Quartz countertop: manufacturing features, examples and tips

When renovating the kitchen, sooner or later it comes to the countertop. This element of the kitchen interior not only plays the role of a decorative detail, but also serves a practical purpose. Of course, apartment owners use special cutting boards when cooking, but during operation, you can often damage the countertop. That is why it is very important that the surface is not only beautiful, stylish and liked by the inhabitants, but also that it is durable and resistant to mechanical, chemical destruction. Recently, artificial types of stone have been especially popular. For example, a quartz countertop not only looks beautiful, but is also resistant to destruction..

Quartz countertop in the kitchen interior.

In this article, we will consider the features of the material, the advantages of use, properties and other aspects..

Features of quartz countertops

Natural stone certainly has many advantages, but if you compare it with an artificial analogue, the latter still wins. Firstly, the cost of artificial stone is more affordable, and at the same time, the properties of the product will not be inferior to natural stone. Secondly, it is not so easy to find and order a natural stone countertop..

Quartz countertop alternative to natural stone.

Quartz agglomerate was used as far back as in Ancient Rome, then ordinary crushed stone and binders were used for production. Now the production of quartz is established thanks to a special technology..

Quartz countertop matches any design.

A tabletop made of such a material will withstand impacts from heavy objects, as well as mechanical stress. The monolith contains at least ninety percent quartzite chips, which makes the product incredibly durable. It is this property that is most appreciated in the kitchen..

Quartz countertop is resistant to external damage.

Do not worry about the lack of the required color, because different pigments are used in production. This means that it will be possible to find a product of the desired shade. To hold the quartz chips, polyester resin is used, then the plate is vacuum pressed. Then the slab is hardened, polished and given a characteristic shine..

Thanks to the unique texture, the stone countertop is combined with any set.

Quartz stone countertops are getting high marks year after year. The popularity of the stone is growing every year, because the products not only have a stylish appearance, but also provide the kitchen with functionality.

What is quartz stone?

Many are confused by the fact that quartz agglomerate is considered a stone of artificial origin, because quartz is found in nature, which means it is a natural material..

Brown quartz countertop in beige kitchen interior.

The fact is that quartz agglomerate is produced from quartz chips, which really have a natural origin. This stone is considered one of the most durable. Worktops made of the material are considered artificial, because the production method is used to produce the product. That is, quartz is crushed, binders and pigment are added to it..

Quartz countertops can be easily cleaned even with harsh chemicals.

Note! Quartz agglomerate should not be confused with acrylic countertops. Both products are considered to be artificial stone countertops, however, natural ingredients are not used in the production of acrylic, as in the production of quartz products..

Advantages

The manufacturer’s quartz countertop has the following advantages:

Durability, reliability of the table top. As mentioned above, quartz is one of the most durable materials in the world. Do not worry that one or more inadvertent hits will ruin the surface appearance. Products made from this material can last almost forever..
Chemical resistance. During cleaning, too aggressive substances are sometimes used that can spoil the surface of the chipboard or wood countertops. The agglomerate is not susceptible to the negative effects of chemicals. Neither acid nor solvent will harm the countertop.
Stable shade. Of course, if the choice fell on the manufacture of a white product, then there is no point in worrying about the shade fading. But if the owners choose a rich tone, then they want to see it like this for decades. Particleboard often fades in the sun, or the color is washed out. The pigment used to make the agglomerate will not fade over time, even if exposed to high temperatures.
There are no pores for moisture to enter. Because of this feature, you can not be afraid to wash the countertop with a lot of water. The product does not swell or collapse.
Lack of a favorable microclimate for the development of fungi and bacteria. If it is important that the room has a proper level of sanitation, then quartz will provide it.

Quartz does not fade over time.

But there are also several disadvantages of artificial agglomerate. Consider them below.

disadvantages

Among the disadvantages are the following factors.

Cold to the touch. Compared to wood or chipboard, the agglomerate, like any stone, is cold to the touch..
They are difficult to restore. In this case, the acrylic table top wins..
Due to the high weight, there may be problems with installation and transportation.

Quartz countertops have almost no negative sides.

There are few downsides, and most of them do not cause any inconvenience. For example, the coldness of the stone is not so important, and restoration will be required at least a dozen years later..

Properties

Some special properties distinguish the agglomerate from analogs. We have already written about the incredible strength of natural quartz, and this is considered one of the main advantages of the material. The restoration will not take quite a long time, and the appearance of the product will delight the owners of an apartment or house..

Compared to other materials, quartz has incredible strength.

But there are other properties of the stone that should be mentioned..

Resistant to high temperatures

Exposure to high temperature will not harm the product. The pigments used in the production will not lose their saturation, which means that the appearance will remain the same as when purchasing the agglomerate. This means that you can place the hot pan on the quartz surface. Of course, it is not worth doing this unnecessarily, but if this happens, the surface will not deteriorate..

Quartz countertops are resistant to high temperatures.

This property distinguishes artificial material and speaks in its favor, especially in comparison with chipboard, MDF, and wood..

Does not absorb moisture

Since a special technology is used in the manufacture of the agglomerate, the finished tabletop does not have pores. Due to the absence of pores, moisture has no chance to penetrate into the product. That is, the use of a large volume of water when washing the countertop does not destroy the surface..

White faux stone countertop in kitchen design.

Steam is often generated in the kitchen, so it is important that the product is moisture resistant. Quartz will not be able to absorb steam, which means that swelling and destruction is not threatened. This ensures a long service life..

How quartz stone countertops are made?

To make a tabletop made of quartz material, you need to take measurements. After the specialist determines the size and shape of the material, he orders the production of the board. The slab is made from quartz chips (at least ninety percent) and a special resin that binds the chips.

Quartz countertop matches perfectly with ceramic tiles.

Then a pigment is added, which will paint the product in the color chosen by the customer. The board is pressed and hardened at a high temperature. Workers polish, adding a characteristic shine to the countertop. Usually you can create a countertop that doesn’t show the seams. So, this is a wonderful option if you need to make a product for installation in the corner of a room, or an object of a non-standard shape..

Quartz marble countertop in the kitchen.

The nuances of installing quartz countertops

Installing a tabletop made of this material means that absolutely all cutting and joining work has already been used in production. It is almost impossible to achieve an even cut at home..

When installing the countertop, specialists must necessarily fill the seams with special glue. Next, you need to wait until the substance has completely dried, and then carefully grind the joint. Thus, specialists achieve a seam that is almost invisible to the eye..

Installation of quartz countertops should be entrusted only to qualified craftsmen..

Popular looks and stylish examples

Products where various corners and curly baguettes are used look very nice. Baguettes create a luxurious look and it is best to use agglomerate of the same color. In this case, a whole and harmonious composition is obtained, finished in the same style..

For a unified style, curly baguettes can be selected for a quartz countertop.

It is allowed to use metal or plastic instead of quartz of the same color, but so that they fit in style.

Tips & Tricks

Experts advise ordering quartz countertops from trusted performers. The production of slabs and the subsequent installation of the countertop requires qualifications. Workers must take measurements carefully, because later it will not be possible to make changes if the product is already ready.