A new kitchen is a thing of beauty, but it requires careful planning to bring it to life. A range of components must work together to create a dream kitchen, including worktops. They are vital to the overall aesthetic, but they must also be practical.
Quartz worktops are one option that can help realise your kitchen ideas. But what do they offer that other worktops don’t? Will they complement your kitchen design? Will they fit within your budget? Here, we address these questions and more to help you make the right choice.
Gareth Davies is the Design Director at Classic Interiors. He oversees all designs created by the design team at Classic Interiors. At Classic Interiors he ensures their design team put a huge emphasis on understanding what the client wants to achieve with the space.
What is a quartz worktop?
Gareth Davies, design director at Classic Interiors, offers a succinct definition: “A quartz worktop is an engineered slab typically made from crushed natural quartz bound with resins and pigments to create a dense, non-porous surface.”
He continues, “The appeal is its consistent colour and patterning, available from solid whites through to marble-look veined designs, all without the variability of natural stone.”
However, notes Steve Larkins, co-founder and CEO of Kitchen Door Hub, “How the quartz is ground will affect the appearance of the worktop, for example, coarsely ground quartz will have a more flecked appearance than finely ground quartz.
On the practical side, Davies shares how it reaches a kitchen: “Quartz worktops are fabricated off-site from templated measurements and typically installed onto kitchen cabinets.” He adds, “Typically in 20 mm or 30 mm thickness with cut-outs for hobs and sinks.”
Steve Larkin is the co-founder and CEO of Kitchen Door Hub with years of experience in kitchen design, carpentry and fitting. Kitchen Door Hub are passionate about helping homeowners craft their dream spaces and is with them for every step of their renovation journey.
Try these to keep your worktop clean
Bar Keepers Friend Power Cream
A multi-surface cleaner with a non-scratching formula, ideal for quartz worktops as well as general surface cleaning. Effectively removes stains, grease and more. Simply apply and wipe away.
MR.SIGA Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
A pack of 12 ultra-soft, highly absorbent microfiber cleaning cloths, ideal for cleaning kitchen worktops and other surfaces. These towels are lightweight, super absorbent and dry quickly.
GoodHomeAlgiata Kitchen Worktop
A 22mm laminate and chipboard square edge worktop with a Terrazzo effect to replicate a quartz worktop. Measuring 300 cm x 62 cm, it is an ideal budget replacement for the real thing.
Pros and cons of quartz worktops
Like other worktops, quartz worktops have their advantages and a few drawbacks. Here, we outline the pros and cons to help you decide whether it’s the ideal choice for your next project.
+Durable
In the right conditions, quartz is a very durable worktop, Larkins says, “The non-porous nature of quartz means that it is less likely to stain or crack so that it can resist spillages and scratches.” Davies adds, “It has good scratch and impact resistance under normal use, and a hygienic surface that doesn’t harbour moisture.”
+Choice of finishes
Quartz worktops offer a wide range of options to help match your kitchen design ideas. Davies points out that they provide “Aesthetic consistency and breadth of choice, with uniform slabs, controlled veining, and finishes that match between pieces.”
+Low maintenance
The resin added to quartz worktops during production is what makes them non-porous. Larkin says, “This means that they will not absorb liquids or anything that their surface is exposed to.” Davies adds, “It resists staining very well and never needs sealing, and it cleans down quickly with a soft cloth and a mild pH‑neutral cleaner.”
-Heat damage
While quartz is resistant to high temperatures, quartz worktops are not. Davies points out, “Quartz isn’t fully heat-proof because of its resin content, so direct heat or thermal shock can cause scorching or micro‑cracks, meaning trivets are essential.”
-Unsuitable for outdoors
Quartz worktops are typically used indoors as they are sensitive to UV rays. Larkin says, “When the worktops are exposed to direct sunlight, they can fade or become discoloured.”
-Not DIY-friendly
Unlike wood or laminate worktops, quartz worktops are very difficult to cut with standard DIY tools. Ideally, they should be left to the professionals to ensure the correct cut.
-Cost
The price of quartz worktops is significantly higher than that of other options, such as laminate. It costs about four times as much as laminate.
The cost of quartz worktops
When it comes to costs, Quartz worktops do not sit at the budget end of kitchen worktop prices, with prices starting at £250 per square metre installed. “However, the price will depend on the grade of the quartz,” shares Larkin, “With basic and standard grade quartz being more affordable options.”
He adds, “Lower grade quartz worktops will have more visible flaws, discolouration or a duller finish, and they may have a lower quartz content and a higher level of resin or fillers.”
Davies shares what you can expect to pay for entry-level quartz worktops: “Fully supplied, templated and installed quartz in the UK starts around the low end at roughly £250–£350 per m2.” He adds, “This is for entry colours and brands, often plain tones and standard finishes.”
As you might expect, for higher-quality quartz worktops you will have to pay more, as Davies points out, “Mid-range worktops typically run at about £400–£600 per m², covering popular colours, better veining patterns, branded slabs, and reliable lead times. High-end typically ranges from £650–£1,000+ per m², reflecting premium brands, intricate marble‑look veining, book-matching, thicker profiles, and specialist finishes, along with more complex fabrication.”
Practicality of quartz worktops
The aesthetic appeal of quartz worktops is obvious, but how practical are they? Here we look at a few of their winning features.
Easy to maintain and clean
Larkin says, “Quartz worktops are easy to maintain as they do not need sealing.” They are also easy to keep clean. Joanne Bull, Marketing Manager for surface specialist Königstone, shares how to keep quartz clean: “Stick with simple and avoid harsh chemicals
or natural stone cleaners.” She adds, “In fact, for day-to-day maintenance, a damp cloth and a natural detergent will be all you need.” For more stubborn stains, Bull suggests, “Have a cream cleaner to hand.”
She adds, “This type of cleaning solution will be your best friend for getting that satisfying shine back; simply rub it into the affected area with a non-abrasive scouring pad.”
Finally, to help keep the quartz in good condition, Bull recommends, “Use chopping boards rather than cutting directly onto the surface.” She adds, “It’s also a good idea invest in some heat pads or stands for your pots and pans.”
Joanne Bull is Marketing Manager at Königstone and KönigOutdoor; she is an expert in engineered stone surfaces. She specialises in design, trend insights, retailer partnerships, sustainability focus, and technical specification.
Long-lasting
As Larkin notes, a quartz worktop can last as long as a kitchen: “A quartz worktop can usually last between 25 and 50 years when it is cared for properly.” He adds, “This means avoiding exposure to direct heat and not using harsh cleaners.”
Stain resistant
The make-up of quartz worktops makes them non-porous and highly stain-resistant. Larkin explains how, “The resins used to bind the quartz during production prevent liquids from soaking in, meaning that it is harder for stains to penetrate the material.”
If you are considering adding Quartz worktops when designing a kitchen, try these kitchen design apps to help you plan ahead. One tip is to ensure your kitchen worktop height is appropriate so you’re not bending down too far or reaching too high.
View the original article and our Inspiration here
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