Are Quartz Worktops Worth It? - London 2025

You're standing in your kitchen, leaning against counters that have seen better days, and wondering if it's finally time for something new. Maybe you've been scrolling through kitchen renovations online, noticing how many of them feature those sleek, stone-like surfaces. Quartz worktops keep popping up, and you're curious: are they actually worth the investment, or is it just clever marketing?

Quick take: Quartz worktops offer a brilliant combination of durability, style, and low maintenance that makes them one of the most popular choices for London kitchens. They're engineered stone surfaces that resist stains and scratches, never need sealing, and come in countless designs. While they're a premium option (expect £1,500-£5,000 for most London kitchens), their longevity and ease of care make them a solid investment for homeowners who want a kitchen that works beautifully and lasts. The main trade-off? They're not heat-proof, so you'll need trivets for hot pans.

What Quartz Worktops are (and aren't)

Let's clear something up straight away: quartz worktops aren't pure natural stone. They're engineered stone, made from about 90% ground natural quartz minerals mixed with roughly 10% polymer resins and pigments. The result is a material that looks and feels like stone but is non-porous, uniform, and exceptionally durable.

It's worth noting that "quartz" worktops and "quartzite" are completely different. Quartzite is 100% natural stone, whereas quartz is man-made. Quartz also differs from solid-surface materials like Corian, which can be poured or molded, whereas quartz comes in large slabs that are cut to fit. In short, quartz gives you the luxury feel of stone with the consistency and low maintenance of a manufactured material.

Key Benefits of Quartz

There's a reason quartz has become such a popular choice for kitchen installations across London. The benefits go beyond just looking good.

Quartz worktops are extremely hard and resilient, naturally resistant to scratches, abrasions, and chips from normal use. Their dense, non-porous composition makes them highly stain-resistant and they don't harbor bacteria, making them very hygienic for food preparation. Unlike natural stones, quartz never needs sealing or periodic reconditioning, which is a massive plus for busy households.

The material is also consistent in colour and pattern. When you choose a sample, the installed slabs will match almost exactly. Additionally, quartz comes with lengthy warranties from manufacturers, reflecting its durability. Perhaps most appealing is the design selection: quartz is available in a huge range of colours and styles, including options that mimic marble or granite. Whether you're after a sleek IKEA kitchen or a traditional Howdens design, there's a quartz finish to match.

Colours, Styles, and Finishes

Quartz worktops come in a vast array of colours and patterns. From pure whites and soft greys to bold blacks or even reds, there's something for every taste. Manufacturers can mimic natural materials with remarkable accuracy. Some quartz designs closely resemble marble veining or granite speckles, while others present solid modern tones or concrete-style looks.

The surface finish can also be chosen to suit your taste: high-gloss polished for light reflection, matte honed for a softer look, or textured surfaces for a tactile feel. Recently, there's been a trend toward lighter-coloured worktops instead of traditional dark granites, and many quartz brands offer plenty of light options that fit contemporary styles. Whether you're fitting a Wren kitchen or a B&Q kitchen, the variety means you're not limited in your design choices.

Durability: Heat, Stains, Scratches, Chips

Quartz worktops are renowned for handling daily wear and tear. The material is extremely hard, ranking high on the Mohs hardness scale, making it very resistant to scratching or abrasion. Normal kitchen activities like chopping or sliding pots and pans are unlikely to damage a quartz surface.

It's also highly chip-resistant. Quartz slabs have inherent flexibility thanks to the resin binders, making them less prone to cracking than brittle natural stone. That said, it's wise to use cutting boards for food prep. While quartz is scratch-resistant, cutting directly on it could dull your knives, and very aggressive force might leave light marks.

One vulnerability of quartz is heat. The resin binders can be damaged by high temperatures. While quartz is somewhat heat-resistant, it's not heat-proof. Placing a red-hot pan directly on a quartz worktop can scorch or discolor the surface, or even melt the resin, leaving a permanent burn mark. Always use trivets or hot pads under hot cookware.

For stains, quartz's non-porous nature means it resists most staining agents well. Common spills like wine or coffee won't soak in and typically wipe away without a trace. Unlike granite or marble, quartz never requires sealing. However, avoid prolonged exposure to harsh chemicals or strong dyes, as these could temporarily discolor the resin if left sitting. With basic care to protect from extreme heat, quartz maintains its appearance for many years.

Quartz Worktop Costs in London

Quartz worktops are a premium product, and their price in London reflects that. Costs vary based on brand, style, and kitchen complexity, but it's helpful to have ballpark figures.

For an average kitchen's quartz worktop (around 5 meters), expect to pay about £800 for the quartz itself on a supply-only basis. This is for standard slab thickness and mid-range design, excluding installation. When you factor in professional templating, fabrication, and fitting, you're looking at roughly £375 per square meter as the fully installed cost.

Entry-level quartz options could start around £500-£600 for a small countertop, while high-end brands or larger kitchens with complex layouts can run to £1,000+ per linear meter. London prices are often at the higher end due to labour and overhead costs.

For installation, labour charges in the UK tend to range from about £80 to £130 per square meter for stone worktop fitting, with London typically on the upper side. It's also important to budget for extra features and custom work, such as sink and hob cut-outs, under-mount sink installations, drainer grooves, and special edge profiles, which all add to the overall cost.

In summary, outfitting a London kitchen with quartz will typically run from the low thousands into several thousand pounds. While that's a significant investment, many homeowners feel the combination of beauty, durability, and low maintenance that quartz provides is well worth the cost. Whether you're working with us on a kitchen in North London, South London, East London, or West London, we can help you understand exactly what your project will cost.

Fitting Basics: Templating, Joins, Cut-outs, Timelines

Installing a quartz worktop is a carefully planned process. After your base cabinets are installed and level, the first step is templating. Installers take precise measurements of your countertops using physical templates or digital laser systems, capturing exact dimensions, corner angles, cut-out positions for sinks and hobs, and desired overhangs. This ensures the custom-cut quartz will fit perfectly.

After templating, the project moves to fabrication. Your chosen quartz slab is sent to the workshop where it's cut according to the template, edges are finished, and required holes are drilled. This off-site process can take a few days to a couple of weeks depending on the fabricator's schedule and job complexity.

On installation day, professionals deliver the pre-cut quartz pieces and position each section onto your cabinets. Where two pieces meet, they create a join, aligning pieces tightly and securing the seam with colour-matched epoxy or resin. While you'll usually see a fine line at the join, placement is planned strategically at corners or near sinks where they're less noticeable. All major cut-outs are done in the factory for accuracy.

After slabs are in place, the team seals the perimeter with caulk where the countertop meets walls, polishes edges, and cleans up. On-site installation typically takes 3-6 hours for most kitchens. From templating to installation, expect around one to two weeks, though larger projects may take longer. Once installed, the worktop is ready for light use almost immediately, though contractors often advise waiting 24 hours before heavy use.

Cleaning and Care

One big selling point of quartz worktops is their ease of maintenance. Day-to-day cleaning is simple: use a soft cloth or sponge with warm water and mild dish soap. For most messes, this gentle routine keeps the countertop sparkling. Because quartz is non-porous, it doesn't require sealing treatments and won't absorb liquids or stains during normal use.

Abrasive cleaners or pads should be avoided, as these can dull the finish. Very harsh chemicals like bleach aren't recommended on quartz because they can break down the resin binders or cause discoloration. For disinfecting, use a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution or pH-neutral cleaner instead.

Avoid highly acidic or alkaline cleaners like vinegar, oven cleaner, or bleach-based sprays. Wipe up spills relatively promptly, especially potent pigments like beetroot juice, turmeric, or red wine, though in most cases even those won't leave a mark. With these simple practices, your quartz worktop will stay beautiful and glossy for many years.

Final Thoughts: Are Quartz Worktops Right for You?

Quartz has become one of the most popular countertop materials for modern kitchens, and for good reason. It offers an attractive combination of style and practicality. If you value a countertop that looks elegant but is also easy to live with, quartz delivers a high-end appearance without ongoing maintenance issues. No sealing, less worry about stains, and a surface built to last.

For busy families or avid cooks, quartz's durability is a real advantage. It resists stains, scratches, and bacteria, so you can focus on enjoying your kitchen. The variety of colours and patterns also means you'll likely find a quartz that fits your design vision. At London Kitchen Fitting, we've fitted countless quartz worktops across the city and seen how they transform kitchens into spaces that feel both luxurious and liveable.

That said, consider a couple of trade-offs. While quartz can mimic natural stone, it lacks the unique, random patterns of natural granite. If having a one-of-a-kind natural material is a priority, you may prefer real stone. Another consideration is heat: quartz handles normal kitchen temperatures but isn't as heat-proof as granite, so you'll need trivets for hot pans.

For most indoor kitchens, these drawbacks are minor. Quartz provides a luxurious feel and adds real estate value while being low-maintenance. The upfront cost is higher than alternatives like laminate, but you're getting a material that'll last decades. For homeowners seeking a balance of beauty, durability, and convenience, quartz worktops are absolutely worth considering.

If you'd like to discuss quartz worktops for your project, get in touch with us or learn more about our approach.

Quartz Worktop FAQs

Are quartz worktops manmade or natural?

Quartz worktops are engineered (manmade) stone, typically consisting of around 90% natural quartz aggregates combined with roughly 10% resins and pigments. While the quartz mineral is natural, the countertop is a manufactured product.

Do quartz worktops need to be sealed?

No. Unlike porous stones such as granite or marble, quartz is non-porous and doesn't require sealing. The surface is inherently impervious to liquids thanks to the resin binders.

Will quartz worktops stain?

In general, quartz worktops are highly stain-resistant. The non-porous surface won't absorb spills, and things like coffee, wine, or oil typically wipe off without leaving a mark. Very potent staining agents could possibly leave light discoloration if left for a long time, but prompt cleanup ensures your quartz stays spotless.

Can I put hot pans on a quartz worktop?

It's not recommended. Quartz counters are heat-resistant to a point but not heat-proof. Excessive heat can scorch the resin, and placing a hot pan directly on quartz can burn or discolor the surface, causing a permanent mark. Always use a trivet or hot pad.

Do quartz worktops scratch or chip easily?

No, one of quartz's strong points is its durability. Quartz is very hard (rating around 7 on the Mohs hardness scale), so it's quite scratch-resistant and less likely to chip than many natural stones. Daily use won't damage it. That said, use a cutting board to protect both the surface and your knives. Heavy impacts like dropping a cast-iron pot on an edge could cause a chip, but such instances are uncommon and often repairable.

How do I clean a quartz worktop?

Quartz worktops are very easy to clean. Use warm water and mild dish soap with a soft cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals and bleach, as these can damage the resin or scratch the finish. For disinfecting, use a diluted isopropyl alcohol solution. With regular wiping and mild cleaners, your quartz will stay shiny and hygienic.

How much do quartz worktops cost?

Generally quartz is a premium-priced material. In the UK, the cost for a typical quartz worktop including installation averages around £375 per square meter. A standard kitchen countertop (around 5m) might cost £800-£1,500+ for the quartz itself, plus labour for fitting. It's more expensive than laminate or wood, but seen as a long-term investment in quality.