Quartz Worktops – The Benefits and the Alternatives
Quartz worktops are the fastest-growing and most common form of solid kitchen worktop today, with quartz worktops being used as standard in a large number of new homes. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of using a quartz worktop, you’re already aware of the various benefits that come with having kitchen worktops made from a raw, extremely tough material. In reality, the word ‘quartz’ is Slavic for ‘hard,’ and it is only slightly harder than diamond on the hardness scale – but much cheaper! Have a look at Worktops for more info on this.
But it’s not all about its durability, though that’s a significant factor. It’s all about how it looks, which for many people is just as important as having a kitchen worktop that can withstand the kitchen’s heat. Quartz worktops are made up of at least 93 percent quartz crystals, with the remaining 7% made up of resin and bonding agents, as well as any other decorative materials.
In certain cases, this may be a pigment that gives the worktop a clear colour. This results in a rather appealing finish that still has the unmistakable appearance of a natural material. Quartz kitchen worktops are increasingly being embellished with materials such as small metal flecks or mirrored flecks.
The metallic flakes produce a dazzling effect that illuminates beautifully and has a dramatic impact on the overall appearance of a kitchen. Since mirror flecks are used in the manufacturing process, the finished worktop is highly reflective and catches the light in a variety of ways, giving it a sparkling appearance.
One of the advantages of producing quartz worktops in this manner is that the colour and effect are constant across the worktop, as opposed to a veneer, which can easily peel away, chip, tear, or crack, exposing an unsightly and unsanitary surface underneath.
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