Everything You Need to Know about Quartz Countertops

Nowadays, quartz has risen as one of the most popular materials for kitchen countertops. Its popularity can even match the former and lasting options, such as marble and granite.

Because of high durability and stylish features, more and more people fall for quartz countertops when remodeling their kitchen.

If you consider installing a quartz counter as well, here is everything you need to know about quartz and what it offers.

A. Getting to Know about Quartz and Quartz Countertop

In the science term, quartz refers to a chemical compound which consists of silicon and oxygen.

Quartz possesses unique properties as a natural stone that makes it one of the most useful substances on earth. While that definition represents the context of science, the characterization of quartz countertops is not the same.

Unlike its natural form, a quartz countertop is not entirely composed of silicon and oxygen. It is manufactured by blending the small bits of quartz with resin and a polymer binder.

Some types of engineered quartz also include other materials such as bits of various natural stones. This manufacturing process results in a wide variety of colors and patterns that can be useful for designing a nice and functional cooking space.

B. Some Popular Colors of Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops come in various colors.

Here are some of the best quartz countertops colors and patterns that can be selected for your kitchen.

1. White Calacatta Quartz, one of the most widely used patterns of quartz. This color option offers a clean white surface with subtle blue and gray layers.
2. Gray Summerhill Quartz, a color variety introduced by Cambria. It features a grayish surface with dramatic accents that resemble gentle clouds in a silvery sky.
3. Sparkling Black Quartz, a popular black color with a reflective surface. This color variety looks deep and bright at the same time.
4. Blue Carrara Quartz, also known as Carrara Grigio Quartz, combines blue and gray shades for a timeless look of kitchen countertops.

C. Pros and Cons of Quartz Countertops

Like other natural stones, quartz comes with its strengths and weaknesses.

You can take the pros and cons of quartz countertops below into consideration before deciding to install one in your kitchen.

1. Pros

Quartz countertop offers a wide range of colors and attractive patterns

In terms of style and attractiveness, quartz countertop deserves to be on the top list. Manufactured quartz is designed in a wide variety of colors and patterns.

The colors of quartz countertops range from earthy tones like marble or granite to richer and deeper shades. Some of them also offer solid yet luxurious patterns that will create a focal point in the kitchen.

Quartz is highly durable

Durability is one of the most important points to consider when choosing a countertop material. Quartz can also win at this point; it has the same level of durability as granite or concrete. Also, the hard feature of quartz makes it more difficult to chip or crack for a long period.

Quartz is stain-resistant and easy to clean

Due to its non-porous structure, quartz has a better ability to resist common types of stains in the kitchen. These include oil, sauce, juice, even some more stubborn stains like wine and coffee.

That being said, a quartz countertop is easier to clean. You only need to wipe out the stains using soap and water to get rid of them completely.

2. Cons

Quartz is not resistant to heat

Although it is highly resistant to various kinds of stains, quartz doesn’t have the same ability to resist heat or high temperature. This becomes a significant downside since the countertop is placed in the kitchen.

For this reason, it is better not to put hot pots or pans on the countertop to prevent it from any damage.

Only professionals can install quartz countertops

Installing a quartz countertop on your own is not advisable, even when you are a DIY kind of person.

Unlike laminate or butcher block, quartz can only be installed by certified or professional installers. It means that you have to pay extra cost for the installation.

D. How much are quartz countertops?

If you want to settle with quartz countertops, you’re probably wondering how much they cost. Quartz, along with marble and granite, has higher costs than other countertop materials.

Considering its excellent quality and luxurious feature, the high price of quartz is worth it.

The price of quartz varies depending on the quality. Lower quality quartz usually costs around $50 per square foot or even less.

For midrange quality, the cost of quartz per square foot ranges between $60-65. Meanwhile, if you want to go with the highest and best quality, the cost you should expect is around $100-120 per square foot.

On average, the total cost of installing quartz countertops is between $2,000-3,000, includes installment.

There’s a way to have quartz countertops when you are on a tight budget. Instead of buying quartz in slabs, you can go for the remnants to save money.

The price is surely lower than usual, so you should check the availability of quartz remnants as a cheaper alternative.

E. Quartz vs Granite Countertops

It’s not a wrong move to consider other options besides quartz. Granite, for instance, is a suitable match for quartz in the battle of best countertops.

Both have their strong points—and weak ones. In short, the following is a brief comparison between quartz and granite countertops.

• In general, both quartz and granite are equally durable. However, granite is more resistant to scratches and high temperature. 
• Granite is more environmentally friendly, but quartz emits less amount of radon, which prevents harsh chemical materials from spreading around the kitchen area.
• Granite is less expensive than quartz. You can have granite for $50-75 per square foot, while the cost of quartz can be higher than that.
• Granite has been claimed as the most popular countertop for decades. With the rising of quartz, you have a newer alternative for the kitchen, which is both stylish and trendy.

That concludes what you need to know about quartz countertops, including its cost as well as pros and cons. You can take the information above into account before choosing quartz as the countertop material for your kitchen.