Sintered stone, a man-made material, has gained significant attention and found broad application in home decoration. However, there are certain applications where natural stone remains irreplaceable, and the current technology of sintered stone has not yet achieved substitutability in these areas. Let's explore the scenarios where natural stone is preferred over sintered stone.

1. European Molding: The First Case

European molding is primarily used in styles such as European, American, and French, which require stones to be polished into curved, rounded lines. Sintered stone, with its high hardness and surface-only patterns, does not meet the conditions for creating moldings. Its main application is in flat designs. European moldings require a level of craftsmanship and material consistency that sintered stone cannot provide.

2. Curved Facades: The Second Scenario

Curved facades present two main challenges. Firstly, they necessitate the assembly of small flat panels to form an approximate curved shape, leading to numerous panel joints. If these joints are not well-managed, they can significantly impact the final aesthetic outcome. Sintered stone is not adept at handling multiple joints, and its advantages are lost when the focus becomes the joints, rather than the overall visual appeal. In terms of joint management, sintered stone is not suitable for curved facades.

Secondly, after forming the curved shape from small pieces, the facade requires polishing to achieve a smooth, continuous curve without noticeable bumps or indentations. Post-polishing, a mirror-like finish is needed to give the stone a glossy appearance. Sintered stone's high hardness makes it unsuitable for surface polishing, and its patterns can be easily lost in the process. Additionally, it cannot be easily treated on-site to achieve a glossy finish, which is a requirement for curved facades. From a technical standpoint, sintered stone is not ideal for curved facades.

3. Curved Three-Dimensional Surfaces: The Third Example

Curved three-dimensional surfaces, such as the upper and lower covers of a curved staircase, are not merely curved planes but three-dimensional curved surfaces that require extensive jointing and significant polishing depth. Sintered stone's hardness, pattern limitations, and joint treatment make it unsuitable for crafting these complex, curved, three-dimensional surfaces.

In summary, sintered stone is not suitable for linear and curved facade designs and is best suited for flat, planar applications. Natural stone, with its unique properties and versatility, continues to hold a place in applications where sintered stone cannot match its performance and aesthetic qualities.