5 Important Facts About Quartz Countertops

If you’re considering quartz countertops for your home, there are many benefits, which have made quartz not just a popular material for countertops for also for fireplace hearths, backsplashes, and other surfaces. Quartz countertops appear in many kitchens and bathrooms, and you’d be in good company if you choose this material. Here are five facts you need to know when considering quartz.

Quartz Is Engineered
While stone such as granite is cut into and then slabs for use as countertops, quartz is an engineered material and not a chunk of actual quartz. The process involves crushing up stone aggregate, including quartz, and mineral fillers, and mixing it with binders that turn the mixture into a solid slab. Because the aggregate is a waste product of other processes, engineered quartz is eco-friendly. Pigments are added to achieve the desired appearance, even if that’s a concrete lookalike. Antimicrobial agents can also be added to quartz to prevent bacterial growth on the counter’s surface.

But It Isn’t More Affordable
Quartz and natural stone prices are more comparable than some people might suspect because quartz countertops are engineered. The ease of fabrication is offset by the customization options and the benefits of quartz, both of which bring up the price of quartz. Buyers should beware of this cost. Cheaper quartz tends to contain less stone and more resin, which can result in a thinner and less resilient slab and inconsistent coloring.

Quartz Can Mimic Other Materials
Pigments can be added to a quarter countertop to imitate a number of materials. The marble look is especially popular, and quart does not have the same weaknesses as marble. The engineering process can create a very specific and consistent appearance for a quartz countertop. It’s easier to pair multiple slabs of quart than other materials because of this fact.

Quartz Doesn’t Need Sealing
While granite and marble are among the materials that require periodical sealing. This is because they contain tiny holes — pores — that can collect germs or residue if not properly sealed. One of the main perks of quartz is that it’s nonporous, so it doesn’t require sealing to be impenetrable. This property also makes quarts more resistant to stains than other countertop materials.

It Wasn’t Used for Countertops At First
Engineered quartz was initially used as floor tiles. The inventor of this process, Marcello Toncelli, initially-hand-poured and cut 12-by-12 slabs to use for flooring. However, it wasn’t until the 1970s that the material was used for countertops in 50-inch slabs. Counters had more seams that they do now because of the size limitation.

It’s no wonder why the price of quartz is worth it to homeowners or why quartz has becoming increasingly used for surfaces in addition to countertops when you consider these facts.