How are Quartz Worktops Made?

Thanks to its impressive durability, limitless design options and ease of maintenance, quartz is one of the most popular and practical materials to make worktops and surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms. Plus, despite being incredibly attractive, quartz is an engineered material that’s usually more affordable than natural stones such as marble.

But what exactly does ‘engineered material’ mean? 

Naturally, many people want to know how quartz is made before they invest hundreds or even thousands of pounds on new worktops. That’s why this article provides a step-by-step guide on the manufacturing process of quartz worktops. 

If you have specific questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. At Paramount, we’ve been among the UK’s leading stone specialists for decades, so you can trust us for honest, factual and impartial advice.

The Manufacturing Process for your Quartz Worktops

1. Sourcing the raw materials

Quartz may be regarded as an engineered rather than a natural material, but at least 90% of it consists of quartz stone, a naturally occurring mineral that’s mined from the Earth’s crust. The remainder of quartz worktops are made up of resins and other binding materials, plus natural pigments to give the fixtures their desired colour. 

2. Preparing the materials

Once collected, quartz crystals are crushed, blended and processed into uniform particles that form a base material (quartz aggregate). Resins are then added to the quartz aggregate to improve its strength and durability, making the final product highly resistant to scratches, stains and heavy impacts.

3. Design customisation

During the manufacturing process, pigments are added to the mixture of resin and quartz aggregate to change the colour and pattern of the final product. Consequently, quartz worktops can be manufactured in a wide range of styles, whether you’re looking for something classic or contemporary. You can even find quartz worktops that appear almost identical to natural stone worktops such as marble and granite.

4. Pressing and curing

With the mixture of quartz aggregate, resin and pigments prepared, the shaping of the worktops can begin. The mixture can be poured into moulds of varying thickness and sizes, depending on the purpose of the worktop. Then, intense pressure and heat is applied to the mould to ensure a compact, sturdy and uniform worktop. This pressing process removes any excess air from the worktop, resulting in a durable finish. Once the resin has hardened, the worktop will be highly resistant to damage from heat and scratches.

5. Polishing and finishing

Now that the quartz mixture has been pressed into slabs and cured, it can be polished, giving it a smooth surface. In most cases, machines with diamond abrasive pads are used to polish and refine the surface of quartz worktops, giving them a flawless finish. Different finish options include textured, matte and glossy.

6. Quality control

The final stage of manufacturing quartz worktops concerns quality control. Reliable manufacturers inspect each and every slab they produce to make sure that only the very best worktops find their way into homes.

Want to Learn More about how Quartz Worktops are Made?

Quartz may be classified as an engineered material, but it still consists mostly of natural stone that can give your home a premium look. On top of being attractive, quartz is highly versatile and affordable. And, as you can see from the manufacturing process, quartz is not only built to stand the test of time, but it can also be made to match just about any home’s style.

At Paramount Stone Specialists, we’ve been supplying and installing quality quartz worktops for over 25 years. We also work with stones such as marble, granite, porcelain, ceramics and more, so you can count on us for guidance if you want to compare worktop materials. Whether you’re renovating your home or just need a bit of advice, call our expert technicians on 01482 585600 or email us at info@paramountstone.co.uk today.