Quartz Countertops - A Maintenance Free Option

One of the fasting growing ideas in kitchen décor is using quartz countertops. Quartz is a natural material that is very hard and durable. The only material that is actually harder then quartz is the diamond.

There are many good reasons to choose quartz countertops over other types of countertops. One big reason is that they are 100% maintenance free. They are non-porous so they never need to be sealed. They cannot be scorched or stained so they never need to be re-sanded or finished. They are bacteria free and only require a mild soap and a sponge to clean.

When you are looking to purchase quartz countertops, you should be prepared to spend between $45 to $95 per square foot to have it manufactured and installed. The reason for the price difference usually has to do with the color you pick and the edge profile that you choose.

How are Quartz Countertops Made?

With quartz countertops, every fabricator makes their product the same way. First they select the type of quartz they want to use. This can range from specks as small as sand to the size of a small pebble. They are then ground and mixed with coloring pigments and a bonding agent. That mixture is then heated and poured into a mold.

The next step is to extract the air from it, vibrate it and compress it, all at the same time. When they are finished with the slab, they then run a polishing wheel over it to give it a nice finish. This process allows the fabricators to be able to make a variety of colors and have a uniformity that you cannot get from other natural materials like granite.

As the popularity grows for quartz countertops, the fabricators are becoming more creative with the product. For example, one manufacturer has added glass shards so that you get a little sparkling effect.

Important Fact about Quartz Countertops

There are several things that you should know about having quartz countertops. When they come to install them, expect a crew to come. Quartz is extremely heavy and it will require several workers to get it into place so it can be properly installed. Although there is no way to make the seams completely invisible, a good installer will make them very hard to find.

Quartz countertops are very durable but they are not 100% scratch resistant. They are not easy to scratch, for instance laying your car keys down on the countertop will not hurt them, but having a heavy object dragged across the countertop can leave scratches.

They are also relatively scorch resistant and have a high heat tolerance but you should always err on the side of caution and use a trivet to keep your quartz countertops protected.

So when you are choosing a countertop material for your kitchen cabinets you should consider using quartz. Quartz countertops are durable, very easy to maintain and come backed with a good warranty. They may cost a little more upfront but they are made from a natural material and could literally last you a lifetime.