Quartz is one of the most popular worktop choices in the UK, and for good reason. But the name doesn’t tell you much about what you’re actually buying. Here’s the plain-English version, from the people who choose, check and fit it.
In a sentence
A quartz worktop is engineered stone: crushed natural minerals bound together with a small amount of resin, coloured with pigments, and pressed into large, solid slabs.
What’s in it
- Minerals (most of it). Crushed natural quartz and other minerals give the surface its hardness and its cool, stone-like feel.
- Resin. A small proportion binds everything together and makes the surface non-porous.
- Pigments. These create the colour, the veining and any sparkle.
- Glass and other minerals. In low-silica quartz, part of the quartz is replaced with glass and other minerals.
The exact recipe varies from colour to colour, which is why each one has its own character.
“Quartz” is a broad name
In the worktop world, “quartz” has become the everyday name for a whole family of engineered stone surfaces. As manufacturers reduce silica, some newer surfaces contain little or no quartz mineral at all, and you may see them described as mineral or engineered surfaces. They’re made and fitted in the same way and chosen for the same reasons. If a colour is made very differently, we’ll tell you.
How it’s made
The minerals, resin and pigments are mixed, spread into a mould, then pressed and vibrated under a vacuum. That squeezes out the air to make a dense, solid slab. The slab is heated to set the resin, then ground to an even thickness and given its finish: polished for shine, or silk for a soft sheen.
On some colours the veining is built up in layers as the slab is made, for crisp, natural-looking detail.
Why people choose quartz
- No sealing, ever. The surface is non-porous, so spills sit on top rather than soaking in.
- Easy to keep clean. A damp cloth and a quick dry is usually all it needs.
- Hard-wearing. It stands up to everyday family life very well.
- Predictable. What you see on a sample is close to what’s fitted, without the surprises some natural stones can bring.
- Hygienic. With no pores for dirt to hide in, it’s a natural fit for a family kitchen. Our colours carry manufacturer NSF food-zone certification.
- A huge choice of looks. From calm, clean whites to bold, marble-style veining.
A few things worth knowing
No worktop is perfect, and we’d rather you heard it from us.
- Heat. Always use a trivet or heat mat under hot pans, trays and dishes. The resin in quartz is sensitive to heat, and a concentrated hot spot can scorch or discolour the surface.
- Chopping. Use a chopping board for all food preparation. Quartz is harder than steel, so it quickly blunts knives, and a board protects both your knives and the worktop.
- Sunlight. Strong, direct sunlight over many years can fade the resin, so quartz is made for indoor use.
- Edges. A heavy knock from a cast-iron pan can chip an edge. Small chips can usually be repaired.
- Joints. Long runs need joints. They’re neat, but you may notice them up close. More about joints.
- Strong chemicals. Oven cleaner, bleach and paint stripper can damage the surface, so wipe up any spills straight away.
How quartz compares
Every worktop material has its strengths. Here’s how quartz sits alongside the other common choices.
| Material | What it is | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Quartz | Engineered stone | Non-porous, no sealing, very consistent from slab to slab. |
| Granite | Natural stone | Hard and very heat tolerant. Needs sealing from time to time, and every slab is unique. |
| Marble | Natural stone | Beautiful veining, but softer and more porous, so it marks and stains more easily. |
| Quartzite | Natural stone | Hard, with marble-like looks. Usually needs sealing and is often more expensive. |
| Sintered stone and porcelain | Minerals fired at very high temperature | Very heat and sunlight resistant. Harder to shape, and edges can be less forgiving. |
| Solid surface | Acrylic or polyester resin | Near-invisible joins and moulded sinks. Softer and less heat resistant. |
| Laminate | A printed layer on a board | The most affordable. Less durable, and usually not suited to undermount sinks. |
Looking after it
Day to day, wipe with a damp microfibre cloth (with a drop of washing-up liquid if needed), rinse and dry. For stubborn marks and the few things to avoid, see our worktop care guide (opens in a new tab).
Questions we often hear
Is quartz natural?
Mostly. It’s made from natural minerals, but it’s engineered, which makes it more consistent and lower-maintenance than natural stone.
Is it safe in my home?
Yes. Crystalline silica is all around us, in sand, rock and brick, and a fitted worktop is completely stable and gives off no dust. The silica question is about the people who cut stone, not about living with it. Here’s why we choose low-silica quartz.
Will it stain?
Not usually, because it’s non-porous. Wipe up strong colours like turmeric, red wine and oil promptly and you’ll be fine.
Do I need to seal it?
No. Quartz never needs sealing.
How long does it last?
With normal care, for many years. Every Redwood Select worktop comes with a 15-year material warranty.
How we check ours
We look into the testing, certification and specification of every colour we offer, so you don’t have to. See what we checked.