Quartz Kitchen Countertops

There are so many options to pick from when selecting your new kitchen countertops and it can be a challenge to determine which one is right for you and your lifestyle. Some materials are very well known and some consumers may know which material they want to use in their home, but is there an option that may be better suited for your needs. Granite is a very well-known material for counters, but you may want to consider another option like quartz and here are some very compelling reasons why.

Cost

Whether by choice or not everyone completing a kitchen renovation has a budget, and you want to get as much for your money as you can. To this point, quartz is less expensive than granite. If you happen to have a lot of counter space then the cost of a new counter can quickly add up so since quartz has an affordable price tag you will not have to compromise on the finished look of your space.

Appearance

Quartz actually has a controlled appearance to it due to the way it is manufactured, so the slab is the exact colour, texture and pattern you want. This means there will not be any defects, like there might be in a slab of granite, that will have to be cut around and increase the cost.

Strength

Quartz is actually made up of a combination of the natural material and a resin binder, so the finished product is actually a stone that is harder than granite, or even marble. The counter will be the same thickness as other materials and is cut in the same fashion.

Non-porous

Natural materials, like granite, are porous and are prone to stains from spills on the counter especially if they are not sealed properly. Quartz does not have this porous finish so it doesn’t require sealing and has minimal maintenance to it. It is also incredibly stain resistant which makes it the ideal choice for space like a kitchen.

Hygienic

Some high end manufacturers are producing quartz counters so that they are hygienic and minimize the opportunity for germs and bacteria to grow. This makes those high end brands good for food preparation followed by consumption right from the counter, and since they aren’t porous you will not have to worry about germs getting into your counter.

Maintenance

Perhaps this should be the lack of maintenance required for quartz counters. Natural materials, like granite and marble, have to be sealed approximately every 3 – 5 years in order to prevent staining and marks from showing. This will add to the cost of your counters, as you will need to factor in the cost of what it takes to seal them. Quartz does not need any of this maintenance to look just as good as the day it was installed.

Colour

A lot of granite counters are dyed by the manufacturer in order to improve the appearance of the counter. Over the years, as you use your counters, the dyes might change colour and then the appearance of your counter is not how it looked maybe even 5 – 8 short years ago. Quartz is manufactured in a large variety of colours and the colouring is consistent, so you will not get this change of appearance a few years after installation.

Cleaning

Since a counter is such a large purchase you want to make sure you are getting one that suits your life, and life can get busy. Quartz counters are really easy to clean, and washes with just soap and water to look good as new. You will not need to purchase special cleaning products with quartz counters.

Scratches

Quartz is a durable material, so it will not show nicks and scratches as easily as other, natural, materials will. With regular standard care and cleaning you will be able to keep your counters looking as great as the day they were installed.

Overall your kitchen countertops are really a large purchase in your life so it is important to consider all aspects of them and make sure the purchase you make is the right one for you.