When planning your kitchen, it’s important to pick the right worktop material. It’s important to take your time and do your research because this is a long-term investment. It might be difficult to decide between quartz worktops and granite for kitchen countertops because of how little visible difference there is between the two. From the outside, it looks like both are constructed out of authentic stone. They are visually similar, and perform similarly, and have similar lifespan. But if you dig a little further, you’ll find that they’re all constructed differently.
Knowing everything there is to know about the quartz worktop material will help you pick the perfect one for your kitchen. You should check the facts before making any assumptions. If you do this, you’ll have a much better notion of what to get. It will also lessen the likelihood that you’ll buy anything and then rapidly come to regret it. Consumption remorse is something no one wants.
What Exactly is Quartz?
Quartz worktops are the main ingredient in most engineered stones used to make modern kitchen worktops. Other materials, such as resins and polymers, are added to boost the worktop’s durability and aesthetic appeal.
Quartz is impervious to water and other liquids, making it an ideal material for use in wet environments like bathrooms and kitchens. Water, oils, alcohol, juices, and soap are just some of the liquids that can cause problems for natural stone countertops, making quartz a cleaner option.
Quartz worktops may be maintained in pristine condition with just a moist cloth and a light detergent. Quartz is an excellent option since it can be made to look like marble or granite without maintenance hassles or durability issues.
What exactly do quartz countertops consist of?
Quartz occurs naturally as a mineral in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Quartz is so strong that it protects the softer minerals around it from erosion and weathering. Consequently, quartz gradually becomes the dominant mineral in worn sediment systems like beaches.
Quartz worktops are artificial despite their natural appearance made possible by contemporary technology. It must be bound with resin or binders before it may be used to make scratch-, heat-, and stain-resistant artificial stone.
Quartz kitchen worktops typically contain between 90% and 95% quartz. Quality surfaces, like CRL Quartz, are made from a combination of natural quartz (about 93%), polymers and resin (about 7%), and colors (about 2%).
Quartz Worktops
Know that your quartz kitchen worktop is not natural looking before you buy it. Crushed quartz is combined with polymer resins (which serve as a binding agent) and color pigments to create these countertops.
Quartz is exceedingly hard, rivaling only precious stones in terms of hardness, making it a very long-lasting substance. It is important to note that quartz used for worktops is a vast improvement over natural quartz.
In addition, it comes in a wide variety of styles and colors, making it easy to find one that complements the decor of your kitchen. Quartz worktops, in contrast to granite, feature synthetic patterns and hues.
Appearance
Quartz is a man-made stone, not a natural one like granite. Designs can be quite appealing due to the fact that they are created by humans. There is a broader spectrum of colors available. Quartz countertops stand out from the crowd with a glossy appearance that is both beautiful and opulent.
Durability
Quartz is just as tough. Its “working thickness” is comparable, but its increased strength makes it less prone to cracking and chipping. Keep in mind that most quartz worktops won’t be covered by a lifetime warranty.
Avoiding stains
Quartz, in contrast to the porous granite, is not. The minerals are not interconnected by capillary channels. To put it another way, the stone is particularly stain resistant since it does not absorb liquids.
Immunity to Heat
Quartz countertops are excellent in this regard. It is not advised, however, to set directly from the oven hot saucepans on the countertop. This practice can cause heat shock and breakage. Protect your surfaces with a trivet or heat pad. Quartz can withstand temperatures of over 250 degrees Celsius, making it safe to use as a hob surface.
Seams
Both granite and quartz countertops will have seams. Quartz, on the other hand, hides these flaws better if you choose a dark slab. Because quartz countertops are dyed and produced, it’s simpler to conceal their seams. The seam or joint can be best concealed in quartz worktops of a solid tone.
Cleaning
Quartz countertops require minimal maintenance to keep them looking like new. The countertop can be restored to its original condition by simply washing it with light detergent and water or ordinary soap and warm water. You can wash it with regular soap. A non-abrasive soap and a scratch-free scrub pad can be used instead if necessary. Maintaining your work surface’s shine and luster with regular cleaning extends the lifespan of your countertop.
Quartz shouldn’t be cleaned using paint-remover chemicals like methylene chloride or trichloroethane, so keep that in mind if you decide to buy quartz. Dishwashing polishing products and other harsh cleaners should be avoided as well due to their high alkaline content. If the countertop ever comes into contact with such a substance, a quick rinse with water should prevent any lasting harm.
Safety
The antimicrobial properties of quartz come from the mineral’s nonporous structure. You can use it to cook food without fear of contaminating the food supply.
Price
The price of quartz countertops has dropped dramatically over the past few years as their prevalence in homes has increased. The price gap between granite and quartz has narrowed significantly in recent years. You can join the trend of people selecting quartz for its aesthetic value and variety of available colors rather than its low price.
Conclusion
It is not difficult to shop for granite or quartz countertops for your kitchen. The size of the initial outlay, it’s wise to do some research before committing. Make a sensible choice and ditch the urban legends about kitchen countertops.
