What Is A Quartz Worktop
What Is a Quartz Worktop?
If you are new to quartz, here is the plain-English answer: what a quartz worktop actually is, how it is made, and why it has become a default kitchen choice.
The short answer
Engineered stone
A quartz worktop is an engineered stone surface.
Made mostly from natural quartz, bound with resin into a dense, non-porous slab.
93%
Natural quartz
1
Engineered surface
A quartz worktop is an engineered stone surface made from around 93% crushed natural quartz combined with resins and pigments, formed into dense, hard slabs. It is not solid stone cut from the ground, but a manufactured material designed for consistency and performance. Because it is non-porous, it needs no sealing and resists stains and scratches. To go deeper, read what quartz is made of and whether quartz is a natural stone.
At a glance
93%quartz
Main ingredient
Natural crushed quartz mineral.
nonporous
Key property
No sealing ever needed.
100+colours
The range
From marble-effect to bold solids.
What a quartz worktop is, explained
An engineered stone surface
A quartz worktop is what is known as an engineered stone. It is made by blending crushed natural quartz, one of the hardest common minerals, with resin and pigment, then compacting and curing the mix into a dense slab. The result looks like natural stone but is manufactured for consistency. Our FAQ on what quartz is made of covers the ingredients in detail.
How it differs from natural stone
Unlike granite or marble, which are quarried in blocks and cut into slabs, quartz is engineered, so its colour and pattern are consistent from slab to slab. This is one of its biggest practical advantages. Our FAQ on whether quartz is a natural stone explains the distinction clearly.
Why it suits kitchens
Because quartz is non-porous, it does not need sealing and resists staining from wine, coffee, oil and citrus. It is highly scratch resistant and hard wearing, which makes it well suited to a busy kitchen. Our FAQ on whether quartz worktop is good for kitchens goes further, and the pros and cons of quartz gives a balanced view.
The choice available
Quartz comes in a very wide range of colours and patterns, with over 100 commonly available, from convincing marble-effect veining to bold solid tones. Our FAQ on the colours of quartz covers the range, and popular quartz worktop colours in the UK shows what homeowners choose most.
Getting a quartz worktop
A quartz worktop is supplied as a slab, then fabricated and fitted for your specific kitchen. Precious Marble templates, fabricates and fits with its own in-house team from Elstow, Bedford. To start, see the Quartz Worktops Bedford page or the guide to buying quartz.
Key points
Engineered stone
Manufactured, not quarried as a solid block.
Mostly natural quartz
Around 93% crushed quartz mineral.
Non-porous surface
No sealing needed, resists stains.
Wide colour range
Over 100 colours and patterns available.
To learn more, read what quartz is made of, whether quartz is a natural stone and the pros and cons of quartz. The full Quartz FAQs has more.
See quartz worktops for yourself
Precious Marble has a 200m² showroom in Elstow, Bedford, with full-size quartz slabs to see and compare. Tell us about your kitchen for a free quote. 0% interest-free finance is available.
More from the Quartz FAQs
Common questions
What is a quartz worktop?
Is a quartz worktop the same as natural stone?
Why are quartz worktops popular for kitchens?
How do I get a quartz worktop for my kitchen?
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