You have a lot of options when it comes to countertops for your kitchen. But, if you are looking for something that is durable and beautiful, then quartz might be the best option for you. Quartz is one of the most popular countertop materials on the market right now, but there are many things that make it such a fantastic choice!
We will talk about those reasons in this post and answer some common questions about quartz. If you’re ready to find out what makes quartz such a good choice, keep reading!
What Are The Advantages of a Quartz Countertop?
Quartz is an amazing countertop option. It’s not only durable against wear but it also looks beautiful and stylish in any kitchen décor style. Quartz is the perfect choice for lots of reasons! Because it’s so durable, it won’t scratch easily and can be custom-cut into various shapes. It’s also designed to look like a variety of different materials such as marble but is available at affordable prices.
Unlike granite, quartz doesn’t require polishing or sealing every year but will still look as good at the end of its lifespan. It’s also super scratch-resistant which makes it an awesome option for families with children!
Quartz is the Best Countertop for Durability – But Why?
Quartz is a non-porous and non-absorptive material, which means it’s not vulnerable to stains like marble. People often panic when they spill liquid or food on their beautiful countertops but because quartz can easily be wiped clean of stains with a dry cloth and some warm water and soap there is no need to worry.
Quartz countertops won’t leave behind permanent marks like other materials, nor will they crack as easily. I’ve got a busy life I’m constantly on the go with my kids and I live in a hectic household, so quartz is my kitchen countertop material of choice because of its durability.
A Quick Story: Quartz vs. Marble for Kitchen Countertops
Recently I renovated an old farmhouse, the family was dead set on using marble for their kitchen countertops. It turned out to be a costly mistake that resulted in a lot of headaches. Marble is porous, which means it’s not immune to stains like quartz. To make matters worse marble countertops are more delicate so they’re prone to chipping and cracking. After just a few weeks their marble countertops had been battered and beaten. To have the marble polished and honed to restore its beauty would easily cost $400-500. Instead of watching them deteriorate further, they quickly pulled the bandaid off and decided to replace them with quartz.
Deeper Dive into Quartz Characteristics
When you start shopping for quartz countertops, descriptions like man-made counters might make it difficult to choose. Whatever countertop you ultimately choose, remember that pure quartz countertops are pure quartz combined with resin pigment and other crushed-up materials.
Quartz counters are just so different from what we’re used to because there are pieces of recycled industrial waste such as ceramic, silica, glass and mirror within the countertop. Now, that unique look is why quartz has been gaining so much popularity lately.
Why are Quartz Counters Increasing in Popularity?
Quartz countertops are all the rage today, and that is because they’re a cost-effective option. Quartz countertops are easy to install and they seemingly go well with today’s most popular kitchen trends from stainless steel appliances to white cabinets.
Quartz counters have many finishes, including shiny metal, crushed materials, dark metallic, matte multicolor, sparkling patterns of light colors over darker colors all with different feels.
How Much Do Quartz Countertops Cost per Square Foot?
Quartz slabs are commonly used for countertops or other surfaces in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room. It is important to ask about different types of quartz before deciding on a type that suits your budget best.
For those looking at low-budget options, expect to pay around $50 per square foot; medium-priced counters start at $75 but can go up as high as over $150 for the best quartz countertops depending on quality level; while top-end costs could be well over 5 times more expensive than industry average costing upwards from 3000 dollars per slab without installation cost included.
Is Cleaning a Quartz Countertop Easy?
Quartz will resist permanent staining when exposed to liquids like wine, vinegar, tea, lemon juice and soda. Take care of fresh messes with mild dishwashing detergent and a soft cloth. For dried spills or heavy stains, your best bet is a glass cleaner nonabrasive sponge all while using elbow grease.
Quartz Colors – The Look of Granite, Marble or Something Spicy
When it comes to color, there are endless possibilities. Whether it’s a bright and bold pop of neon or the earthy tones of nature, there’s something for everyone. Quartz offers flexibility that a natural stone simply can not compete with. Whether you want your kitchen countertop to look like marble, granite or bright and exotic, it can be done with a quartz countertop.
Who are the Best Quartz Countertop Brands?
You might be wondering who the best quartz countertop brands are? Well, that’s a great question! There are many different brands out there to choose from and it can get confusing. So which one should you go with? The answer is simple: pick the brand that has high-quality material, beautiful colors and durable products.
Here we outline the major quartz countertop brands to help you make your decision.
Cambria Quartz Surfaces
Cambria Quartz Surfaces is a privately held Minnesota-based company that has been in the quartz countertop industry since 2000. Although it opened its 150,000 square foot plant within one year of entering this market segment and tripled their factory size by 2005, Cambria still stands out from other companies as they cannot be found at big box home improvement stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s; instead, customers can only purchase them directly on the website or through distributors.
• Independently owned company
• Customers can only buy through Cambria’s website or distributors
• Choose from over 100 colors/designs
• Durable, stain-resistant surfaces
Caesarstone
Caesarstone is the original quartz surface manufacturer. Founded in 1987, Caesarstone has a factory at Kibbutz Sdot Yam and another in Bar-Lev Industrial Zone. The kibbutz developed it as an alternative to its failing terrazzo tile industry that was prevalent before then. In addition to their Concetto Collection with 10 surfaces made with semi-precious stones such as agate, dumortierite, tiger’s eye and petrified wood; they also offer deep embossing of crocodile skin on Motivo collection items.
• Affordable, durable surfaces
• Unique colors & patterns that are exclusive to Caesarstone
• High-quality products with an affordable price range
• Provides better kitchen design & function for your home.
Silestone
Silestone is a quartz countertop brand from Italy that offers vibrant colors not found in other brands. It also comes with matching designs of sinks, vanities and shower pans for your bathroom remodel needs!
The company was founded by Cosentino and they specialize in natural stone-like appearance as well as bright color options like oranges, greens reds or blues to be used on countertops backsplashes or even the sink vanity/shower pan you’ll need during an upcoming bathroom remodeling project.
• Get vibrant colors not found in other brands
• Bright color options from oranges, greens, reds or blues
• Have a natural stone-like appearance with Silestone quartz countertops
• Match your new Silestone countertop with their sophisticated and spacious bathroom shower pans
In Conclusion
Quartz countertops are a great option for your kitchen because of their variety in color, materials, durability and assortment of designs. With so many different options available on the market today, it’s easy to find one that suits you best. Make sure the company from which you purchase quartz products is reputable before making any sort of investment with them-remember that man-made quartz counters continue to be growing as an industry!
