Kitchen And Bath Ideas

What Should I Know About Quartz Countertops Before I Buy?

Quartz is a naturally occurring mineral found in great abundance on Earth, it is second only to water and is naturally hard and scratch resistant. Only diamonds, topaz and sapphire are harder than quartz, which says a lot. If you're considering getting a quartz countertop for your kitchen you'll be glad to hear that they are manufactured with almost 100% quartz, whereas in contrast granite may contain only 50% quartz. The other minerals that are commonly found in granite make it soft and porous and therefore very vulnerable to stains and scratches. It is industry standard to manufacture quartz countertops with no less than 93% quartz, otherwise it will be unable to claim the hardness, durability or impermeability that's common with true quartz.

Because a quartz countertop is essentially engineered stone, there are a wide array of different colors and pigments that can be added that will allow it to match any kitchen's color or scheme. Cambria quartz boasts almost 27 different colors while the Silestone line of quartz can come in up to 48 different colors. Since natural granite can take millions of years to form its pigments, there are only a limited number of color choices, but because quartz can be engineered there is a greater number of color options and uniform consistency throughout the different slabs.

Keep in mind that since a quartz countertop is manufactured to be dense and strong, it does weigh quite a bit more than granite, so it will take a practiced professional to fabricate and install your new countertops. On the flip side, quartz is much easier to cut and handle than its granite counterpart, so trained installers can count on fewer broken slabs and less waste than what's usually found during a granite installation.

Updating and renovating your home is not something to be taken lightly, and the kitchen is the most important investment you can make in your home. If you want a countertop that can hold up to all your family can dish out, then you should consider going with quartz as it is considered one of the best, and strongest, minerals to be used. It is virtually maintenance free, very durable and more affordable than granite.