Quartz Worktops

Quartz worktops used to be highly reserved for high-end homes, not least because of their highly luxurious aesthetic appeal, but also because – at one time – it would’ve been a big investment to purchase true quartz countertops. Yet, for the last few years, we have seen them appear in more kitchens and bathrooms as they have grown in popularity.

As different quartz countertop brands proliferate, this engineered stone has become more easily accessible with more affordable pricing. In fact, it is often confused with solid surface and natural stone worktop materials, like granite and marble because of its high-end feel.

QUARTZ BRAND SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES

Despite the brand name, all quartz worktops resulted from the patented technology invented over half a century ago by the founder of Breton S.p.A., Marcello Toncelli. Although the Bretonstone tech and machines are licensed to 52 companies worldwide, each licensee adds its own flair and nuances. It is important to remember however that they are all still working off the original patent.

Although quartz surfaces now come from different brand names, they have similar outstanding qualities, which are as follows:

1. Toughness – During processing, impurities and softer minerals are eliminated, leaving only the hardest mineral, quartz. This means quartz surfaces are more durable and harder compared with natural granite.
2. Composition – Quartz surfaces are composed of 93% mineral content, giving this engineered stone its distinctive look and feel.
3. Heat resistance – Despite misconceptions, it is actually the quartz’s minerals that are 100% impervious to heat, not the binders, as many believe. In fact, they can withstand up to about 360°F. However, this is only true for short amounts of time – so users should be mindful of this, particularly when using quartz worktops in the UK kitchens.
4. Low water absorption rate – Quartz’s absorption rate is on par with that of porcelain tile, which is about 0.5%. A material is considered non-absorbent if it weighs less than half of 1% more following water being absorbed into the surface.
5. Visible seams – Two or more slabs need to be seamed together unless you have a small worktop. The seam could be minimised depending on your installer’s skills.

WHERE THERE ARE SIMILARITIES, OF COURSE, DIFFERENCES ARE JUST AROUND THE CORNER. THE FOLLOWING ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN VARYING QUARTZ BRANDS:

1. Sizes of the slabs – To reduce the chances of seaming together slabs, opt for larger quartz slabs. It is also more cost-efficient to do this.
2. Prices – Yes, prices will not be uniform. This will likely depend on consumer and dealer negotiations, which are of course variable.
3. Quartz slabs are wholesale-only – They are also confined to the supply chain between the approved dealer/installers and the manufacturer.
4. Designs and edges – The main difference between these quartz brands is the range of designs. “Design” refers to the slab’s overall visual appearance—size, colour, streaks, shape of minerals and striations.
5. Edges–edge profiles are not formed by the fabricator but are rather built into the slabs during manufacturing.
6. Warranty – Although all quartz surfaces come with a warranty, they only differ in the warranty’s limitations, length and transferability.

CIMSTONE VS. SILESTONE WORKTOPS

Both Silestone and Cimstone are highly popular quartz materials used in the kitchen thanks to the non-porous and sturdy qualities they have to offer – but picking one apart from the other can be tricky. Both worktops are very similar, however, if you’re looking for a vast range of designs to pick from, Silestone offer the biggest collection of colours.

TECHNISTONE VS SILESTONE

When it comes to finding the perfect high-quality material for your home, you want to be sure you’re getting something that not only looks great, but that also performs well and offers you longevity for your investment. The good news is that both Technistone and Silestone offer these qualities by the bucket load, but the downside is that it can make it hard to choose one above the other.

Although both man-made, and coming in a wide range of colours and finishes, there are some key benefits that may help you pick between the two, including:

TECHNISTONE

• Incredibly strong and almost impossible to break, scratch or damage
• Easy to maintain – the stain-resistant qualities make this a super easy to clean option for the busy household
• Highly durable and long-lasting – a true investment that could be with you for many years to come

SILESTONE

• Potential to work in every part of your home, with over 71 colours and patterns available
• Incredibly easy to fit, boasting limited joints that mean effortless and speedy installation
• Low porosity means that you can cook and enjoy your kitchen without worrying about causing any lasting damage to your new worktops

CRL QUARTZ VS SILESTONE

Both CRL Quartz and Silestone offer the longevity and hard-wearing qualities of quartz, so how do choose the best one for you? Whilst CRL Quartz is more limited in its design options, with only 32 colours available, the highly polished finish makes it a desirable option for those looking to make a statement in their kitchen. On the other hand, Silestone offers over 90 colours and designs, making it a versatile choice if you’re looking for a particular shade or want to use the material throughout your home.

Whilst both CRL Quartz and Silestone offer the strength and durability synonymous with quartz, for us the main differentiation comes down to personal design preferences and the kind of look you’re trying to achieve.

BRANDS THAT DOMINATE THE MARKET:

SILESTONE KITCHEN WORKTOPS

Silestone is Cosentino’s flagship quartz surface, an Italian company based in Almeria, Spain. Architects and designers lean toward Silestone because of its vibrant solid colours, which is the brand’s main distinguishing factor. This brand offers bold bright red, greens, blues and oranges not found in any other quartz brands.

Silestone is not limited to backsplash materials and worktops, but also extended its designs for shower pans, vanities and sinks. Silestone offers a robust 25-year warranty with no pro-rata limitations and is transferable to ensuing owners.

CAESARSTONE KITCHEN WORKTOPS

Dubbed “the original quartz surface manufacturer,” this quartz surface was formed in 1987 by the kibbutz as a way of replacing their failing terrazzo tile industry. Caesarstone is a publicly traded company with headquarters in Israel and a factory at the Sdot Yam, a kibbutz in the Haifa District of Israel. Caesarstone also has another factory located in Bar-Lev Industries Park.

Known for pushing the boundaries of design, Caesarstone creates designs that are simple and sharp yet outstanding, veering away from replicating the appearance of faux stone. For example, its Pure White is a clean and modern look. The Concetto Collection boasts 10 unique surfaces incorporated with semiprecious stones including tiger’s eye, dumortierite, agate and also petrified wood, whereas the Motivo Collection deeply embosses lace textures and crocodile skin.

CAMBRIA KITCHEN WORKTOPS

Being the only American company in the quartz surfaces industry, Cambria is still considered a relative newcomer, having only joined in 2000. This privately held Minnesota-based company began as a dairy business in 1936. Cambria started with a 150,000 square-foot factory in Le Sueur, Minnesota, but within just five years, the plant’s size tripled.Cambrian offers the widest variety of colours, designs, edges and of course slab sizes. There are a number of reasons why interior designers, architects and homeowners are drawn to Cambria’s charming qualities. One such reason is the incredibly natural-looking patterns that they offer. They also have the best polish and smoothest finish. A great majority of Cambria’s selections fall in one price group.

They are among the companies that offer massive-sized slabs, which are economical for large projects. However, Cambria slabs could only be purchased at bath and kitchen dealers or through architects, builders and designers. You definitely can’t find them in big box home improvement stores.

Most popular quartz worktop colours

As one of the most popular worktop materials we offer here, we are often asked about what the most favoured colours are. Whether for the kitchen, bathroom or elsewhere – here are our current top five bestselling quartz worktop colours:

1. ARTSCUT BIANCO STELLINE

The perfect option to create a sleek, minimalist space – the Artscut Bianco Stelline worktop is modern, neutral and fits perfectly with both modern and traditional kitchens and bathrooms. Featuring subtle reflective properties that catch the light just perfectly, this is the perfect option to open a room up and create the illusion of a bigger space.

2. DEKTON AURA

Marble effect has been popular for as long as we can remember, and the Dekton Aura worktops combine classic marbling with modern design to create a unique solution to your interior needs. A near-perfect imitation of marble, the Dekton Aura is both sophisticated and ultra-compact for everyday use.

 3. SENSA GRANITE BY COSENTINO – ICE BLUE

The perfect option for a more traditional style kitchen, Sensa granite in Ice Blue continues to be one of our most popular worktop colours thanks to its simple yet classic aesthetic. Offering all the benefits of Sensa granite’s durability, the combination of cream, white and black fit perfectly with almost all traditional kitchen designs making it highly sought after

4. SILESTONE CALACATTA GOLD

Beautifully sleek and modern, Silestone’s Calacatta Gold benefits from incredibly resilient properties, all the while looking super smooth and velvety with a matte finish. Designed to look like natural concrete, this white vein worktop is simple yet effective for a minimalist kitchen.

5. NEOLITH NERO

To create a contemporary design that is simple, striking and bold – there’s no better option than Neolith Nero, which has remained one of our most popular quartz worktops for a long time now. Incredibly resilient, Neolith Nero is pitch black with a satin finish for a classy, elegant and timeless look.

 

CHECK OUT THIS TABULAR COMPARISON OF QUARTZ LEADING BRANDS.

	Caesarstone	Cambria	Silestone
Designs (Colours)	53	133	142
Edges *	8	19	15
Textures	Smooth, satin, matte	Heavy, mixed, fine	Suede (small pores), smooth, volcano (large pores)
Thicknesses	3/4″ (2 cm), 1 1/4″ (3 cm)	1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm	1.2 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm (1/2, ¾ and 1 ¼ inches)
Dimensions	Slabs, 56.5″ x 120″	Standard size, 55.5″ x 122″ Jumbo, 65.5″ x 132″	Standard size, 55″ x 120″ Jumbo, 63″ x 128″
Warranty	For original owner, lifetime limited warranty. Transferable to subsequent owners but only on a 10-year, pro-rata basis and only if the original owner has transferred warranty on behalf of the new owner.	Lifetime limited warranty only to the original owners of the product. The warranty is not transferable.	A 25-year limited warranty that is transferable but only if the original owner transfers the warranty to the next owner.

*Number of edges currently listed on the company’s website. Quartz brands are not limited to the edges listed. Note that warranties tend not to cover edgework.

OTHER QUARTZ WORKTOP BRANDS THAT ARE WORTH LOOKING AT: 

Manufacturing quartz surfaces is not a cottage industry like concrete, wood, laminate or even solid surfaces. This requires not only expensive machinery but also large manufacturing facilities. Despite that, a number of midsized companies have surfaced over the last 10 years. In fact, some architects and designers prefer using these companies because of their more reasonable price range.

1. LG VIATERA

Formerly a division of LG, a South Korean company producing anything from solar energy equipment to chemicals and electronics, LG Hausys is widely known for its HI-MACS acrylic solid surface. Viatera® offers unparalleled beauty with extraordinary benefits far exceeding those of any other natural stone. It comprises a vast collection of 64 designs spread amongst tans, greys and beiges.

2. DALTILE ONE QUARTZ

World-renowned for over 70 years, Daltile has been the industry leader in porcelain, natural stone and ceramic tile. They’re known worldwide for their quality products, customer service and a wide variety of colours and finishes. The company’s ONE Quartz line offers a modest 38 designs. They also offer cost savings, which a few larger brands do not.

3. ZODIAQ

Zodiaq is DuPont’s answer to the all-time popular quartz surfaces. DuPont is the same company that invented Corian, the solid surface brand. Their engineered kitchen worktops are made out of 93% quartz crystals, with the rest being 7% acrylic resin, binders and colours. Zodiaq is manufactured in Granirex, DuPont’s plant in Thetford Mines, Canada. This brand offers 54 colours in 2 cm and 3 cm thicknesses, in 63″ x 120″ slabs.

4. PENTAL

This Seattle-based distributor tends to be a lot more affordable compared with other quartz brands. In fact, over the years since they have started offering quartz surfaces, their colours and patterns have become more on-trend than other well-known lines.

THE TAKEAWAY

Quartz worktops offer not only timeless beauty and luxury but also unparalleled strength and durability. This engineered stone is your everyday surface, combining quartz’ superior durability and strength with modern-day manufacturing innovations.

If you are would like to find out more about quartz worktops, or would like to shop our collection – why not get in touch with us on 0800 652 2013.