Everything You Need to Know About Quartz Countertops

Quartz, made from one of the hardest minerals on Earth, has arguably the most durable countertops available for kitchens. They are also some of the most eye-catching options available come from granite. Quartz countertops are available in a myriad of color options that include parkles and veining for the look of granite or marble. Unlike natural stone slabs that are mined, quartz slabs are manufactured in factories. The primary ingredient is ground quartz, combined with polyester resins to build and bind it and the pigments give it it’s color.

For certain designs, small amounts of recycled glass or metallic flecks are added to the mix. The resins also help make the counters stain and scratch-resistant and non-porous and hence they never need to be sealed. This is an excellent quality to have and avoids some money expenditure.

In past discussions, the biggest issue with quartz countertops in Denver and all across the country as well was the lack of colors and patterns that you get with stone. But that’s a thing of the past now as nowadays, manufacturers produce and sell multi-colored and hued slabs filled with flecks, swirls to help make them indistinguishable from the real thing. Once available with only a polished finish, you can now get one of these with honed, sandblasted or embossed finishes.

How Quartz Countertops are Manufactured

Natural quartz crystals are mined and then finely ground into an aggregate that’s then combined with resin binders under intense heat and pressure to form a solid slab. Certain pigments are added to it during the whole process that gives it its color.

Some Vital Information About Quartz Countertops

• Cost

These cost roughly the same as a natural stone that includes installation of quartz countertops

• DIY or Hire a Professional

Similar to natural stone, quartz slabs are very heavy and even though they are somewhat flexible they can crack if not handled properly. Hence a professional for this job is always suitable

• Availability of These Options

These are readily available Home Depot, IKEA, Lowe’s etc and other home centers

• Shelf Life

Quartz countertop warranties usually range between 10 to 15 years depending on the company you buy from.

Pros of Quartz Countertops

• Low Maintenance

Unlike natural stone or wood, this never needs to be sealed. Wiping with soapy water will do the trick. Stains on the surface can be taken care of by a scrub. Stay clear of scouring pads since they dull the surface and hard chemicals will likely break the bond between quartz and resin.

• Antimicrobial

Resin binders help make the quartz countertops non-porous so stain and odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew cannot penetrate the surface.

• Design Friendly

Some manufacturers offer bigger slabs for seamless finishing of the countertop. With standard slabs, which usually measure 60 by 120 inches, the seams are almost invisible. Further addition of resins produces cleaner cuts. Resins also make the quartz more flexible than natural stone which allows manufacturers to bend it into sinks or the sides of curved surfaces. These can also be cut into tiles.

Cons of Quartz Countertops

• Expensive

Quartz countertop cost a lot more than their counterparts such as wood, laminate and concrete including installation. Even acrylic solid surfacing costs lesser than this option.

• Not Heat Resistant

These countertops are heat resistant but only up to a certain point. Most options can withstand heat up to 400 degrees F, but a sudden change in temperature or sustained heat from a pan left on the counter may cause the surface to crack. Use a hot pad or trivet to be safe.

• No Outdoor Use

Installing these countertops outdoors in an uncovered area void the warranty instantly. Direct contact with sunlight day after day will lead it to its color fading and also cracks generating the surface which will lead it to warp or split over time. At present, there are no outdoor quartz countertops in Denver or elsewhere available on the market.