Image number 32 of the current section of Clear Quartz: From Nature to Your Project in Cosentino Canada

Clear Quartz: From Nature to Your Project

Tags: Kitchen, kitchen countertop, my perfect surface | 6 years ago | Written by: Cosentino

Clear Quartz

Silestone countertop color Blanco Zeus by Cosentino

Clear quartz, also known as rock crystal, is one of the most abundant materials in the Earth’s crust. As a result, it is largely used in the design of different types of elements, such as countertops, floors, lining and furniture, and in the interior decoration and architecture industry for its hardness, stability, resistance and natural features. While years ago countertops were exclusively made from hardboard with PVC lining, marble or granite, today quartz has become one of the best alternatives to other materials, especially marble or granite. It’s also prescribed by a respectable number of professionals, interior decorators and architects in the design of their projects.

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Why is clear quartz essential in interior design?

In essence, quartz offers great advantages when used in the manufacture of countertops and linings, since clear quartz (the raw materials from which it is made) is one of the hardest materials in nature (ranked 7 out of 10 in the Mohs scale of mineral hardness). In addition to stability and resistance, quartz naturally adds value to the kitchen, by being a material that adapts to the design and personalisation of the countertop or project, enhancing the functionality of each space.

Clear Quartz

Contemporary wood kitchen with white countertop

Compared with granite, another mineral proposed for the creation of this type of element, quartz is harder, more compact and resistant. This is largely due to its process, which converts it into a more solid and consistent material.

In addition to its hardness and high resistance, another key advantage that makes it into an ideal material for countertops is its zero porosity. This essential feature prevents the formation of bacteria and increases its resistance to stains and scratches. This is possible thanks to the process quartz surfaces are subjected to, which is very similar to that of ceramics, where the mixture of materials undergoes vacuum vibro-compression treatment. Thanks to this treatment, quartz is also highly resistant to shock.

Unlike other materials, quartz also offers multiple aesthetic advantages thanks to the wide range of colours that it presents. In addition, the colour does not fade, and new designs have been created over the years to faithfully simulate different textures, such as leather or natural rocks.

Quartz is easy to clean and maintain and it is durable, resistant over time and functional – essential properties for an excellent reform project.

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Quartz variations for each application

Despite what it might look like, not all quartz materials are the same. The most common composition of quartz is of 84% to 95% rock and silica, 2% to 14% polyester resin, 1% organic pigments and 1% catalysts. However, manufacturers such as Silestone – specialising in quartz surfaces – develop their own percentages and compositions, which allows for different types of surfaces for countertops, flooring or lining, depending on the needs and characteristics of each project.

Clear QuartzEncimera Silestone color Ariel, autor Jodie Johnson

Quartz is undoubtedly prevailing in the market as the most in demand material. Kitchen, bathroom and interior decor design have an increasing need for materials that are renowned for their hardness, resistance and versatility – essential qualities for such surfaces.

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