What’s So Quintessential About Quartz?

It’s easy to see why quartz is such a popular worktop material for both kitchens and bathrooms. It’s virtually indestructible and the massive choice in colour and pattern style makes it easy to fit into a design scheme. What is quartz though and why would you choose it over other materials such as marble or granite?

What it is

Pure quartz is a natural mineral. Its use is diverse, from jewellery to homeware to electronics. By the mid-twentieth century, synthetic varieties were commonly used in some industries, but in the home has remained based on the natural material. Its form is in crystals rather than the mined slabs that you would expect in granite or marble. Because of this, worktops of this surface are around 93 to 94 percent natural quartz mixed with 6 to 7 percent polymer resin. 

Appearance

Quartz worktops are available in a considerable range of hues. From the very deepest black to the most translucent white to the warmest beige, there is a tone to suit any design. The greatest visual benefit to quartz, though, is in its consistency. As the material undergoes a manufacturing process, the graining and marbling effect is uninterrupted. The consistency of patterning on a granite worktop also makes it fantastic to combine with different textures such as wood and fabric.

Versatility

In this way, quartz offers enhanced versatility over other natural stones. Unless your design depends heavily on the feature of a naturally occurring stone, quartz will sit comfortably in both a modernist or country setting, a kitchen or bathroom. Surfaces are available in both a polished and satin finish, which offers still further versatility.

Hygiene

A massive benefit to the manufacturing process of quartz is that it enables the material to be entirely non-porous.  This is great for spaces like kitchens where water, heat and food preparation can provide a breeding ground for bacteria. The surface is therefore easy to clean and hard to damage.

Stain-free

The non-porous construction of quartz isn’t just about hygiene though. It means that it is virtually impossible to stain your worktop. For prolific cooks who can get carried away and are prone to spills, this is great news. It also means that the material is fantastic for use in a bathroom, as it withstands the pressures of consistent water contact.

Heat Resistance

Quartz beats all other stone worktops in its heat resistance. As opposed to the entirely natural materials of granite or marble, this surface does not require sealing and so its strength is more integral. For enthusiastic cooks who have a habit of placing hot pans all across a surface, quartz is a wise move!

Maintenance

While other stones are certainly durable and easy to maintain, they still require a sealing process. In the long term, this is a procedure that should be repeated. Not so for quartz. The manufacturing process for the material eradicates the need for sealing the surface, so there are no long-term maintenance considerations for this material. You still get the great look and feel of stone but without the potential for long-term depletion in lustre. 

Cost

Quartz has a reputation for being expensive but like any material, there is a scale of cost, with some varieties sitting higher up the expense scale than others. To make the wisest and most cost-efficient decision for your kitchen or bathroom design, it is worth consulting an expert. This is where we at Zenstone come in!

Quartz really is a fantastic material; it is super durable and ultra versatile. It brings a consistency to a kitchen or bathroom design whilst offering the flexibility to be ideal for virtually any concept. It’s easy to see why it remains such a popular choice.