Everything you need to know about Quartz Countertops
Stain-resistance, durability, and stylish colors and patterns make quartz a top choice for countertops. If you are wondering whether you should include this material in your kitchen or bathroom project, get all of your research done right here.
Have you ever considered quartz countertops for your bathroom or kitchen design? If you have, you should know it is a great option for those looking for an aesthetically pleasing design, and a resistant and durable stone. In fact, Quartz is one of the most suitable engineered stones for residential projects, for its distinguishing features and benefits.
Quartz Countertops. Source: Unsplash
Know more about Quartz
Although Quartz is a natural mineral, the quartz used for construction purposes is an engineered stone, created to attend to the need of a resistant white stone for countertops.
Made by combining more than 90% crushed natural quartz crystals and up to 10% resin and pigments, the surface replicates the look of real stone with patterns of flecks and swirls.
It is a very homogeneous multipurpose material, suitable for normal to heavy traffic areas.
Quartz can be found not only in white, but also black, brown, grey, red and many other variations. It is perfect for indoor purposes, such as flooring, fireplaces, stairs, and countertops, but can also be used outdoors.
Unlike natural stone slabs, quartz countertops have a non-porous surface, which makes it resistant to scratches, chips, cracks and stains. Also because of its non-porous property, quartz does not need to be sealed. If you want to know more about each aspect of quartz countertops, keep reading!
Quartz Slab. Source: Unsplash
Quartz Countertops Cleaning and Maintenance
Because it is mixed with resin during fabrication, which makes it non-porous, Quartz does not need to be sealed.
Cleaning your countertops with soap and water or an all-purpose cleaning and a non-abrasive cleaning pad or soft cloth will do the job perfectly. If you leave stains on your countertop, they can be easily removed with some glass cleaner and a non-abrasive sponge.
Although they are resistant to most damage, quartz countertops should not be in contact with hot pans or pots, because the heat can melt the resin and damage the surface. Therefore, if you are going to place hot objects on top of it, you should use a protective pad.
Quartz Countertops. Source: Unsplash
Quartz Countertops Cost
The price of Quartz countertops and their installation floats, and depends on several factors, such as the style of the material and type of installation.
When getting custom-made countertops, the edges and cutouts also interfere with the final costs. For example, a countertop with lots of cut-outs, seams, and edge details will cost more to install than a single standard slab. The cost of the material typically runs between $50 and $100 per square foot, but high-end quartz countertops can cost up to $200 or more. It is important to note that the installation of quartz countertops can be difficult, so it should always be done by a professional.
Quartz Countertops. Source: Unsplash
Quartz Countertops Colors
Because the material is mixed with pigments when fabricated, quartz countertops can be found in a large variety of colors.
As mentioned before, engineered quartz is homogenous, which makes it uniform in color and pattern. This property makes quartz much easier to match its tiles and slabs, unlike natural stone.
Besides the added pigments and professional color enhancement, the appearance of quartz slabs also depend on the size of the crystals.
When it comes to staining, even the whitest quartz slabs are resistant, thanks to the non-porous, uniform surface they have.
Orange Quartz Countertops. Source: The Spruce
Quartz Countertops Finishes
While there are many different styles of countertops, there are three main types of quartz countertop finishes:
- Honed: a very smooth surface without any gloss or reflection, made by stopping the polishing process before the stone is buffed.
- Polished: the most common finish for stones. The polished finish makes the surface of your quartz countertops glossy and almost mirror-like.
- Suede: a velvety soft, matte look and touch. It emphasises the natural colors and features of the stone, and is more resistant to stains and watermarks than any other finish.
The bigger the slab or tile size, the more aesthetically pleasing your countertop will look.
Quartz Countertops. Source: Unsplash
Benefits of having Quartz Countertops
Here are the main advantages of having quartz countertops:
- Quartz countertops have a non-porous surface, which prevents them from getting stains made by oils, wine, tomato, coffee and basically all liquids.
- Quartz has a hardness of 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, higher than marble, granite, and most natural stones. Because of that, it rarely cracks, scratches or chips.
- The stone has a uniform pattern, and it is available in several colors and styles, making it suitable for virtually every kitchen design.
Because it needs less maintenance, like sealing, quartz is far more cost effective in the long run than natural stone.
Quartz Countertops. Source: The Spruce
Types of Quartz Countertops
Since natural quartz is the second most abundant mineral on the planet, it comes in a wide variety. For this reason, there are several different kinds of quartz countertops for you to choose. Some of them are:
- Blanca Quartz
- Biano Vicenza Quartz
- Arvada Quartz
- Mystery Grey Quartz
- Steamboat Quartz
- Calacatta Rocky Quartz
- Cabrini Quartz
Quartz Countertops. Source: The Spruce
Quartz Countertops Inspirations
If you are thinking about including quartz countertops in your kitchen design, here are some pictures of different styles, colors and decorations to inspire you:
Vintage Quartz Countertops. Source: The Spruce
Blue Kitchen with Quartz Countertops. Source: The Spruce
Blue and Grey Kitchen with Quartz Countertops. Source: The Spruce
Yellow Kitchen with Quartz Countertops. Source: The Spruce
Grey Kitchen With Quartz Countertops. Source: The Spruce
Modern Farmhouse Kitchen With Quartz Countertops. Source: The Spruce
Kitchen with Quartz Countertops and Calacatta Marble. Source: The Spruce
Kitchen with Red Quartz Countertops. Source: The Spruce
If you still don’t know if you want your countertop in quartz or natural stone, read our article “What’s the best stone for your countertops?” and contact us for any questions.
If you are looking for the place to get the best quartz slabs in New England, you can count on First Stone for that! We make custom-made countertops that are completely adapted to your project, and you can get a custom layout for absolutely no cost!
We offer many options of quartz countertops for you to choose from.
Book an appointment and come visit our showroom! We will be happy to show you our quartz countertops, their colors and designs!
If you have any questions, leave a comment below!