Introduction

Quartz is a man-made engineered stone, formed by a combination of ground quartz, resin and polymers creating a very strong durable surface material. Unlike natural stone, quartz is not porous so is much more resilient to marking and staining.

Daily care

To keep your Quartz surface looking its best it should be cleaned regularly. We recommend you wipe it down daily with a mild soapy water or specialist stone cleaner such as "Stone Halo", then rinsed and dried, ideally with a microfiber cloth. Wipe away spills to reduce the build-up of limescale or dried on marks. Prolonged exposure to chemicals may damage the surface. Chemicals with high or low pH levels should be used with caution.

Stubborn marks & stains

Never use abrasive cleaning products, bleach or alkaline, or any products that remove limescale on your Quartz surface. Dried on stains can be removed ideally using a plastic knife, or if necessary very carefully using a razor blade flat against the surface & taking care not slice onto the surface. Stubborn marks on the surface can be cleaned with a little Cif or other cream cleaner and a scratch proof nylon scoured, cleaning in a gentle circular motion. Following this the surface should be washed and dried as per daily instructions.

Sealing

Due to its non-porous properties quartz does not require sealing.

Scratches

Quartz is a very durable hard surface but hard sharp items can scratch so you should avoid cutting or chopping directly onto the quartz surface. The use of a chopping board is highly recommended. You should avoid dragging heavy objects across the surface.

Chips & impact

Take case when moving pans or heavy objects onto or around the surface as it is possible a hard knock could chip the surface, especially at the edges. In most cases chips can be repaired but depending on the exact material it is likely the repair will be visible.

Extreme heat

Very hot pans should never be placed from the hob or oven directly onto a quartz surface as there is a risk it could scorch the surface or trigger thermal shock, potentially causing permanent damage. The use of a trivet is highly recommended.

Introduction

Granite is a natural stone that is quarried and cut into slabs before the surface is polished. It is a very strong and durable material that is naturally resistant to heat and scratches. Although porous, when well maintained granite is also very resistant to staining.

Daily care

To keep your Granite surface looking its best it should be cleaned regularly. We recommend keeping it clean, wiping up spills straight away, and wiping it down daily with a mild soapy water or specialist stone cleaner such as "Stone Halo", then rinsed and dried, ideally with a microfiber cloth.

Stubborn marks & stains

Never use abrasive cleaning products, bleach or alkaline, or any products that remove limescale on your Granite surface. Dried on stains can be removed ideally using a plastic knife, or if necessary very carefully using a razor blade flat against the surface & taking care not slice onto the surface. Stains that have absorbed into the granite require specialist stain removal product, please contact us for advice. A corroded etched surface can often be misdiagnosed as a stain, when in fact this is where the surface of the material has been eaten away normally by an acid or alkaline solution which makes the patch appear a lighter colour, this will normally require repolishing to return the surface to its original glory.

Sealing

Your granite will be sealed when it is first supplied, some granites are more porous than others but generally granites are less porous than other natural stones, however to maximise its resilience it should be resealed on a regular basis. Exactly how often a surface needs resealing does depend on the individual stone & its use but it should be resealed yearly at least.

Scratches

Granite is a very durable hard surface but sharp metal items can scratch so you should avoid cutting or chopping directly onto the granite surface.

Chips & impact

Take care when moving pans or heavy objects onto or around the surface as it is possible a hard knock could chip the surface, especially at the edges. In most cases chips can be repaired but the exact material will determine how visible the repair will be. If the damage causes a large chip it is always a good idea to keep hold of the chip in case it can be used in the repair.

Extreme heat

Granite surfaces are extremely heat resistant but quick & extreme changes in temperature can run the risk of damage from thermal shock, so it is always recommended that you do not put very hot pans from the oven or hob directly onto a granite surface.

Introduction

Marble & limestone are a natural stones that are quarried & cut into slabs before the surface is polished. They are some of the most beautiful natural surfaces available, they require a little more care and maintenance but when looked after properly can last a lifetime. Marble & Limestone are not as hard & are more porous than granite which makes them more susceptible to staining, but they are extremely heat resistant. Marble & limestone are acid sensitive it is recommended to avoid contact with products such as vinegar, wine, lemon juice etc. as these can damage the surface.

Daily care

To keep your Marble/Limestone surface looking its best it should be cleaned regularly. We recommend you wipe it down daily with a mild soapy water or specialist stone cleaner such as "Stone Halo", then rinsed and dried, ideally with a microfiber cloth. Marble & limestone are porous so spills should be cleaned up immediately to avoid staining.

Stubborn marks & stains

Never use abrasive cleaning products, bleach or alkaline, or any products that remove limescale on your marble/limestone surface. Dried on stains can be removed ideally using a plastic knife, or if necessary very carefully using a razor blade flat against the surface & taking care not slice onto the surface. Stains that have absorbed into the marble/limestone require specialist stain removal product, please contact us for advice. A corroded etched surface can often be misdiagnosed as a stain, when in fact this is where the surface of the material had been eaten away normally by an acid or alkaline solution which makes the patch appear a lighter colour, this will normally require repolishing to return the surface to its original glory. This can be caused by everyday cleaning products that are not meant for stone, or even neat washing up liquid if not cleaned off.

Sealing

Your Marble/Limestone will be sealed when it is first supplied. Marble/Limestone is porous it should be resealed on a regular basis to help protect it. Exactly how often a surface needs resealing does depend on the individual stone & its use but it should be resealed at least every 6 months. Sealing will not protect the surface from corrosion.

Scratches

Marble & limestone are very durable hard surface but they are not as hard as granite so will scratch easier. Sharp metal items can scratch so you should avoid cutting or chopping directly onto the surface, or dragging pans across the surface.

Chips & impact

Take care when moving pans or heavy objects onto or around the surface as it is possible a hard knock could chip the surface, especially at the edges. In most cases chips can be repaired but the exact material will determine how visible the repair will be. If the damage causes a large chip it is always a good idea to keep hold of the chip in case it can be used in the repair.

Extreme heat

Marble & Limestone are extremely heat resistant but quick & extreme changes in temperature can run the risk of damage from thermal shock, so it is always recommended that you do not put very hot pans from the oven or hob directly onto a Marble/Limestone surface.

Introduction

Ultra-compact man-made surface cover a wide range of large format porcelain and ceramic based materials. They out perform most other man-made and natural stone surfaces for stain resistance, scratch resistance, heat resistance & UV resistance. However they are harder to manufacture and difficult to repair, which combines to make them more expensive too.

Daily care

To keep your Ultra-compact surface looking its best it should be cleaned regularly. We recommend you wipe it down daily with a mild soapy water or specialist stone cleaner such as "Stone Halo", then rinsed and dried, ideally with a microfiber cloth.

Stubborn marks & stains

Never use abrasive cleaning products. Dried on stains can be removed ideally using a plastic knife, or if necessary very carefully using a razor blade flat against the surface & taking care not slice onto the surface. If this is not sufficient to remove the stain, use increasingly strong product including Slightly abrasive detergents, Acid or alkali detergents, Solvent-based detergents. With a scratch proof nylon scourer, cleaning in a gentle circular motion, following this the surface should be washed and dried as per daily instructions.

Sealing

Due to its non-porous properties Ultra-compact surfaces do not require sealing.

Scratches

Ultra-compact surfaces are highly scratch resistant, some of the polished surfaces are not quite as durable as the matt surfaces but still compare well to other stone surfaces.

Chips & impact

Take care when moving pans or heavy objects onto or around the surface as it is possible a hard knock could chip the surface, especially at the edges. Porcelain/Ultra compact surfaces are more difficult to repair than other stone surfaces.

Extreme heat

Ultra-compact surfaces are very heat resistant, but direct flame or extremely hot areas such as inside fireplaces should be avoided. For thinner thicknesses it is advised to avoid putting hot pans directly on the surface.