Quartz FAQs How To Maintain Quartz Worktops Quartz is one of the easiest worktops to maintain. Here is the complete care routine that keeps it looking perfect for decades. Get a Quote 01234 348590 Home » Quartz FAQs » How To Maintain Quartz Worktops PM Precious Marble Team Quartz worktop specialists in Bedford with over […]
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Quartz FAQs How To Cut Quartz Worktop Quartz is cut using diamond blades and CNC machinery in specialist workshops. Here is exactly how the process works and why professional cutting matters. Get a Quote 01234 348590 Home » Quartz FAQs » How To Cut Quartz Worktop PM Precious Marble Team Quartz worktop specialists in Bedford […]
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Quartz FAQs How To Maintain Quartz Worktops Quartz is one of the easiest worktops to maintain. Here is the complete care routine that keeps it looking perfect for decades. Get a Quote 01234 348590 Home » Quartz FAQs » How To Maintain Quartz Worktops PM Precious Marble Team Quartz worktop specialists in Bedford with over […]
https://preciousmarble.co.uk/cb/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/precious-marble-logo-1-300x62.png00Evelyn Oralhttps://preciousmarble.co.uk/cb/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/precious-marble-logo-1-300x62.pngEvelyn Oral2026-04-13 08:34:212026-04-17 06:43:46How To Maintain Quartz Worktops
Quartz FAQs How To Cut Quartz Worktop Quartz is cut using diamond blades and CNC machinery in specialist workshops. Here is exactly how the process works and why professional cutting matters. Get a Quote 01234 348590 Home » Quartz FAQs » How To Cut Quartz Worktop PM Precious Marble Team Quartz worktop specialists in Bedford […]
https://preciousmarble.co.uk/cb/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/precious-marble-logo-1-300x62.png00Evelyn Oralhttps://preciousmarble.co.uk/cb/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/precious-marble-logo-1-300x62.pngEvelyn Oral2026-04-13 08:26:572026-04-17 06:43:59How To Cut Quartz Worktop
Quartz maintenance is remarkably simple. The complete routine is: wipe daily with warm soapy water, use trivets under hot pans, use chopping boards for cutting and avoid bleach. That is it. No sealing. No oiling. No professional treatments. No specialist products. Quartz is designed to look after itself which is one of the biggest reasons Bedford homeowners choose it over natural stone.
Why Quartz Is So Easy to Maintain
The low maintenance requirements of quartz are not a marketing claim. They are a direct consequence of how the material is engineered. Understanding this helps explain why quartz needs so little attention compared to natural stone or wood.
Non-porous surface. Because quartz has a water absorption rate below 0.05% liquids cannot penetrate the surface. This eliminates the need for sealing (which granite and marble require) and means bacteria cannot harbour within the material.
Integral polish. The polished finish is ground into the actual surface of the material during manufacturing. It is not a coating, lacquer or wax that wears away. This means you never need to re-polish or apply any surface treatments.
Colour stability. The pigments in quartz are embedded within the resin matrix. They do not fade, bleach or wash out under normal indoor conditions. Your worktop will be the same colour in 20 years as it is today.
Extreme hardness. Scoring 7 on the Mohs scale quartz resists scratching from everyday kitchen items. This means the surface does not develop the wear patterns that make laminate and wood worktops look tired over time.
The 5 Daily Habits That Matter
These five simple habits are all you need to keep quartz worktops in perfect condition for their entire 25–30 year lifespan. They take seconds to follow and cost virtually nothing.
1. Wipe down after cooking. A quick wipe with a damp microfibre cloth and a drop of washing-up liquid removes all food residue and splatters. Rinse the cloth and wipe again with clean water. Dry with a clean cloth if you want to prevent water spots.
2. Use trivets under hot pans. This is the single most important maintenance habit. Keep a silicone trivet next to your hob at all times. Grabbing a trivet when you pick up a pan should become automatic. A £10 trivet set protects a £2,000+ investment.
3. Use chopping boards for cutting. While quartz is hard enough to resist most knife blades the board protects your knives and prevents any possibility of fine surface marks in heavily used areas.
4. Clean up coloured spills promptly. Coffee, tea and wine will not stain quartz if wiped up within a reasonable time. Turmeric and beetroot deserve quicker attention on light surfaces but even these are manageable if you do not leave them overnight.
5. Use only pH-neutral cleaners. Warm soapy water is perfect for daily cleaning. Avoid bleach, oven cleaner and anything with a pH above 10 or below 3. See our detailed guide on how to clean quartz countertops for specific product recommendations.
Maintenance Comparison by Material
To appreciate just how low-maintenance quartz is here is a side-by-side comparison of what different worktop materials demand over their lifetimes.
Task
Quartz
Granite
Marble
Solid Wood
Daily cleaning
Soapy water
Soapy water
pH-neutral only
Damp cloth only
Sealing
Never
Every 1–2 yrs
Every 6–12 mths
N/A
Oiling
Never
N/A
N/A
Every 3–6 mths
Re-polishing
Never
Rarely
Every 3–5 yrs
Sanding every 5–10 yrs
Specialist products
None needed
Sealant (£15–£40)
Sealant + polish
Oil (£10–£20)
20-year maintenance cost
£0
£150–£400
£600–£2,000
£200–£600
Annual time commitment
~2 mins/day only
2 mins/day + 1 hr/yr seal
2 mins/day + 2 hrs/yr seal
2 mins/day + 4–8 hrs/yr oil
What Not to Do
Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to do. Most quartz damage we see at Precious Marble is caused by well-meaning homeowners using the wrong cleaning products or placing hot items directly on the surface.
Do not place hot pans directly on the surface. Quartz tolerates moderate warmth but pans from the hob or oven (200°C+) can damage the resin. Always use a trivet.
Do not use bleach or bleach-based cleaners. Bleach degrades the polymer resin causing permanent yellowing and haziness that cannot be reversed.
Do not use scouring pads or steel wool. These scratch the polished surface. Always use soft microfibre cloths or non-abrasive sponges.
Do not apply stone sealant. Quartz does not need sealing. Applying sealant creates a film that yellows and wears unevenly.
Do not drag heavy objects across the surface. Lift pots, pans and appliances rather than sliding them. Cast iron and unglazed ceramic can leave transfer marks.
Do not use the worktop as a cutting surface. Always use a chopping board. Cutting directly on quartz dulls your knives rapidly.
Seasonal Maintenance Checklist
While quartz does not need regular scheduled maintenance a quick seasonal check helps catch small issues before they become bigger. Here is a simple checklist to run through every three to six months.
Check the silicone joints. Look at the silicone bead where the worktop meets the wall, upstand and splashback. If you see any cracking, peeling or gaps the silicone should be re-applied to prevent water getting behind the worktop. This is a quick DIY job with a tube of kitchen silicone.
Inspect the section joints. If your worktop has visible joins between sections check that they are still tight and flush. A slight opening at a joint can indicate thermal movement stress. Contact your fabricator if you notice any changes.
Clean under appliances. Slide your kettle, toaster and other countertop appliances aside and clean the area underneath. Moisture and crumbs can accumulate in these spots.
Deep clean with cream cleaner. Give the entire surface a once-over with a non-abrasive cream cleaner. This removes any built-up residue that daily cleaning might miss. Pay attention to the area around the hob where grease splatters accumulate over time.
The 2-Minute Rule
The total daily time commitment for quartz maintenance is approximately 2 minutes. That is one quick wipe after cooking. Compare this to solid wood (which needs oiling every few months and sanding every few years) or marble (which needs regular sealing and careful handling of acidic foods) and the appeal of quartz becomes very clear.
When to Call a Professional
In the vast majority of cases you will never need professional maintenance for quartz worktops. However there are a few situations where specialist help is worthwhile.
Deep scratches. If a scratch catches your fingernail it is deeper than surface level and may benefit from professional polishing with fine abrasive compounds. Typical cost: £80–£200.
Chips on edges. Small chips can sometimes be filled with colour-matched epoxy by a stone repair specialist. The repair is usually invisible once finished. Typical cost: £50–£150 per chip.
Heat damage marks. Professional polishing can sometimes improve minor heat discolouration. Severe thermal damage is usually permanent.
Joint separation. If a join between sections opens up this indicates a stress issue (possibly missing expansion gaps) that needs assessment by the original fabricator.
If you ever need advice on maintaining or repairing your quartz worktop the team at Precious Marble in Bedford is always happy to help. Call us on 01234 348590 for free guidance.
Choose the Lowest-Maintenance Worktop Available
Explore our full range of quartz worktops with free templating and professional installation across Bedfordshire.
A worktop that looks after itself is a worktop worth investing in. Visit our quartz worktops Bedford page to see colours and request a free no-obligation quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much maintenance do quartz worktops need?
Quartz worktops need very little maintenance. A daily wipe with warm soapy water is all that is required. Quartz never needs sealing, oiling, polishing or any professional maintenance treatments. It is one of the lowest-maintenance worktop materials available.
Do quartz worktops need to be polished over time?
No. The polished finish on quartz is created during manufacturing and is part of the material itself. It does not wear away with normal use. As long as you avoid abrasive cleaners and scouring pads the original factory shine will last the lifetime of the worktop.
What are the most important habits for maintaining quartz?
The three most important habits are: always use a trivet under hot pans, always use a chopping board for cutting and clean with warm soapy water rather than harsh chemicals. These three habits will keep your quartz looking new for 25 years or more.
Can quartz worktops be professionally restored if damaged?
Minor surface scratches and light marks can often be improved by a professional stone restoration specialist. Deeper scratches, chips and heat damage may be repairable depending on severity. Severe cracking typically requires section replacement. Contact Precious Marble on 01234 348590 for advice.
This article is part of our growing Quartz FAQs hub where we answer the most common questions Bedford homeowners ask about quartz worktops. If you cannot find the answer you need feel free to call us on 01234 348590 or email info@preciousmarble.co.uk.
https://preciousmarble.co.uk/cb/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/precious-marble-logo-1-300x62.png00Evelyn Oralhttps://preciousmarble.co.uk/cb/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/precious-marble-logo-1-300x62.pngEvelyn Oral2026-04-13 08:34:212026-04-17 06:43:46How To Maintain Quartz Worktops
Quartz is cut using diamond blades and CNC machinery in specialist workshops. Here is exactly how the process works and why professional cutting matters.
Quartz worktops are cut using diamond-tipped blades with constant water cooling in specialist workshops. Straight cuts use bridge saws. Cutouts and shaping use CNC routers programmed from digital templates. DIY cutting is strongly discouraged because of the serious health risk from silica dust, the likelihood of cracking the slab and the potential to void your warranty. Always leave quartz cutting to a professional fabricator.
Why Quartz Is Hard to Cut
Quartz worktops are made from approximately 90–94% ground natural quartz crystals bound with polymer resins. The quartz mineral scores 7 on the Mohs hardness scale which makes it harder than steel. A standard wood-cutting saw blade or even a masonry blade will not cut through quartz effectively. The blade will dull rapidly, overheat and likely crack the slab.
Only diamond (scoring 10 on the Mohs scale) is hard enough to cut quartz cleanly and efficiently. This is why professional quartz fabrication uses diamond-tipped or diamond-impregnated blades exclusively. The combination of extreme hardness and the resin binders means quartz requires a specific cutting approach: slow speed, consistent pressure and continuous water cooling.
The Professional Cutting Process
Professional quartz fabrication takes place in a specialist workshop equipped with industrial machinery. Here is how the cutting process works at our Precious Marble workshop in Bedford.
Template transfer. The measurements from your kitchen template are loaded into the CNC software. Digital templates transfer directly. Physical templates are digitised using measuring tools. The software creates a precise cutting plan that maps every cut, cutout and edge profile onto the slab.
Slab positioning. The full quartz slab (typically 3.0m x 1.4m) is placed on the bridge saw table using vacuum suction lifters. The slab is aligned and secured to prevent any movement during cutting.
Primary cuts. The bridge saw makes the main straight cuts to separate the slab into the individual worktop sections. The diamond blade rotates at high speed with a continuous water jet that cools the blade and suppresses dust. The saw moves along programmed coordinates with sub-millimetre accuracy.
CNC routing. The individual sections are transferred to a CNC router for detailed work. This machine cuts sink and hob openings, shapes curves, routs drainage grooves and machines edge profiles. The router follows programmed tool paths with precision that handheld tools cannot match.
Edge polishing. After cutting the exposed edges are polished through a sequence of progressively finer diamond pads. Starting with a coarse grit and working through to a fine polish each pass creates a smoother finish until the edge matches the factory-polished top surface.
Quality check. Every finished piece is inspected against the template. Dimensions are verified. Edge quality is checked. Cutout positions are confirmed. Only when every piece passes inspection is the worktop approved for delivery and installation.
Cutting Methods Comparison Table
Method
Used For
Precision
Dust Control
Recommended?
CNC Bridge Saw
Straight cuts, slab sizing
±0.5mm
✔ Full water suppression
Industry standard
CNC Router
Cutouts, curves, edges
±0.3mm
✔ Full water suppression
Industry standard
Handheld Wet Saw
On-site minor trims
±2–3mm
Partial (manual water feed)
Minor adjustments only
Handheld Dry Saw
N/A
Poor
✘ None (dangerous)
✘ Never use
Angle Grinder (dry)
N/A
Very poor
✘ None (extremely dangerous)
✘ Never use
The Silica Dust Danger
This is the most important reason why quartz should never be dry-cut. When quartz is cut, ground or drilled without water the process generates fine respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust. These microscopic particles (smaller than 10 micrometres) can be inhaled deep into the lungs where they cause serious and potentially fatal health conditions.
Serious Health Warning
Respirable crystalline silica dust from dry-cutting quartz can cause silicosis (an incurable lung disease), lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) sets strict workplace exposure limits for RCS. Professional workshops use wet cutting and dust extraction systems to keep exposure well below these limits. DIY dry cutting in a kitchen or garden with no dust control is extremely dangerous. Never dry-cut quartz.
Professional workshops like our facility at Precious Marble in Bedford are equipped with comprehensive dust control systems. All cutting is done wet with continuous water flow. Workshop extraction systems capture any residual airborne particles. Workers wear appropriate PPE. The workshop is designed from the ground up to manage silica dust safely.
Why DIY Cutting Is a Bad Idea
We understand the appeal of DIY. Many handy homeowners successfully fit their own laminate worktops and wonder if they can do the same with quartz. The answer is that quartz is a fundamentally different material that requires fundamentally different tools and safety precautions. Here is why we strongly advise against it.
Health risk. Dry cutting generates dangerous silica dust. Even outdoor cutting without proper wet suppression and extraction exposes you and your neighbours to a serious carcinogen.
Crack risk. Quartz is hard but brittle under impact. An incorrect cutting angle, too much pressure or inadequate support during cutting can crack the slab. A cracked worktop section cannot be repaired and must be replaced at full cost.
Poor edge quality. Without CNC polishing equipment cut edges will be rough, uneven and sharp. Hand-polishing quartz to a factory-quality finish is virtually impossible with domestic tools.
Warranty voided. All major quartz manufacturers require professional installation. DIY cutting and fitting voids the manufacturer warranty entirely.
Cost of mistakes. A quartz slab costs £500–£2,000+. One bad cut and the entire slab is scrap. The cost of professional fabrication is a fraction of the cost of replacing a ruined slab.
On-Site Adjustments During Installation
While major cutting is always done in the workshop there are occasions when minor on-site adjustments are needed during installation. Walls are rarely perfectly straight and sometimes a worktop section needs trimming by a few millimetres to achieve a snug fit.
Professional installers carry handheld wet-cut diamond saws for exactly this purpose. These compact saws have a built-in water feed that cools the blade and suppresses dust during cutting. The installer works carefully with dust sheets and water management to protect your kitchen from mess and silica exposure.
On-site adjustments are limited to straight trims of a few millimetres. Complex cuts, cutouts and edge work are never done on-site because the precision and dust control required exceeds what is achievable in a domestic kitchen.
Why Workshop Cutting Beats On-Site Every Time
A CNC bridge saw achieves tolerances of ±0.5mm. A CNC router achieves ±0.3mm. A handheld wet saw on-site achieves ±2–3mm at best. For a worktop where every millimetre affects the fit, the quality of joints and the alignment of cutouts, workshop fabrication is essential. At Precious Marble our Bedford workshop handles 100% of primary fabrication before the worktop ever reaches your kitchen.
If you are planning a quartz worktop for your Bedford kitchen the cutting and fabrication is handled entirely by our specialist team. You do not need to worry about tools, blades or dust. Visit our quartz worktops Bedford page to get started with a free quote.
Leave the Cutting to the Experts
CNC precision fabrication and professional installation from our Bedford workshop.
Professional cutting is what transforms a raw quartz slab into a perfectly fitted worktop. Visit our quartz worktops Bedford page to see what our workshop can create for your kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tools are used to cut quartz worktops?
Professional fabricators use CNC machines with diamond-tipped blades and constant water cooling. Straight cuts use diamond bridge saws. Cutouts for sinks and hobs use CNC routers programmed from digital templates. All cutting is done with water to prevent overheating and control silica dust.
Can you cut quartz worktops yourself at home?
DIY cutting of quartz worktops is strongly discouraged. Quartz requires diamond-tipped blades, constant water cooling and dust extraction equipment. Cutting without water generates dangerous respirable crystalline silica dust which poses a serious health risk. Incorrect cutting can also crack the slab and void your warranty.
Can quartz worktops be cut on site during installation?
Minor on-site adjustments (trimming a few millimetres for a tight fit) can be done with a handheld wet-cut diamond blade. However major cutting and all cutouts should be done in a workshop where dust extraction, water management and precision tooling are available.
Why is water used when cutting quartz?
Water serves two critical purposes. First it cools the blade and the stone to prevent overheating which can cause cracking or discolouration of the resin. Second it suppresses respirable crystalline silica dust which is a serious health hazard. All professional quartz fabrication uses wet cutting as standard.
This article is part of our growing Quartz FAQs hub where we answer the most common questions Bedford homeowners ask about quartz worktops. If you cannot find the answer you need feel free to call us on 01234 348590 or email info@preciousmarble.co.uk.
https://preciousmarble.co.uk/cb/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/precious-marble-logo-1-300x62.png00Evelyn Oralhttps://preciousmarble.co.uk/cb/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/precious-marble-logo-1-300x62.pngEvelyn Oral2026-04-13 08:26:572026-04-17 06:43:59How To Cut Quartz Worktop
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