CTX BasicQuarz® 0722 Gris Ardoise

Material build-up and manufacture. Engineered quartz (“quartz composite”) consists of around 90 – 93 % natural quartz granulate (screened by grain size) and around 7 – 10 % polyester resin with incorporated pigments. The mix is pressed into slabs by the Bretonstone® process (vacuum vibro-compaction under vacuum) and then cured. This gives rise to the typical engineered quartz properties: non-porous (sealed surface), scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, with high compressive and flexural strength. Important: unlike porcelain, the polyester resin matrix remains sensitive to temperature – maximum short-term heat around 150 – 160 °C; hot pots should consistently be used with trivets in order to avoid thermal stress cracks.

Appearance. The ground tone is a deep medium to dark grey anthracite with a fine slate character. Distributed evenly across the surface are finely pigmented paler lightenings and isolated whitish quartz mineral dots (1 – 3 mm) as a hallmark of the engineered quartz build-up. The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down. From a medium distance the surface looks calm and deeply anthracite; close up one discovers the fine slate character with subtle lighter-darker movements. The grade shows no veining and no fluid sweeps – it lives on the calm, pigmented depth of slate.

Technical properties. Standard engineered quartz values: bulk density around 2,300 – 2,500 kg/m³, compressive strength around 200 – 250 MPa, flexural strength 50 – 70 MPa, water absorption < 0.02 % (practically zero), Mohs hardness around 7 (through the high quartz content). The slab is non-porous (sealed), scratch-resistant, cut-resistant, acid-resistant against weak household acids (vinegar, wine, lemon, tomato) – highly concentrated acids or alkaline industrial cleaners can locally dissolve the resin matrix. Heat resistance: 150 – 160 °C on a dry surface, no hot pots set down directly, trivets obligatory. Important: classic engineered quartz is NOT UV-stable – the polyester resin matrix can yellow under direct sunlight outdoors, which is why Gris Ardoise is designed for interior applications.

ROSSITTIS range. We carry Gris Ardoise with the satin standard finish with stock depth in 20 mm thickness; further thicknesses and finishes are available on request. From the slabs we produce kitchen worktops, islands, bar counters, buffet and furniture tops, vanity units, wall claddings, bathroom fit-outs (wall and floor tiles, showers with proper waterproofing), window sills, skirtings and interior floors in protected areas.

Comparison. Within the CTX BasicQuarz programme line, 0722 Gris Ardoise positions itself as the slate-look grade in a medium to dark grey tonal value. Related CTX BasicQuarz grades cover further tonal variants and visual lines (marble look, solid colour, concrete look). Compared with classic engineered quartz brands (Caesarstone Quartz Surfaces, Silestone, Compac, Diresco classic lines), CTX BasicQuarz® offers attractive terms at comparable technical quality – the brand is ROSSITTIS's own, with permanently consistent stock availability, uniform fabrication and transparent pricing. Compared with UV-stable exterior engineered quartz such as the Diresco Beach line, Gris Ardoise is a classic interior engineered quartz; compared with porcelain (Laminam, Neolith, Dekton, CTX BasicKeramik), engineered quartz is warmer to the touch, limited in heat resistance by the typical polyester component and not suitable for exterior use. Compared with genuine natural slate (Welsh, Ardennes, Massif Central), Gris Ardoise remains more predictable and easier to care for; the natural slate looks geologically more authentic with uncontrollable batch variation and layering lines.

An honest assessment. Gris Ardoise is the ideal choice for any interior application in which a calm slate-look character in a medium anthracite tonal value is wanted. The grade works particularly strongly as a kitchen worktop and island in modern kitchen concepts, as a vanity unit in elegant bathroom fit-outs, as wall cladding in airy residential and commercial spaces. Anyone who needs absolute heat resistance (setting hot pots down directly) should switch to a porcelain such as CTX BasicKeramik or Laminam; anyone planning exterior applications should reach for UV-stable Beach-line engineered quartz or porcelain; anyone who prefers authentic natural slate with its layered character should accept the greater care effort of the natural material.