Kitchen Appliances

Worktopsfittted is part of the T Foley Interiors kitchen web portal and offers Corian and Quartz worktops at the most affordable costs throughout the UK including template and installation.

Quartz Worktops and Solid Surface worktops – the differences explained

The distinct differences between Quartz and Solid Surfaces are:

• Quartz Surfaces have a sheen finish unless honed and Solid Surfaces are a matt finish.
• Quartz surfaces have a greater heat resistance than Solid Surfaces but trivets or protection boards should be used on all surfaces and hot items should never be placed directly on any surface – Don’t listen to a salesperson who tells you otherwise.
• Quality Solid Surfaces can only truly be defined as those of greater thickness such as Corian, HiMacs and Staron bespoke and Swanstone bespoke, all of which are 12mm guage or over. There are of course others labelled as “Solid Surfaces” but thinner core surfaces of half this thickness or less cannnot, by any stretch of the imagination, be considered as true Solid Surfaces and bear no comparison to the real thing that arrives with a 10 year manufacturers warranty.
• Solid Surfaces are more versatile when it comes to shaping and curves and there are very few limits on any style of design
• Solid Surfaces offer seamless joints and Quartz joints are visble. The longest length before a joint becomes necessary or Quartz is approximately 3020mm. Silestone do offer certain colours within their range that allow a length of 3200mm before joints are required
• Both Quartz and Solid Surfaces are non porous
• Quartz worktops have a greater scratch resistance than Solid Surfaces
• Should Solid Surfaces become damaged, they can be repaired and restored to their former glory.
• Quartz surfaces can be utilised as a behind hob splashback yet Solid surfaces need to meet a minimum distance requirement rendering a deeper than standard worktop in the hob area
• Examples of Quartz surfaces are, Zodiaq, Silestone, Prestige Quartz, Caesarstone, Luxore, Arenastone, Compac and Cimstone and all are made on a Breton Machine
• All Quartz surfaces are currently manufactured outside of the UK
• Silestone distinguishes itself from other quartz surfaces with the inclusion of Microban throughout the core of all it’s colours
• More recently, thinner quartz surfaces have been made available to buyers and although these may be seen as an option to certain buyers, they cannot compare with slabs of over three times the thickness. What should never be considered, in my opinion, are surfaces that fit over your existing tops. Existing laminate tops are too flexible to act as a quality substrate and cracks appearing are a greater possibility.

Whatever surface you choose obtain comparative costs, consider the guarantees offered, the payment terms, research the properties of the surface and remember that a more cost efficient choice is not always the cheapest choice
I hope this assists readers and don’t forget to ask any questions in our forum if you are still confused.