Frequently asked questions about worktop silica data
Each answer below is written to stand alone. Search the registry to check a specific material, or see our full methodology for how sources and tiers work.
What is the difference between zero-silica, low-silica and traditional worktops?
They are classifications by published crystalline silica content. On CountertopData, Zero-Silica means a published maximum of 1% or less, Low-Silica means above 1% and up to 40%, and Traditional means above 40% or a conventional engineered quartz with no published reduced figure. The boundaries are fixed and applied identically to every brand. They describe composition as published by manufacturers, not safety, and fabrication dust controls apply regardless of tier.
Is a low-silica worktop safe to cut without dust control?
No. Classification describes composition, not fabrication risk. Reduced-silica materials still contain crystalline silica, and other components of engineered surfaces also produce hazardous dust. Every recognised control, water suppression, extraction, monitoring and respiratory protection, applies regardless of a material’s tier. CountertopData classifies materials and does not assess or clear any material for any process.
How do I find out if a worktop colour has been discontinued?
Search the registry for the colour by name or manufacturer code. If we hold evidence that it has been withdrawn in a market, the record shows that, with the month and the source. If the record shows no availability data, we have no evidence either way, which is not the same as saying it is unavailable. Manufacturers frequently remove discontinued colours from their websites entirely, which is why we keep records of materials that no longer appear anywhere else.
Why does a material show no silica percentage?
Because no manufacturer source we hold publishes one. This is common for sintered stone and porcelain, where composition is often not disclosed in public documentation. We show the gap rather than filling it with an assumption or a figure borrowed from a similar product. The material’s own safety data sheet is the authoritative source.
Is this material available in my country?
Check the material’s record, which lists availability by market with the source and date for each. If your market is not listed, we hold no evidence for it. Availability differs by country far more than most buyers expect: colours are launched in some markets years before others, and discontinued in some while continuing elsewhere.
Where does CountertopData get its data?
From manufacturer and distributor documents, from manufacturers’ own websites for market availability only, and from brands directly. Every record names its source type and the month it was last checked. Our full methodology is published.
Does CountertopData test or certify materials?
No. We compile and structure published information. We conduct no testing, issue no certification, and grant no approvals. Verification of a brand’s listings means the manufacturer maintains the accuracy of its own data with us; it is not an endorsement of any product.
Can I use the data in my own software?
Yes. The registry has a free public JSON API with no key required, documented on the site. Attribution is appreciated. If you need sustained high-volume access, get in touch.
Who owns CountertopData, and does anyone pay for favourable treatment?
CountertopData is operated by SAAS LOGIC LTD, an independent company with no manufacturer, distributor or retailer ownership. Manufacturers can pay to verify and maintain their own listings, which affects how current a record is, not how a material is classified or where it appears. Classification follows published numeric thresholds applied identically to every brand, whether verified or not.