Quartz Benchtop
Expert Advice From One Of The Leading Sydney Quartz Benchtop Suppliers
It can be difficult to know if quartz benchtops are right for you.
They are man-made and often a choice instead of stone bench tops. There are advantages and draw backs to the use of quartz.
The following list will explore both:
Advantages Of A Quartz Benchtop
Aesthetic
Quartz is very aesthetically pleasing even though it is not a natural material. There is a wider range of hue options that present for quartz as a result. It has a timeless look as well and is often mistaken for real stone.
Durable
Quartz does not have a porous surface so it will not get wet if any liquid is spilled on top of it. It also withstands scratches that other organic material does not.
Ease of Maintenance
Quartz, due to its non-porous nature, is not that easy to stain. Also, a person does not have to constantly clean it like natural material tops.
Disadvantages Of A Quartz Benchtop
Cracks
There will be a few cracks where the material is stuck together. Some people do not like the look of these seams and would rather have a huge slab of rock.
Sensitive to Heat
Even though quartz does not soak up liquid, a person cannot put hot items on top of it. If one does so, permanent heat marks will result.
People might have a difficult time choosing a material. It is a large investment, and there is no way around that. It can help though to mull over the pro’s and con’s of the material.
When it comes down to it, sometimes people just need to see it in action. When a person can feel a quartz benchtop, then the individual can make a more informed choice.
That’s why Stone-Tech has a wide variety of options in their showrooms. If you are in the Sydney area, then come visit a showroom today.
UPDATE (October 2023)
Engineered stone, traditionally contains a high percentage of silica because it’s made up mostly of quartz. However, there have been concerns about the health impacts of respirable crystalline silica dust, especially for workers who cut, grind, or polish these surfaces, leading to the need for low-silica alternatives.
Manufacturers who aim to produce engineered stone with lower silica content can follow several strategies:
Alternative Fillers: Use alternative non-silica minerals or materials to replace a portion or all of the quartz filler. This can include materials like marble, metal flakes, recycled glass, etc. The goal is to maintain the desired properties (strength, durability, appearance) while reducing silica content.
Resin Content: By increasing the amount of resin in the mixture, the silica content, by definition, will decrease. However, there’s a limit to this approach, as too much resin can compromise the mechanical properties of the final product.
Enhanced Compaction: Techniques such as vibrocompression under vacuum can be employed to increase the density of the engineered stone, thereby allowing for a smaller amount of quartz to be used.
Silica-Coating: In some experimental setups, quartz particles are coated with non-silica materials. This reduces the amount of respirable silica that can become airborne during cutting or polishing, although the overall silica content of the material might remain the same.
Engineered Porosity: Introducing controlled porosity can reduce the overall amount of silica, but this can also affect the material’s mechanical and aesthetic properties.
Alternative Production Methods: Nano-cemented materials or geopolymers might be used to produce engineered stone-like surfaces with much lower silica content.
Safety During Manufacturing: While reducing the silica content in the stone is one approach, ensuring that workers are protected during manufacturing, cutting, and installation is equally crucial. This can include wet-working methods to reduce dust, proper ventilation, and appropriate personal protective equipment.
Manufacturers aiming to introduce low-silica engineered stones need to strike a balance between maintaining the aesthetic and functional qualities of their product, ensuring worker safety, and meeting any regulatory requirements.
