Quartz slabs are made from the 4th hardest mineral on earth, quartz countertops are arguably one of the most durable options for kitchen countertops and bathroom countertops. Aeon Stone and Tile carries a wide variety of colors, including fire-engine red and apple green, as well as earthy browns, blacks, and creams, with sparkles and veining for the look of granite or marble. Pure White Quartz for kitchen Countertops are the most popular due to the neutral, clean look. But unlike natural-stone slabs, which are mined, these slabs are engineered in a factory and hence considered processed. The quartz slabs are made from ground quartz (about 93 percent), combined with polyester resins to hold it together and pigments to give it color. This forms a very hard surface very similar to granite. The appearance depends on how the quartz is ground: coarsely ground quartz produces a flecked appearance, while finely ground quartz produces a smooth look. For some products, small amounts of recycled glass or metallic/mirror flecks are added to the mix. A sealer is pre-applied during the manufacturing process in Quartz slabs whereas natural stone countertops need to be sealed after installation. Many quartz manufacturers market their slabs as stain and scratch proof, often at the expense of the natural stone industry. However, with today’s technology, certain sealers warranty natural stone products against staining for over 10 – 15 years. Many natural stones are also harder than quartz so when selecting your countertop material, select it for the look and for your lifestyle rather than misinformation.
In the past, the biggest challenge in the quartz industry was that quartz lacked the patterns and color variations that are common with natural stone. This is a moot point now, with most manufacturers offering multihued slabs with enough flecks, swirls, and random patterning to try and make quartz indistinguishable from natural stone. By trying to mimic mother-nature and millions of years of natural evolution under the earth, the result is often a weak attempt that looks nothing like natural stone. Quartz slabs were once available only with a polished finish; now they are available in honed, sandblasted, or embossed treatments. So if it’s the look of matte limestone, textured slate, or glossy granite that you want, there is allegedly a quartz countertop for you. The biggest difference between a quartz countertop and a natural stone that with quartz countertops are uniform in look and produced en mass in a factory in hours. Mrs. Smith will have the same countertops as Mrs. Jones whereas natural stone offers a countertop that is unique and cannot be duplicated. At the end of the day it comes down to what kind of look you are after and what kind of lifestyle you have.
Pros and Cons of Quartz for Kitchen Countertops compared with Granite Countertops
Quartz countertops are extremely hard and durable; glossy sheen; non-porous and stain-and-crack resistant; does not require sealing or resealing; wide range of colors; easy to clean with mild soap, water, and a soft cloth. Quartz for Kitchen Countertops are just as strong as granite but have the added benefit of being more flexible. This makes them easier to work with during the installation process. On the other hand, due to the toxin resins that are built into quartz slabs, they are very dangerous for fabricators to work with and can cause various cancers over time. Also quartz for kitchen countertops are not heat tolerant and hence cannot be used on fireplaces, and near extremely hot ovens. One drawback that you should definitely take note of is these counters can discolor over time when exposed to direct sunlight. If you have a part of your counter that receives some of the UV rays from the sun while another part doesn’t, over time you may see a color difference.