Quartz worktops are among the most durable kitchen surfaces available — but they do chip. Understanding what causes chips helps you prevent them.

The Most Common Causes of Quartz Chips

Dropped pans — cast iron and stainless steel pans are heavy and have hard edges. A pan dropped onto a worktop edge or corner is one of the most common causes of quartz chips.
Chair and stool impact — kitchen island worktops with seating are particularly vulnerable. The front edge of the worktop at bar stool height sustains repeated impact from chair legs and human contact.
Impact during kitchen installation — new kitchen installations are a common time for worktop chips to occur. Other trades working in the kitchen after the worktop is fitted can cause damage.
Appliance impact — heavy kitchen appliances such as stand mixers and food processors being moved near the worktop edge can chip the surface.
Cutting boards sliding — a heavy chopping board sliding off the surface and hitting the edge.

Edge Profile and Vulnerability

Square-edge worktops chip more readily than pencil-round or bullnose edges — the sharp square edge has no protective chamfer and is the most vulnerable geometry.