Engineered Quartz is a manmade material. The material is fabricated by crushing natural quartz minerals and mixing them with resins, polymers and pigments, then moulding, compressing and heating to create the slabs.
Not only does this produce a highly durable surface but also eases the maintenance of the surface.
Engineered Quartz comes in a large selection of colour and pattern from plain surfaces, Granite and Marble look-alikes, to bright bold colours, and since it is formed through an engineering process it is much easier to keep up with industry trends. Colours and patterns are always evolving to fit the demands of the market. If consistency and durability are key in your search then Engineered Quartz should be at the top of your list.
Each block will bring a touch of individuality and unique style to your kitchen.
What to expect?
- Slight differences will occur between Quartz slabs as the patterns may vary slightly due to particle structure, or due to small spots and faints, that can occur naturally due to the natural minerals that are a part of the compound. However, it is the most uniform of the surfaces we provide.
- Quartz has low porosity and does not require the use of surface sealants. Quartz is highly stain-resistant, but as with all surfaces, spills should be removed as soon as possible especially highly coloured food and liquids.
- Quartz is not resistant to UV, over time the surface will fade a little and lose its lustre.
- Quartz is not resistant to heat so trivets must be used at all times. This sounds odd, but the resins used in the material may be affected by heat.
- Quartz is highly resistant to scratching but we would always recommend a chopping board, knives will become blunt cutting directly on the surface!
- Engineered Quartz is a strong material, but as a worktop, it is only supported at the edges by the kitchen carcass. Joins and cut-outs can be weaker points and the surface is not designed to support the weight of a person. Do not stand or sit on your surface or place very heavy objects on weaker points.
- Dropping a heavy or sharp object onto an Engineered Quartz surface may cause it to chip or crack.
How to care?
- For daily care of your surface wipe with a moist, soft cloth with either a dilute, mild soapy solution (such as liquid dish soap) or a daily Granite and Marble cleaners such as Method, DryTreat Rejuvinata Countertop Cleaner, or Lithofin Easy-Clean. Rinse cloth and wring out then wipe over the surface again to clear any traces of soap. Then buff with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. Always ensure your cloth is clean. Never use an abrasive cloth or scouring pads.
- It is always advisable to remove a spill as soon as you possibly can, by blotting away with a kitchen towel and then wiping the surface as advised above. The longer the spill sits on the surface the increased risk of it penetrating the surface.
- This is particularly important for acid-based products, e.g. vinegars, citrus, fizzy drinks, wine etc., oil-based substances e.g. butter, cooking oils and strongly coloured foods and liquids e.g. beetroot, red/dark fruits, turmeric, saffron, red wine.
- Avoid using highly aggressive cleaning agents such as oven/grill cleaners and dishwater polishing agents that have high alkaline/pH levels (pH 8.5 or higher), abrasive scrubs and cleaners that contain either soft or hard abrasive particles and cleaners that contain xylene, toluene, potassium hydroxide or caustic soda.
- Further information and advice can be found at www.radianz-quartz.com