To find out more about having quartz for kitchen worktops in London, we have compiled this article with information about different types of worktop and their benefits.
What is a quartz worktop?
Quartz is primarily made from Silica which is a hard, crystalline mineral.
There are two types of quartz that are both chiral: normal -quartz (alpha) and high-temperature -quartz (beta). At 573 °C, the transition from -quartz to -quartz happens suddenly. Quartz comes in a wide range of variations. Some of which are categorised as gemstones.
Since antiquity, varieties of quartz have been the most popular minerals for jewellery and hardstone carvings, especially in Eurasia.
Even among other stone worktops like granite, quartz kitchen worktops stand out for a variety of reasons.
Quartz kitchen worktops come in a wide range of hues, including brilliant whites, cool greys, warm creams, and deep browns and blacks. Quartz can look like marble when it has marble-like veining. Additionally, some alternatives have mirror chips that reflect light and give the impression that the worktop is sparkling.
The advantages of having quartz kitchen worktops
Eco-friendly worktops
No tree has ever been specifically cut down to make fiberboard, despite the fact that it is frequently criticised as a building material.
The same is true for counters made of engineered stone.
Quartz worktops are made up of 90% stone-like elements that are leftover debris from previous quarrying or manufacturing processes.
Quartz worktops are not the only usage for natural stone.
Even the resins that make up the final 10% of a quartz worktop have evolved to be less artificial and more natural. Biolenic Resins are used – a blend of synthetic and organic resins, the latter obtained from non-food vegetable oils.
Worktops that are durable
Unlike granite or marble, quartz kitchen worktops don’t require sealing because they are nonporous. Quartz is hence resistant to water stains.
Additionally, granite tends to scratch more easily than quartz; quartz does not scratch as quickly. However, excessive pressure may result in a scratch, chip, or break.
The good news is that light scratches may be removed with polish by buffing, giving your counters a brand-new appearance. Deep scratches can also be repaired with an epoxy filler. However, the secret is to avoid scratches by taking precautions like constantly utilising cutting boards.
Visually appealing worktops
One of the most crucial factors to take into account is the appearance of your worktop. After all, you will be exposed to it virtually daily.
And if you’re spending money on renovations to your home, you want them to stand out.
Our quartz worktops are made to order, based on size and requirements, and they provide a special touch of elegance to the design of your kitchen.
Your brand-new fashionable quartz kitchen worktop may have a gorgeous marble or grain effect, be bright and sparkling, or be a soft, subdued shade of elegance.
There are countless options, and you have total control over how your quartz kitchen surface is made.
Worktops that are easy to maintain
We advise wiping surfaces with warm, soapy water or a mild cleaning agent once a day to keep your kitchenware clean. To keep it looking new, go for a thorough cleaning once a week.
Worktops that are good value for money
Quartz offers good value for the money, despite not being the most affordable alternative on the market.
You can choose the thickness of your worktop using our bespoke design options. It is not necessary to buy a thick slab of material to give your kitchen a luxurious appearance.
Our slimline options are made to look as impressive as the chunkier ones, but more streamlined and sophisticated.
Diversify your kitchen
Finally, quartz is a versatile material that can be used to create a wide variety of objects.
You can coordinate additional rooms, like your bathroom, by matching splashbacks, floors, and other elements of your kitchen to your worktops.
What are marble kitchen worktops?
Calcite and dolomite are the two most frequent recrystallised carbonate minerals that make up the metamorphic rock known as marble.
Generally speaking, marble is not foliated (layered), but several exceptions exist. Although unmetamorphosed limestone is included in its use in stone masonry, the term “marble” in geology refers to metamorphosed limestone. Marble is frequently used in construction and for sculpting.
Since marble is the ideal surface for producing pastries and breads, it has been used as worktops throughout history, especially in Europe.
The benefits of marble kitchen worktops
Durable worktops
While marble does require a little more upkeep than granite, this does not imply that marble is a less durable stone.
Due to its strength and beauty, marble has been utilised as a building material for millennia. In reality, marble has been used to build some of the oldest and most iconic landmarks in the world.
You’d think marble would have been abandoned as a feasible alternative over time if it were that brittle. In general, marble is a hard stone that is excellent for handling food preparation.
Worktops that stay cool
Marble is the ideal surface for rolling out bread, pastries, and even ice cream because it naturally keeps cool. Bakers favour marble worktops over other natural stones because of this.
Worktops that are easy to shape and cut
Marble’s “softness” makes it simple to cut and shape, allowing for more elaborate shapes and edges with less chance of chipping or other damage.
Luxurious worktop
What sets marble worktops apart from other natural stones is their enduringly opulent appearance. Any kitchen will be unrivalled in beauty because of marble’s understated “whiteness,” which leaves a lasting impression.
What are granite kitchen worktops?
Quartz, alkali feldspar and plagioclase make up the majority of the quartz, an intrusive igneous rock with coarse-grained. It is made of magma that slowly cools and solidifies below and contains a lot of silica and alkali metal oxides.
It is frequently found in igneous intrusions in the Earth’s continental crust. They come in a variety of sizes, from dikes that are only a few centimetres across to batholiths that are exposed over a vast area.
Due to its exceptional scratch and stain resistance qualities, granite, one of the hardest surfaces, makes for the perfect surface in any kitchen.
The advantages of having a kitchen worktop made of solid granite
A worktop that is scratch-resistant
The fact that granite is so resilient that it resists chipping and scratches with regular use is one of the finest reasons to choose it for your kitchen worktops.
Only slightly softer than diamonds, granite is the second-hardest substance known to man.
For dicing, chopping, and slicing food, however, you should always use a cutting board because sharp knives and cleavers may harm the granite.
Granite worktops will survive for many years if they are put in correctly.
Heat resistant worktop
Granite worktops’ resilience to heat is an additional advantage. Granite worktops will withstand heat since it was naturally created under pressure and heat.
Although we advise using pot holders, you can place a hot pot or pan directly on your granite surfaces without it burning.
Stain resistant worktop
With a properly placed sealer, granite worktops are stain-resistant in addition to being heat-resistant.
Alkalis and acids can discolour granite since it is a porous stone. However, your granite worktops will continue to be stain resistant with an appropriate sealant applied yearly.
Remember that any spills of liquid or food should still be cleaned up right away with water and a mild detergent (such as a natural cleaner or a small amount of soap).
You should be able to gently scrape spills off the counter surface if they have dried using a plastic scraper.