Quartz worktops are one of the best choices to add an unbeatable look to your kitchen with added functionality. Their demand is increasing day by day with no signs of any decline in their popularity.
This guide helps you explore the composition, manufacturing process, thickness, and advantages of quartz worktops.
Composition and Manufacturing of Quartz Worktops
Quartz crystals are mined from the natural deposits of quartz, which are ground to fine or chunkier aggregates. Quartz worktops contain 90% to 95% quartz crystals, resins, polymers, and pigments, making up a robust finished surface.
Modern technology and advanced techniques make quartz surfaces with a natural appearance. The manufacturing process of quartz worktops includes the following steps:
- Raw quartz materials are inspected, crushed, and blended with polymer resin.
- The mixture is made correctly, ensuring the complete mixing of all the added materials.
- Thoroughly mixed materials are poured into a mould of the worktop.
- The air is removed from mixture by using the vacuum technique.
- The mixture is then compacted by applying pressure up to 100 tonnes to form the worktop slabs.
- The slabs are placed in a kiln for curing where they are heated at very high temperatures.
- The mixture gets solidified upon heating, enhancing the slabs’ overall strength and making them resistant to stains and scratches.
- The polishing of the worktop slabs is done to add a perfect glossy look.
- The quality inspection of each slab is performed before packing and shipping them.
Quartz worktops provide the customisation option, allowing users to achieve their desired finish. Therefore, the manufacturing process may slightly differ based on the colours that must be added to the final worktop surfaces.
Thickness of Quartz Worktops
There are two standard thicknesses of quartz worktops, which include:
- 20mm thick quartz worktops
- 30mm thick quartz worktops
You can add an elegant look to your kitchen by installing thinner with optimum support for creating a robust and durable surface. On the other hand, thicker quartz worktops provide greater strength and dependability for effectively supporting the hobs and sinks in a fantastic-looking kitchen.
Advantages of Quartz Worktops
The following are some of the advantages of quartz worktops which make them popular among homeowners and kitchen designers:
Aesthetics
Quartz worktops add a sparkle to your kitchen design with improved spectacular effects. These are manufactured from finely grounded pieces of natural stone and minerals, which give them a shiny look. Beautiful patterns are also added during manufacturing to make your kitchen surfaces more appealing with a specialised look.
Affordability
You can get popular quartz worktops available in various designs, colours, and patterns at a lower price. They also provide value for your invested money as they are highly durable and long-lasting surfaces.
Colours
Quartz worktops are perfectly dyed and processed to create uniformity in colours. These are available in various colours, ranging from shades of brown, black, green, grey, purple, pink, red, or white. A wide variety of colours allows you to select the worktops that suit your kitchen design and colour theme well.
Long-Lasting
Quartz worktops are highly resistant, durable, and strong surfaces, making them stand longer. Their non-porous structure does not require regular sealing and avoids the absorption of liquids and spills between the joints. That’s why these worktops last longer, retaining their original condition.
Low-Maintenance
You can clean the quartz worktops easily by using a soft cloth dipped in warm, soapy water to wipe away all the stains and dirt from the surfaces. Easy cleaning method for these surfaces ensures they are easy to maintain and can be kept in original condition for longer.
Strength
Quartz worktops are hard, robust, and tough, providing greater strength to your kitchen surfaces. Their exceptional durability has significantly contributed to their increased usage all over the UK in different properties.
Resistance
These worktops are highly resistant towards heat, scratches, and stains, making them less prone towards potential damage. They are hard wearing and resist the development of stains, which can occur due to the spilling of different liquids which are of daily use in the kitchen, such as water, juices, oils, and wines, etc.
However, you should not place the hot pans directly on the quartz worktop surface and prefer to use a stand for this purpose. Moreover, you should also ensure to clean the spills immediately to avoid the appearance of stains on the surface and use a cutting board to cut vegetables and fruits.
Granite Tops UK designs, fabricates, and installs quartz worktops, which are highly durable, easy to clean, and resistant towards heat, scratches, and stains.
