Quartz is an excellent choice for kitchen countertops that many homeowners are installing in their homes. Its popularity has skyrocketed over the years due to technological advancements in the stone industry. Quartz has an extraordinary appearance that mimics natural stone and this has been a big factor as to why many homeowners are turning to quartz as their number one choice for countertops.
What is Quartz?
Quartz is a man-made material comprised of ground quartz, resins, and pigments that give it the appearance of natural stone. It is a hard surface material that is extremely durable and non-porous. It is designed to be stain-resistant, scratch-resistant, and very easy to maintain.
Benefits of Quartz
- Quartz is a more affordable option for homeowners in comparison to natural stone and porcelain. This makes it a popular choice amongst home renovators as it allows you to achieve a similar look for a fraction of the price.
- It is effortless to maintain and clean, making it a good option for families with children and homeowners who love to cook.
- It is non-porous and stain-resistant. Liquids do not absorb within the material.
- Quartz is designed to be scratch-resistant, which makes it a great choice for homeowners who love to entertain. It is also hard to chip and doesn’t crack as easily as natural stone.
- The appearance of quartz is one of its major benefits. There are various options on the market that look very realistic to natural stone. Quartz is also available is many different colours and finishes, so there is an option out there for everyone!
- A clean and seamless look is easy to achieve by continuing the quartz up the backsplash. This makes the backsplash very easy to maintain and eliminates the need for tons of grout lines.
Edge Profiles
Another thing we love about quartz is the fact that homeowners can choose any countertop edge profile they would like. This makes it a very customizable option to fit any design aesthetic. The most common thickness for quartz slabs is 2cm or 3cm. The material can also be built up to make the edge even thicker. The pattern on the quartz slabs shows all the way through the entire material, making the edge profiles a possibility.
Maintenance Tips
- We recommend using soap and water, or a gentle multi-surface cleaner, to maintain the countertops.
- Using a sponge or a microfiber cloth is the best way to go to avoid unnecessary scratches. We recommend staying away from steel wool and other rough cleaning pads to avoid damaging the finish of the material.
- We recommend cleaning spills as soon as they happen to avoid dealing with stubborn stains. Quartz is stain-resistant, but proper care and maintenance is the key to preserving and protecting the finish of the material.
- Do not place hot pots and pans directly on the surface as the material can get damaged.
Takeaways
Overall, we love quartz as a countertop material, and it is one of our top choices when it comes to designing kitchens. The pros outweigh the cons for us and for a lot of our clients. There is no competing with the easy maintenance, and stain and scratch-resistant technology of the material. The improvements in technology have also allowed for tons of great design options to be available on the market, there is always a quartz slab that is suitable for every project and budget. The flexibility to choose different edge profiles and customize the design of the slab is also a bonus!
