Natural quartz countertops bring the beauty of natural stone into your home without the headaches. There are a number of brands out there to choose from including Silestone, Caesarstone, Zodiaq, and more.
For many years, granite reigned supreme when it came to kitchen countertop materials, but quartz is certainly something for you to consider, too. Quartz isn’t a solid stone like granite; instead, it is manufactured by grinding natural quartz into a fine powder, and then mixing it with resin. This helps to create a material that has the strength of natural stone with man-made benefits. Here are some of the things you should know before choosing a quartz countertop:
Quartz Countertops are Resistant to Stains
All of the quartz countertops on the market are naturally resistant to stains. This, of course, makes it perfect for the kitchen where brightly colored food and drink are common. There are other materials on the market that do the same thing, of course, such as ceramic tile, but the quality is certainly not as good as quartz countertops. You also have to consider that ceramic easily chips and cracks, and it cannot be fully repaired. Quartz countertops can be repaired in the rare event that it breaks.
Quartz Countertops are Resistant to Burns
Another thing that you should know is that quartz countertops are resistant to burning and scorching. Again, this is ideal for the kitchen. However, keep in mind that quartz manufacturers do recommend that you should use a trivet under a pan. Other materials that are also resistant to burns include granite, ceramic tile, and soapstone. However, solid surface and laminate materials easily burn and scorch, so if you are someone who loves to cook, these probably won’t be the best choices.
Quartz Countertops are Scratch Resistant
It’s also important to know that quartz countertops are resistant to scratches. This is due to the fact that all quartz countertops on the market are made with 90% stone. The only other material that is equally scratch resistant is granite. Other materials that are resistant to scratching are laminate, ceramic, solid surface, and soapstone. Though quartz is resistant to scratches, manufacturers still recommend the use of a cutting board.
Quartz Countertops are Resistant to Mold and Mildew
Though you might not associate mold or mildew with countertops, in certain situations, such as in damp areas like the bathroom or in an outdoor kitchen, this can be a problem. However, you won’t have to worry about it with quartz. If you are planning to install a quartz vanity top, you have no worries, even in the dampest of bathrooms.
Now that you know a bit about quartz countertops, do you think you are interested in buying? Usually, after learning about this material, people think that they are going to spend a lot of money on these countertops. However, these are usually no more expensive than similar materials, like granite. Compared to other materials, though, like builder-grade laminate, quartz is more expensive.
If you are interested in quartz, talk to your local supplier. Most of them sell a number of different brands, which mean that you can easily find the perfect color to match your décor. You also might consider mixing up a couple of different colors for a bold or unique design in the kitchen. Since quartz countertops are a manufactured, and not natural, material, you will find that the color options are uniform. This isn’t the case with other materials, like granite, which is unique in every instance.
Quartz is an excellent choice for any kitchen, especially if you are looking for a material that is strong and resistant to stains, burns, scratches, mold, and mildew.