Quartz Countertop Issues: Why buying cheap is a risk

As the popularity of quartz has risen over recent years, so has the demand. And this has led to a flood of cheap yet problematic worktops being imported from China. While they may look similar, the quality often differs, resulting in a range of common quartz countertop issues.

In this article, we look at the problems that can arise with Chinese quartz and show you why cutting costs may be more expensive in the long run.

Quartz Manufacturing: What You Need to Know About Country of Origin

You could be forgiven for assuming that for a worktop to be called quartz, it must be made 100% from natural quartz stone. But that’s not the case.

Quartz surfaces are an engineered stone. They’re made from ground down quartz minerals that are bonded together by a resin. And getting the quartz to resin ratio right, combined with the right manufacturing process, makes all the difference when it comes to the final quality of the material.

In Europe and the US, quartz worktops contain at least 93% quartz and 7% resin. This ratio is the sweet spot that makes them so durable. Not enough quartz and the surface won’t perform as well. Too much and the worktop will be brittle.

But regulations in China aren’t the same as the EU. Unbranded quartz from China can contain as little as 60% quartz and as much as 40% resin. And it’s these high levels of resin that cause most of the quartz countertop issues.

Common Quartz Countertop Issues: Quality and Performance

Buying unbranded quartz worktops can be a gamble, so it’s best to be aware of the common quartz countertop issues that can arise in imported worktops from outside of the EU and US:

Quartz Countertop Issues: Quality Concerns

Resin pooling
When too much resin is used, it can be distributed unevenly and settle in pools across the surface. This causes dark spots which affect its overall appearance.

Bent worktops
Too much resin provides too much flexibility in the material which results is bending during transportation. This can make the installation very difficult or even impossible.

Different colours
Good quality engineered quartz has a very uniform colour and pattern. So, if you order more than one slab, you can be confident they’ll match. This isn’t always the case with cheaper options and you could end up with two slabs side by side that are different shades.

Colour changes after installation
Dye inconsistencies and the higher levels of resin can affect the colour pigmentation. When this happens, worktops can change colour after installation.

Inconsistent thickness
Another common problem with cheaper quartz alternatives is that the slab thickness can vary, and the worktop thickness you ordered isn’t necessarily what you’ll get. A thinner slab won’t be as durable, and a thicker slab may not fit your kitchen correctly.

Strong chemical smells
In Europe and the US, there are strict regulations about the type of chemicals that can be used in worktops because they’re in contact with food. But standards outside of these origins are different, so some of the chemicals used in production may not fall under the same restrictions. You may also find that your worktop emits a strong chemical smell that can last for a year or more.

If you’re lucky, you might get a worktop that looks fantastic and doesn’t show signs of any of these problems. But once your worktop is installed, there could still be performance problems.

Quartz Countertop Issues: Performance Risks

Less resistant to stains
Because of their high quartz content, quality branded quartz worktops are non-porous, which makes them stain resistant. However, the low quartz content and high resin levels in unbranded quartz worktops make the surface porous. This means that anything that’s spilt can be absorbed quickly and is more likely to leave a stain.

Less resistant to scratches
Quality quartz worktops can withstand everyday scratches and scrapes easily. Although it’s always a good idea to protect the surface when you’re cutting with knives. But quartz worktops with high levels of resin are much softer and will scratch more easily.

Prone to melting and scorching
While branded quartz worktops aren’t heatproof (we recommend using a trivet for hot pans), they do have a certain level of heat protection for short periods. But when it comes to quartz worktops with a high amount of resin, there’s very little protection at all, so melting and scorching are common.

They won’t last as long
High-quality quartz worktops are known for being extremely durable and long-lasting. And that durability is underpinned by generous manufacturer’s warranties. Silestone and Caesarstone quartz worktops, for example, come with a 25-year warranty. Unbranded quartz worktops will deteriorate at a much quicker rate, and it’s unlikely you’ll be offered a warranty at all.

Branded versus unbranded quartz worktops

In summary, branded quartz worktops, made in the UK or Europe, are durable, consistent and reliable. You can trust their quality and performance and have peace of mind that they’re underpinned by long warranties.

While you may pay less for an unbranded quartz worktop, the pay-off is poor quality, poor performance and potentially a worktop that looks awful. And with no warranty to fall back on when things go wrong, you’ll either have to put up with what you’ve got or pay-out again.

Our advice is to always check where your worktop is made, choose a reputable branded quartz over an unbranded option, and ensure your retailer prioritises safety, quality, and due diligence to avoid common quartz countertop issues with non-EU and US imported products.

SEH Interiors have over 10 years of experience supplying and fitting premium-quality kitchen countertops at affordable prices across the UK.
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