Advantages and Disadvantages of using Quartz Worktops

When you are thinking about updating your kitchen, you need to take a lot into account. The process of choosing the right products to create the kitchen of your dreams can be very stressful. When it comes to installing a new kitchen worktop, Quartz kitchen worktops are gaining in popularity these days.

By knowing the pro’s and con’s of using Quartz worktops, you will have a clear understanding of whether quartz kitchen worktops are right for you:

Pros

•    Non-permeable

Quartz worktops are manufactured from engineered stone, a man made material with many of the qualities of natural rock. Particles of quartz and other minerals are bonded with a plastic resin to create a hard, non-porous composite which machines and polishes like granite. Quartz worktops are easy to clean as they do not allow liquids to seep in and cause stains.  They can actually be better at resisting stains than natural stone worktops.  Because they do not have pores they inhibit the growth of bacteria and other micro-organisms and so they can be considered to be more hygienic.

•    Resistance to heat

Quartz offers substantial resistance to heat when compared to the alternative synthetic options. They do not bend or buckle when touched by hot frying pans or pots.

•    Resistance to crack

They are more impact-resistant than many other types of materials used in kitchen worktops because of the presence of the flexible and elastic resin in between the crushed quartz pieces. Whilst they are scratch resistant, in fact it is not advisable to use sharp knives directly over the quartz countertop as they can blunt the knives!

•    Easy to maintain

Unlike marble and granite they do not require sealing. Other than the regular cleaning, you need not do anything to maintain the quartz worktops.

Cons

•    Costly

It is a high-end product with unique qualities. It can initially be thought to be expensive however the ease of maintenance, its longevity and hygienic benefits makes up for its upfront cost. In the longer term quartz worktops can prove to be a sound investment

•    Engineered material

For those who love the patterns and colours of natural products like marble and granite, a quartz worktop might be a disappointment.

If you are interested in buying Quartz worktop, contact us at Affordable Granite to find out more.

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Why Do Most People Prefer Granite Worktops For Their Kitchen?

Granite is a sturdy rock that is quarried in many parts of the world. Once it has been cut and polished it can be made into a beautiful and hard-wearing worktop. Granite worktops are available in a wide variety of colours, and can be custom made to fit exactly where you want them. Granite kitchen worktops can compliment any kind of cabinet style or design.

This is why the popularity of granite worktops is ever-growing.  Here are some other benefits of granite kitchen worktops:

•    They are highly durable and widely regarded as one of the most hard-wearing worktop surfaces. They offer great resistance to chipping, cracking and scraping. After installing a granite worktop, you don’t necessarily need to replace it ever. Granite kitchen worktops make an excellent long-term investment.

•    They don’t stain easily and you can confidently work in your kitchen without worrying about whether the worktop is up to the task. Granite worktops can effectively resist bacterial growth.

•    Cleaning granite worktops is easygular intervals to keep them stain-free and looking as good as new.

•    They can also improve the value of your home, often by more than the cost of the worktops themselves.

•    Granite worktops are aesthetically pleasing. They look rich and luxurious, and have a distinctive quality appearance about them. They have a natural appearance because each piece of granite is unique which adds to their appeal. Whilst quartz worktops can be as efficient as granite worktops for your kitchen, people who prefer natural materials are more likely to choose granite.

•    In the past, granite was rare and costly but nowadays, due to the wide availability of raw materials and the improved machinery available to cut and polish they have become more popular and affordable.

•    They are not easily damaged by extremes of temperature which means you are free to put hot pans or pots on your granite worktops directly from the hob or oven.

However, make sure that you buy from a professional granite company so that your worktops are exactly what you want and fitted expertly. If you follow this simple rule you new kitchen worktops can last a lifetime

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How to Choose the Perfect Granite Colour

The great thing about choosing the perfect granite kitchen worktop is that you are free to choose from a huge variety of colour tones and patterns that elevate your kitchen to a truly elegant space.

Here are some ideas that will lend your space that polished look:

•    If you’ve planned to have black, white or neutral toned walls and cabinets, a great match would be to pair it with white granite or quartz kitchen worktops.

•    With both granite and quartz worktops, you can opt for marbled and striped patterns. Pattern can undoubtedly add to the character of the space.

•    Beige granite offers a warm and luxurious feel, especially when matched with cream coloured walls and brown wooden cabinets. Both granite and quartz worktops in beige look great with flecks and veins of brown, black, grey or other dark shades.

•    Black worktops have a modern, practical feel. Particularly suited to steel cabinets or refrigerators. This granite with specks of silver or green pairs equally well with warmer wall tones also. Black granite, quartz or stone worktops have a great shine to them, which appeals to most homeowners. A black worktop also pairs well with other counter-top materials such as wood, steel, or even granite of other colours.

These combinations are just tips to help you get started. So go ahead and explore different combinations, you’re sure to find the perfect one to suit your home.    

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Tips for Designing Home Kitchens: Kitchen Worktop Surfaces

Designing your home can be an exciting and astonishing journey. The kitchen is often deemed the very heart of your home, and therefore needs to be designed with careful planning and consideration.  The kitchen also needs to be safe and functional as this is where food, water, fire and electricity are all used at the same time!

Where to Start?

The first thing you need to decide on is the layout. To a great extent this will be decided by the shape of your room, but variations are possible, along the classic lines of:

•    Single Wall

•    Galley

•    U Shaped

•    L Shaped

•    G Shaped

Recently, the use of full height cupboards at the wall and islands has led to simplified worktop formats and big islands, often with interesting shapes.

Style and Colour choice

The next question will be the units – contemporary or traditional? If traditional, in-frame or standard doors? The choice will be dictated both by your taste and budget.

Once the unit style is established, you will need to look at the colour. There is massive variety in kitchen unit colour and finish these days.

Kitchen Worktop Surfaces

The colour of your granite or quartz kitchen worktops has to work with your walls and cabinets. Home owners choose both highly contrasting shades, and closely matching worktops. In general, traditional kitchens are best topped with natural or natural-looking materials, while clearly man-made looking quartz worktops suit contemporary kitchens. But the choice is yours.

The ideal material for your new kitchen worktop should be durable – water and heat resistant, tough against breakage, scratching and chipping, and with good stain resistance. It should not be conducive to the growth of bacteria or fungi.  It should also be low maintenance.

Many materials match some of these criteria, but there is no one magic bullet. However, at the top of the tree so far as all-round excellence is concerned are the following:

•    Granite kitchen worktops (especially good for darker colours)

•    Quartz kitchen worktops (especially good for lighter colours)

•    Dekton kitchen worktops (especially good where scratch and stain resistance are paramount)

Owing to the origin and composition of these materials, they are available in a plethora of colourful shades and patterns. Of the three, Quartz worktops are excellent in strength, being perhaps the easiest to work with for installation purposes. Granite worktops have similar properties, but as natural products can bring their own challenges with batch variations and sometimes structural weaknesses. 

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Factors to Consider When Buying Kitchen Worktops

Have you ever wondered why your kitchen is one of the most important room in your home? Why does it take so much though and planning when considering a new kitchen? Well, the answer is quite simple. The kitchen is one of those rooms that is most visited, where you and your family spend time chatting and cooking. A hostess always wants the kitchen to look attractive, be organized and functional so that she can find everything quickly and easily.

The sink and the draining board are important elements of a kitchen. And what comes right after that is the worktop. A kitchen worktop is used for slicing, cutting, chopping and a lot other purposes, which is why it is vital to choose the right one from the beginning.

Here are a few factors that you must consider before choosing a kitchen worktop for yourself:

What is the Purpose of the Worktop?

Whichever kitchen worktop you choose will impact on the functionality, theme and look of your kitchen. Therefore, ask yourself a few questions before you buy:

•    What type of kitchen do you want – classic or modern, high-quality, functional, long-lasting and low maintenance?

•    Do you need a fully-fledged functional worktop or will a more a basic one will meet your requirements?

•    Do you often have parties and big gatherings or it is only for yourself and your immediate family?

There are several options available in the market today like granite kitchen worktops, quartz worktops, and stone worktops and each one will suit different needs.

What Material Do You Need?

A homeowner usually knows what they want in their kitchen. However, when it comes to the choice for a worktop, the design, budget, material, look and other things can make it confusing.

Granite worktops are popular and popularly add class and quality to the look and feel of your kitchen. These worktops are extremely tough and sturdy and will last for years without showing much wear and tear. A quartz kitchen worktop is suitable for those who need a customisable and durable worktop. This is made using man-made material and has similar qualities to granite.

So, take a look at several ranges of kitchen worktops, compare them with one another and then make a your decision as to which one to purchase.

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Choosing the Right Kitchen Worktop

 If you are creating a new kitchen, there are several things that you need to buy – worktops, sinks and more. Above all, selecting the right kitchen worktops can be a challenging task. This is because there are several things that you need to keep in mind and the choice available is huge

If you are fortunate enough to have an unlimited budget, an opulent natural stone or granite worktop is suitable for you. Listed below is a brief guide on some of the most popular materials  used to make kitchen worktops:

1.    Granite Kitchen Worktops – These worktops are ultimate for any kitchen. They add class and give a high quality look. Extracted directly from the mountainside where it has laid for several million years, the granite used to make kitchen worktops is sturdy, durable and attractive. Working in a kitchen with a granite worktop is a pleasant and luxurious experience.

2.    Quartz Kitchen Worktops – Similar to their granite counterparts, quartz worktops add a polished and refined look to your kitchen. They enhance the overall sophistication and are visually appealing. Moreover, they comprise 90% of inorganic materials in the form of silicone and quartz.

3.    Stone Worktops – Stone worktops are highly popular and affordable. You do not have to pay a fortune to get these installed in your kitchen. All you need to do is choose the right range to suit your needs.

4.    Solid Wood Kitchen Worktops – These worktops give a unique finish to the kitchen. Additionally, they add a natural feel to the overall ambiance.

There are several tasks that you perform on your kitchen worktop on a daily basis. Kitchen worktops are also exposed to many of different elements (hot and cold) and therefore, maintenance of the same can challenging. Try and remember to wipe off any stains immediately as this will and keep your worktop in tip top condition.

The worktop you select will greatly influence the overall look and feel of your kitchen and indeed the way it works. So it’s worth taking the time to ensure you make the right choice.

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