Quartz worktops have become the fastest growing and most popular type of solid kitchen worktop today, with a significant number of new homes being built with quartz worktops as standard. If you've ever had the privilege of using a quartz worktop you'll already realise the huge advantages inherent in having kitchen worktops made from a natural material that's exceptionally tough. In fact, the very word 'quartz' is Slavic for 'hard', and on the scale of hardness it comes in only slightly less than diamond - but considerably cheaper!
But it isn't just about its toughness, although that's an extremely important point. It is also about its visual appearance, and for many people this is every bit as important as having a kitchen worktop which can stand the heat of the kitchen. Quartz worktops are made from a minimum of 93% quartz crystals, with the remaining 7% comprising the resin and bonding agents, along with any additional materials added for decoration.
In some cases this may be a pigment which stains the worktop a particular colour. This creates a very attractive finish, but one which retains the unmistakable look of a natural material. Increasingly today kitchen worktops made from quartz are being made with additional materials such as small metal flecks or mirrored flecks.
The metallic flakes create a sparkly effect that lights up beautifully and really has a stunning impact on the overall look of a kitchen. By including mirror flecks in the manufacturing process the finished worktop looks highly reflective and catches the light in a myriad of ways, which makes the finished result look dazzling.
One of the benefits of manufacturing quartz worktops in this way is that the colour and the effect runs all the way through the worktop, unlike one made using a veneer which can quickly start to peel away, chip, tear or crack, revealing a rather unsightly and certainly unhygienic surface underneath.
So from the point of view of durability, versatility and visual appearance quartz worktops certainly tick all of the boxes, and represent an ideal solution for anyone looking to create a kitchen that successfully combines functionality with style. But what are the alternatives that you should consider, and how do they compare?
As far as solid worktops are concerned, quartz worktops are one of the most affordable, with granite worktops offering the benefits of a solid natural surface, although at a higher cost. Stainless steel is also a popular choice, especially by professional cooks and chefs, although increasingly stainless steel is being used for kitchens at home. When combined with a bold highlight colour for tiles stainless steel can look fantastic.
But the most important alternative to consider to quartz worktops is Corian. Of all of the solid worktops currently on the market Corian worktops are one of the most popular. Although not a natural material in the same way as quartz, Corian worktops provide a huge number of advantages, in particular versatility, durability and visual appearance.
Corian is perhaps the most versatile of all materials for the manufacture of kitchen worktops. It can be cut, glued, moulded and even vacuum formed, meaning that almost any design is possible. Unlike with other worktops such as quartz worktops, Corian worktops don't have to be flat, and instead can be designed in three dimensions rather than merely two. Imagine having cooling racks, a splash back, mixing bowl or even the sink formed as part of the work surface.
When it comes to style and visual appearance, quite apart from the mind-boggling possibilities as far as the design and manufacture of Corian worktops is concerned, Corian is available in more styles and colours than any other type of solid worktop. With around 70 different styles and designs already available, and with more being added to the range every year, if you can't find what you're looking for in the Corian range, you'll not find it anywhere.
So on balance, which should you go for if you're considering solid worktops - quartz worktops or Corian worktops? If you're looking for rugged durability, a natural stone appearance and a surface that is as hard as your mother-in-law's dumplings, quartz worktops are ideal. For a kitchen that's definitely unique, with a visual style that's simply stunning, and durability that's guaranteed for 10 years, check out the range of Corian worktops.
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