Quartz countertops are made by grinding natural quartz into dust and combining it with other natural and synthetic materials such as polymers, resins, and pigments. The resins and polymers bind the quartz together, making it hard and durable while pigments are added to give the countertop color. In some cases, recycled glass or metal flecks are added to spice up the design. Should you have ones in your kitchen? Let’s see.
Pros Of Quartz Countertops
One of the main reasons people buy quartz countertops is because they are ultra-durable. If you’re looking for a material that won’t crack, scratch, or get chipped easily, quartz is the way to go. Just because quartz is durable doesn’t mean it’s indestructible. It’s possible to scratch or chip quartz but, due to its hard composition, the chances of damage occurring from regular, everyday use are minimal. Manufacturers are so confident in the durability of quartz countertops that most offer generous warranties.
Another advantage of quartz countertops is its variety of elegant, sleek, and modern designs. Quartz countertop manufacturers can create nearly any design and color you want with pigments and other types of materials like recycled glass and metal flecks. Quartz countertops can be customized to go with any cabinet material, cabinet color, backsplash, and flooring.
Unlike natural stones that have microscopic pores throughout, engineered quartz countertops are non-porous, which means that you will never have to worry about liquid or bacteria penetrating the surface. And due to its non-porous composition, quartz countertops are extremely resistant to stains. Still avoid contact with bleach, high pH cleaners, permanent markers, paint, paint remover, nail polish remover, glue, and oil soaps. One of the main reasons people buy quartz countertops is because they require little to no maintenance.
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Cons of Quartz Countertops
If you’re on a tight budget, you might want to consider other materials besides quartz. All the great aspects of quartz—durability, non-porous, ability to custom design—come with a cost. The number of slabs and finishes will also impact the cost. The more cutouts you need for sinks, soap dispensers, and fixtures, the higher it will cost.
Quartz is heat resistant; however, the resin and polymer fillers are not. Exposing quartz countertops to hot cookware could melt the resins and cause permanent discoloration and damage. White spotting and cloudiness are sure signs of heat damage.
Installing quartz countertops is not an afternoon DIY project. It requires skilled professionals to measure, level, and secure the slaps to the cabinets or island. Quartz is more challenging to install because it’s extremely heavy, ranging between 20 and 25 pounds per square foot. Installers need to ensure the foundation is structurally secure and strong enough to handle the mass of the quartz.
Quartz countertops become discolored with extended exposure to direct sunlight, so if your building an outdoor kitchen, choose another material. The UV light will fade the pigments and leave your countertops with an unsightly yellow hue. Even direct UV light through a window can fade the colors over time, so be careful choosing quartz for sun-drenched rooms with large windows.
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