Advice centre
Silestone vs. Caesarstone
Choosing a quartz worktop in London can be overwhelming. You’ll see names like Silestone, Caesarstone, CRL, Cimstone and others on our Quartz Brands page, but which one actually belongs in your kitchen? As specialist stonemasons with our own in-house London factory, we’ve cut and installed thousands of these slabs. Here is the "insider’s view" on how these brands compare in terms of price, performance, and style. *1. The Luxury Leader: Silestone If you want the "iPhone" of worktops, it’s Silestone. The Edge: Their HybriQ+ technology is a game-changer. It’s more sustainable and features a built-in hygiene protection that prevents bacteria growth. Visuals: Their "Eternal" collection offers the most realistic marble…
Beyond Gloss: Why Textured ‘Leathered’ Stone is the 2026 Trend for London Kitchens
For years, the high-gloss, polished look dominated London renovations. But as we move into 2026, a new tactile trend is taking over: Textured and Leathered finishes. At MT Stones, we’re seeing a massive shift toward surfaces that feel as good as they look. If you want a kitchen that stands out from the standard "cookie-cutter" quartz, this is for you. What is a ‘Leathered’ Finish? Unlike polished stone, which is ground until reflective, a leathered finish is created by brushing the stone with diamond-tipped brushes. This results in a sophisticated, matte appearance with a subtle, dimpled texture that highlights the natural character of the material. 3 Reasons to Go Matte in 2026: Hide the Smudges: High-gloss surfaces are magnets for fingerprints and water spots. Leathered finishes are incredibly forgiving, making them the…
From Template to Tea: What Happens During Your 7-Day Installation?
The biggest fear homeowners have when upgrading worktops isn't the cost—it's the downtime. "How long will I be without a sink?" "Will there be dust everywhere?" At MT Stones, we’ve perfected our installation process to take you from old surfaces to a brand-new kitchen in just 7 days. The Step-by-Step Breakdown: Day 1: The Precision Template. Our technicians visit your home to create a perfect laser-guided template. Pro tip: Your cabinets must be fully fixed in place before we arrive! Days 2–6: The Master Cut. Your stone is fabricated in our London workshop. We use CNC technology to ensure every cut, from sink cutouts to drainage grooves, is millimetre-perfect. Day 7: The Final Fit. Our team returns to install the stone. Most installations take just 3–5 hours. By dinner time, your kitchen is ready to use. *Why Local Matters: Because we are based in London and fabricate our own stone, we don't rely on third-party shippers. This is why we can guarantee a…
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN QUARTZ COUNTERTOP BRANDS?
When looking for quartz countertops, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the different choices and names of quartz. There are many different brands of quartz countertops on the market. Caesarstone, Silestone, Compac, CRL, Classic quartz, and many others more. Unlike granite countertops, quartz countertop slabs have a brand name rather than just a colour name Color palette. Quartz is a man-made material. Quartz slab manufacturing starts by taking the strongest part…
Quartz Countertops Costs
Mtstones
Countertop materials vary from various stones including quartz, granite and marble. A worktop in quartz for kitchens or bathrooms possesses the combination of being aesthetically striking and beautiful as well as stain-resistant, low maintenance and highly durable. Quartz is often referred to as “engineered stone” this is because the manufacturing process mixes approximately 95% ground natural quartz with about 5% polymer resins. The combination of strong natural quartz gives quartz countertops great durability while the resins help to make the product non-porous (unlike natural stones). There are a number of manufactures, colors, and brands of quartz slabs. Each slab is created using the same general process, however brands will differentiate themselves with their selectiveness in raw materials, quality control, country of origin, and stylized colors. The brand, along with the popularity of a color, and the complexity of its design will influence the raw slab price from the manufacturer. Cheaper brands and types of quartz typically come in more plain, while quartz most popular colors and styles are the marble look-a-likes. Aside…
Drainer grooves
DRAINER GROOVES ARE IDEAL FOR USING WITH BELFAST/UNDER-MOUNTED SINKS. It is a practical solution to keeping your work surface dry and clean.The typical drainer groove length is between 300 mm and 350 mm, but we can make it shorter or longer if required. Can be positioned right, left or both sides of the sink.
JOINTS ON QUARTZ AND GRANITE WORKTOPS
ABOUT THE JOINTS ON QUARTZ AND GRANITE WORKTOPS - JOINTS ON QUARTZ AND GRANITE WORKTOPS Friday 25th May 2018 The typical maximum length for a single piece is 3000mm at which point it will be necessary for a joint. Joints are generally two pieces of worktops butted up against each other and generally less than 30 mm wide. For a perfect look the joins should be inconspicuous as possible. On template you should discuss with fabricator where the joints need to be placed. You will be able to see the joints between…
Upstands
Upstands intended to sit at the rear of your kitchen worktops to hide the gap between them and an adjacent wall. The gap is necessary to allow expansion of the kitchen worktop, though upstands can also help to accommodate an uneven gap if your walls are not totally straight. Upstands thickness are 20mm even if the worktops is in 30 mm thickness, and they be in 70 mm high, 100mm or full high splashbacks. Splashbacks are similar to upstands, but are much deeper, and are usually used behind ovens or sinks to protect the walls from splashing water or stains.
EDGE PROFILES FOR QUARTZ AND GRANITE WORKTOPS
Square edges Some people ask for very square edges. Fully square is impossible, and also uncomfortable on whatever part of your body you happen to lean on it. Also it is more fragile and in risk to damage if anything is dropped on the edge. But we can make an edge with a very minimal bevel. Bevel edge Bevel edge (3-5mm) is one of the best ways to reduce the chance of the quartz or granite worktop edge chipping. Straight bevelled edge The straight edge is the simplest of all, as it has the same thickness as the worktop but with a straight finish. Bullnose A totally rounded finish that creates a sensation of complete continuity in the kitchen, while maintaining the same worktops thickness Dove chest A traditional edge formed by a finish with very elegant curves. Mitred The perfect solution, to which a side piece is added…
About the joints on Quartz and Granite worktops
Joints on Quartz and Granite worktops The typical maximum length for a single piece is 3000mm at which point it will be necessary for a joint. Joints are generally two pieces of worktops butted up against each other and generally less than 30 mm wide. For a perfect look the joins should be inconspicuous as possible. On template you should discuss with fabricator where the joints need to be placed. You will be able to see the joints between pieces but to achieve a perfect join is important that the support or kitchen base do not move between template and fitting. For patterned stones like Carrara quartz, it is important that the vein in the stone is cut in the same way as an adjoining piece but when…