Kitchen countertops are among the most utilized areas in any residential space. Therefore, it is essential to choose a material that offers great hygiene and enhances the area’s overall functionality. When we search for one of the best materials for a kitchen countertop, quartz is the top choice. around the world for several reasons, but do you know how quartz is made?
Usually, quartz countertops are made of engineered quartz material and are best known for perfectly mimicking the natural stone’s look, specifically the Calcutta and Carrara ranges of marble slabs series. It is a highly strong material that makes any countertop highly durable and aesthetically pleasing. They are also hygienic and highly resistant to scratches and stains, but have you ever wondered how are quartz countertops made?
If this question hits your mind too, then you are in the right place, as in this blog we are going to learn in detail about how are quartz counters made. Let’s cover a quartz’s countertop journey from a raw material to a finished product that you use in your house. So let’s begin the learning.
Sourcing the Raw Materials
a. Quartz:
If you are thinking about how is quartz made, then engineered quartz stone is crafted using natural quartz minerals, which are abundant natural stones that can be formed in igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, and hydrothermal veins. It forms from silicon dioxide and oxygen. This material can be found in almost every country and comes in various types, such as smokey, rose, and much more, which helps in creating a more uniform material.
b. Resins and Pigments:
Resin is an essential element in the manufacturing of quartz, as it works as a binding particle during the process. Resins such as polyester and acrylic are used as a liquid material with other minerals in a powder, which later hardens and makes the material more durable, dense, and strong. On the other hand, pigments are used to create patterns, designs, and a wide range of colors on quartz stone‘s surface.
How are quartz counters made? The Manufacturing Process
Now let’s learn the step-by-step guide for the manufacturing of quartz countertops:
a. Crushing and Grinding:
In the process of learning how are quartz counters made, the first step includes the crushing and grinding of raw quartz mineral till it becomes like sand. It reduces the actual size of quartz into a powder. There are various methods used during the crushing and grinding, such as the use of raw crushers, hammers, cross crushers, ball mills, and much more to produce a fine mineral in the end.
b. Mixing:
The second step you need to know to understand how quartz is made is mixing. It is one of the most important processes, as all the materials are thoroughly mixed in a set ratio so that a uniform look and slab is created. In this process, first the quartz powder is cleaned to remove any impurities from it, and then it gets mixed with resins and pigments, which are the design and color minerals.
“Do you know how is quartz made?
The engineered quartz is made up of more than 90% natural quartz mineral mixed with other materials such as resins and pigments.”
c. Vacuuming:
Usually natural stones have a non-porous surface, and to remove this, we use vacuuming during quartz manufacturing. This process of vacuuming takes place under very high temperature to have great compaction, and a vacuum is usually placed in the mixture when it’s being molded into slabs to remove any bubbles or particles from the mixture effectively.
d. Vibrating and Compacting:
When all the raw minerals are mixed together in a fine base, then the compacting of this mixture takes place with the help of the vibrating method. Usually, this process lasts for around 100 seconds under almost 100 tonnes of pressure to ensure the uniformity and required density of the material. The vibration method used during the process helps in easy compaction and desired porosity removal.
e. Curing:
In this step we will know how quartz is made with the help of curing, which includes heating the mixture in a kiln at a very high temperature for a specified period of time. This is the main step that converts a mixture into a solid slab. Curing is when the patterns and colors take place on the surface of the stone.
f. Polishing:
As the name suggests, this is the final process during quartz manufacturing that gives the quartz slab a smooth and polished surface. Polishing includes using various methods to permanently give quartz the desired finish. It also helps in making the surface shiny and smooth.
Design and customization options available
Now that you understand how are quartz counters made, it’s time to know how many design and customization benefits it offers you.
a. Color and pattern options:
Being engineered with utmost detailing and precision, quartz countertops offer various design and patterning options and can perfectly mimic any natural stone’s look, like porcelain slabs. From solid colors to light shades and patterns ranging from veins and sparkles to strikes, quartz offers an array of options to choose from.
b. Edge Profiles
You know what makes a slab different from others when it comes to quartz countertops that offer a uniform look: their edge profile. How the edges are made is what sets how it will look or how differently it will be portrayed. So it can also be customized as per the request.
Quality control and sustainability measures followed during manufacturing process
This section will further get you through how quartz countertops are made to ensure the quality and sustainability.
a. Quality Assurance:
When you get quartz slabs or countertops from a reputable company like MPG Stone, then it is assured that you are getting the best quality material. To ensure that the best is delivered to all, the finest quality machinery and raw materials are used to produce the fine products.
b. Environmental Considerations:
Do you know how quartz is made keeping the environment in mind? Quartz countertops, as we discussed before, are crafted with recycled quartz, which reduces the need for mining any other new raw materials that helps in saving a lot of energy and resources. Additionally, when we include the natural quartz during the process, it also helps in preserving the natural resources.
How are quartz counters made and installed?
Now that we have understood the process of how is quartz made, now it’s time to know the installation process along with its maintenance.
a. Professional Installation:
When it comes to installing quartz countertops, it is recommended to go for the professional installation, as it ensures that your countertop is installed using the fine process and offers the effectiveness and longevity that is demanded and desired. If installed well, a quartz countertop can also last for even decades and more, like limestone slabs and any other natural stone.
b. Easy Maintenance:
Being engineered to precision, quartz countertops offer ease in cleaning and maintenance properties, which makes them highly popular among designers and homeowners. It can be easily cleaned using mild detergent or soap, and it also offers great resistance to stains and scratches as well.
Conclusion
So to conclude how are quartz countertops made, we can say that they are majorly made of more than 90% natural quartz mineral and some resins and pigments. These raw materials are then mixed together to form a solid base and then go through a process of crushing, mixing, vacuuming, compacting, curing, and then polishing.
Quartz countertops are highly strong and durable, which is the primary reason behind their popularity among architects and designers for their projects. It also offers several benefits, including hygiene and resistance to stains and scratches like granite slabs.
So we hope that now you know how are quartz countertops made. So what are you still waiting for? Get this beautiful and durable stone now and change the look of your kitchen and bathroom area by using it as a countertop or vanity top. And if you are looking for a highly strong and beautiful quartz countertop that exudes the best quality, then don’t forget to browse our collection of quartz slabs.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Purnima Kaushik is a seasoned content writer and editor with over a decade of experience in the stone and real estate industries. As a leading voice at MPG Stone, she shares insights on installment processes, project insights, design guides, and much more
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