Choosing stone for a new kitchen worktop used to be a choice between familiar materials such as granite, quartz, quartzite, marble and porcelain, but leading brand Cosentino has recently added a new and interesting type of stone surface to this list.
ĒCLOS is a new type of high-performance manmade stone surface made with an innovative new process that Cosentino calls Inlayered Mineral Surface technology. INLAYR® technology adds 3D colour, pattern and texture through the body of the material rather than simply printing the pattern on the surface. It also contains almost no silica.
Specially designed for hardworking kitchens, ĒCLOS promises realistic stone-effect designs with plenty of depth, plus practical benefits like strong resistance to heat, stains and scratches. For homeowners, kitchen companies and designers, it is a compelling new stone surface option to consider.
But what exactly are Inlayered Mineral Surfaces and how do they differ from quartz, porcelain and other engineered types of stone. Read on to find out and explore whether ĒCLOS could be the perfect stone for your kitchen.
What are Inlayered Mineral Surfaces?
Inlayered Mineral Surfaces are a new type of ultra-low silica composite stone where the colour and pattern are full bodied rather than simply printed onto the top.
Cosentino developed this new type of composite stone and manufacturing technique to create greater depth and consistency to the colour, veining and pattern. By incorporating the decorative details into the slab, the surface has been designed to have more visual depth with a more natural look and feel.
This also has advantages when the material is fabricated. With some engineered quartz and ceramic surfaces, cutting into the slab can reveal a core that looks different from the face, which can disrupt the finished look and limit your choice of edge profiles.
However, with Inlayered Mineral Surfaces, the design continues through the material and remains visible along cut edges. This allows for a more consistent look and provides more possibilities when it comes to creating custom worktop shapes and edge detailing.
What is Cosentino ĒCLOS?
ĒCLOS is the new ultra-low silica surface brand from Cosentino, the manufacturer behind well-known worktop names including Silestone, Dekton and Sensa. Its surfaces are produced using INLAYR®, the technology behind the layered designs described above.
The first collection to showcase this is Eclectic Veins, a beautiful range of natural stone-inspired designs for kitchen worktops and other interior surfaces. Flowing veins and layered backgrounds give the material an abundance of natural character, while the surface finish has a soft, silky feel. With colours ranging from fresh whites and creams to warmer browns and deep tones, there’s a style to suit every home.
Another notable feature is the low-crystalline-silica composition and green credentials. Cosentino states that Eclectic Veins is made without any added crystalline silica, offering a safer alternative for fabricators as concerns over silica dust risks continue to grow. Sustainability has also been a consideration during development. Up to 88% of the inner core is made from recycled materials, while renewable electricity powers production and 99% of water used is repurposed.
Want to see what Eclectic Veins looks like? Take a closer look and browse available colours and designs on our dedicated Cosentino ĒCLOS page.
What are the main benefits of Inlayered Mineral Surfaces?
Your kitchen worksurfaces need to do more than simply look good. They will be exposed to hot cookware, spills and everyday knocks, so durability is an important factor to consider. With this in mind, Cosentino’s ĒCLOS inlayered mineral surfaces have been designed with performance and looks in mind. Here are some key highlights.
High heat resistance
Heat resistance is a key consideration in kitchens, especially around hobs and food prep areas. According to Cosentino, ĒCLOS ad been designed to withstand temperatures of up to 220°C, including direct contact with hot cookware. However, we still recommend using trivets and surface protectors for hot pans to protect and maintain the appearance of your stone worktops.
Made for everyday use
Heat isn’t the only thing your worktops have to contend with – especially in busy family homes. ĒCLOS is also resistant to stains, scratches and impact, helping it stand up to spills, wear and the occasional dropped utensil. Of course, no surface is indestructible. Simple precautions such as using chopping boards and wiping up spills will help to maintain the appearance of your stone surfaces.
Natural stone-inspired designs
Practical considerations aside, your choice of worktop can completely change the look and feel of a kitchen. If you love natural stone, it is the veining and subtle tonal variations found in natural granite, marble and quartzite that provide much of the appeal.
Eclectic Veins draws on these characteristics across eight different stone effects, with a choice of both light and dark tones. You could opt for a soft, understated surface that blends into the wider scheme or use stronger veining and deeper colours to turn a kitchen island into a focal point. Either way, you’ll get the best of both worlds with the character of natural stone alongside the consistency and performance that makes modern engineered surfaces so popular.
Is ĒCLOS an alternative to quartz worktops?
Yes. If you are considering quartz worktops, ĒCLOS is definitely worth exploring. It offers many of the qualities that have made quartz so popular but adds event greater durability and realism.
Importantly, ĒCLOS is NOT a new type of quartz. It is a completely new Inlayered Mineral Surface, with its own composition and distinctive approach to creating colour and pattern. There are practical differences too. While quartz can cope with moderate heat for short periods, ĒCLOS can withstand higher temperatures with even greater scratch resistance. Its zero-crystalline-silica composition also reduces the risks associated with silica dust during the manufacturing process, now a key consideration for many buyers.
Which one should you choose? There’s no right answer for every kitchen. Quartz remains a popular and reliable option, while ĒCLOS brings some interesting new qualities and features to the market. Your decision will ultimately depend on your project, priorities and budget, but it is an alternative that you should consider.
What colours are available in the ĒCLOS Eclectic Veins collection?
With ten stone effect styles to choose from at launch, Eclectic Veins covers a broad spectrum of colours, from crisp whites and soft creams to earthy brown and dramatic black. Here’s a quick overview of the available tones and stone effects.
- Light and fresh – Wondr pairs a luminous white background with sweeping grey and blue veins, while Landr introduces subtle touches of gold against clean white. Lumer is softer and warmer, combining an ivory base with delicate veining and tonal variation.
- Warm and neutral – If you prefer cream or beige worktops, there are several options to explore. Ivora combines a light cream background with fine grey and beige veins, while Veilr has a softer, hazier mix of cream and toasted tones. Sandr brings in warmer golden undertones, and Tajnar features delicate feathery veins against light beige.
- Richer and more dramatic – Vancor adds golden and copper details to a beige base for a slightly stronger look, while Legnd moves into deeper, earthy browns with bold contrasting veins. Alternatively, Phantome is the darkest of the collection, combining a smooth black background with subtle green undertones and metallic copper detailing.
Some designs are available with a glossy finish, while others have a lovely soft and slightly silky texture.
Want to explore the range further? See our dedicated ĒCLOS surfaces page to browse the full collection and request samples. However, nothing compares to seeing and touching real stone samples and a visit to our showroom is recommended. The complete ĒCLOS sample collection is available to view at our Storrington showroom, where our expert team can help you compare stone options and demonstrate a variety of installed stone surface displays.
Kitchen worktops expertly fabricated by LBS Stone
With its full-bodied patterns and scope for custom edge detailing, ĒCLOS provides lots of possibilities for your new kitchen and bathroom worktops. To make the most of these possibilities, accurate measuring and skilled fabrication are essential.
At LBS Stone, we handle the entire process in-house from our Storrington workshop. Once you’ve chosen your preferred ĒCLOS design, our team will measure, cut, shape and finish your worktops using a combination of skilled craftsmanship, CNC machinery, waterjet cutting and specialist hand finishing.
Our own highly experienced fitters will then install your finished worktops, so there’s no need to rely on third-party contractors at any stage. From initial advice and templating through to the final fit, you can expect impeccable attention to detail and a high-quality finish.
Want to see Cosentino ĒCLOS for yourself?
With so much variation in colour, veining and finish, it’s worth seeing ĒCLOS in person before deciding which design is right for your project.
We invite you to visit our showroom in Storrington, West Sussex, to see and feel samples from the collection and discuss your ideas with our team. We can help you choose a suitable Inlayered Mineral Surface for your kitchen, bathroom or other interior project, and compare it with other available materials if you’re still weighing up your options. You can also view a range of comparable installed stone surfaces and see the quality of our craftmanship and capabilities firsthand.
Our fabrication workshop is based on site too, so you can see where your new stone worktops and surfaces will be cut, shaped and finished before installation. We look forward to welcoming you!
FAQs – Inlayered Mineral Stone Surfaces
What is an Inlayered Mineral Surface?
It is Cosentino’s name for a new type of mineral stone surface they have developed that uses a layered 3D body design. The material is made with 88% recycled stone, uses no additional silica and features a full through body print for added depth and authenticity. ĒCLOS is the first Cosentino range of inlayered mineral surfaces produced using this technique.
Are inlyaered mineral surfaces the same as quartz?
No, inlayered mineral surfaces are a new type of composite stone material. Cosentino describes ĒCLOS as a new generation of mineral surface that uses INLAYR® technology to create its layered design.
Can you put hot pans on ĒCLOS?
Cosentino suggests that ĒCLOS stone surfaces can withstand direct contact with cookware at temperatures of up to 220°C. This makes ĒCLOS comparable with high-performance porcelain surfaces such as Dekton and higher resistance than most quartz surfaces. While most stone surfaces are resistant to varying degrees of heat, we always recommend using trivets or heat matts to protect you surfaces and mitigate the change of cracking due to thermal shock.
Do inlayered mineral surfaces contain crystalline silica?
ĒCLOS inlayered mineral surfaces have been developed to be a very low-crystalline-silica surface. Cosentino state that the Eclectic Veins collection, is made with “zero crystalline silica” added, however there may be trace elements in the raw materials.
Where can ĒCLOS surfaces be used?
ĒCLOS inlayered mineral surfaces are designed for indoor applications only. Kitchen worktops will be one of its main uses, but we can be fabricated for many other interior surfaces with examples including:
- Splashbacks and upstands
- Bathroom vanity tops and wall cladding
- Bar and serving tops
- Interior feature wall cladding
- Shelves
- Tables and furniture surfaces
- Bespoke decorative interior features
The versatility of ĒCLOS makes it attractive for homeowners as well as kitchen companies, builders, interior designers, bathroom specialists and commercial fit-out businesses.
Can ĒCLOS be used outside?
No. ĒCLOS is for indoor use only and is not suitable applications such as outdoor bars and kitchens. Granite and porcelain surfaces are most suited to outdoor applications as they are UV stable and frost resistant.
Where can I see ĒCLOS samples?
The new range of ĒCLOS inlayered mineral surfaces are available to view at our shoroom. LBS Stone can provide stone samples and advice on ĒCLOS colours and applications. You can also visit our showroom in Storrington, West Sussex, to samples and advice on ĒCLOS colours and applications, and see displays for stone worktops and decorative finishes in person. We are conveniently located with free off-road customer parking.
