Home / News / Béton ciré Pro vs. Quartstone: Technical and Aesthetic Differences
Béton ciré Pro vs. Quartstone: Technical and Aesthetic Differences
Béton ciré Pro or Quartstone? This is the choice faced by homeowners, contractors, architects, and project managers who want to apply the best type of plaster to their floors, walls, and custom-made items like countertops. Both materials offer a traditional finish with a distinctive concrete look, and both are truly top-quality. But besides the similarities, there are also differences that will influence your choice, both technically and aesthetically. The most logical option? We’re happy to help you find the answer.
6 August 2025
Do you want a beautiful and solid finish for your interior and/or exterior? Does that also include love, attention, and, of course, a healthy dose of perfectionism? We can certainly imagine it. In such cases, béton ciré (Pro) and Quartstone quickly come into play. Because both two-component plaster materials guarantee a rock-solid result, both visually and physically.
Traditional plasterwork, full of character, beautiful for decades, and low-maintenance.
With both ciré concrete and quartz stone, craftsmanship is paramount. And with both types of plaster, specialized plasterers make all the difference. Floors, walls, countertops, and other surfaces, including those in wet areas, receive a uniquely distinctive finish thanks to their expert craftsmanship. Moreover, it’s exceptionally durable and low-maintenance
The differences between ciré concrete and quartstone
The main differences between the two products? They lie in their composition, technical properties, processing, and visual appearance.
Firstly, there’s a significant difference in the ingredients. Ciré concrete is a mineral product based on cement and resin. And quartstone is an epoxy-bonded plaster with quartz sand (also called quartz grain) as the second basic component.
Quartstone is even harder
The microcement of ciré concrete offers more freedom in terms of structure, color nuance, and final finish. The synthetic base of quartstone, on the other hand, makes the plaster harder, more scratch-resistant, and even more resistant to heavy loads. However, quartstone has a shorter drying time, and therefore offers fewer correction and repair options.
We’ve summarized the differences between ciré concrete and quartstone here:
Béton ciré
Quartstone
Composition
Mineral microcement with resin (2-component)
Epoxy-bonded plaster with quartz sand (2-component)
Hardness / Wear Resistance
Very hard
Even harder, suitable for intensive use
UV Resistance
High
Slightly lower, but still very good
Structure & Texture
More layering, influenced by plastering technique
More even and usually more subdued appearance
Visual Effect
More nuance, grain, and "pattern" possible
More minimalist, more matte, and more even
Color Options
Many options with room for nuance
Also many options, but less nuance in darker shades
Plaster Technique
Multiple layers, which requires precise timing during application
Can be applied in a single coat; Less critical regarding timing
Drying time
Longer drying time per layer.
Shorter drying time, faster processing.
Correction options
Relatively easy to correct after drying.
Hardly correctable due to the excellent hardness.
Requires craftsmanship
Subtle technique influences the final result.
Technically precise work, especially in finishing.
Material costs
Slightly lower
Slightly higher
Total costs (incl. labor)
More labor, comparable overall
Less labor, comparable overall
For applications with high mechanical loads (e.g., entrances, lobbies, shop floors, or kitchens), Quartstone offers additional security thanks to its high wear resistance.
Visual characteristics
Although both materials have a concrete look, they differ subtly in their aesthetic effect. Beton ciré allows for more nuances and color shades, partly due to the influence of the plaster. This offers greater freedom in the grain and layering.
Beton ciré: more color nuances
Quartstone has a smoother, more matte, and more subdued appearance. This is because epoxy is less sensitive to variations in application techniques. The texture is generally minimalist. With darker colors, the color nuances of this epoxy plaster are less visible than with concrete plaster.
Processing: Application Time and Craftsmanship
Béton ciré requires more application layers, and therefore precise timing between steps. However, this also gives an experienced plasterer more control over the final result.
Quartstone Dries Quickly
Quartstone is faster to apply: each layer can be sanded after a short drying time, allowing the application process to proceed (quickly).
Please note: precisely because Quartstone hardens so quickly, corrections during and after the application are virtually impossible. Small errors or imperfections are difficult to repair, and the finish therefore requires extra technical precision.
Project with a very tight schedule?
Quartstone’s fast processing time is especially beneficial for time-sensitive projects with tight schedules.
What do we observe in practice regarding the choice between Beton ciré and Quartstone?
At Via eStudio, we see that the choice of material often stems from a combination of technical requirements and personal preferences. For heavily used floors or countertops, we often recommend Quartstone due to its extreme hardness and wear resistance. In projects where aesthetics and nuance are perhaps more important, such as in living rooms or bathrooms with a distinctive atmosphere, Beton ciré remains a popular solution. In any case, personal taste plays a significant role here as well.
Combining ciré concrete and Quartstone is also possible!
Good to know: choosing between the two luxurious plasters isn’t mandatory. Especially in sophisticated interiors, a combination of both often works beautifully. For example, Quartstone on the floor and Beton ciré on the wall. This offers a balanced result of technical performance and aesthetic variety.
The most beautiful examples of ciré concrete and/or Quartstone
Interested in superior plaster? We supply the original Béton ciré Pro and the original Quartstone; both belong to the highest class of decorative plasterwork. We do this for contractors, private individuals, project managers, architects, and other professionals with ambitious challenges in both interior and exterior design. We advise you at every stage of the process – from design to implementation. We offer personal and dedicated advice; tailored to each space, its type of use, and the design. View beautiful examples in our showroom and/or online under our Projects section. And feel free to contact us.
