PROPERTIES FOR AN EXCELLENT QUARTZ COUNTERTOP PART 2

Engineered Quartz Countertop Durability

Engineered quartz surfaces are considered to be a durable material and are often used for countertops. But why is that the case? We need to revisit the properties we mentioned earlier to answer that question.

Hardness and scratch resistance go hand in hand. And these are the properties that contribute to the durability of engineered quartz. Scratch-resistant countertops are an advantage in the kitchen because sharp utensils are so frequently used on them. That is not to say that engineered quartz surfaces should be used to cut up vegetables or other foods. Most engineered quartz manufacturers include instructions to use cutting boards when preparing foods. Yet, scratch resistance does help.

Another part of the durability of engineered quartz is its stain resistance. This too is tied to a property of the material. The non-porous nature of engineered stone allows countertops made from this material to be easily cleaned. Additionally, engineered quartz does not require sealers to protect it from absorbing liquids. So does that mean that engineered quartz is indestructible? No, it does require care and maintenance. Let's see how to care for these materials.

Care & Maintenance of Quartz Counters

Even though engineered quartz surfaces are very durable, they can still require some specific care. For example, manufacturers of engineered quartz often include in the instructions they need for wiping up water and not allowing liquids to dry on the surface. One of the stains that occur on engineered quartz is limescale. Limescale is made up of mineral deposits that can be very difficult to remove with just soap and water. Acidic limescale remover is an effective way to remove this kind of stain.

Daily cleaning is best done using a specially formulated cleanser on engineered quartz surfaces. Why? because there are cleaners with pH levels that will react with the material and damage it. So, use cleaners designed for use on engineered quartz and follow the instructions on the cleaner's container.

Are Quartz Counters Right for You?

Whether to choose engineered quartz for a kitchen countertop is a personal decision. However, if it is chosen, the owner will get the best performance by caring for it appropriately.

As we have seen, there are a few things to know about "quartz". We looked at how it can be used in a couple of different contexts. We also got a look at properties that make engineered quartz desirable for kitchen countertop use. Finally, we have taken a look at what to keep in mind when caring for and maintaining countertops of engineered quartz. Keeping these important facts in mind will afford owners of engineered quartz the best results.

The importance of having adequate equipment to cut dekton and porcelain

Dekton, among other alternative stone materials, continues to grow in popularity for applications such as countertops, flooring, and both interior and exterior wall cladding. Being a hard dense product, it is crucial to use appropriate tooling during the fabrication process. Carlos Sustaita, production director for STA Granite, provides several important tips of advice for those working with compact sintered stone.

Why do products such as Dekton need special/different tools than those that are used for cutting granite and marble?

Material hardness is the key to understanding why you need different tools to fabricate Dekton. The material has a

very high density (ultra-compact), which means that if you don’t use proper tools, you can either break the tool or the material or even worse, damage the machinery.

The cutting process requires trimming the edges to release tensions. Then you have to follow cutting recommendations, which include using plenty of water, the proper speed, feed rate, etc. Once you follow the rules, it’s a piece of cake.

When doing edging on Dekton, What is the difference in the process compared to a natural stone?

In this sense, Dekton’s edge is very easy to work with since the material is very homogeneous, and it is easy to get very good results. Any fabricator can do it well on the first attempt.

What are some common mistakes that fabricators are making when it comes to cutting this material? And, what are some common mistakes with doing edging or doing sinkholes or something?

The main mistake is trying to fabricate Dekton as if it was a granite or quartz composite. You will fail if you use the same tools, speed rates, and so on. Another common mistake is trying to cut Dekton in uneven support. It is a common source of problems too.

Sometimes people ask about what machine is best to cut Dekton. I believe the key is not the machine but the tools and proper maintenance. I have seen people with very modest equipment doing amazing things and the other way around.

7 Keys for Cutting Ultra-Compact and Sintered Dekton and Porcelain Materials

1. Water

It may seem too simple or too intuitive to matter, but less than adequate water AND hoses positioned incorrectly is the most common error causing headaches among cutting these materials.

2. Check your table level

One of the more overlooked aspects of successful cutting is, to the degree that your table is not level in the horizontal plane, vibrations will occur. This unevenness can result in chipping and likely breaking the edge of your slab.

3. Buy the right blade

As cliche, as it may sound, choosing the right blade for the material you are processing, is critical.

4. Removing tensioning strips

While each manufacturer of ultra-compact and sintered porcelain materials may, or may not have tensioning strips built into the perimeters of each slab, if they are not removed before cutting, the slab is at higher risk of cracking or breaking.

5. Feed rate and RPMs

Using the same feed rate and RPMs you may be accustomed to when cutting other materials can be a recipe for trouble. Unlike fabricating more common materials such as marble and granite, we’ve seen the most success cutting ultra-compact and sintered porcelain materials when following a systemized approach is used.

6. Avoiding Plunging

While plunge cutting tends to be of little concern for most sawyers when cutting ultra-compact and sintered porcelain materials it can pose big problems resulting in cracking or breaking your slab.

7. Cutting Sinks

Projects requiring a sink cut-out can be an obstacle many fabricators dread. Since we already know plunging is not the ideal way to go about this, what are your options? When preparing a sink cut-out, it is advised to drill each of the four corners with a 1/2” core bit before to start initiating cutting.