Before we discuss about Quartz Countertops its important to know what is Quartz? Is it a natural stone or a manmade product? What are its pros and cons of quartz stone and what are its usage. How Quartz Stone is manufactured and more.
Many people believe that quartz is a completely man-made material, whereas it’s not man-made material. It’s a composition of natural minerals; silicon and oxygen. These are said to be the most abundant mineral on earth. Quartz Countertops are man-made products where quartz is the main component in quartz countertops. That is why quartz countertops are also called engineered stone countertops.
Quartz countertops are manufactured by grinding natural quartz into dust then combining it with other natural and synthetic materials such as resins, polymers and pigments.
The Quartz is bind together due to resins and polymers used and makes it hard and durable. Pigments are also added to give the countertop a fine color. Countertops are also made attractive by using recycled glass or metal flecks to enhance the design. Overall natural quartz makes up about 90% of the final product, 10% is the other material.
What are the downsides of Quartz Countertops?
If you desire for a natural look stone than quartz is not completely natural yet can give that feel. Another downsides of quartz countertops are the price, since it may vary and cost differently than natural stone. Moreover, its lack of resistance against heat damage is a deal breaker. However, that too is now customized and well-engineered to avoid heat damage.
There’s no easier way to find out more info about quartz stone countertops and get instant quote as well from Opaly Quartz Stone manufacturers. Their expert are available to guide and support you and answer to your query.
Why Should You Buy Quartz Countertops?
We need to know the pros of Quartz Countertops to understand more about its usage.
Quartz countertops have many advantages, including appearance, durability and stain-resistance. Beside there are many reasons why you should consider quartz for your countertops.
- Durability
Quartz countertops are ultra-durable. If you’re looking for a long term investment in a countertop and material that won’t scratch, crack or get chipped easily, engineered quartz stone is your call. You can avail an unlimited variety of designs, style and appearance by adding resins, pigments and other materials during the manufacturing process. Due to its durable nature firms offer long term warranty and customers likely prefer to use it in their homes and office too.
- Appearance
Quartz countertops can be designed custom and can add colors and other recycled material as per choice. You can achieve that appearance which natural stones cant offer. Since it uses pigments and other recycled material it can be manufacturerd in many designs and colors that are sleek, elegant and modern. So you have more choices as compare to natural stones and can be customized to go with any cabinet color, flooring or interior. In addition to traditional stone-like designs, Solid-colored countertops in addition to traditional stone type designs are gaining more popularity in modern homes and commercial spaces.
If you’re looking for the durability and low maintenance quartz countertops, you can get the desired design as per your color choice Get in touch with Opaly quartz where possibilities are endless.
- Non-Porous
Engineered quartz countertops are non-porous and does not require any sealing. Natural stones have microscopic pores throughout and such materials allow liquids to seep in the surface. Seeping causes discoloration, staining and irreversible damage to the surface and its appearance is no more the same. Besides, germs and bacteria make their way into pores making it unhygienic and difficult to clean or disinfect the countertop surface. The natural stones require proper sealing to maintain it versus quartz Countertops and thus its maintenance is low as compare to natural stone.
- Stain Resistant
Since quartz stone countertops have a non-porous composition, they are highly resistant to stains.
Natural stones like Granite and Marble are more susceptible to stains due to their porous properties. Whereas quartz stone countertops are stain resistant.
While natural stones show high resistance to stains, quartz are more stain resistant comparatively yet not stain-proof. However certain strong chemicals can damage the surface, therefore one should avoid bleach and high pH balance cleaners, ink spills, paint and more.
- Low Maintenance
All the above facts show how durable quartz stone countertops are and surly requires low maintenance. One can simply wipe them with soap and water and doesn’t require any heavy chemicals to clean. So less worry and hassle free maintenance with quartz.
- Versatility
There are many materials but none is better than Quartz. It is a super fantastic material not only for home kitchen countertops, bathrooms, bars, fireplaces outside garden, lobby and more. Also vastly use in commercial spaces; restaurants and café, offices and large commercial spaces.
It offer wide choice or the customers to choose from and doesn’t limit by their design and color options. Overall quartz has many limitless applications.
- Price
After overviewing the wonderful features and properties of quartz stone one definitely wants to consider it the most. If you’re on a tight budget, you might want to consider other materials besides quartz but you wont get all the great aspects of quartz— appearance, durability, stain resistant, non-porous, ability to custom design and more. So when you get all these features its worth the money you spend and the price also may vary on your choice and selection of slab and design; the more colors and features the more it adds to the cost – sinks, soap dispensers, fixtures etc.
Is Quartz Susceptible to Heat Damage?
Quartz is highly heat resistant; however, the resins and polymers fillers used are subsequently not.
Though many manufacturers claim that the quartz stone can handle heat up to 300 degrees and some say it can handle up to 150 degrees only. However, they believe that high exposure to heat and sun if placed in outdoor area can damage quartz countertops. Hot cookware and Sun heat could melt the resins and can result in permanent discoloration. Likewise the heat causes white spotting and cloudiness and can damage the appearance. The exact temperature threshold will again depend upon the quality of quartz stone and how well it’s crafted by the manufacturer. If done properly it can resist heat as well.
Are Quartz Countertops Worth The Buy?
With all the other options available in the market for countertops and slabs, the above aspects proves that nothing is better than the quartz stone countertops for home and indoors. It’s ultra-durable, non-porous, stain-resistant and above all low maintenance.
It offers limitless patterns and designs, its elegant, more modern and likely natural. There’s nothing much to dislike or disapprove Quartz and make another choice about quartz countertops.