Thursday, 27 September 2018

Creativity with quartz kitchen worktops in Guildford

When planning the design of a kitchen in a new build property you have a blank canvas, whereas when re-modelling the kitchen area the existing layout and features need to be considered. Quartz for your kitchen worktops in Guildford is available in a vast choice of stunning colours and characteristics, with a wide scope for creativity. The dedicated Affordable Granite team can assist in you in selecting the high quality stone which is right for your project and is within your budget.


Unlike other stones such as Granite or Marble, the Quartz used for work surfaces is an engineered stone and is a made-made composite of crushed quartz mixed with other ingredients such as fragments of glass, metals, mirrors and other hard materials, and can also be impregnated with various colour pigments. These are then combined with a polymer resin base and compressed, resulting in a non-porous, extremely durable stone. This non-porosity is ideal for food preparation as the surface will be resistant to stains, mildew and mould, easy to maintain and easy to keep virtually bacteria free.

Quartz slabs from the same batches are uniform in colour and appearance and depending on how finely or coarsely the quartz has been ground, this will be reflected in the appearance. A composition of a coarser grind will result in a flecked finish and when finely ground, the stone will have smoother, shinier surface.


There is a growing trend for quartz kitchen worktops in Guildford to have earthier shades of soft greys and browns which give the striking impression of marble but have the advantage of being more hard-wearing and are lower-maintenance with no need for sealing. The warm white of Arcadia quartz with its luminous simplicity is ideal for a minimalist kitchen design. If your home currently has more traditional cabinetry, the addition of a quartz work surface can refresh the overall look with a contemporary feel, without the cost of replacing existing kitchen units.

Planning the kitchen around the home life-style is essential. If you have an open space kitchen-dining layout or a combined living space, the aesthetics of your quartz kitchen worktops should be compatible with the overall design scheme. This will not only determine that the harmony of comfort, visual appeal and functionality is achieved, but is also a long-term investment for the future.


Affordable Granite have an experienced team of time-served stone-masons, supported by highly professional templaters and installers to ensure your vision of a stunning kitchen in Guildford meets all your aspirations. 

Call the team today on 01293 863992.

Tuesday, 25 September 2018

The long-term benefits of granite kitchen worktops in Guildford


Without doubt, installing a new kitchen is a big investment, whether this is in a new-build property or as part of a remodelling project. This means that not only should your immediate needs be considered, but also the long-term benefits will need to be taken into account.  When planning the design and functionality of your kitchen area, choosing the right work surfaces is of prime importance. 



If you find the decision making process daunting and are lacking inspiration, the Affordable Granite team are only a telephone call away and are on hand to offer advice on all aspects of selecting and fitting your granite kitchen worktops in Guildford.

Granite kitchen worktops in Guildford have great visual appeal as well as being a superb platform for food preparation and casual dining and the sealed stone provides a hygienic, easy to clean surface which is also incredibly durable.  The changing nature of the kitchen over the years has evolved into a multi-functional room which has increasingly become the heart of your home. Granite is compatible with other lifestyle activities centred around the daily culinary tasks, with the design space often including additions such as a breakfast bar, provision for a mini-office or T.V viewing and for socialising.



Each slab of granite is unique with the colour and patterning dependent on where in the world the stone has been mined and the percentage of trace elements the slab contains, such as quartz, silica, mica and feldspar.  Affordable Granite currently hold 10 stock colours, with many more bespoke colours available to order, enabling you to personally select the perfect slab to suit your design scheme. “Zimbabwe black” for example will give a stunning focal feature in a contemporary kitchen, marrying well with stainless steel units and giving a breath-taking reflective appearance under lighting. Blue Pearl with little or no quartz content, or the peachy, butterscotch shades of Fantasy Ivory for example complement wooden base units and glass doors. Granite may well be far more budget friendly than you have been led to believe – you do not have to  sacrifice quality for price.   



Investing in granite for your kitchen worktops in Guildford creates not only a kitchen with the wow factor, designed for a multi-faceted lifestyle,  but also enhances buyer appeal for the future.

For more information call our friendly team today on 01293 863992

Thursday, 6 September 2018

Choosing quality quartz for kitchen worktops in Brighton


So you've settled on quartz for your kitchen worktops in Brighton, but how do you choose the best quality at a price which doesn't break the budget? The Affordable Granite sales team are always on hand to help you make the right choice and to explain the pros and cons when selecting your stone slab, but here are a few points to get you started. 




Unlike granite, quartz is an engineered stone, fabricated by blending particles of quartz with various other minerals before bonding with a plastic resin. This creates a highly durable composite which can be polished and cut in a similar way to granite but has the advantage being non-porous to the extent that no stains will seep below the surface.  Quartz worktops for your Brighton Kitchen are also extremely low-maintenance, won't harbour bacteria and can be simply wiped down with soap and water; a definite bonus in a busy household.



Having taken into consideration the architecture of the kitchen cabinetry, the aesthetic personality and the home lifestyle, you're ready to select your quartz slab. How can you be sure the stone you've chosen is of a high calibre?  Affordable Granite source only stone from trusted suppliers, which has already passed intensive quality  checks. There is a vast variety of colours available, with a choice of solid colours from pure white to chocolate brown and black, or with patterns which mimic natural stone.  Quartz slabs are generally 3cm thick and the consistency of colour depends on how the aggregates have settled in the stone. If you want the visible edges of your worktop to conform with the colour or markings of the flat surface, you should check that the settlement runs all the way through the slab to avoid a blank edge profile.  



Quartz kitchen worktops in Brighton are an excellent choice for a contemporary kitchen and are a smart alternative to the ultra-modern industrial look of the stainless steel work surface which requires constant maintenance removing conspicuous finger prints and crumbs. Quartz is also a versatile addition to the kitchen/dining area and can be used as a focal point, whilst blending beautifully with natural materials such as wood.  If you have your kitchen wish list, Affordable Granite will make it happen.  Call us today on 01293 863992