When it comes to home renovations, one of the most important and expensive projects is a kitchen makeover. Since the kitchen is the heart of the home it makes sense to make it as beautiful and functional as possible. Updated kitchens also increase property value, making your investment in quality kitchen materials yield a great return. This is especially true when it comes to countertops. As we continue to plan for our kitchen renovation, I have been exploring various countertop materials in great detail before making any commitments. Today I am going to sharing what I have discovered about quartz, including why it’s popular and how it stands up against some of the most tried and true competitors in the countertop market.
Quartz is a man-made stone countertop material made from ground quartz rocks and resin. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns to create a dynamic look in any kitchen and can be installed as a single slab as well as individual tiles for a cost saving option!
Some Great Qualities of Quartz: Stylish, non-porous, anti-microbial, stain resistant, mold resistant, low maintenance, waterproof, heat proof.
Produced in the US
Because quartz is man-made, if you’re conscious of the source of materials going into your home, then quartz might be a great choice as there are many that can be produced right here on US soil.
Durability
Quartz has a reputation for being very durable. Quartz is one of the toughest materials on the market due to its composition of resin and ground stone. It has slightly more flexibility than a natural stone slab because it’s essentially glued together but because of the compression it goes through during the production process, it is very hard, sturdy and solid. The only concern with quartz, like granite, is that it’s rigid and can chip fairly easily.
Variety
A huge advantage of choosing quartz is the sheer variety of options. No matter the design of your kitchen there will likely be a quartz slab to match or at least compliment your color scheme and style. Quartz is available in solid colors or with patternes, or it can have a natural stone look like marble or granite. Some Some can look very expensive with refelective flecks of a different material in them. It’s really just a matter of personal preference, and the results can be absolutely stunning.
Sealing
To seal or not to seal? That is the question. The good news is that with a quartz countertop you NEVER have to seal it. That’s right, never. As opposed to a granite, marble, butcher’s block or even concrete, quartz doesn’t need a protective seal to keep stains and bacteria at bay. If you are looking for a simple wipe down material for the high traffic kitchens, look no further. This simple feature settles the entire argument for some homeowners and can be a huge help to households with kids, high use kitchens, and busy families.
Style
Because of the resin in its make-up, quartz is flexible and can be designed to fit almost any counter situation. As an added bonus, seams can virtually be erased by installing 60”-120” slabs with cuts between slabs almost mirroring each other. It can be curved and bent for kitchen islands and also used on walls and floors due to the flex in the resin, making it a great choice for the style concerned cook. In addition to this, because quartz slabs are manufactured, they are always uniform and can be created identical.
Because this material can literally be customized almost in its entirety it can be installed into most any kitchen, fitting into and around any sink, counter, appliances, etc., quartz will most likely fit right in
Installation
Like natural stone, quartz is very heavy. Even with a slightly more flexible structure you should seek the help of professionals upon installation to avoid cracking or the slab. It should also be noted that if you do possess a lot of experience in countertop installs/ home renovation that quartz counters are possible for DIY installs.
If you are building a new home or putting in a new kitchen altogether, contact the best custom home builder in your area who has experience with kitchen design and countertop installation to be sure everything is installed properly from the start. Generally, people assume that hiring a professional contractor to build a new house or for a kitchen remodel will be more expensive than DIY but that isn’t always the case. Just get some estimates before starting because it could save you a lot of time, money (and headaches) in the long run. We are really considering quartz countertops and it will not be a DIY job for us if we do decide to install them.
Quartz is a Great Choice For Bathrooms
Even though we are primarily talking about kitchens today, let’s take a quick detour for anyone who is looking to update their bathroom countertops as well. Quartz is exceptionally fit for bathroom counters as well, because they’re waterproof and anti-microbial. A quick wipe down, just like the kitchen, is all you need to keep a quartz counter clean and what’s better than just giving a surface a wipe down with soap and water and heading out the door? That’s right, nothing!
Pricing
Quartz can be as costly as natural stone, but it you pay for what you get. With virtually no upkeep as far as sealants and very little deep cleaning, quartz pays for itself over time.
At the end of the day, quartz has a lot of redeeming qualities as a countertop choice. Durability, low maintenance, price, style, and a vast variety should make this material a top contender when you’re considering your counters. But ultimately it will be determined by your budget, the way you use your kitchen, and the style you’re going for. Quartz is a higher end option that provides all the benefits that one would need in a countertops, but it’s important to shop around as well. Be sure to determine your deal breakers and what you are expecting out of the kitchen before making costly decisions and investing in a countertop that you have to live with for years. Being aware of other types of countertops and comparing the pros and cons with quartz can be a helpful part of the process too.
Do any of you have experience with quartz countertops? What are your thoughts on using quartz in the kitchen? I love hearing from you, dear readers!
Thanks for visiting today!
Amber
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