When It comes to Countertops, we have various options in market. Materials starting with Quartz Engineered stone, marble, granite and even wood! But more often that not, Quartz proves itself time in time again to be the best option for countertops. Both in terms of practicality, durability, and aesthetics. Because of all these benefits that Quartz brings with it, the fact that its strength and abundance exceeds other options, it is a popular choice for countertops till date.
The wide and diverse range and patterns that it has to offer is another reason why many prefer it. Quartz countertops never have to be sealed like surfaces such as granite and marble that require regular maintenance. A common misconception with the word ‘quartz’ is that its not the raw quartz stone, when quartz is being referred with interior related discourse, they’re often talking about the engineered/ man-made quartz stone.
Comparing quartz countertops and its pros and cons with other options available for countertops can help us make a smarter and a wiser decision for our homes and workspaces. The most popular comparison that people often tend to make is the comparison between Quartz countertops and Granite.
Quartz Countertops vs Granite Countertops:
In terms of durability and strength, quartz out does granite. Quartz countertops are specially engineered in a way that they contain 90% quartz and 10% other materials like resin. This bond make it very strong while on the other hand granite has a much less amount of quartz and has other softer minerals and impurities which results in a countertop not as strong as quartz.
While granite countertops need to be maintained regularly, polished, cleaned and sealed due to its porous characteristics, quartz doesn’t need any of that. Quartz countertops dont have the kind of pores granite might have which is why it doesn’t need a lot of cleaning.
Quartz Countertops Vs Marble Countertops
Stains and scratches are something marble countertops cannot resist, in this regard, Quartz Countertops are very ideal since they are stain and scratch resistant. This is because marble countertops usually absorb stains and particles find places in its pores, on the other hand quartz countertops are non-absorbent so liquids that can potentially leave stain or harmful bacteria never gets absorbed into the surface. Neither do quartz countertops need to be sealed or polished.
Lastly, acidic foods such as citrus fruits, lemons, vinegar can cause the marble to react/ cause the marble’s physical features to change. This isn’t something to worry about when it comes to Quartz Countertops.
Quartz Countertops Vs Concrete Countertops
What makes Concrete a distinct material out of other usual options for countertops is that it isn’t a natural stone. Concrete is made with materials like cement, water and fragments of gravel and sand. While Quartz Countertops do not absorb liquids and hence don’t stain, concrete countertops have a different case.
They are very porous and not at all resistant to stains which is why they require sealing. Coming to the process of installation of countertops, Concrete countertops are very heavy and hence difficult to install.
Quartz Countertops vs Soapstone Countertops
Soapstones that are largely composed of magnesium are soft in nature unlike Quartz countertops and hence less durable. Although in terms of heat resistance it has competition since it is famous for its heat resistance.
The maintenance of Soapstone Countertops is much more than Quartz since they aren’t scratch resistant and must be oiled regularly to maintain their physical attributes. Soapstone Countertops also have a powdery and soft feel to them in terms of texture and feel. Their physical attributes can also lead them to change in appearance over time. I.e darkening of the colour. Compared to this, quartz countertop’s appearance remain as same as new throughout ages.
Quartz Countertops vs Wood Countertops
Using a Wooden countertop can become a hassle and not cost effective for several reasons. Firstly, Quartz countertops are much more durable than wooden countertops since they don’t chip, stain and scratch easily. To prevent these stains, chipping and scratches on wooden countertops we need to get jobs like sealing, sanding and oiling done often.
Wood can be vulnerable to water too sometimes as too much water can ruin it which isn’t the case with Quartz Countertops. The maintenance free routine of the quartz countertops make them more practical. For long-term, quartz countertops are a more practical and cost-effective solution than wood.
