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…
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…
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…
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 of granite, natural quartz. The natural quartz is then blended with other raw materials and polymer resins. Quartz is often referred to as “engineered stone” or “re-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…
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…
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…
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 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 perfect matching is not possible, this minimises the possibility of odd matching. On installation and to make the joint as inconspicuous as…
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…
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 perfect matching is not possible, this minimises the possibility of odd matching. On installation and to make the joint as…