Silica Free Quartz Worktops
Silica free quartz kitchen worktops have made the headlines in the latest news after becoming one of the biggest health and safety discussions in the stone industry over the last few years. Various Quartz suppliers have created low silica and silica free options with the aim to create a safer product for fabricators to work with. The risk isn’t when the surfaces are installed in your homes, the risk is during the fabrication.
From a Stonemasons point of view these conversations are important to ensure everyone who works with the material does so correctly. The way the materials are handled, cut, extracted, ventilated and protected is the issue if not carried out safely, going against the modern safety standards. Find out more about how our staff work safely with these materials and view the new Low Silica and Silica Free quartz surfaces available from our suppliers!
What is Silica?
“Silica is a natural substance found in most rocks, sand and clay and in products such as bricks and concrete. These materials create dust when they are cut and sanded during the fabrication process. Some of this dust may be fine enough to breathe deeply into the lungs and cause harm to health. The fine dust is called respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and is too fine to see with normal lighting.” – CRL (One of our Quartz suppliers).
Quartz is a man-made material which includes a mix of crushed quartz combined with resins, binders and colour pigments. It is when this material is being cut that the silica dust can cause an issue if not manufactured safely and correctly.
Why is Silica a risk to Fabricators?
Silica is a risk to fabricators during manufacture as when the material is cut the silica dust is exposed which can cause health problems overtime if breathed in. This is why it’s so important to use the correct tooling. At Eaton Stonemasons we use water fed tooling, multiple extraction systems and respiration masks during the process of cutting your worksurfaces. We have multiple measures in place to ensure our staff safety while using these materials. Training is mandatory on how to use the equipment and machinery to avoid misuse, working in line with the modern safety standards.
Water Fed Tooling
Water fed tooling is important as this supresses the silicone dust while preventing the material from burning or chipping. There is water fed tooling throughout the whole process from the first initial cuts on the saw, all the way through to hand polishing the edge details.
Polishing the Material
When polishing the edge details our staff are required to wear air fed respiration masks which ensures the air they breathe in is clean. They also have a seperate room for this part of the process which has multiple extractor fans which hang from the walls. These are on arms which can be moved and positioned around the room to where is most effective for each individual.
Water Treatment Plant
Using water from start to finish of every worktop project leads to us using A LOT of water! So we have a water treatment plant that both cleans and recycles water so all the water we have used will be cleaned and re-used. This allows us to run all our machinery and workshop on recycled water, reducing our impact on the environment.
Are Quartz Worktops Safe for Homeowners?
There is no risk to homeowners having Quartz worktops in their homes. Once a surface is installed the silica is bound inside the resin and stone composite, meaning the silica isn’t airborne causing harm to health.
“In its solid form engineered stone does not have hazardous properties. It is the dust that is generated during fabrication that has the potential to cause harm if inhaled.”– CRL
Quartz is a very popular material to have in your home for many reasons. It is a non-porous surface making it easy to clean, it is hygienic as it doesn’t hold bacteria and is scratch and stain resistant. It’s qualities make it suitable for all indoor uses from kitchen and bathroom worktops to window cills, shelves, shower niches and more! Quartz is the most suitable material for busy family kitchens due to it’s low maintenance and incredible durability.
The Benefits of Low Silica or Silica Free Worktops
There are many benefits to low silica or silica free surfaces aside from being safer for fabricators to manufacture. Some manufacturers are pairing low silica technology with recycled materials, lower emission production and more environmentally friendly manufacturing. Suppliers like BRACHOT have a silica free range of material called UniQ. The range uses amorphous silica aggregates which is entirely safe. Their UniQ range is designed to create a superior amorphous structure which doesn’t compromise on the technical performance of the worksurfaces.
Unistone UniQ Range (L-R)
- 1. Cendre / 2. Carrara Misterio
- 3. Concreto / 4. Bianco
- 4. Cemento / 6. Taj Mahal
- 7. Abarescato Viola / 8. Bianco Assoluto
- 9. Java Black / 10. Misterio Gold
The BRACHOT UniQ Range emphasizes sustainability during the production process by using globally abundant raw materials and recycling sludge from slab manufacturing. Their zero waste approach reduces costs as well as making the UniQ range an environmentally friendly choice.
With the majority of manufacturers the designs in their low or no silica ranges are identical to their traditional standard Quartz materials. This still allows you to choose from a wide range of low or silica free materials without compromising on style and design!
The Downsides of Low or No Silica Quartz
- Typically higher costs due to the manufacture methods
- Some suppliers are yet to produce the same quality in materials compared to traditional Quartz surfaces
- The material still requires cutting with the same controls and safety measures in place due to other dust particles
- Fewer colours available in these ranges
- The material can be slightly different in texture compared to traditional Quartz slabs
Alternatives to High- Silica Quartz Worktops
Caesarstone offers a silicone free range called ICON which is crafted using up to 85% recycled materials. The ICON range is considered to have the same durable characteristics as traditional Quartz. Many of their traditional Quartz is slowly becoming low silica.
CRL also offers a silica free range alongside some low silica Quartz options. Their silica free Quartz is engineered using a blend of minerals, glass and bio-resins. It also features some of their most popular traditional designs!
Brachot Unistone UniQ is a silica free range featuring the above designs with a production process which emphasises sustainability.
Quartzforms Ecotone Range includes less than 5% silica and focuses on sustainability throughout the whole process. They use 80% recycled water and 60% is made by wind. There are 8 different colours in the range which is slightly more expensive due to the manufacture process.
Silestone have built a range of low silica materials which are made up of premium minerals and recycled materials. They use hybriq technology which effectively reduces silicone content creating a sustainable and safer to manufacture material. Their range varies in colour and design and the material is typically slightly more expensive than other brands.
Some of the other popular suppliers and ranges of Quartz are yet to provide low silica or silica free options. With the growing shift towards low silica we can expect to see more options become available soon.
Low Silica VS Engineered Quartz
| Low Silica or Silica Free Quartz | Traditional Engineered Quartz |
| There are fewer patterns available however most ranges include the suppliers most popular Quartz choices. | Plenty of Quartz options available in each suppliers range. We have over 350+ Quartz samples in our showroom to view. |
| Reduced or absent silica dust improving safety during fabrication. | Contains a high amount of silica dust making it very important for fabricators to handle safely maintaining high safety standards throughout the whole process. |
| Typically slightly higher material costs. | Materials available to suit all budgets and price ranges. |
| Low or silica free materials can have slightly lower heat resistance- this varies between suppliers. | Traditional Quartz has a relatively good level of heat resistance although we recommend trivets for hot pans. |
The shift towards low silica and silica free Quartz is not about Quartz suddenly becoming unsafe to have in your homes. It is more about the stone industry improving fabrication safety while maintaining performance and aesthetics of traditional Quartz.
Low Silica and Silica Free Worktop Maintenance
Low silica and silica free worktop maintenance is the same as maintaining traditional Quartz. Both surfaces are easy to clean with warm, soapy water and do not require re-sealing like Marble and Granite. If you have tough stains we recommend the use of CIF cream kitchen cleaner. Make sure you avoid using other harsh chemicals to ensure you don’t damage the polish. If you’re unsure please give us a call and we’ll be happy to help further!
View a wide range of traditional Quartz as well as our low silica and silica free samples in our showroom. Book A Visit via our website or give us a call on 01929 550653 and we’ll be happy to help further.