Choosing a countertop for your newly remodeled kitchen or bathroom is a lot of fun. However, it’s a serious business. After all, there is a considerable investment involved and it is a commitment that will stay for a long time with you. If you wish to choose quartz as your countertop option, you must know about several quartz countertops pros and cons before making the final decision.
Quartz is relatively new when compared to other countertop options like granite. Still, it has managed to become a popular household name due to its characteristics. Unlike other natural stones like granite or marble, quartz is an engineered stone. Further, this opens up new possibilities for flexibility and purpose. Now let us look into its benefits and limitations as a countertop option.
Quartz at a Glance
Quartz is an engineered stone as they contain a ratio of 93% crushed quartz and 7% resin and polymers. This is the reason why some call it natural while others call it made-made. But in reality, it is a mixture of both. Interestingly, quartz is a natural mineral that is composed of oxygen and silicon.
The manufacturing process involves crushing the natural quartz into fine pieces and then bonding them together with resins. Since it is an engineered stone, quartz does not have the usual weakness of natural stone.
Quartz Countertops: Pros
Consistent in Appearance
Quartz countertops are manufactured surfaces made of quartz crystals combined with other minerals then bonded with resins.
Therefore, each piece of quartz looks similar. This means, when you buy a quartz countertop, you know that the installed countertop in your kitchen will look the same you see in the showroom.
Contrarily, this isn’t the case with natural stone countertops like granite or marble as their patterns and veins can vary considerably between each slab. And if you want to get a consistent design, you may need to visit the slab yard to select the slabs yourself.
In this way, quartz countertops possess a consistent design, which further looks attractive after installation.
Durability
When you opt to install a quartz countertop, you are getting a solid and tough surface material that can withstand decades of use.
Further, it is resistant to scratches and chipping. Along with that, you don’t need to take care of water seeping inside as quartz countertops are entirely water-resistant.
This is one of the biggest reasons to choose quartz countertops over others.
We can say, quartz countertops are indestructible to a large extent; however, this does not mean you don’t need to use a chopping board. Being this durable doesn’t mean you should not care for it. Interestingly, quartz manufacturers provide warranties against defects and damages.
Low Maintenance
While selecting a countertop, the first thing that should strike your mind will be how much will this take to maintain. Natural stone countertops require high maintenance to keep them looking best. You also have to seal them every year to improve their longevity. As natural stone countertops are porous, they are prone to water damage and can quickly get stained.
Quartz, on the other side, doesn’t have this problem. You will never need to seal a quartz countertop as it is always waterproof. Further, natural stone countertops also require special cleansers.
In case natural stone countertops are exposed to acidic cleaners, they can get damaged. But with quartz, you don’t have to worry about anything; just a non-abrasive cleaner is all you need.
Does not Attract Mold
Places around your kitchen sink can attract a lot of mold and fungi, which can be harmful to your family as well as your countertop. Natural stones like marble have seams. If you don’t seal them properly, marble can attract a lot of mold and damage. However, quartz countertops being waterproof and non-porous, are resistant to these things.
Variety of Designs and Finishes
With quartz countertops, you will find lots of designs. Moreover, several elegant designs give a contemporary look to your kitchen, our bathroom. Along with that, you will find some quartz countertops with exquisite designs that have glass and metal chips.
Apart from this, quartz countertops give you the freedom of customization; though this comes at a premium, it’s worth it if you are looking for an extraordinary design.
Quartz Countertops: Cons
Cannot Withstand Extreme Heat
If you love cooking most of the time and too for an extended period, quartz is not the perfect countertop option. This is because quartz countertops cannot withstand extreme heat, thus increasing the chances of being cracked.
If we look deep, quartz is entirely heat resistant; however, the resins and polymers used to bond them together can melt. On the other side, natural stones like granite and marble are completely natural and can withstand greater temperatures and that too for long.
Not Suitable for Outdoor Use
Nowadays, an outdoor kitchen has become a popular trend. This makes it essential to select the right countertop that is suitable for this purpose. Unfortunately, you cannot use quartz countertops outdoors as the resins that bind the countertop can fade in direct sunlight. This can also happen if you place your countertop beside a sunny window. For outdoor kitchens and living spaces, granite and marbles are much better options.
High Price
Quartz countertops are considered luxury options as they typically cost more when compared to natural stone countertops. Nevertheless, the cost of alternatives like granite and marble varies widely depending on several factors.
But when considering granite or quartz, keep in mind that high-end natural stones can cost much more than quartz.
As you can see, there are a lot of reasons to love quartz countertops. But they aren’t an ideal countertop option for everyone. The price is on the higher side, but maintenance and durability can make up for it.
When considering drawbacks like heat resistance, you should know that there are cons associated with natural stones. After considering all the quartz countertops’ pros and cons, and only you can decide if it’s right for you.
