Neolith Countertops Complete Guide
Quick Definition
This neolith countertops complete guide walks you through the process step by step.
Neolith is a sintered stone surface manufactured by TheSize in Castellon, Spain. Like Dekton, it's an ultra-compact material made without resin - raw minerals (clays, feldspar, silica, natural oxides) are pressed and fired at temperatures above 1,200°C. The result is a surface that's heat-proof, UV-stable, and nearly indestructible under normal use. Neolith costs $80-$130/sq ft installed and is available in large-format slabs up to 126" x 60".
TL;DR
- Neolith costs $80-$130/sq ft installed - at the premium end alongside Dekton and exotic natural stone
- Sintered stone with zero resin - heat-proof, UV-resistant, scratch-resistant, stain-proof
- Large-format slabs available up to 126" x 60" in thicknesses from 0.3cm to 2cm
- Designed for architecture-scale applications - facades, flooring, walls, and countertops
- Fewer residential countertop installations than Dekton - stronger in commercial and architectural specification
- Requires specialized fabrication equipment and training - not every shop can work with Neolith
- Competing directly with Dekton for the ultra-compact surface market
Neolith vs. Dekton: The Two-Horse Race
The ultra-compact surface market is dominated by two brands: Neolith (by TheSize) and Dekton (by Cosentino). They compete for the same customers:
| Factor | Neolith | Dekton |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | TheSize (Castellon, Spain) | Cosentino (Almeria, Spain) |
| Price range | $80-$130/sq ft | $70-$120/sq ft |
| Maximum slab size | 126" x 60" | 126" x 56" |
| Thickness range | 0.3cm to 2cm | 0.4cm to 3cm |
| Design count | 60+ | 70+ |
| Heat resistance | Excellent | Excellent |
| UV resistance | Excellent | Excellent |
| US distribution | Regional (growing) | National (established) |
| Fabricator network | Smaller, specialized | Larger, more accessible |
| Warranty | 15-year | 25-year |
Dekton has the distribution advantage in North America - Cosentino's established warehouse and dealer network makes Dekton easier to source. Neolith is stronger in Europe and gaining ground in the US, particularly through architect and designer specification.
Where Neolith Stands Out
Architectural Applications
Neolith's large-format, thin-profile slabs were designed for building facades, elevator interiors, and floor-to-ceiling wall cladding - not just kitchen counters. When an architect specifies a single material to flow from an exterior facade through to an interior kitchen island, Neolith delivers that continuity.
Design Quality
Neolith's pattern printing technology produces some of the most realistic stone reproductions in the sintered stone market. Their marble-look surfaces feature depth and vein variation that impresses even stone professionals.
Thin-Format Capability
Neolith's 0.3cm and 0.6cm thicknesses are thinner than Dekton's minimum 0.4cm. These ultra-thin slabs enable:
- Cabinet door cladding
- Furniture surfaces
- Wall paneling with minimal added weight
- Wrapped edges on fixtures and millwork
Food Contact Safety
Neolith meets NSF/ANSI 51 food contact safety standards. The surface is inert - no chemicals, dyes, or resins that could migrate into food. This matters for commercial food preparation surfaces and health-conscious residential customers.
Popular Neolith Designs
Estatuario (Marble Collection)
White base with dramatic gray veining - Neolith's interpretation of Statuario marble. One of their bestselling designs for kitchen countertops and island applications.
Iron Moss (Iron Collection)
A dark, oxidized metal appearance with rust-brown and charcoal tones. Unlike anything available in quartz. Targets the industrial and raw-material design aesthetic.
Calacatta Luxe (Marble Collection)
Warm white with bold gold and gray veining. Direct competitor to Dekton's Stonika marble-look designs and a popular choice for luxury kitchens.
Beton (Cement Collection)
Concrete-inspired medium gray with subtle aggregate texture. Available in multiple finishes (silk, riverwashed, satin). A commercial project favorite.
Nero Marquina (Marble Collection)
Black base with white veining - a reproduction of the famous Spanish black marble. Striking in island applications and commercial bar tops.
Fabrication Specifications
Slab Dimensions
- Standard: 126" x 60" (3200mm x 1500mm)
- Other formats: 126" x 58", 126" x 48" (varies by design)
- Thickness: 0.3cm, 0.6cm, 1.2cm, 2cm (no 3cm option - mitered edges create 3cm appearance)
Weight by Thickness
| Thickness | Weight per sq ft | Full slab weight |
|---|---|---|
| 0.3cm | ~1.8 lbs | ~90 lbs |
| 0.6cm | ~3.5 lbs | ~175 lbs |
| 1.2cm | ~7 lbs | ~350 lbs |
| 2cm | ~11.5 lbs | ~575 lbs |
Fabrication Considerations
Neolith fabrication requires:
Equipment:
- CNC router with sintered-stone-rated diamond tooling
- Bridge saw with specific blade recommendations from Neolith
- Waterjet capability (preferred for cutouts and curves)
- Mitering equipment for creating 3cm edges from 1.2cm material
Cutting:
- Slower feed rates than quartz - sintered material is extremely hard
- Full water cooling during all cuts
- Support the slab fully - unsupported areas can crack during cutting
- Inside corners require stress-relief drilling before cutting
Edge Finishing:
- Most Neolith installations use mitered edges - two pieces bonded at 45 degrees to create the appearance of a thicker slab
- Eased and pencil edges are straightforward on 2cm material
- Complex profiles (ogee, dupont) are possible on 2cm but time-intensive due to hardness
- Polishing requires specific pad sequences - standard quartz pads wear out quickly
Mitering:
- Critical skill for Neolith fabrication
- 1.2cm + 1.2cm mitered = 2.4cm edge appearance
- 2cm + 2cm mitered = 4cm edge appearance
- Miter joints must be precise - gaps are visible and difficult to fill
- Structural adhesive + reinforcement strip on the back side of miter joints
Training: Neolith offers fabrication training through their regional representatives. Shops new to sintered stone should invest in training before taking their first Neolith job - the breakage learning curve is real and expensive.
Cost of a Neolith Kitchen
Standard Kitchen (40 sq ft, 1.2cm mitered to 2.4cm)
| Component | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Material (40 sq ft + waste) | $2,400-$3,200 |
| Fabrication (CNC + mitering) | $1,200-$1,800 |
| Edge finishing (mitered) | $500-$800 |
| Undermount sink cutout | $250-$400 |
| Installation | $400-$600 |
| Total | $4,750-$6,800 |
Neolith's mitering requirement adds significant fabrication cost compared to solid 3cm quartz or granite. That's the trade-off for the material's performance characteristics.
Care and Maintenance
Neolith is virtually maintenance-free:
Daily: Wipe with water and mild soap. Done.
Tough stains: Any household cleaner works - Neolith is chemically resistant. Even acetone, bleach, and oven cleaner won't damage the surface.
What you can do (that you can't with other surfaces):
- Set hot pans directly on it
- Cut on it (though your knives will suffer)
- Clean with bleach or industrial cleaners
- Leave it in full sunlight (outdoor installations)
- Spill red wine and forget about it overnight
What to avoid:
- Dropping heavy objects from height (point impact can crack thin profiles)
- Abrasive cleaning is unnecessary but won't damage the surface
Warranty
Neolith offers a 15-year warranty:
- Covers manufacturing defects in material and finish
- Applies to residential and commercial installations
- Transferable to subsequent owners
- Does NOT cover impact damage, improper fabrication, or abuse
- Requires installation by a trained professional
The 15-year warranty is shorter than Dekton's 25-year term. In practice, sintered stone material failures outside of impact damage are nearly nonexistent.
Who Should Choose Neolith?
Choose Neolith if:
- Your architect or designer has specified it
- You want a material that can flow from exterior to interior
- Thin-format applications (wall cladding, furniture) are part of the design
- You prioritize design quality and realistic stone reproduction
- The project is high-end residential or commercial with budget for premium materials
- Food contact safety certification matters
Consider Dekton instead if:
- You need 3cm thickness without mitering
- Budget is a concern ($70-$120 vs. $80-$130)
- Your fabricator doesn't have Neolith training
- You want the longer 25-year warranty
- Distribution and availability are factors (Dekton is more widely stocked in the US)
Consider quartz instead if:
- Budget is the primary driver
- Your kitchen is a standard indoor residential layout
- You want the widest color selection
- Your fabricator is more experienced with quartz
FAQ
How much do Neolith countertops cost?
$80-$130/sq ft installed. A 40 sq ft kitchen with 1.2cm mitered edges runs $4,750-$6,800.
Is Neolith the same as porcelain?
Similar category (sintered surface) but different composition and manufacturing standards. Neolith is denser, harder, and produced at higher pressures than standard porcelain slabs. It's also significantly more expensive.
Can Neolith handle hot pots directly?
Yes. Neolith is heat-proof and won't discolor or crack from direct contact with hot cookware at any kitchen temperature. No trivets needed.
Does Neolith crack easily?
Neolith is rigid and can crack from significant point impact (like dropping a heavy pan). Thicker profiles (2cm) are more resistant. The material is extremely strong under compression and bending loads - cracking is almost exclusively from impact events.
How does Neolith compare to natural marble?
Neolith's marble-look designs are visually impressive but lack the depth and translucency of real marble. Functionally, Neolith is superior in every way: no etching, no staining, no sealing, and no maintenance. Real marble offers a tactile and visual warmth that sintered stone doesn't fully replicate.
Can I use Neolith outdoors?
Yes. Neolith is rated for full outdoor exposure including UV light, rain, freeze-thaw cycles, and temperature extremes. It's widely used for building facades in Europe.
Why is Neolith more expensive than Dekton?
Slightly higher manufacturing costs, smaller production scale, and less aggressive US distribution. As Neolith's US presence grows, pricing may become more competitive.
Does Neolith come in 3cm?
Not as a solid slab. The maximum standard thickness is 2cm. For countertop applications requiring a 3cm or thicker edge, fabricators miter two pieces together (1.2cm + 1.2cm for 2.4cm, or 2cm + 2cm for 4cm).
Who fabricates Neolith?
Specialized stone fabrication shops with sintered stone experience. Not every shop handles Neolith - the material requires specific equipment and training. Contact Neolith's US distributor for a list of certified fabricators in your area.
Is Neolith available at home centers?
No. Neolith is distributed through specialty stone dealers and directly to qualified fabrication shops. You won't find it at Home Depot or Lowe's.
How long do Neolith countertops last?
Indefinitely under normal use. The sintered composition doesn't degrade over time from UV, moisture, or chemical exposure. Barring physical damage, a Neolith surface installed today will look the same in 50 years.
Handle Premium Materials With Precision
Neolith projects are high-value jobs where mistakes are costly. A fabrication error on a $130/sq ft material can mean a $3,000-$5,000 loss on a single kitchen. SlabWise's template verification system catches measurement errors at three checkpoints before cutting begins - keeping your expensive Neolith slabs on the project, not in the waste bin.
Start your 14-day free trial - protect your investment on every premium job.
Sources
- TheSize - Neolith Technical Data Sheets and Product Catalog (2025)
- TheSize - Sintered Stone Manufacturing Process Documentation
- NSF International - NSF/ANSI 51 Food Contact Surface Certification
- Architectural Digest - Sintered Stone Specification Trends
- Natural Stone Institute - Ultra-Compact Surface Category Standards
- Kitchen & Bath Business - Surface Material Market Data (2024)