Design Details & Technical Information

Porcelain Worktops – Sintered Particle Technology

At the very top of modern luxury kitchen and bathroom worktops, you will find Porcelain worktops, with the highest levels of physical and mechanical properties in terms of compaction, resilience, durability, versatility and impressive appearance.

Here are some of the most popular design choices.

Edge Details

Shark Nose

Double Pencil

Double Bevel

Return Ends

Cutouts & Drainer Grooves

Hobs are installed according to a patented high-strength cutout method, integrating the hobs and worktops according to specified guidelines.

Splash backs or wall cladding are installed with a minimum 50mm gap behind an electric hob and a minimum 100mm gap behind a gas hob. There must also be a minimum 50mm gap from the cutout to the front of the worktop. To accommodate these requirements, it is sometimes necessary to widen the worktop to what is called a “breakfront.”

  • Sink cutouts are placed a minimum 50mm from the worktop front edge
  • A minimum of 120mm is required between two hob cutouts
  • A minimum of 100mm is required between hob and sink cutouts
  • A minimum of 70mm is required between two sink cutouts
  • If a waste disposal unit is fitted to an undermounted sink after installation, additional support will be required, otherwise your warranty may be invalidated

Technical Information

Bluestone offers a choice of two top grade ultra compact worktops, Dekton and Neolith.

Sintered Particle Technology – the latest innovative fabrication process. This process is similar to the natural fusion of minerals in nature, except it does not take thousands of years to accomplish. To explain the sintering process simply, it creates a new class of solid material by mixing, compacting and fusing elements of glass, porcelain and quartz under extreme pressure and temperature. This new classification is a unique composition that outclasses natural stone in all respects and as an added benefit, it contains anti-microbial elements that actively fight bacteria!

Dekton worktop joints are finished with a small ariss to the top edge. Silicone sealant is applied to prevent water ingression.

Due to thermal expansion Dekton can expand up to 1mm per metre.

Any overhang extending more than 300mm must be supported.

Splash backs or wall cladding are installed with a minimum 50mm gap behind an electric hob and a minimum 100mm gap behind a gas hob. There must also be a minimum 50mm gap from the cutout to the front of the worktop. To accommodate these requirements, it is sometimes necessary to widen the worktop to what is called a “breakfront.”

  • Sink cutouts are placed a minimum 50mm from the worktop front edge
  • A minimum of 120mm is required between two hob cutouts
  • A minimum of 100mm is required between hob and sink cutouts
  • A minimum of 70mm is required between two sink cutouts
  • If a waste disposal unit is fitted to an undermounted sink after installation, additional support will be required, otherwise your warranty may be invalidated

Electric Hob – allow 50mm

Gas Hob – allow 100mm

Domino Hobs – for structural strength allow 50mm for the splashback and 120mm between the hobs

Flush Fit Hob – allow a 2mm expansion gap

Upstands less than 100mm high are extremely fragile and are not recommended.

Upstands are not normally cut from the same slab as the worksurfaces and therefore an exact colour match is not possible.

Because quartz upstands are straight and rigid, gaps will be visible if there are any imperfections or variations on the wall profile. To cover these gaps between the wall and the upstands, it is recommended that plastering or tiling be completed after the worktop installation.

Care and Maintenance

Bluestone offer a Care and Maintenance Kit which has been developed to offer the customer everything they need to keep their worktops looking good for years to come.

Scratches

Porcelain is highly scratch resistant but not scratch proof.

Staining

Porcelain worktops are incredibly hard and non-porous and will not absorb liquids, but it is still possible that grease, wine, coffee, nicotine, fruit juices and other strongly coloured substances can stain the surface if not properly protected or if the spills are not cleaned up immediately.

Care and Maintenance kits are available from Bluestone, call 01539 730282 for more info.

Hygienic

Porcelain worktops are naturally hygienic as they are non-porous.

Handling

For installation of worktops weighing above 120kg, you will need to supply additional labour at no cost to Bluestone. Every additional 75kg requires an extra person to assist with lifting.