Quartz countertops are amongst the most alluring and practical choice for any home. Whether it be your bathroom or kitchen, installing a new quartz countertop has many benefits. Quartz is known to be an engineered or man-made surface stone because it’s not composed simply of quartz. There are other materials mixed in with the quartz such as cement, ceramic, resin, and other materials. It is not quartzite and there is a clear distinction. Quartzite is not an engineered stone and is made only from sandstone. It’s the glossy and beautiful countertop surface that keeps on giving. Read on to discover everything you should know about your new quartz countertop.
How is it Made?
As mentioned previously, quartz is an engineered stone made up of several different polymeric materials, resins, and pigments, and of course quartz. The process of making quartz uses pressure and heat to form the stone. First, all the materials are mixed together by a process of crushing and blending. Then, all of the air is eliminated and high heat shapes the new stone. Quartz is known as an igneous rock, and after this process if resembles a hard granite-like surface. The hardness of this stone makes is a great choice for any kitchen or bathroom.
Cost
The value of quarts and its prices varies, and it all depends on the quality and the materials that are mixed into the quartz slab. Quartz can be more expensive than other countertop surfaces, but the pay-off is one worth considering. Quartz countertops can start on average around $75 per square foot, without the price of installation included, and all the way upwards to around $115 to $200 per square foot for higher-quality material. There are many different factors to consider in the cost as well, such as thickness and style. The thicker you want your quartz slabs to be, the higher the price tag. In terms of style, if you want to add unique features such as beveling and edging that will also alter the cost. Also, quartz countertops are extremely heavy and professional installation is recommended. This will add onto the price of your new quartz countertop.
Flexible Style Qualities
As you may have discovered when browsing through quartz countertop choices, there are many options in color and style. If you want your kitchen or bathroom to have a more refined or luxurious appeal, you can find quartz that resembles marble. This will amplify the feeling or wealth and luxury. You can also find quartz in colors that are more rustic, darker, and ones that complement just about any design idea you may have in mind. The variation and adaptability in styling a space that has a quartz countertop is one of the many reasons why it’s a popular choice.
Quartz, although not completely made up of natural stone, still highly resembles the look of a naturally-made stone such as granite and marble. No one would really be able to tell the difference. Amongst its desirable qualities is that fact that is soft and moldable during the formation process so it can be shaped into various designs not only to fit the design appeal of your home, but also to infuse functionality such as embedding the quartz slab with a sink basin. This can be an especially useful quality for installation in a bathroom.
It is worth mentioning that as your new quartz countertop is being installed you may notice the seam lines a bit more than other countertop choices. Don’t let this alarm you as it’s not highly noticeable, and there are ways to blend in the seams. The trade-off for the benefits of having a quartz countertop outweigh the small minutia of imperfection.
The Durable Choice
Quartz countertops are amongst the most durable choice of countertops on the market. It is mostly an igneous material and when combined with the other materials remains a non-porous surface. This means that damage control isn’t as much of a concern as it may be with other countertops. Because of its nonporous surface, it’s impermeable to the different forms of mildew and mold that form in higher humidity areas like a bathroom or kitchen. You can be sure your quartz won’t be damaged by these risk factors. On top of that, quartz is also resistant to odor. For a wide variety of colors to select from, you can view a gallery of quartz countertops at Marble.
The combination of all the other materials makes it highly durable and strong. Quartz counters do not scratch and etch easily and they are very hard, making them almost impossible to crack. This countertop material is also highly resistant to staining. This means that you won’t have to worry about oil spills or acidic spills whether in your kitchen or the routine of sprucing up in your bathroom.
Quartz is not highly heat-resistance so it’s wise to be aware and cautious about high-heat contacting the surface. This is typically not a worry in the bathroom, but in the kitchen it’s best to take some precautionary measures. You can do this by always remembering to place a potholder or towel under any hot surfaces that will sit on the countertop. Even considering this quality about quartz, it still remains one of the most durable countertops choices. It’s resilience to many potentially damaging forces makes it a choice that you can enjoy for years to come.
Maintenance
One of the most desirable qualities of quartz countertops and one that you should know now that you have a quartz countertop, is that maintenance isn’t a big issue. It’s easy to take care of a quartz countertop. Yes, you read that right, it’s simple and doesn’t require the usual care that many other countertop choices require.
Most countertops need to be sealed a couple times every one to two years. This is in order to prevent staining and other damaging effects such as abrasion. Because quartz is non-porous it doesn’t need to be sealed. That’s a great quality to consider because it lowers the financial burden of caring for your countertop, and it simply makes life easier. This also makes quartz an eco-friendly choice because you do not and should not use harsh chemical cleaners on your new quartz countertop. Reducing the use of chemicals in the home makes for a healthier and greener environment.
All that is required to clean a quartz countertop is some water, a cloth, and a bit of mild dish soap. Simply dampen your cloth with the mild dish soap and swipe across when you think it needs a cleaning. You can do this each evening or when you see fit. This will leave your new quartz countertop shining and gleaming.
Practicality
Once your new quartz countertop is installed its time to enjoy using it. Family and guests will be awed by the beauty of the elegance and sheen of the countertop. Not only that, preparing food on your new quartz countertop is user-friendly and worry free. If it’s in your bathroom, getting ready for any special occasions or for work every day is a breeze because cleanup isn’t a major concern. Your new quartz countertop is not only glamorous and aesthetically appealing, it’s adaptable, durable, easy to maintain, and highly practical.
