For years granite was the choice for sophisticated classy countertops. But the trouble was granite was relatively high maintenance. But now Quartz countertops are the rage and best of all they are low maintenance and affordable.
No more worrying about having to seal and reseal and quartz is much more scratch and stain resistant. And it is also stronger than granite and has a huge selection of colors to choose from. So what’s not to like about it?
This gift from nature needs to be incorporated into more homes. Quartz is abundant throughout the earth. In fact the only other element that’s more common is water. So why not take advantage of such a beautiful and abundant element.
It is naturally hard ranking 7 on the Moh’s Hardness Scale. Only sapphires, topaz, and diamonds are harder, so you can imagine the durability of quartz as a countertop.
Countertops made from quartz are almost 100% quartz in contrast to granite which is usually only about 50% which leaves granite porous and easy to stain and scratch. That’s why quartz is so much more durable.
The manufacturing of quartz countertops was patented by Breton in Italy and every company that manufacturers these countertops uses this exact process. It’s a very unique process and it works exceptionally well.
Raw quartz crystals ranging from granules to rock salt size is ground and then combined with bonding agents and color. It is then heated and compacted so that it forms a surface that is impenetrable. The air is literally sucked out of it. The end result is slabs of quartz that won’t crack and a surface that will stay impervious to moisture and water. It also means bacteria cannot penetrate the quartz.
So whether you purchase your quartz countertop from DuPont, Cambria, or Cosentino the process is the same and thus the quality of product is the same. That’s why quartz countertops come with a ten year warranty.
During the production process color is added to the quartz. Because quartz countertops can be custom ordered this means you can choose the color that’s perfect for your kitchen décor. No settling for almost what you want.
Cambria offers 27 standard color options, Cosentino Silestone offers 48, and DuPont offers a similar number. Quartz varies a great deal depending on the mix of granules and the size of the granules. In fact there is one countertop that mixes mirrored glass and quartz for a fabulous look!
The small the crystals the more uniform the appearance of the countertop is where as the larger the crystals the more mottled the look becomes.
The slabs are finished by using large polishing wheels that bring out the high gloss but you can also get them with a low sheen. The edging varies depending on the style and the manufacturer but one thing that is always consistent is the classy look of these counters!
They do weigh a slight bit more than granite. That’s because they are constructed so dense to make them that much stronger. Cutting them takes some practice but once the installers get the hang of it it’s not any different than any other type of countertop installation.
Quartz countertops run anywhere from $40 to $100 per square foot installed, depending on your choice. So are you ready for your kitchen to look great?
