England, Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland
Kitchen News
Luxury worktop alternatives to high-silica quartz
A few weeks ago, Herringbone, the bespoke cabinet and furniture designer, announced that they had become the first UK kitchen company to ban high-silica quartz due to the material being deemed the “next asbestos”.
With this in mind, William Durrant, owner of Herringbone, wanted to give his low-silica worktop alternatives that will make your design just as impactful, look and feel luxurious and still be durable.
Previously Herringbone stated, "In response to recent reports highlighting the health risks associated with high-silica quartz in engineered stone, Herringbone, the family run bespoke cabinet and furniture maker, is the first UK firm to announce it will be phasing out the sale of high-silica quartz worktops to its clients. This is the first company in the UK to take a stand against high-silica quartz, which is the dominant worktop material currently in the industry...
William Durrant, owner Herringbone, said “Our priority is to keep our staff, suppliers, and clients safe and so we will no longer be offering high-silica quartz options to new clients. Our stonemasons are confident that they have the strongest health and safety measures in place to protect their team and use water cutting to ensure this is safely done in their factory. However, for us these risks are not necessary when there are alternatives on the market."
UCSF
Worktop alternatives to high-silica quartz:
-
Marble: Marble is a natural stone that looks beautiful in any setting. It's durable, but high maintenance, however, with the right looking after it’s a material that will stand the test of time. It’s the main natural alternative to high-silica quartz in our opinion
-
Porcelain: Porcelain countertops are a durable and low-maintenance option. They are resistant to scratches, stains, and heat. Porcelain slabs can mimic the look of natural stone while being less porous
-
Low-silica quartz: There are so many beautiful low-silica quartz options and colours available, which are durable and much safer to engineer. These are lower than 40% and mimic natural stone
-
Dekton: This is a type of ultracompact surface material that is highly resistant to heat, scratches, and stains. It is made from a blend of raw materials, including glass, porcelain, and quartz
-
Sintered Stone: Similar to Dekton, sintered stone is an engineered material made by compacting natural minerals at high temperatures. It is durable, resistant to heat and scratches, and available in various colors and patterns
In addition, William, also shares his views on the latest worktop design trends, which will make your surfaces stand out:
Dramatic veined patterns:
-
Worktops with veined patterns, large and dramatic, add character and a wow-factor to your space. It goes really well with dark colours such as green or deep purple as they bring out the dramatic effect
Dark-coloured worktops:
-
When you bring in a dark, veined worktop like true marble, they work like a piece of art. Pairing these with a light or dark coloured cabinet will set your design apart
Matte Finishes:
-
Matte finishes on worktops provide a sleek and contemporary look. This trend contrasts with the traditional high-gloss surfaces. Noisette marble is a great example as it has an excellent finish
