Quartz Worktop / Quartz Countertop
An engineered stone kitchen surface made from approximately 90-95% crushed natural quartz bound with polymer resin, offering a durable, non-porous, and low-maintenance work surface.
A quartz worktop (called a quartz countertop in the US) is an engineered stone surface made by combining roughly 90-95% crushed natural quartz with polymer resins and pigments. The result is an extremely hard, non-porous surface that resists stains, scratches, and bacteria — making it one of the most popular worktop choices for modern kitchen renovations.
Quartz vs. granite
Quartz and granite are often compared, but they differ in important ways:
| Quartz (engineered) | Granite (natural) | |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Manufactured from crushed quartz + resin | Natural stone, quarried in slabs |
| Porosity | Non-porous — does not need sealing | Porous — requires periodic sealing |
| Consistency | Uniform colour and pattern across slabs | Every slab is unique (natural variation) |
| Maintenance | Wipe clean, no sealing needed | Needs resealing every 1-2 years |
| Heat resistance | Moderate — hot pans can damage resin | Excellent — handles heat well |
| Colour range | Very wide, including patterns that mimic marble | Limited to natural stone colours |
Popular quartz styles
- Marble-look — white or grey bases with flowing veins that replicate the look of Carrara or Calacatta marble without the porosity and staining issues of real marble
- Concrete-look — industrial, matt grey tones popular in contemporary kitchens
- Solid colours — clean, uniform surfaces in white, black, grey, or bold colours
- Natural stone effect — patterns that mimic granite or other natural stones
Installation process
Quartz worktops follow a specialist installation process:
- Template — after your kitchen cabinets are fitted, a templater visits to laser-measure the exact dimensions, including cutouts for sinks and hobs
- Fabrication — the slabs are cut and polished in a factory to the template measurements
- Fitting — the fabricated pieces are delivered and installed on top of the cabinets, joined with colour-matched resin
- Sealing joints — where the worktop meets the wall or a sink, silicone sealant is applied
The time from template to fitting is typically 1-3 weeks, so plan this into your renovation timeline.
Cost factors
Quartz worktop pricing varies based on the brand (Silestone, Caesarstone, and Compac are well-known names), the colour/pattern (marble-look designs tend to be more expensive), the edge profile (standard square edges are cheapest; bevelled, bullnose, and waterfall edges cost more), and the complexity of the job (number of cutouts, L-shapes, and joints). Always get a detailed quotation that includes templating, fabrication, delivery, and fitting.