Quartz is one of the most commonly used materials for kitchen countertops, but is this a true reflection on whether it is any good? Should Quartz be used within the kitchen for your countertop or should you pass it by completely?

We will cover a few pros and cons to Quartz when being used for kitchen countertops to help you during your decision process. Here are 12 of our top pros and cons to look out for when purchasing.

#1 Low Maintenance

The great thing about Quartz is that it is incredibly low maintenance, especially when it comes to cleaning it every day. All you will need is a mild soap, cloth and some warm water. There is no need to have any special cleaning products to keep your Quartz kitchen countertop looking fresh.

#2 No Sealing

There will be no long term costs during the lifetime of your Quartz kitchen countertop because it simply does not need it. Being a man made stone, it is made with you in mind to be as easy to keep as possible.

#3 Non-Porous

The main reason why Quartz does not need to be sealed at all is because it has been engineered to be a non-porous stone. This means that absolutely no bacteria will harbour beneath the surface and if you accidentally spill something then there is no mad rush to clean it up.

#4 Scratch Resistant

Quartz is second to diamond for its strength and therefore is scratch resistant, in fact it will take a diamond or another Quartz product to scratch your new kitchen countertop.

#5 Not Invincible

However, you have to consider and keep in mind that Quartz is certainly not invincible, and it can be damaged. If you hit it hard enough, it will crack or chip, especially around the edges.

#6 Heat Resistant

Another one of the best things about Quartz being placed in your kitchen for a countertop is that it is heat resistant. If you ever accidentally place down any hot pots and pans onto the surface, then there is no huge panic. Simply just remove the hot item and there should be no mark etched onto the surface.

#7 Budget Friendly

Quartz is one of the most affordable stones you can purchase for your kitchen countertop, so if you have a tight budget then this is definitely one of the best contenders on the market.

#8 Durable

Quartz is perfect for a busy family home because it is so durable. Quartz is able to withstand the high volumes of traffic within the kitchen area.

#9 Range of Colours

Quartz is readily available with many suppliers and it comes with one of the biggest ranges of colours and patterns available. Regardless of your design and style, you should be able to find the most perfect countertop slab for you.

#10 It Is Not Natural

Let’s face it, while it is 94% natural Quartz, Quartz does not replace the elegant beauty of natural stones such as Marble. Depending on your taste and overall style, Quartz may or may not be the best option for you.

#11 Modern

Quartz is a fairly modern stone and therefore some homeowners may not prefer it over Marble or Granite. As it has been entirely man made, often the seams down the middle of your countertops can be made quite visible as well which may ruin the look for you.

#12 Stain Resistant

Lastly, Quartz is known for being very stain resistant and this is because it is a non-porous stone. As no spillages can soak into the surface, it is very difficult to stain with any liquid including red wine and coffee, making it perfect for the kitchen.

 

Natural stone countertops offer timeless natural beauty that is extremely difficult to match when compared to the man made products available. When it comes to the natural stones, each and every stone is completely different. If you are looking for something with a bit more character, then natural stones are the best option for you to consider.

Each natural stone will have different levels of maintenance and come in different range of colours and styles. Remember, just because a stone can be made into a countertop it does not mean that it should be or that is where it will be best used.

Before you go ahead and purchase a natural stone countertop for your home, you need to decide whether you would like a high or low maintenance stone, how it will be used and what is likely to be placed on it. Some stones will damage if it comes into contact with acid, for example. You will also need to have a look at what look you are after as different natural stones offer completely different styles.

Hopefully this guide will help you decide whether a natural stone countertop is for you.

Granite – Pros & Cons

Granite is one of the most commonly used stones for countertops and it is because it has become much more affordable in recent years. Years ago, Granite used to only be found in high end kitchens but as the processing technology has improved, the price has come down.

Granite is available in a huge range of colours but some of them are rare, which means it can be expensive depending on what you are looking for.

Granite is such a hard stone that it will not scratch unless it is scratched with something harder than a diamond, however it will chip or crack if it has been hit hard enough; so, do not think it will never break.

As Granite is porous, it means that it requires to be sealed regularly to prevent staining and this comes with a long term commitment with costing that you need to consider before purchasing.

Some dark Granites will likely to show fingerprints and watermarks but it is great for maintenance and durability.

Marble – Pros & Cons

Marble is one of the most stunning natural stones out there and it comes with veining that cannot be found in any other stone, regardless of how similar they look. However, it comes at a cost. Marble can be very expensive so it certainly is not budget friendly!

Marble is very easily damaged from acids such as vinegar, citric and certain household cleaners. This happens when there is a reaction between the acid and the calcite in the Marble.

Marble is such a soft stone that it will scratch easier when compare to Granite and some other natural stones.

Limestone – Pros & Cons

Limestone is one of the lesser known natural stones, but it is still widely used and growing in popularity. Limestone is available in a huge range of colours and the lighter colours offer a unique look when compared to other natural stones.

However, Limestone is easily damaged when it comes into contact with acids and this is not preventable by sealing. Because of this, it may not be a great choice to place it within the kitchen and it may be better off within the bathroom instead.

Limestone will also scratch easier than Granite and is not readily available, so you may struggle to get a hold of it from suppliers.

When it comes to redecorating and home renovations, one colour that is very common is white. However, many people are often scared to go as bright and light as white, so they steer away from it. But is there any need to be scared of having a white coloured countertop? This article will show you some of the best things about having not only a white countertop but also a Quartz one too.

#1 Fresh Looking

White has a wonderful ability of always looking fresh and clean, which is most probably why a lot of people choose to go for it. As long as you maintain the upkeep required, your beautiful white kitchen countertop will always look stunning.

#2 Non-Porous

As Quartz has been man made entirely, it is a non-porous stone, so you will reap in the benefits of having this as your kitchen countertop. With it being non-porous, it will never need to be maintained regularly with any kind of treatment or re-sealing.

#3 Hygienic Looking

As we mentioned above, white has the power of looking fresh and clean but it also looks very hygienic too. With every daily clean, your white Quartz countertop will look practically brand new.

#4 Stain Resistant

As Quartz is completely non-porous, it is also highly stain resistant with spillages, which is perfect when you go for white or a light coloured countertop. If you accidentally spill things such as red wine or coffee, it will not be a huge deal at all. All you need to do is simply clean it away as soon as you realise, and it should come up as new again.

#5 Engineered Stone

As we mentioned above, Quartz has been entirely man made. Quartz has therefore been made to have 94% Natural Quartz which means it is almost a natural stone but with all the benefits of being man made, as it has been created with you in mind.

#6 Budget Friendly

Quartz is one of the most affordable stones out there at the moment and you will struggle to find a stone that will be much cheaper. So not only will you be getting so many benefits from it being non-porous and man made, but you will also save a lot too.

#7 Small Kitchen? No Problem

If you have a smaller kitchen then white is your best friend as it creates the illusion of the kitchen area being much larger than it actually is, opening up your space. This works by white being reflective and bouncing the light around the room.

#8 Heat Resistant

One of the great things about having Quartz placed in your kitchen is that it is incredibly heat resistant. If you accidentally place hot pots and pans directly onto the surface then there is no need to worry, simply remove it and there should be no mark left behind.

#9 Hygienic

We have mentioned above that white is hygienic in appearance but paired with Quartz you will also be getting an incredibly hygienic stone too. Quartz is entirely non-porous which means that no bacteria will harbour beneath the surface, leaving you a beautifully clean kitchen countertop.

#10 Bespoke

As Quartz has been engineered by a team of people, it can be easily made to measure just for you. All you have to do is decide on what you want and need and your team and go ahead and cut it to the size and shape that you require.

#11 Timeless

While white may be a modern colour to use, it will never go out of style which makes it timeless. With white Quartz you will be getting a timeless stunning piece that you can live with for many years to come.

#12 Neutral

Lastly, as white is a neutral colour it will go with absolutely any colour theme that you choose. So if you are the kind of person who likes to switch up the colour themes often, then this will never be a problem. When you redecorate in the future you will never find it difficult to match a new colour theme to it.

When it comes to your home renovation projects, Granite is one of the most used stones for kitchen countertops. Granite offers a unique look when compared to a lot of other stones and that is because regardless of how many pieces you buy, they will all be completely individual which creates wonderful character in any kitchen.

Granite is also a great non-porous material and we produce only the best top quality bespoke Granite countertops for your kitchen.

To help you during your kitchen design, here are 10 of our favourite Granite colours for kitchen countertops.

Absolute Black

To start is our solid black countertop colour which is simply beautiful. It offers a timeless modern countertop that will go wonderfully in absolutely any kitchen area.

Colonial Cream

Colonial Cream is one of our golden and cream colours which has golden speckles that create its pattern. If you are looking for a lighter colour but are not wanting to go as bright as white, then cream is certainly one of your greater options.

Black Galaxy

Black Galaxy is another one of our stunning black countertop colours. The main colour is black with white and silver pieces of glass that give the appearance of glittery stars in the black sky. Perfect for a homeowner who is looking for something less busy but not plain.

Shivakashi Brown

This is yet another one of our great neutral colours. With a golden and cream base colour, it’s pattern comes from big chunks of brown and darker gold colours. As the only theme here is gold and cream, this colour would look wonderful in either a cream or neutral setting, or even paired with brighter colours.

Red Multi Colour

This Granite colour is a light red colour on the base mixed with a black pattern to create the appearance of almost sand. This colour is perfect for those who are looking for a bit of colour but in a subtle and modern way.

Indian Mahogany

Indian Mahogany has a base of multi colours that have dark grey mixed with red and whites. These colours create a mixture of speckles that produce the great pattern all over the surface.

Imperial White

Imperial White is one of our brighter white colours. The base colour is white with grey speckles and spots to create a dotty appearance all over the surface. This colour is great for anyone who is looking for a white countertop but not wanting to go plain.

Golden Juprana

As in the name, Golden Juprana has the base colour of gold which has been mixed with browns and grey swirls which create the appearance of lines drawn in the sand.

Mokalser Green

Mokalser Green has the base colour of green which has black speckles and marks throughout. This colour is stunning and perfect for any homeowner who is looking for something with darker colours, but not wanting to go as dark as black. This is the perfect middle option.

Maple Red

Lastly, this Maple Red colour has been given a base colour of dark red and a black pattern over the top and mixed in. The red and black work wonderfully together and almost give the appearance of flowers on the surface.

When you try to choose which is the best worktop for your kitchen or bathroom, there is a huge range of materials to chose from which can be extremely difficult. When you start comparing the properties such as waterproofing, stain resistance and much more, it can either become clear or difficult depending on what you are looking for.

To help with your decision making, here are 10 of our pros and cons.

#1 Large or Small Kitchen

Whether you have a large or small sized kitchen, Silestone is perfect for all sizes. Absolutely any space that is available there is something you can use Silestone with to create your dream room.

#2 Modern

Depending on your taste this is either a good or bad thing. Silestone is only really modern in style and this is the best use of Silestone, which is not great if you are not into the contemporary style at all.

#3 Easy to Clean

Silestone is incredibly easy to clean and maintain, day-to-day. All you need to keep your Silestone worktop clean is a non-abrasive cleaning product, soft cloth and some water. This will be enough to keep your worktop gleaming.

#4 Blotches

Due to some chemical changes in Quartz, some people say that they notice cloudy blotches over their worktops after some time. This chemical change is often caused by heat or an abrasive cleaning product that has accidentally been used. If your worktop is exposed to high levels of acid, then it has been reported to damage the worktop surface, so you need to remember to clean your Silestone worktop straightaway.

#5 Variety of Colours

One thing you will notice quickly about Silestone is that it is available in a huge variety of colours. Whether you are looking for white, grey, pastels or even dark colours then you are sure to find something available to suit your taste and style.

#6 No Heat Resistance

Unfortunately, when it comes to choosing a kitchen worktop is it being heat resistant as you would be dealing with a lot of food prep and hot items. However, Silestone is not heat resistant at all so you cannot place any hot items onto the surface. If you do, then it may cause a ring to form around the pot and permanently change the colour.

#7 Tough

Silestone is perfect for coping with high impacts, you are able to handle any heavy objects within the kitchen without the fear of dropping it and damaging the surface. With peace at mind, you will not need to panic over dropping many items.

#8 High Cost

When you compare Silestone to other high end stone worktops the cost of Silestone is quite high, so you need to be prepared to pay perhaps more than you considered.

#9 Not Easy to Repair

If you are unlucky enough to find yourself with a damaged Silestone worktop then it is not easily repaired. In order to repair your worktop you will need to replace the entire slab rather than repair that one particular area.

#10 Non-Porous

As Silestone is a non-porous material, you will reap the benefits from having a worktop that will never harbour any bacteria, being waterproof and stain resistant. You will never have to worry about spillages from red wine and coffee because as long as you clean it away quickly, it will not leave a mark behind.

When it comes to choosing a colour for your kitchen island countertop, it can be a long process. You need to consider your personal style, the colour theme of your kitchen and what kind of look you are going for.

You will only tend to replace and get a new kitchen once in your lifetime, so you need to take your time to make this decision.

To help you with your choice, here are 10 Quartz colours for kitchen island countertops.

Serengeti is one of our light navy blue colours with a darker blue veining on the top. Both of the navy’s work together at giving the appearance of almost Marble.

Sepia has the base colour of ivory with golden and grey speckles throughout which give the appearance of stones.

Santa Brown is one of our gorgeous brown colours. The main base colour is dark brown with black markings which work together to create a beautiful dark surface which is an alternative to greys and black.

Santorini has a grey base colour with white markings throughout which give the appearance of it being almost Marble like.

Platino Gris Noir is another one of our black colours with black being the base colour. There is are a mixture of white, grey and black chunks which give the appearance of glitter throughout the slab.

Honey Onyx is one of our most luxurious colours. The golden base colour has darker gold markings over the top which is perfect for anyone looking for a light neutral colour as an alternative to white.

Platino Branco has a light grey colour as its base with black, grey and white stones throughout the slab surface.

Brillo Gris has darker grey with black and dark greys throughout the surface of the slab. These colours work together to give the appearance of stones, offering some contrast to the colours.

Brillo Rouge has a red base colour which is a brilliantly modern colour to choose. On top of the red it has darker red speckles with the occasional white thrown in.

Empire is another one of our darker colours. The base colour is black but has golden markings which make it a unique countertop. The markings are in a circular shape which give almost a bubble like appearance.