Quartz is one of the most popular stones out there for homeowners and it comes in a range of sub-category stones to choose from. Quartz is a man made stone and therefore one of the best money can buy as it has been designed with you in mind. But is it all what it’s cracked up to be? This overview will highlight our top 10 pros and cons that you need to know before purchasing.

#1 Waterproof

Quartz is incredibly waterproof which means that if anything gets spilt, then it will simply wipe away. As this will be a daily occurrence, whether the work surface is within the kitchen or bathroom, it is vital for your daily use. As Quartz has been man made, it has been made to be a non-porous stone to ensure that any spillages are left on top of the surface until it has been cleaned away. However, we do still advise that you should clean all spillages away as soon as you find them.

#2 Heat Resistant

As Quartz is known for its strength, one of the qualities of this strength is that it is heat resistant. If you are installing the work surfaces into the kitchen, then it would be perfect for placing hot items such as pots and pans. Similarly, if Quartz is installed in the bathroom then it is also great for placing down hair straighteners. However, we recommend that you continue using heat pads where necessary to minimise the potential risk.

#3 Mimic Natural Stone

Quartz is very consistent in appearance which is a huge plus for anyone looking for that type of style. However, it can be a problem if you are looking for stones with character. While Quartz is able to mimic the appearance of natural stones, this can only be achieved to a certain level.

#4 Strength

As we have mentioned before, Quartz is known for being second to diamond for its strength which is what gives it all of its brilliant features such as heat and scratch resistance.

#5 Consistent

As we mentioned above, Quartz is very consistent in appearance and is a huge bonus for a lot of homeowners as it means that all the samples you view will be accurate to the finished product. If you need multiple pieces, then it will also mean that you will not have to worry about the pieces not matching.

#6 Sensitive to Chemicals

While Quartz is very easy to keep clean and maintain, it is non-porous, so it can be very sensitive to chemicals. Because of this, you will have to be careful about which products you use.

#7 Hard to Damage

As your home will be filled with small heavy objects as well as sharp objects too, depending on the room you place the Quartz in, it is so beneficial that Quartz is hard to chip and crack.

#8 Hygienic

Hygiene around your home is vital and very important to all homeowners, so you are going to want a stone that is easy to keep clean. Not only is Quartz easy to keep clean but as it is non-porous, no bacteria will ever harbour beneath the surface.

#9 Budget Friendly

If you are on a budget and need a stone that is affordable, then Quartz is one of your best options. Not only is Quartz one of the cheapest for the initial purchase and installation but it will also save you money long term, as there are no long term costs involved in regards to sealant.

#10 Scratch Resistant

Lastly, as Quartz is known for being strong, it is also scratch resistant. With it being completely scratch resistant, if you accidentally slip any sharp object along the surface or drop a heavy object, it is unlikely to leave a mark behind.

 

When you decide to renovate your home, it can be so stressful trying to choose which material, colour, pattern, finish and where you would like the cut-outs amongst so many other decisions that come along with it. Everything that you have to tick off your list is just as difficult as the one before, which can make the entire process long-winded.

Hopefully this overview will help you with some tips for creating the perfect kitchen worktop for your home.

#1 Your Style

When you are selecting your worktop, you need to stay true to your own individual style and taste, especially when it comes to the colour. Try not to let current trends influence your decision as eventually you may not like it and want a change. We want to help you choose the right kitchen worktop that will last you for a lifetime.

Always stick to your own personality and you should be in love with your kitchen worktop for many years.

#2 Kitchen Size

You should always take into consideration the size of your kitchen, regardless of whether it is large or small. When you get to the stage of selecting the colour of your worktop, this can be used to create the illusion of a bigger space or smaller if this is what you are looking for.

For example, white and lighter colours are perfect for bringing in the light to the kitchen to open it up, creating the illusion of a much bigger room.

#3 Practical

Deciding on which material you want can be difficult for many reasons, including your budget and style. However, the main ones that you need to be thinking of is what kind of home you have. Are you always home? Or do you work? Is it a family home or is it likely to turn that way soon? Your worktop needs to be practical as well as stylish, so consider how you will be using your worktop.

If you have a lot of traffic in the kitchen, then you will need something much more hard wearing and durable, to last you a lifetime. However, if you live alone and are working a lot, then it will possibly not matter which material you choose.

#4 Hygiene

Absolutely everyone is looking for their kitchen to be as clean and hygienic as possible, so when the material can assist in that, it is a huge bonus. Some materials out there are much easier to keep clean than others, so this needs to be considered. A non-porous material, which has been man made, is often the best decision.

#5 Your Budget

One of the biggest deciding factors in choosing your new worktop material is your budget, because after all if you cannot afford it then there is very little anyone can do. However, there is no reason why you should have to settle for a worktop you are not happy with as there are many out there which are budget friendly and offer a huge range of colours.

#6 Long Term Costs

Similar to your budget, you need to think about whether you can afford to spend out for regular payments for treating our worktop every year. Natural stone will require this in order to keep your worktop in great condition, but it can be very expensive. This will need to be taken into account so ensure you either cross it off your list or look into it straight away.

#7 Request Samples

Before you make any purchase at all, you should always be asking to see some samples and not just go off what you can see on a computer screen, as it will always be different in real life. Depending on the material you choose, you will need to see samples as many materials are not uniform in appearance.

#8 Try Different Styles

It is also good to try out a range of styles. You may be sure of what you looking for but by seeing more styles in the flesh, it can give you the chance to either completely rule them out or you may be surprised and like them.

After all, every worktop out there will look different once you have it in front of you.

#9 Patterns

You may not know about it but there are so many patterns out there to choose from. You do not just have plain or solid colour, you can choose from a huge range from spots, speckles, glitter and veins… the list goes on! So even if you are dead set on a specific colour, you can benefit from looking at all types of patterns.

#10 Matching Your Design

If you will be keeping your existing design and accessories but simply changing your worktop, then there are many colours out there which will match perfectly. If you are someone who likes to switch up your accessories quite often, then going for a neutral colour is your best bet.

 

Choosing which material you want for your kitchen worktop can be very difficult, as there is so much to choose from that it can be confusing knowing which to go for. You will need to look into different materials and what they have to offer you and your home, to be sure you get the best for you and your budget. If you do not do your research well, it can be a costly mistake if you are not happy with it after it has been installed.

Here are some advantages to why Silestone Quartz makes a great kitchen worktop.

#1 Durable

Silestone has been made out of 93% natural stone and just 7% resin, which creates an excellent worktop for being hard wearing. Not only that, but the resins offer you plenty of choice for colour and pattern as well.

#2 High Quality

Silestone do not use just any Quartz they can find, they will only use materials that are the best quality possible. This means that your kitchen worktop is going to be the best quality possible that money can buy. Quartz may be brilliant quality, but Silestone cannot be beaten.

#3 Range of Colours

When it comes to choosing Silestone for your kitchen worktop, then you will have a huge range of colours and patterns available. So you will never be disappointed with what will be available to choose from, regardless of which colour you are going for.

#4 Excellent Warranties

When you purchase your Silestone kitchen worktop, the warranty overall that you get with it can be a very long and high quality package which is brilliant for the money you pay. But this will depend on which worktop you go for and, of course, your supplier.

#5 Stain, Heat and Scratch Resistant

As Silestone has been completely man made, it has been designed with you in mind. Therefore, Silestone is completely resistant to any stains, scratches and heat. As it is a non-porous material, it will never harbour any bacteria or hold onto spillages.

 

When it comes to splashbacks, they are very important pieces to install within your home. After all, the splashbacks are there to protect your walls from any staining or damage caused. Whether they are glass or stone splashbacks, they will always do the job, but which is better for you and your home?

This overview will cover the pros and cons of having glass and stone splashbacks, which hopefully will aid in your decision making.

Glass Splashbacks

Glass splashbacks come with a huge list of advantages and plenty of reasons why you should be purchasing it for your home.

Glass has a light reflection feature which can bring a lot of light into the house. This light reflecting feature is able to make your kitchen feel so much larger than what it actually is, which would be perfect if you do not have any windows or much light coming into the room.

Glass splashbacks also have a brilliant choice of colours and patterns available, and it cannot be beaten. Whether you are looking to have the splashback plain, solid colour, personalised or a photo effect which gives you plenty of choice. You are able to either choose one to blend in to your existing design or be a focal point of the room to stand out.

When it comes to cleaning away food splatters or any spillages that occur, glass splashbacks are also so easy. All you need to keep the glass splashback clean is warm water, clean cloth and a mild soap.

However, despite glass splashbacks having a huge list of benefits, they are not without their downfalls either. Glass splashbacks can be so expensive to install and purchase initially, let alone being difficult to fit. When it comes to installing the splashback, your fitter will need to make several trips to your home to make sure that they have scoped and measured everything correctly.

Lastly, glass splashbacks are also very easy to scratch which is not at all ideal.

Stone Splashbacks

Stone splashbacks may offer a long list of benefits, much like glass, but they are completely different to each other.

If you already have a stone worktop, then a stone splashback will be a perfect match to complement it. You will also be able to order the exact same material, colour and pattern perfectly as well.

If you are looking for a splashback that is known for its strength, then stone is your best option. It is incredibly hard wearing that will last for many years without requiring a replacement.

When it comes to colours and patterns, you will have a lot of choices, so you can select the colour and pattern to go with your existing design.

Stone splashbacks are also very easy to keep clean with just a mild soap and warm water, but you need to ensure that you do not use anything that is abrasive.

With stone, if you decide to go for a Quartz or Granite material, then you will be getting a splashback with heat, stain and scratch resistance which is a huge bonus compared with glass splashbacks.

However, as always, stone splashbacks are not without its downfalls. Stone splashbacks are expensive, and it needs to be a long term commitment as it requires to be resealed every year to maintain its excellent features. Stone splashbacks are also not able to be installed by yourself unless you know exactly what you are doing.

Lastly, the cost of the purchase, installation and long term cost all total up so you need to be sure that it is affordable.

 

When it comes to home renovation projects, sometimes it can be more cost effective to do it yourself, however some jobs are best left to the professionals. However, if you think they are small enough or that you have the knowledge to do it yourself, then it could work out much better for you.

Before you decide or attempt to install your Granite worktops, here are some thing that you need to know beforehand.

Alternatively, if you are seeking advice for getting Granite worktops installed by a professional, some of these tips are also beneficial to you.

Seek Professional Advice

If you want to install your Granite worktops yourself, then you need to firstly seek some professional advice from someone who knows what they are doing. Even better if they can be there at the time of installation to oversee it to ensure that it goes smoothly.

Don’t Be Tempted by Low Prices

When you are purchasing absolutely anything, then it is always great to hear that it is going to be cheap; especially when it is an expensive project like home renovations. Anyone or anything that is able to save you a lot of money is going to be valuable, but you need to think twice before purchasing anything that appears to be lower than it necessarily should be.

If a company is able to sell you a Granite worktop to you below the price of other companies, then you need to be questioning why they are that cheap to begin with. For example, they may not have the correct insurance or be able to provide you with cut-outs which you will need.

Carefully Choose Your Supplier

When you look at a list of the best suppliers around your area, a good thing to look out for is a company who does not hire out to any subcontractors for any part of the job. This is a huge bonus for all homeowners as the company are then able to oversee the entire project and ensure that everything is how you would like it to be.

Having no subcontractors also can help to speed up the process overall too, to make sure that you get your new Granite worktop quickly and efficiently.

View More Than a Sample

When you are purchasing Granite for a worktop, you need to sometimes see more than just a sample. Granite is a natural stone which varies in colour, pattern and markings throughout which means that the sample you see will be very different to the bigger slab that you are going to be purchasing. It will offer an idea as to what it will look like but not the whole picture.

Small Worktop? Ask for Cut Offs

If you are looking to purchase a small Granite worktop, then you should ask around some local companies to see if they have any leftover Granite remnant from other projects they have worked on. This will then save you lots of money as well as helping them by taking it off of their hands.

Sealant

If you choose that you would prefer a company to install your Granite worktop for you, then you should consider whether you want them to do the sealing at the time of installation or not. Whichever you choose, you need to account this into the overall costs.

Consider Getting a Professional!

Of course, when installing anything yourself you need to know what you are doing or know someone who does. But whichever you decide, you cannot do this job by yourself and regardless you will need at least one other person by your side to assist.

If you do not have another person to help you, you will risk damaging the worktop itself as well as surrounding objects or furniture. Certain precautions need to be taken, therefore you need to ensure these are carried out.