Quartz? On a countertop? I’ve never heard of quartz countertops. What are we even talking about? I thought granite was all the rage? Well, if you aren’t familiar with quartz countertops, let me tell you what’s so great about it!
When updating your kitchen or bathroom, the most exciting part is picking out the countertop. Besides the durable surface they provide for cooking, eating, and entertaining, they’re also your kitchen’s main focal point that everyone notices right away. I, for one, love my quartz countertops! Quartz countertops are relatively new but are becoming increasingly popular for their good qualities such as their attractive appearance, durability, and the fact they don’t have some of the weaknesses of natural stone. Also called engineered stone countertops, quartz countertops are here to stay.
Are Quartz Countertops the same as Natural Stone?
There is some confusion that quartz countertops are manmade. However, quartz is a natural mineral that is ground into dust and combined with other natural and synthetic materials such as polymers, resins, and pigments. The resins and polymers bind the quartz countertop together, making it hard and durable which is a benefit over natural stone countertops, because it needs no sealing. Also, because its manufacture is controlled, it has few imperfections. Since quartz countertops are engineered, almost any type of color can be brought out on the surface by means of pigmentation. Not only that, but other types of materials, such as recycled glass or metal flecks, can be added to spice up the design, even glitter-like sparkles that shine in the sun, if you like a fancier look.
What is so great about Quartz?
For many buyers, the chief benefit of a quartz countertop is its great looks and natural luster. Unlike laminate, quartz has a deep, almost three-dimensional appearance, much like natural stone. Quartz has much of the chaotic appearance as does natural stone, without stone’s unpredictability.
For me, the best thing about quartz countertops is how easy they are to clean. Quartz is non-porous, so it resists staining much better than laminate, granite, marble, and concrete. It stands up to juice, oil, wine, tomato, coffee, and other sources of stains in the kitchen. When my kids spill pink lemonade on the counter now, I don’t have to worry about breaking out the bleach and comet and scrub for 30 minutes to get the stain up. I’ve been able to clean any spill, even pink lemonade or dried coffee, with just a rag and plain water. It’s amazing! Pair that with an undermount sink, so you can scrape crumbs straight into the sink for the ultimate ease of cleaning. Also, for cleanliness, a non-porous surface means that it will not harbor bacteria or viruses. You can always be confident that you are getting your quartz countertop absolutely clean. That’s a great benefit in both the kitchen and the bathroom, especially for a family with small children.
Another great benefit I love of quartz is it is extremely hard and makes for a great work surface for cooking prep work. Especially for rolling out dough or baking cookies with my kids. It is largely composed of minerals (contrasted with solid surface counters which are about a third of inorganic binding resins and two-thirds organic minerals). Laminate in no way rivals quartz in this area, because of laminate’s wood base layer, which gives it a hollow feeling.
What’s the downside?
There really aren’t many downsides to quartz countertops. One drawback to quartz, however, is they are more expensive than granite. The final cost of countertops will depend on several factors. Generally, granite countertops cost $40-50 per square foot with installation. Quartz countertops range from $50-75 per square foot installed. We do offer free estimates. If you are interested in a free quote, just give us a call at 417-221-4763 or submit a request online at toptierkitchens.com.
For anyone looking to update their kitchen, I highly recommend quartz countertops. Especially for busy, working families, quartz countertops are worth the investment. Especially with their ease of cleaning and no need for sealing on a yearly basis. For a contemporary, upscale look with very low maintenance, quartz countertops are definitely the way to go!
Thanks for checking out our blog! Follow us on facebook to keep up with our blogs and for exclusive promotions and giveaways.
