Is Counter Quartz Man-Made? Know What Makes Them Different

One of the most durable and attractive stone options for kitchens is quartz. It's available in an endless array of colors, like fiery red, elegant creams, mysterious black, and with sparkles and veinings that create a beautiful marble-like appearance. However, kitchen counter quartz is quite different from other natural stone countertops.  

It's because the countertop isn't exactly a stone. In reality, quartz slabs are engineered in a factory. Let's find out more about it.

How Is Counter Quartz Made?

Quartz countertops last long, are easy to maintain and are simply stunning. A common question about them is, 'Is quartz man made?' 

Quartz slabs are made using technologies like Bretonestone Technology. This technology is behind the creation of the finest slabs. The process of manufacturing quartz countertops starts with the mining of pure white quartz from the Earth.  

The quarried pieces are moved to the manufacturing facility. Then, the quality control personnel divide the pieces into different shades of white. While doing this, they ensure to select only the best pure white quartz pieces to be manufactured into quartz slabs.   

Further, these quartz pieces are ground down into different sizes. Upon the completion of this process, the quartz pieces are aggregated together. A binder is added to the mixture while, at the same time, the air is vacuumed out of it through vibration. After all the air goes out, the slabs are pressed into the needed slab sizes. Then, high heat is used for baking them. 

It results in the creation of a non-porous quartz countertop slab. This procedure of manufacturing quartz retains its beautiful natural color and allows for consistency in each and every piece. It also makes them spill and stain-proof. 

 Why Install Quartz Countertop? 

Now that you know exactly how a quartz slab is made, you might be thinking about the benefits of using the material. Reliable counter quartz manufacturers offer solid warranties on the material. So, installing them as part of your next project makes sense. Here are some benefits of the material. 

• Quartz is low maintenance. You don't need to seal it. To remove surface stains, gently clean the material with soapy water. That's it. It requires much less upkeep than natural stone or wood.

• Quartz is design-friendly. There are practically endless shades and styles to choose from. You can pick any color of quartz countertops that aligns with your kitchen design. GlobalFair offers free samples of the slabs to designers and contractors. So, you can see if the different colors and designs match well with your project. 

• Quartz counters are germ-free and antimicrobial – The presence of resin binders makes counter quartz non-porous. As a result, germs and bacteria that cause odor cannot get inside. Essentially, this is what makes them ideal to be used in kitchens as these places are exposed to bacteria, germs, and moisture. Quartz counters can also withstand considerable wear and tear. Thus, being a good choice for kitchen remodeling. 

The Process of Cutting Quartz Countertop Slab?

Cutting quartz countertops is an intricate skill. So, it's always recommended to have them cut before your project commences. Doing so proves to be quite time-effective. 

 Cutting quartz means removing it from a quartz slab to puncture and shape the material. It molds it into a particular form. 

Note that quartz can crack or break if mishandled. Usually, expert workers use a circular saw to cut it. This saw has diamond tips that do the cutting job. Quartz is one of the hardest materials. That's why using regular blades isn't effective for cutting it. 

While cutting, the professionals often come in contact with quartz powder and debris. This powder is irritating to the skin, mouth, nose, and eyes. That's why wearing protective gear when cutting it is vital. 

It's always advised to keep the quartz material on secure platforms. It's because cutting it with a circular saw results in much vibration. After cutting, the pieces are polished. Choosing a good saw blade for cutting the material is a big part of cutting it effectively. 

Types of cuts that fabricators use to cut quartz surfaces

Fabricators cut quartz surfaces in many ways. The most common is a straight cut using a bridge saw with a diamond blade. Other methods include employing a tool to grind parts of the material's surface. It can be a finger bit to cut a sinkhole. On the other hand, it can also be a comparatively small blade on a grinder to trim a specific part of the material and acquire an elegant finished appearance. Core bits are also employed to eliminate circular holes for faucets.  

It's essential to keep the tooling you use to cut quartz slabs cool. Otherwise, it gets extremely hot and burns the material. 

The Bottom Line

Quartz is a material that's manufactured and mixed with resins and stones. It is quite long-lasting and low maintenance. Larger pieces of quartz are ground into more uniform pieces. It creates attractive patterns that are used extensively for kitchen countertops. 

Now that you know how useful counter quartz are, you can go over to GlobalFair and browse through their catalog of exclusive quartz collections. You'll certainly find a suitable material at attractive prices that perfectly matches your upcoming project needs.