Even when compared to other stone counters like granite, quartz kitchen countertops offer some unique properties. Quartz is available in a wide range of hues for kitchen countertops, including warm cream, cool gray, dazzling white, rich brown, and black. Certain quartz has a marble-like veining pattern. Additionally, some alternatives come with mirror chips that seem to make the countertops shine by reflecting light.
Read More: quartz counters in Phoenix, AZ
Because of its stain resistance, simplicity of washing, and range of colors, quartz is a fantastic option. Here are some details about this material that will help you understand why it’s a great choice.
Quartz Countertop: What Is It?
A type of engineered stone called quartz countertops is created by grinding up quartz particles and binding them together with resins. To distinguish this kind of countertop from real stone, the industry is increasingly utilizing the phrase “engineered stone.”
What Constitutes Quartz Countertops?
Quartz counters aren’t formed entirely of quartz; instead, they’re composed of 90% broken granite, marble, natural stone, and/or recovered industrial waste, including glass, mirrors, silica, ceramic, and other materials. The remaining ten percent of the material is bound together by a polymeric or cement-based binder. The combination of these components gives quartz worktops a stone-like appearance and texture.
A little quantity of real quartz may be included in quartz countertops, but no solid quartz that has been taken from quarries is present. Quartz is an environmentally beneficial countertop option since the 90% of stone-like elements that make up the basis of quartz countertops are waste products from other quarrying or manufacturing operations.
The Technology Used to Make All Quartz Countertops Is Bretonstone
The Breton business in northeastern Italy invented the patented method known as Bretonstone Technology. Pulverized natural stone aggregate is combined with a mixture of polymers, air is removed, and the mixture is heated and shaped into slabs that resemble real stone in both hardness and look.
Over 50 firms worldwide, including well-known quartz brands like Silestone, Cambria, and Caesarstone, have licenses for Bretonstone Technology. These producers continue to operate under the original Breton patent even if they include their own unique touches and subtleties onto their engineered stone surfaces.
Quartz is Extremely Durable
Unlike granite or marble, quartz kitchen worktops don’t need to be sealed since they are nonporous. This implies that quartz is resistant to water stains.
Furthermore, quartz is not readily scratched; in fact, granite often scratches more easily than quartz. But an excessive amount of pressure might result in a chip, crack, or scratch.
The good news is that small scratches can be polished off, leaving your counters appearing brand new. Moreover, severe scratches can be repaired using epoxy filler. But preventing scratches with practices like consistently utilizing cutting boards is crucial.
Is Granite Worse Than Quartz?
Granite is a natural stone, while quartz is less porous and more durable. For an extended period, quartz attempted to compete in the natural stone market, primarily focusing on the comparison of quartz and granite for kitchen worktops. The popularity of quartz these days has caused granite to become less expensive.
While materials with a granite appearance are still widely available, the industry is seeing a growing trend toward quartz that appears completely different. Caesarstone is one instance. Caesarstone now offers products in a “ultra-modern” category, including Apple Martini, Blizzard, and Crocodile, as if “modern” wasn’t a sufficiently contemporary style category for their target audience.
Are Quartz Worktops Simple to Maintain?
Quartz countertops are simple to maintain clean with the occasional wash down using a gentle cloth and warm water. A tiny bit of dish soap or a quartz countertop friendly cleaning spray will help with more stubborn issues. Thankfully, regular spills won’t affect quartz countertops because they are stain-resistant and don’t need to be sealed as granite does.