction to BretonStone® Technology
Breton S.p.A is an Italian company that has specialized in industrial equipment for processing stone since 1963. In 2019, they revolutionized the quartz industry with the invention of their patented BretonStone® technology.
This state-of-the-art system uses a vacuum vibrocompression molding process to compress and amalgamate quartz granules and binders into slabs. The use of vibration allows the slabs to be pressed at lower pressures, resulting in a lighter and thinner final product without compromising structural integrity.
Some key advantages of BretonStone® quartz include:
- Slabs up to 30% thinner than standard quartz but with equal strength
- More translucence for backlit applications
- Ability to create delicate patterns not possible with thicker quartz
- Consistent quality with minimal veining or blotchiness
- Environmentally friendly manufacturing process
The slimmer profile unlocks exciting new applications for quartz in furniture, lighting, wall cladding, and more. It allows quartz to be used in ways not possible with traditional thicker slabs.
How BretonStone® Technology Works
The BretonStone® system transforms quartz powder and polymers into quartz slabs through a brilliantly engineered process. Here are the key steps:
1. Raw Ingredients
The main ingredients are quartz aggregates and crystalline silica sourced from quarries, combined with polyester resins and pigments. The exact recipe can be customized to create different aesthetic styles.
2. Mixing
The quartz, resins, and pigments are measured out and thoroughly blended together to achieve a homogenous mixture. Getting the ratio right is crucial for strength and appearance.
3. Vacuum Vibrocompression
The blended mixture is poured into a mold and then compressed under vacuum conditions with vertical vibrations. The vacuum removes air pockets while the vibrations allow lower pressure molding.
4. Curing & Cooling
Once molded, the slabs undergo controlled curing and cooling to harden the binding polymers. This process affects the final structural stability.
5. Finishing
The finished slabs are sent for final polishing, edge treatment, and quality control checks before being packaged and shipped. Extra care is taken with the thinner BretonStone® slabs.
This remarkable process allows crafting thin slabs just 5-15mm thick, compared to traditional quartz slabs at 20mm or thicker. The slim profile opens up entirely new design possibilities.
Unique Benefits of BretonStone® Quartz
The BretonStone® manufacturing system gives engineered quartz capabilities not present in thicker slabs made the standard way. Here are some of its unique advantages:
Thinner and Lighter
The thinner profile (as slim as 5mm) results in an incredibly lightweight material considering its strength. This allows uses not possible with heavy full-thickness slabs.
More Translucent
Since the slabs are thinner, more light passes through giving BretonStone® an attractive translucency. This creates stunning effects for backlit applications.
Delicate Patterns
Intricate veining and patterns can be molded without risk of sagging since the slabs are compressed while being vibrated. The results are exquisite designs.
Consistent Quality
The vibration compression achieves highly uniform slabs with minimal blotchiness and color variations from end-to-end. This allows for excellent pattern matching.
Versatile Applications
From walls, to lighting, furniture and more – the slimmer slabs open up amazing new applications in residential and commercial projects.
Eco-Friendly Process
Lower pressure and energy consumption results in a more sustainable manufacturing method with reduced environmental impact.
These unique traits make BretonStone® an incredibly versatile and eco-friendly engineered quartz unlike any other on the market.
Innovative Uses for Thin Quartz
Here are some of the innovative ways thin BretonStone® quartz can be used that are difficult or impossible with thicker slabs:
Backlit Panels
The slim slabs can be backlit to create glowing wall panels and dividers. This eye-catching use of light is only possible with translucent thin quartz.
Lighting Fixtures
BretonStone® can be CNC cut and etched to craft stunning lamp shades, sconces, chandeliers, and other lighting. The stone can be illuminated from within.
Wall Cladding
Thin panels can be applied directly to walls for a sleek, modern look. Panels can also be perforated or have hinged joints to create moving surfaces.
Furniture
The lightweight thin slabs allow furniture designers to use quartz on vertical surfaces, drawer fronts, shelving, and more areas than previously possible.
Radiant Heating
Electric radiant heating elements can be embedded directly into BretonStone® panels to create lavish heated surfaces for walls, floors, and counters.
Acoustic Panels
Quartz absorbs sound. Perforated BretonStone® panels can provide excellent acoustic damping on walls and ceilings.
The slim profile quartz produced with BretonStone® technology provides designers with amazing new options. This material will continue revolutionizing how quartz is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BretonStone® quartz?
BretonStone® is a thin, lightweight engineered quartz material created using Breton S.p.A’s patented vacuum vibrocompression technology. The slabs can be as slim as 5mm thick.
How is BretonStone® different from regular quartz?
It is up to 30% thinner than standard quartz slabs, more translucent, and manufactured using an innovative vibration molding process allowing more delicate patterns.
What makes BretonStone® slabs so thin?
Breton’s technology uses controlled vibrations during compression molding to remove air pockets and compact the quartz using less pressure. This enables thinner slabs.
Is a 5mm thick quartz slab durable?
Yes, despite the slim 5mm profile, BretonStone® maintains incredible strength thanks to the vacuum vibrocompression manufacturing. The slabs are subjected to rigorous testing.
Can you backlight BretonStone® quartz?
Yes, the thinner more translucent slabs are perfect for backlighting. This creates stunning luminous panels for walls, counters, and installations.
Does BretonStone® offer unique quartz patterns?
Yes, the technology allows intricate veining and delicate patterns that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with thicker slabs.
Is BretonStone® more environmentally friendly?
Yes, the process consumes less energy and materials resulting in a reduced carbon footprint compared to traditional quartz manufacturing.
Where can I use BretonStone® quartz?
This slim engineered quartz allows creative use in wall cladding, lighting, furniture, countertops, heating, acoustic panels, shelving, and more.
Conclusion
BretonStone® is an exciting new take on engineered quartz made possible by Breton’s groundbreaking vibrocompression technology. It overcomes the limitations of thicker quartz by producing slimmer slabs with enhanced translucency and intricate patterning. Specifiers and designers are finding innovative new applications for BretonStone® across residential, commercial, hospitality, retail, and other projects. Its durability, beauty, and eco-friendly manufacturing will continue making this thin quartz a highly desirable material. BretonStone® represents the future of engineered stone and demonstrates the inventiveness that exists in the quartz industry.