Not long ago we wrote about some of the things you might not know about marble. That blog has been very popular, so we thought we’d follow it up with a look at another fantastic kitchen worktop material — quartz.
If you’ve heard about quartz worktops but aren’t sure what they bring to the table (no pun intended), or if you’re just looking for a new worktop, but don’t know which material to choose – then this list is for you:
- Quartz worktops are engineered
Although quartz itself is a naturally occurring mineral, quartz kitchen worktops are actually engineered. By mixing crushed natural stone (including quartz) with resin polymers, you get an extremely durable worktop that can mimic almost any stone type out there. - Quartz doesn’t need sealant
Most natural stone worktops are porous, which means they’re able to soak up liquids. Because of this, they need sealing occasionally. This isn’t the case for quartz worktops though, as the way it’s made leaves it essentially impenetrable. - Italy is the home of quartz
Breton, an Italian company, was the first to create quartz worktops, under the product name Bretonstone, in 1963. Since then, the company has licenced out its patented technology to companies around the world. - It’s environmentally friendly
Even though they’re manmade, quartz countertops are actually very eco-friendly. This is because the stone used to make them is actually recycled waste product from the quarrying process. And because quartz worktops are so durable, they don’t have to be replaced as often as other worktops. - It’s not just used for worktops
Because it’s so durable (and looks fantastic), one of the main uses of quartz commercially is for flooring. You’ll often find it on the floor of shopping centres and similar buildings with high footfall. - Quartz is cost-effective, but don’t be fooled by the cheap stuff
Quartz has a well-earned reputation for being a cost-effective option for your home. However, don’t be fooled by suppliers offering cheap quartz worktops. You need to make sure you get authentic quartz and have it installed by an experienced provider. - Quartz has actually made granite cheaper
Granite was long considered one of the high-end options for kitchen countertops — and it still is. But thanks to the rise in popularity of quartz countertops, the price of granite has gradually dropped, thanks to falling demand for the material.
So there you go. Hopefully, you’ve learned a thing or two about quartz, that you weren’t aware of before. If you’d like to know more about quartz kitchen worktops, and what they could do for your kitchen, then contact us today, or pop into our Bristol showroom.