Natural Products: Quartz
Quartz is a manmade material, using Quartzite crystals in combination with resin binders and dyes to create solid sections of non-porous engineered stone.
The standard characteristic look of Quartz worktops is to have a textured pattern with visible chips. More recently, trends have shifted towards more natural looking marbled textures. While these materials have been engineered and are thus subject to rigorous quality control, the resulting worktop designs are typically heterogeneous, and will vary between slabs.
In this page, we will explore some of the most important considerations when deciding on a Quartz worktop.
Properties of Quartz Worktops
Drainer Grooves
When draining grooves are machined into a Quartz worktop, these will typically not be as finely polished as the main surface. This can mean they appear comparatively duller.
Directional Luminance
The crushed Quartzite used in Quartz worktops may in some lighting appear to have a granular texture. This can change based on viewing angle, and may make pieces from the same batch appear mismatched if at different angles.
Colour
Colours within Quartz worktops are quality controlled, although frequency may differ. Some Quartz styles may have both a foreground and background veining. Colours may differ when viewed in person to as they appear on a screen. Plain colours are prone to occasional contamination of patches.
Slab Size Limitations
Typical slab sizes for Quartz are 3m x 1.4m. This may mean that some designs require linear jointing for both surfaces and upstands. Corners will typically involve 2 sections to prevent the risk of breakage in transport.
Corners & Material Cost
Designs which include non-right angled corners may incur additional material cost, due to the wastage of material. Where worktops with irregular shaping need to be produced, the cost is calculated based on the long edge.
pictured: Lyskam Venus
