So, you’ve narrowed your worktop choice down to classic quartz, or you have it set up on your shortlist, along with one other type of surface. How do you choose? And why should you pick classic quartz?
There are many pros and cons to each particular material, and that means choosing one can be difficult. There are obviously some materials which are more easily available than others on the market, and one of those is certainly classic quartz.
If you’re on the fence about this natural stone, here are ten things you should know about classic quartz slabs.
- Many of colours available – When you check out the colours, finishes, and patterns which are available with classic quartz, you will quickly see that the choice is large! You need to think carefully before opting for your particular choice, and make sure that you pick a colour which is going to survive several kitchen redecorations, to cut down on cost over time.
- Highly scratch resistant – Quartz is not going to scratch very easily, if at all. Of course, you shouldn’t go around cutting up food with sharp knives directly on your quartz surface on a regular basis, but generally speaking, quartz will stand up to a lot of testing where this is concerned. It’s always a good idea to use chopping boards despite all of this.
- Highly heat resistant – You can put hot pans down on a classic quartz slab, however if you do this repeatedly on the same spot over a long period of time, you may notice weakening or marks forming. Again, use heat resistant pads for your hot pans, and there will be no issues at all.
- Highly stain resistant – Out of all the natural stones available, quartz is the least likely to stain. If you do spill anything, it’s always a good idea to mop it up, to avoid any problems and to help your kitchen look as clean as possible, but the fact that quartz is non-porous means it doesn’t absorb liquids or substances, unlike granite or marble. There is also a much higher hygiene point here too, because quartz doesn’t harbour bacteria.
- No maintenance needed – Unlike other natural stones, quartz doesn’t require any maintenance after it has been installed. Granite and marble will need to be sealed annually at least, but quartz will never need anything other than regular cleaning, as you would do anyway.
- Easily available – You won’t struggle to find classic quartz slabs on the market, as this has become such a popular choice over the last few years. Of course, it’s always a good idea to shop around for the best deals, and to compare the main brands against each other in terms of cost and warranty options.
- Very strong and durable – We are of course talking about a natural stone that comes from the earth, so it’s going to be very strong! Quartz is extremely durable, and when you receive your slab, you are getting around 93% original quartz content, with only around 7% added in as resin, to give you the colour you want.
- Easy to clean – Simply clean your worktop with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth, and then buff with a dry soft cloth. Cleaning quartz is very easy, but always avoid harsh cleaning products or abrasive cloths.
- Can mimic other surfaces – You can easily mimic the appearance of wood, granite, or marble by using quartz, and get the major advantages of the non-porosity and strength of the stone at the same time.
- Cost effective – Basically, with all the above points in mind, quartz is very cost effective and long-lasting!
