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Home & Garden Articles
Quartz Worktops
Tue 08 Dec 2009 - 08:20
Quartz Worktops
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kevin_V_Fisher]Kevin V Fisher
Quartz is one of the most prevalent minerals in the world, second only to feldspar. This silicone-based element has been used for making jewelry of precious gemstones since the beginning of man's history, due in large part to its sparkling, multi-faceted appearance. Quartz acts as a prism, emanating a rainbow of colors when light is shone upon it. This is why one finds so many quartz worktops in elegant kitchens and bathrooms, and is also why craftsmen recommend them when advising clients on interior designs.
Quartz crystals themselves can be found in a wide variety of colors, which is another reason they are so often chosen for kitchen and bathroom design schemes. Pure quartz is of a mostly transparent or translucent nature, and the various other minerals that become imbedded with quartz crystals lend a whole host of hues to the overall effect. Citrine yellow, rose, amethyst, black, white, and grey are the most basic shades in which quartz naturally appears. Other varieties of opaque gemstones that are often mixed with quartz crystals include jasper, agate, carnelian, and tiger's eye.
Quartz worktops will often be made of these more pure crystals, yet they can also be made by combining crystals with resins and other combining agents to create a super-hard surface that will resist scratches that can mar other worktop materials. Additionally, this manufacturing process further strengthens quartz' resistance to water damage, making this style of quartz worktops one of the most non-porous surfaces available.
As if quartz wasn't colorful enough in its natural state, the manufactured quartz worktops can be imbued with even more varieties of hues. Pigments can be added during the manufacturing process along with the bonding agents - the result is a selection of color shades that is unequaled in any other natural stone construction material. For this reason, quartz worktops are fast becoming the choice of kitchen and bath designers, as well as their clients, for creating any style of color scheme imaginable.
Yet another outstanding feature of manufactured quartz worktops is the variety of textures and appearance that are possible. This aspect can be controlled in the manufacturing process by using either very fine crystals for a smooth, uniform look or larger crystals for a more aggregated appearance. This is yet one more option a kitchen designer or a homeowner has available to them in their quest to create a unique and very attractive design scheme that can combine a variety of colors and textures in an overall design pattern.
Another positive aspect of quartz worktops is the ease of maintenance that is characteristic of the material. This is especially true for engineered quartz worktops, which are not only very resistant to abrasions and impact, but also resistant to substances commonly found in kitchens, such as oils and acids. Surfaces of these quartz worktops clean up admirably using ordinary household soap and water. The bonding agents that are used in the manufacturing process only add to the scratch-resistant and non-porous nature of these types of quartz worktops, which can explain why they have become so popular.
Granite Worktops supplied and installed from universal granite uk ltd, premium grade granite importers of all colours from around the world. For details visit http://www.universalgranite.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_V_Fisher http://EzineArticles.com/?Quartz-Worktops&id=3372313
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