The Complete Guide to Quartz Worktops

Quartz worktops are engineered stone surfaces made from 93% natural quartz — the fourth hardest mineral on earth. They are the most popular kitchen worktop material in the UK, outselling granite, marble, and solid surface alternatives combined. This guide covers what you need to know before buying.

What Are Quartz Worktops Made From?

Raw quartz crystals are ground, combined with approximately 7% polymer resin binders and mineral pigments, then compressed under vacuum at high pressure. The result is a slab that is harder than granite, completely non-porous, and available in a controlled range of colours and patterns.

The manufacturing process means every slab in a given colour is consistent — unlike natural stone, where each slab is unique. For most homeowners, this consistency is an advantage. You know exactly what you are getting.

Quartz vs Other Worktop Materials

Quartz vs Granite

Both score 7 on the Mohs hardness scale. The key difference is porosity. Granite absorbs water at roughly 0.4% — enough to require annual sealing to prevent staining and bacterial growth. Quartz absorbs effectively 0% (measured at 0.02%). No sealing. No maintenance. For a surface you prepare food on daily, that matters.

Granite offers slightly higher heat resistance and completely unique natural patterning. Quartz offers lower maintenance and more predictable aesthetics. For most UK kitchens, quartz is the more practical choice.

Quartz vs Marble

Marble is softer (Mohs 3-5), highly porous, and reacts to acidic substances. A lemon slice left on marble will etch the surface permanently. Marble is undeniably beautiful, but it demands careful handling that few busy kitchens can provide. Quartz offers marble-effect patterns — our Strata Palmyra and Marbled White replicate the look without any of the fragility.

Quartz vs Laminate

Laminate costs £20-60 per square metre and lasts 5-10 years before showing wear. Quartz costs more upfront but lasts 25+ years, adds genuine value to your home, and never needs replacing due to surface degradation. Over a 20-year period, quartz is arguably the cheaper option.

Thickness: 20mm vs 30mm

We offer both thicknesses across the full range. 20mm creates a sleek, contemporary profile and works particularly well with handleless kitchen designs. 30mm is the traditional choice — it adds visual weight and suits shaker and in-frame kitchens. Roughly 65% of our customers choose 30mm.

The price difference is approximately £130 per slab. Both thicknesses are equally durable — this is purely an aesthetic decision.

The Great 8 Strata Range

Our collection features eight carefully selected quartz surfaces. Deep ebony (Strata Cosmos) through to pure white (Morning Frost), with veined marble effects (Strata Palmyra, Marbled White) and contemporary greys (Grey Enigma, Imperial, Marbled Grey) in between. Quartz Mirror adds a subtle sparkle for kitchens that need extra light.

Every colour is available in 20mm and 30mm, with one-slab, 1.5-slab, and two-slab coverage options. Browse the full collection and pricing here.

What Does a Quartz Worktop Cost?

At Quartz Store, prices start from £1,920 for a single 20mm slab (2900×1300mm), fully fitted. That price includes everything — supply, professional site visit, digital templating, CNC fabrication, expert fitting, standard cutouts, drainer grooves, upstands, waste removal, and a 10-year warranty.

The national average for supply-only quartz is £80-150 per square metre. But supply-only quotes hide significant additional costs: templating (£150-300), fabrication, fitting (£400-800), and cutouts (£50-80 each). Our all-inclusive model eliminates these surprises.

Care and Maintenance

Daily cleaning requires warm water and a drop of washing-up liquid. That is genuinely all you need. Avoid bleach, oven cleaner, wire wool, and abrasive cream cleaners — these can dull the polished finish over time.

Always use a trivet or heat mat for hot pans. Quartz tolerates temperatures up to approximately 150°C, but a pan straight off a gas hob can exceed 300°C. Thermal shock — a sudden extreme temperature change in a concentrated area — is the most common cause of quartz damage we see.

Our Process

Order online, book your site visit date at checkout, and we handle the rest. Site visit within 7 days. Digital laser templating to 0.5mm accuracy. CNC fabrication. Professional fitting by our own team, typically within 7-10 working days. Learn more about how it works.

Why Choose Quartz Store?

Direct sourcing. Fixed transparent pricing. Experienced fitters with over a decade in the trade. A 10-year warranty that is double the industry standard. And a process designed to make replacing your worktop as straightforward as it should be.