Quartz Worktops — Frequently Asked Questions

A quartz worktop is an engineered stone surface made from approximately 93% natural crushed quartz, bonded with a small amount of polymer resin and pigment under high pressure and heat. The result is a hard, non-porous, scratch- and stain-resistant surface that looks like natural stone but performs better in everyday use.

Expression Quartz worktops are made from roughly 93% natural quartz, around 7% polymer resin and binders, and pigments for colour. Quartz is rated 7 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness — one of the hardest naturally occurring minerals on Earth. The resin permanently seals the slab, eliminating the porosity that natural stones have.

Yes — for the vast majority of domestic kitchens, quartz is now the most practical premium worktop choice. It is non-porous, doesn’t need sealing, resists scratching and staining, and is hygienic enough for direct food preparation. It also offers far more consistent colour and pattern than natural stone.

Pros: non-porous, hygienic, scratch- and stain-resistant, no sealing required, consistent appearance, wide design range, 15-year manufacturer warranty, expected service life 25+ years.

Cons: limited extreme-heat tolerance (use a trivet for very hot pans), not suitable for prolonged outdoor or UV exposure, mid-to-premium price point.

Quartz worktops are non-porous, so liquids don’t soak in and bacteria can’t grow inside the surface. They are scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, never need sealing, are easy to clean with just soap and water, and come in a consistent range of colours and patterns including marble-effect, concrete and gold-veined designs. See our full guide to quartz worktop benefits.

Quartz is harder than granite (7 vs 6 on the Mohs scale), non-porous, and does not need sealing. Granite is porous and typically requires annual sealing to stay stain-resistant. Granite has a slight edge in extreme-heat tolerance, but for everyday domestic use the lower maintenance and consistent appearance of quartz make it the more practical choice.

Marble is a natural stone that is soft (Mohs 3–4), porous, and prone to staining and etching from acids like lemon juice or vinegar. Quartz is engineered, much harder (Mohs 7), non-porous, and stain-resistant. Many of our designs — such as Carrara White, Calacatta Portugal and Statuario Toran — are designed to give you the visual look of marble with none of its fragility.

Quartz is an engineered material made from crushed quartz combined with resin. Quartzite is a natural stone, similar in appearance to marble. Quartzite is porous and requires sealing; engineered quartz does not. Quartzite is typically more expensive per square metre.

Very. Quartz is rated 7 on the Mohs scale, harder than granite. It resists scratching from cutlery, plates and pans in normal use. Cutting boards are still recommended to protect knife edges. A well-installed quartz worktop typically lasts 25 years or more.

Quartz handles moderate heat well (warm mugs, coffee pots, pans off a low hob). However, the resin matrix can scorch or discolour under sudden extreme heat. Always use a trivet for anything just removed from an oven, grill or hot hob.

In normal use, no. Quartz is non-porous, so liquids like wine, coffee, oil and citrus juice sit on top of the surface and wipe away. For dried-on residues use a cream cleanser like Bar Keeper’s Friend Power Cream — see our care guide.

Yes — Bar Keeper’s Friend Power Cream is our recommended stain remover for stubborn marks. Use the cream version (not the powder), apply to a damp cloth, rub gently, then rinse thoroughly with clean water.

No. Bleach can damage the resin matrix and dull the polished surface. Use mild washing-up liquid for routine cleaning and a non-abrasive cream cleanser like Bar Keeper’s Friend for stubborn marks.

Daily cleaning: warm water plus a small amount of mild washing-up liquid, applied with a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge. Rinse with clean water and dry. For full guidance including stain removal, see how to clean and care for quartz worktops.

No. Quartz is permanently sealed during manufacture and never needs resealing — unlike granite or marble, which require annual sealing.

Quartz will not be damaged by a knife under normal use, but it will dull the blade. Always use a cutting board to protect your knives.

Quartz worktop pricing varies by design, slab thickness, edge profile, total square metres, and fabrication and installation cost in your region. For a quote on Expression Quartz surfaces, contact us with your project details and we will put you in touch with a fabricator in your area.

A well-installed quartz worktop typically lasts 25 years or more. Every Expression Quartz worktop is covered by a 15-year manufacturer’s warranty against defects. See our warranty page.

Standard Expression Quartz slab size is 3200 × 1600 mm. Slab thicknesses are 20 mm and 30 mm. Runs longer than 3.2 m will have a joint, which a skilled fabricator can minimise visually.

Expression Quartz worktops are produced in 20 mm and 30 mm thicknesses. 30 mm is the most common for kitchen worktops; 20 mm is often used for vanity tops, splashbacks and lighter applications.

Crushed natural quartz is blended with polymer resin and pigments, poured into a slab mould, vacuumed to remove air, compacted under 100 tonnes of pressure, and cured in a high-temperature kiln. The cured slab is then polished and quality-checked. The process is known as vacuum-vibrocompression and was originally developed by Breton in Italy.

The biggest factor is the ratio of quartz to resin. High-quality engineered quartz is around 93% quartz and 7% resin; lower-quality material can be up to 12% resin, making it more porous, softer and prone to discolouration. Expression Quartz sits in the 7–10% resin range.

Expression Quartz worktops are manufactured at our Breton-equipped factory in A Coruña, Spain, with a capacity of around 11,000 tonnes of slab per month. We supply trade and retail customers across the UK, Europe and the UAE.

Yes — our primary markets are the UK, Europe and the UAE, and we ship internationally on request. Please contact us with your project details for shipping options.

Every Expression Quartz worktop is covered by a 15-year manufacturer’s warranty against material defects. Full terms and coverage are on our warranty page.

We recommend Expression Quartz for interior installations only. Prolonged UV exposure can affect colour stability over time. For outdoor projects, a UV-stable alternative is more appropriate.

Yes — quartz works for kitchen worktops, kitchen islands, breakfast bars, full-height splashbacks, upstands, bathroom vanity tops and shower surrounds. Speak to your fabricator about edge profiles and thicknesses.