Quartz Worktops
Kitchen Surfaces and Countertops

20mm or 30mm thickness?

If the benefit is saving money then the answer is yes! because there is no difference in terms of strength and durability for kitchen surface use. For some premium profile edges, 30mm countertops may be a better option. Mitre joins, splashbacks and upstands make for easier production and cost effectiveness in 20mm thickness, saving money and time on cutting 30mm thickness down to 20mm.

Slab Sizes

Slabs are available in three sizes, standard 1.4m x 3m, jumbo 1.6m x 3.2m and super jumbo (AKA giant) 1.6m x 3.3m. Although the difference in each may seem small it can make a huge difference to what can be attained, potentially saving money on your quartz worktop. Although only 2 runs of approx 3m can be achieved from each slab, not all kitchen surface lengths are three metres long. On many occasions the difference of a few centimeters has cost the price of an additional slab of material.

Planning Material

Planning material needs for a quartz worktop, unfortunately, seems to be left out during kitchen design. Despite countertops being one of the most important aspects of any kitchen. During the planning of base units when designing a kitchen, considerations should be given to the countertops lengths and location of joins. Other design elements in respect of calculating material such as Hob splashbacks and waterfall ends may require a large chunk of material. Let us know and we can help calculate your material needs.

Undermount or Overmount sink?

Decisions on what style of sink you should have to go with your worktop choice, really, can be narrowed down to two preferences; Drainer type and appearance. Drainer grooves cut into your quartz worktops raises additional questions, however, they do blend with the worktop more than an overmounted sink drainer board. Grooves are aesthetically pleasing, allow veins to flow, and increases space visually. However, undermounted sinks without drainer grooves benefit by allowing clear un-interrupted, additional workspace. Overmounted sinks, ensures that the drainer is just that, also being metallic, it is easier to maintain and clean especially in areas of very hard water.

Ask us if we can supply your sink, we may be able to match or improve on prices found on the internet, without delay in delivery.

Upstands

Standardised at 100mm in height, upstands are fixed to the wall behind worktops, apart from finishing the look of your worktops, they have many benefits. A tidy neat trim that will hide the join between worktop and wall, upstands are mini splashback that contain splashes and spills. They are cut from the remaining material after cutting your worktops lengths. If you wish to have them taller, smaller, or slimmer, and as long as we have enough material, we can make this happen.

Upstands combine with other decorative elements too, such as tiles and splashbacks. We are more than happy to advise.

Undersills and Windowsills

A windowsill and undersill to compliment your quartz worktop, believe it or not, is a desired finishing touch. In fact, around 80% of clients choose windowsills and undersills for several reasons. its cheaper than buying a less durable windowsill, if ordered with your worktop, and easier to clean and maintain. The undersill adds continuity from upstand to the windowsill and loses that small band of hard to clean tiles or difficult to paint gap. More than likely the window fronts your sink, the undersill, often being slightly deeper than an upstand, makes for a sink splashback.

Standard Edge Profiles

As standard, your worktop will be finished either with a small bevel or double pencil to top and bottom of the outward facing edge. They are the most robust of all edge profiles and the minimum finish is applied to top and bottom edges, fully polished. There are a number of other edge profiles to choose from, however, which you choose depends on several factors. Material thickness, practicality and consideration into other design aspects in combination, for example end panels.

Is There a Warranty?

Manufacturers of engineered surfaces provide warranties that cover production methods. This is to build confidence to the end user with a guarantee that the product will perform as suggested according to certain stipulations regarding it use. After your worktop has been installed, its up to you to keep your resistant, durable quartz worktops in excellent condition. As long as your worktops has been cut and installed by us as a certified fabricator, and remain in the original installed location. Your warranty will be valid between 10 -33 years, depending on the warranty period set by manufacturer. The main differences in warranty periods, generally relate to the percentage and types of resins and pigments used in its manufacture.

What About External Use?

Your warranty does not cover your worktop if used externally. Despite its versatility, and as it is water and stain resistant, why would it not be ideal for external use? Well, apart from other weather related extremes, the main reason it is recommended only for internal use, is because the resin content is prone to discolouration through UV exposure.

Islands, Peninsulas, End Panels

If designed with care, Kitchen Islands, and simarlary for pensinsulas can increase the perception of space. Many only consider and island to provide additional worktop space, however, breakfast bars with a full overhang allows more floor space to be seen. Islands with End panels, also known as waterfall sides, can allow the design in to flow down the side, a detail that can change to visual perceptuion of any kitchen design. Let us know, because there are several details that need to be considered with island and end panel designs.

Chopping Boards

A complimenting addition to any quartz worktop is a matching chopping board. Chopping boards generally get put away when not in use, not any more! As an essential part of any working kitchen for the protection and longevity of a worktop surface, that is easy to clean. We recommend that any suitable remnants after cutting the countertops, be used to produce one or more chopping boards.

Terminology

Quartz worktop surface finishes differ slightly from each manufacture, and so does the terminology. Only a few selected quartz colours and designs are available in different finishes to a polished finish. On the contrary, some of the colours and designs available in different finishes are not available as polished. Depending on manufacturer, finishes other than polished may have additional protective coatings. Honed surfaces are termed differently by each manufacturer and can be called Satin, Matt, and Natural.

Maximising Quartz Material

Cuts made in the stone are carefully measured to ensure that we maximise on what we can get out of a slab. This level of care is extremely important and provides a huge saving if we can minimize the quantity of slabs needed to complete your project. This also ensures that we have enough remaining material to offer upstands, splashbacks and windowsills to compliment your bespoke worktop surface.

Hob Cuts

The decision to have either a recessed or overmount hob lies with the hob that you purchase. A flush mount hob is the same with a different name. Additional CNC machine cutting is required to cut the recess and as long as the full specification is readily available, or if the hob is on site on the day of measure / templating, its a relatively straight forward procedure.

Extractors

Socket cut outs will be essential for your full splashback. Depending on material style and colour chosen for your splashback, sockets blend in and look tidier than on a flat or tiled wall.

Other cuts

Sink Cuts, Tap Holes, Socket Cut Outs, Standard Curves, Pop-Up Sockets, Bespoke Curves, Mitre Joins, Backpolishing