Future of Trade 2024 - Decoupled and Reconfigured - Snapshot Report
How Quartz Countertops are Made?
1. How Quartz Countertops Are Made
Quartz is one of the strongest materials on the planet, which makes it
ideal for your new countertop space. The durability, customizability and
beauty of quartz make it a designer's and a homeowner's dream.
2. Quartz Basics
Quartz is the second most commonly found mineral on earth, and some
varieties of it are considered semi-precious gemstones. It forms a
crystalline structure that usually is hexagonal in shape. Quartz forms
with many different colors, but the most commonly used quartz for
countertops is usually whitish or clear.
3. At the Quarry
Quartz is mined on every inhabited continent on earth. To get to the
quartz, heavy machinery and explosives are used to break through
any ground or stone blocking access. Once the quartz is exposed,
mining is a simple process.
4. Grinding
Unlike other stone countertop materials, quartz does not
come in large sheets, so manmade processing is necessary to
make it into a solid slab. A fine grind allows for a more
uniform appearance to the counter, whereas a larger grind
allows the countertop to have more sparkle and depth.
5. Mixing with Resin
The ground up quartz is now mixed with a coloring agent and
a small amount of resin to create a hard countertop surface.
The amount of color and resin is minimal: only around 3% of
a quartz countertop is anything other than pure quartz.
6. Slab Formation
Once mixing is complete, the quartz material is pressed into a
mold and then cured in an oven. Molding can be customized to
allow for the consumer to determine an edging style and the
counter's dimensions.At this point, it already has a glossy
finish and just needs whatever sink, stove, faucet or fixture
holes made before installation.
7. Installation
Once the appropriate fixture holes have been made, your
quartz countertop is ready to be installed in your home. Most
quartz manufacturers only guarantee work that is
professionally installed, so it is recommended that you have a
professional install your new quartz countertop.