A Few Questions We Commonly Receive Relating to Quartz Countertops

Although everybody who sees our quartz countertops agrees that they are a thing of beauty, not every homeowner is completely sure how they will perform in the kitchen or indeed, what exactly quartz is. If you have always fancied installing a gorgeous quartz work surface in your kitchen but would like to know more about it first, take a look at the following commonly asked questions, along with our answers.

Our Quartz Countertops FAQ

1. What Is Quartz? – There are a number of different coloured varieties of quartz but the classic type is a hard, white colourless mineral that is found in several different types of rock. It is one of the most abundant minerals on earth but also one of the most beautiful.

2. Will a Quartz Surface Stain Easily? – The short answer to this question is no. It is a very stain resistant material, making it perfect for kitchen applications. You can spill coffee, tea, fruit juices, red wine and a variety of other liquids on a quartz work surface, with absolutely no danger of it staining. Simply wipe the liquid off with a damp cloth.

3. Will It Scratch Easily – Again, the short answer is no. If you try really hard, you can scratch quartz; it’s not as tough as diamond (nor anywhere near as expensive thankfully). However, you could even cut vegetables and meat directly on the surface without scratching it. We wouldn’t actually advise doing this because your kitchen knives will suffer but it gives you a good idea of how tough quartz countertops really are.

4. Is it Safe to Use in Food Preparation Areas? – Absolutely. It has been certified as safe by international health and safety organizations and can be used anywhere that food is prepared. Its non-porous nature, which makes it stain resistant as noted above, also makes it ideal for food preparation applications.

5. Are Your Quartz Countertops Made from Natural Quartz? – Yes. Our countertops contain 93{2d6e0fa96fc41ec19eb0fe4913e38166898bc1a950c39c5d60af299502ec46d5} natural quartz, mined from the earth. The only reason they are not 100{2d6e0fa96fc41ec19eb0fe4913e38166898bc1a950c39c5d60af299502ec46d5} quartz is because the mineral occurs as small clusters in nature, not in large, contiguous blocks like marble and granite. For this reason, all such work surfaces are made from engineered quartz, which in addition to crushed quartz contains a small amount of resin and other substances.

6. Can I place Hot Saucepans on It? – You are unlikely to damage quartz surfaces with hot pans but we recommend using a stand if possible, to make sure that your worktop remains in excellent condition for many years to come.

7. How Do I Keep It Clean? – The non-porous nature of engineered quartz makes it very easy to clean. Just use the same dish soap that you use to wash crockery, mixed with water. There is no need to use abrasive detergents and we don’t recommend using any type of cleaner that contains ammonia, such as household bleach.

8. What Happens if It Chips? – It is quite difficult to damage the surface of quartz countertops as they are not prone to scratching or chipping but it is possible. If you should be unfortunate enough to chip your new worktop, you can have the damage repaired by a professional who specialises in caring for natural stone surfaces.

If you have any further questions about countertops made from this beautiful mineral, you can call us at any time or visit one of our Toronto showrooms. We will of course be delighted to discuss your needs in detail and provide you with a detailed quotation as well, if you would like us to supply you with a new worktop.