Choosing a material to use for your countertops is a decision that shouldn’t be made lightly. There are a lot of factors to consider, such as what you will be using your countertops for, your budget, the aesthetic look you’re going for and much more.
Once you begin to look at your options, you’ll realize that there are a lot of different countertop materials to choose from. From granite to marble and more! One of the materials we often discuss with clients is quartz.
Quartz countertops have grown in popularity among homeowners over the past few years, and for very good reason. They provide some of the same benefits as other top countertop materials without some of the drawbacks.
What is Quartz?
There are some quartz countertops that are made out of quarried slabs of natural stone. However, the majority of quartz countertops are actually engineered stone countertops. Around 90 percent of a typical quartz countertop consists of ground quartz, while the other ten percent consists of a combination of resins, polymers and pigments. This ratio can vary slightly depending on the manufacturer.
What are the Benefits of a Quartz Countertop?
The way that quartz countertops are manufactured allows homeowners to take advantage of numerous benefits that other countertop materials simply don’t have. The following are seven of the main benefits that makes quartz such a fantastic countertop material:
Quartz countertops look beautiful
Stone just has a higher-end look in general than laminate options. It’s why granite has been such a popular choice over the years. However, what other stones like granite and marble don’t offer is visual flexibility. There are several options available that are uniform to the samples that you choose from in a showroom. You can choose quartz that’s practically any color and pattern, which means that you’ll have no trouble ensuring that your quartz countertop will fit your overall kitchen design.
Quartz can be solid, speckled, or replicate granite with veining.
Quartz costs less than other comparable materials
There are cheaper materials available. In fact, you’ll pay more for quartz than you will for something like a laminate countertop. But considering that quartz is relatively high-end, it can be cheaper than other high-end countertop materials, such as limestone, granite and marble. You can generally expect to pay between $80 and a $100 a square foot, depending on the manufacturer as well as other factors – such as your specific visual design choices.Quartz countertops are easy to keep clean
Quartz is non-porous, making it easy to keep clean. You won’t have to worry about oils and liquids seeping into the stone, which makes quartz a particularly good fit for the kitchen. Countertops that are porous tend to experience stains, which affects the visual beauty of the countertop. Porous countertops also need to be sealed on a regular basis – often a yearly one. You won’t have to worry about this type of maintenance with a quartz countertop since no sealing is required!
Quartz countertops are hygienic
The fact that quartz is non-porous means that it’s incredibly hygienic as well. Because substances cannot penetrate the stone, there’s less of an opportunity for bacteria to grow. In fact, a quartz countertop can be kept 99.9 percent bacteria-free. Again, this makes quartz the perfect option for kitchen countertops where food preparation and consumption often takes place.
Quartz countertops are extremely durable
The way that quartz is manufactured allows it to be incredibly durable. Not only will it last a very long time, but it will be difficult to damage due to how hard it is. In fact, quartz may be one of the strongest countertop materials available. This is while still being at the same working thickness as other materials. Additionally, quartz is resistant against scratches, which means that you won’t have to worry about the amount of wear and tear that a countertop generally experiences in the kitchen.
Quartz countertops often come with warranties
You might not think that a warranty is necessary for something like a countertop, but it’s always a good idea to get a warranty when possible for any large home investment. Because of their incredible durability, most manufacturers are willing to provide lengthy warranties on their quartz countertops. Not only does a warranty help to protect your investment, but it’s a sign that the manufacturer believes in its product. That should give you a lot of peace of mind in your quartz countertop investment!
At Kingswood Designs, we offer both Zodiaq Quartz Countertops and Mont Quartz Countertops. Zodiaq products come with a 10-year product and installation warranty, while Mont products carry a 15-year limited warranty.
Quartz is flexible when it comes to installation
Many quartz countertops are available in extremely large slabs, which means that your countertop won’t have as many seams interrupting the visual consistency of your countertop. Even with the use of standard quartz slabs, the seams can be hidden through the use of resins, which allows for cleaner cuts and prevents the risk of chipping during the cutting process, which often happens with other stone materials.
There are many things to consider when choosing your countertop material. However, as you can see, there is a lot to like when it comes to a quartz countertop! Quartz countertops not only provide a high-end visual aesthetic, they’re also easy to maintain, and incredibly durable. In addition to the fact that they offer flexibility in terms of installation and because they are hygienic, a quartz countertop is a particularly good option for the kitchen.
If you’re interested in using quartz for your remodeling project, let us know! At Kingswood, we cut and fabricate our quartz counters in house, right in our shop! This means that you get to be involved in the process of selecting which areas of the slab to use or to avoid. Plus, we ensure that your quartz countertops are installed properly and efficiently, so they will look amazing for the years to come.
Popular Quartz Countertop Trends
At Kingswood, we have continued to offer kitchen and products that meet consumer demand, including their Zodiaq® Quartz kitchen countertops. A man-made stone that is produced by DuPont, Zodiaq® Quartz kitchen countertops are consistent in color, heat and scratch resistant, and do not require sealing.
Engineered with pure quartz crystals, Zodiaq® Quartz kitchen countertops offer a visually striking and unique countertop material in an array of colors and styles that are sure to complement any taste or decor. The sparkling crystal within a Zodiaq® Quartz kitchen countertop reflects lighting to reveal a stunning depth that is visually appealing in any setting.
We stay current with all the consumer trends in kitchen and bath remodeling. Each kitchen or bathroom renovation is as unique as the home itself. Our Design Professionals are committed to offering products that are current, while integrating a design that works with the needs of each homeowner.
Quartz Countertops Care and Maintenance
While quartz is a low-maintenance, durable choice, every style of countertop requires some care and maintenance. With just a little care, not only will your counters stay looking fresh and new, you’ll also extend the life of the countertop.
Here are a few tips on the care and maintenance of quartz countertops:
Daily Routine Care
- Use a damp paper towel or cloth for routine, daily cleaning. If it becomes necessary, use a small amount of non-bleach, non-abrasive cleanser.
- Although Zodiaq® countertops are known to resist permanent staining when exposed to liquids such as tea, citrus juices, wine, vinegar, and soda; it is always best to wipe up any food and/or liquid spills as soon as possible.
- Should you have any stubborn or dried spills, use a nonabrasive cleaning pad. Some good choices are a white 3M Scotch-Brite™ scrubbing pad combined with Formula 409® Glass and Surface Cleaner or a comparable product. Be sure to avoid cleaners that contain bleach and always follow the usage instructions with any cleaning products.
Avoiding Heat and Other Types of Damage
- Zodiaq® is designed to endure exposure to normal cooking temperatures from dishes, pots and pans. However, it is recommended to use trivets and hot pads rather than place a hot skillet or roasting pan directly onto the quartz surface.
- Although durability is one of the best features of quartz countertops, the weakest point can be square corners and/or ninety-degree edges. To avoid chipped corners, go for a rounded or bullnose edge.
Dealing With Difficult Spills
- At some point, spills may occur and dry on your countertop. If it is material that hardens as it dries, such as gum, nail polish, food, grease or paint, gently scrape away the excess with a plastic putty knife.
- Avoid inks and permanent markers, as they can stain the surface. Should this happen, use the cleaning instructions provided in the Routine Care Section.
- Should a difficult stain persist, moisten a cloth with Greased Lightning T®, or a product that is comparable, rubbing it into the stain. Let the cleaner sit for 15 minutes and then wipe the surface clean with a cotton cloth. Be sure to rinse the surface thoroughly to remove any cleaning residue.
Avoid exposing any quartz surface to strong chemicals and solvents, including:
- Paint removers
- Furniture strippers containing trichlorethane or methylene chloride
- Nail polish remover
- Bleach and products containing bleach
- Bluing solution
- Permanent markers and inks
- Oil soaps
Ready to get started on your project? Get in touch with us today to select your quartz countertops.
