Quartz Countertops

Guide To Quartz

Quartz countertops have become very popular among homeowners who are looking for a change in their kitchens. Replacing bland laminate countertops with it can turn a pretty kitchen into a stunning one, but is it right for your home? Here’s everything you ever wanted to know about them so you can make an informed decision.

How They Are Made

When you start shopping, you might be confused by its description as a ‘man made’ engineered counter. To create the slabs you see in stone-yards, manufacturers combine roughly 93% ground quartz with 7% resins, polymers, and colors. This combination allows for a huge variety of colors with the look similar to natural stone.

It’s important to note that when manufacturers state their products contain 7% resin that they are talking about by weight. The actual volume of resin is much closer to 35% of the finished product.

Because quartz counters are made with a blend of stone and resin, the resulting surface is very hard, like granite, but also glossy and non-porous. The pattern depends on the texture of the stone used in the process. Coarser pieces produce a flecked appearance, while smoother, finer pieces produces a more uniform color pattern.

Different colors can be produced by adding different pigments during the manufacturing process. Most people prefer a more natural look, but some have vibrant color options that wouldn’t be found in nature.

Once you pick the slab that you want to use for your countertops, it is cut down to fit your design and fabricated to include details such as edging and cutouts for sinks and appliances. Because it’s such a heavy material, it’s best installed by professionals.

What’s The Difference Between Them And Granite

Quartz is hard–it’s definitely similar to granite in that respect–but it has a few differences as well. While both are stone, only granite is 100% natural. The resins and polymers used to create quartz countertops makes them completely nonporous, which means they should be impervious to stains. Granite is completely natural and can be very porous, meaning that if you don’t seal it properly and regularly you could see stains develop from even small spills.

Quartz is also scratch and chip-resistant, since its polymers and resins give it a little more flexibility than natural stone. However, unlike granite, the resin in engineered counters is not heat resistant, so you can’t take your pans from the stove to the countertop like you can with granite. Both are very hard materials, though granite is easier to chip if you drop a heavy object on it.

As far as being ‘green’ building materials, both are considered to have low carbon emissions during their manufacturing processes. However, granite, being 100% natural, is more environmentally friendly.

How To Maintain Them

In general, they are pretty low maintenance. In fact, some would say they’re maintenance-free. However, that doesn’t mean you can neglect them completely. Generally, warm, soapy water takes care of cleaning your kitchen work surfaces. Avoid abrasive cleansers and harsh chemicals, and always use a trivet under pans, deep fryers, and crock pots. The resins that are used to create them are not indestructible.

If you spill something, clean it up as soon as you can. Quartz countertops are stain resistant, but that doesn’t mean they can’t develop stains, especially if the spill is very acidic or left to linger.

Avoid cutting foods directly on the surface without a cutting board. Although very hard, the surface can be scratched if enough downward force is asserted. Also, avoid scraping sticky messes off the counters. If you have to remove gum or paint, used a plastic scraper to gently scrape away the mess. If you find oil stains on your counter, use a cleanser with a degreasing agent that is labelled as safe for use on quartz.

Color Options

Thanks to the fact that pigments can be added to the resin and polymer blend during the manufacturing process, your options for color are pretty varied. At one time, color options for quartz countertops were more limited and the resulting slabs lacked the ‘authentic’ look of natural stone. However, modern options can look eerily like granite, limestone, or even dark, glossy slate, depending on how it’s manufactured.

Larger pieces of quartz can produce a mottled look that greatly resembles granite or even marble, while finer blends can create creamier color palettes. The variety of patterns can include tiny flecks on a solid background, a mostly solid coloring, larger lines and flecks against a solid background, and slight variations on all of these. It can look as natural as any other slab, or, with less natural pigment colors, can look bold and festive.

Whether you want a natural look in your home, or something else completely, there’s a good chance you’ll find the color you want.

Can You Use Them In The Bathroom?

Quartz is undeniably great in kitchens, but what about other places in your home? If you had your heart set on using it in an outdoor kitchen, you probably need to think again. Quartz isn’t great with exposure to UV light. The pigments can change drastically over time after exposure to sunlight to the point that even just direct sunlight through a window can fade it.

But what about bathrooms? If you want quartz in your bathroom, it’s a great choice. Not only are there numerous styles to choose from, but it’s naturally water-resistant and never needs to be sealed. It’s also mold-resistant and easy to care for–just wipe it down when it gets wet or looks smudged. Some finishes can show fingerprints and smudges fairly easily, so you may find yourself wiping down your bathroom surfaces more often than you like, but it’s a fairly easy fix to a pretty innocuous problem.

For some people, the cost of quartz may not seem like a bargain in the bathroom when compared to granite or marble, particularly if the bathroom is small. Marble and granite do tend to see a slightly higher ROI than quartz, but it’s not likely to be big enough to make a huge difference. At the end of the day, go with what looks good and is practical for your family. It’s super easy to care for and durable, which makes it appealing in both bathrooms and kitchens.

Quartz and Quartzite – Don’t Confuse Them

When shopping around for prices, you might see something called quartzite, which is similar only in name. Quartzite is a naturally occurring and mined from the earth, cut into slabs, and polished to create a countertop material. It’s a natural stone, not engineered like quartz, but they can look very similar.

Quartzite is not naturally waterproof. In fact, it must be sealed to avoid stains from everyday use. Quartzite also has to be resealed as the sealant wears off, but quartz requires no such maintenance.

Being a natural stone, quartzite does have one advantage over quartz countertops–it’s very heat-resistant. It is also harder, but more prone to chips from dropped pans than its engineered counterpart. Both are durable, but a cutting board should be used with both.

Both have similar prices, so if you’re trying to choose between the two, you’ll just have to decide whether you prefer a natural stone or one that’s mostly natural. Both have their perks, but ultimately your taste and lifestyle will determine which one will work best for you.

If you’re in the market for new countertops, quartz should definitely be on your short list of possibilities for your kitchen or bathroom.