Quartz Kitchen Countertops

The Ultimate Guide to Quartz Kitchen Countertops

Quartz is well-known for being used in watches and clocks, but recently, it has become a popular choice for Quartz Kitchen Countertops in homes across the U.S. and worldwide. While materials like marble and granite are more famous and often thought of when it comes to home décor and construction, there’s a strong argument that quartz might actually be the best option for you to consider.

Our guide is intended to provide you with detailed information on the use of Quartz Kitchen Countertops as a kitchen countertop material, its advantages and disadvantages looking at factors such as cost, maintenance, endurance, and potential for beautification. The ultimate aim of this guide is to allow you to become a much more educated consumer with respect to your choice or kitchen countertop.

Popularity of Quartz Countertops

Quartz can be found naturally or made in a lab. When used for countertops, it’s made mostly from natural quartz mixed with other materials. Nowadays, engineered quartz Stone is the top choice for kitchen countertops in the U.S., making up 51% of the market.

This makes quartz a vastly more popular option for kitchen countertops than more ‘culturally famous’ materials such as marble and granite which do not hold more than 40% of the market together. The rise of quartz is a relatively recent trend that can be attributed to several factors though most interestingly quartz is a very eco-friendly material which has made it popular with an increasingly environmentally conscious populace, so it is especially a good choice for you if the environment is a major concern of yours.

The Different Types of Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops come in a few different types, and understanding them can help you choose the best one for your home. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Natural Quartz Countertops
Natural quartz is a mineral found in the earth. While quartz itself is very durable, natural Quartz Kitchen Countertops are not as common because they aren’t as strong or flexible as engineered quartz. They also tend to have a more uneven or random appearance.

Engineered Quartz Countertops
This is the most popular type of quartz countertop. It’s made by combining natural quartz with resin and other materials to create a strong, non-porous surface. Engineered quartz comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, which can look like natural stone or other stylish finishes. It’s highly resistant to stains, scratches, and heat, making it perfect for kitchens and bathrooms.

Quartzite Countertops
Quartzite is a natural stone that forms from sandstone under heat and pressure. While it’s similar to quartz, quartzite is harder and more durable. However, it’s more expensive and requires regular sealing to protect it from stains. It gives a natural stone look but with more strength.

Recycled Quartz Countertops
This type of countertop is made from recycled materials like glass, ceramics, mirrors, and quartz. It’s an eco-friendly option for people who want to reduce waste. These countertops are also stylish and unique, with lots of different color options.

Which One is Best for You?

Choosing the right quartz countertop depends on your style, budget, and how you plan to use it. Engineered quartz is the most practical choice for most people due to its durability, easy maintenance, and variety of designs. If you want something more natural, quartzite is a good option, though it needs a bit more care. If being eco-friendly is important to you, then recycled quartz might be perfect.

What are the Biggest Quartz Brands in the World?

The top five quartz brands in descending order are Cambria, Silestone, Ceasarstone, Universal Quartzz, and Corian. Cambria, Silestone, and Universal Quartzz are the three largest in the world and collectively capture around 45% of the international market but are most dominant within the United States and other Western countries.

What Are the Most Popular Quartz Kitchen Countertops?

Thickness

Quartz is available in a wide range of thickness options, but the most common measurements that people tend to opt for are 3/4of an inch and 1 ¾ inches. The appropriate thickness for you should depend entirely on the kind of look that you want to create.

Color

With respect to Quartz Kitchen countertop colors, the most popular choices tend to be variations of white quartz since it is the easiest to maintain and goes well in a traditional kitchen environment. Depending on how finely ground the quartz crystals are, it is possible for a quartz countertop to either be completely smooth or to have a more stylistic appearance. A smooth white quartz countertop is by far the most popular option you will see in any home.

A quartz countertop can also be obtained either as a polished, textured, or honed surface. Overall, there is a tremendous degree of individual variation and variety available when choosing a quartz countertop although plain white or grey are the most popular options for this material.

How Much Do Quartz Kitchen Countertops Cost?

Despite being a fairly popular and common choice of material, quartz can be surprisingly expensive if you opt for the more expensive grades. Within the U.S. State of Florida, for example, quartz can cost anywhere from between $50 to $100 per square foot. You’ve also got a group of higher-end products that can cost more.

The Hardness of Quartz

When choosing a countertop, one of the most important things to think about is how hard or strong it is. This matters because you’ll be putting heavy items on it, like kitchen appliances, bowls, and food. You want a countertop that’s tough enough so it doesn’t get scratched or dented easily when you place things on it.

As for quartz, it is one of the harder materials used for countertops with a Moh scale of mineral hardness reading of 7, the scale ranges from 1(extremely soft) to 10(extremely), which makes a quartz countertop far harder than other common materials such as limestone, marble, and granite which score far lower. The fact that quartz is one of the hardest materials used for countertops makes it quite ideal in this capacity as it means that a quartz countertop is very unlikely to experience the same kind of damage that marble or granite would experience.

How easily can Quartz be damaged?

Quartz countertops are a popular choice for kitchens and bathrooms due to their beauty and durability. They come in many colors and patterns, making them a stylish option for any home. But how strong are they really? Can they be damaged easily? Let’s explore what you need to know about quartz and its durability.

Everyday Wear and Tear

Like any surface, quartz countertops can face everyday wear and tear. When you chop vegetables or place heavy pots on your countertop, it might get some scratches or chips over time. While quartz is more resistant to scratches than some other materials, it’s still wise to use cutting boards to protect the surface.

Heat Resistance

Quartz countertops can handle some heat, but they aren’t completely heatproof. Placing a hot pot directly from the stove onto a quartz surface can lead to damage. The sudden temperature change can cause the resin in the countertop to warp or crack. To prevent this, always use trivets or heat pads for hot dishes.

Stains and Discoloration

Another concern is stains. While quartz is generally stain-resistant, it’s not stain-proof. If you spill something acidic, like lemon juice or vinegar, it can dull the surface or cause discoloration if not cleaned up quickly. It’s best to wipe up spills immediately and use gentle cleaners to maintain the shine of your countertop.

Impact Damage

Quartz can also be vulnerable to impact damage. Dropping a heavy object, like a cast-iron skillet, can chip or crack the surface. While minor dings can often be repaired, deeper cracks might require professional help. To avoid this, be careful when handling heavy items in the kitchen.

Scratching and Scuffing

Though quartz is tough, it can still scratch. Using metal utensils or dragging heavy items across the surface can leave marks. To minimize this risk, use soft cloths and non-abrasive cleaners for everyday cleaning. If you accidentally scratch your quartz, many manufacturers offer repair kits that can help fix minor damage.

How Sensitive to Temperature Is Quartz Kitchen Countertops

Temperature sensitivity is, naturally, one of the major concerns that homeowners have when choosing a countertop material since a kitchen is a room where a lot of hot appliances will be used chronically. Although quartz itself is extremely resistant to heat, engineered quartz contains materials such as resin and pigments which are not resistant to temperatures higher than 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

If exposed to temperature at this range, the countertop will experience damage so you cannot place a hot pot or pan directly upon a quartz countertop. The best way is to use a metal trivet in between your pot and the countertop so that no damage is inflicted.

For this reason, quartz is also not a material that is recommended for outdoor use. Direct sun and the associated UV rays will over time cause a discoloration from the resin turning it yellow. The material can also over time fade in color and using it outdoors may even void the warranty.

Overall, due to the materials that it contains engineered quartz is not the most heat-resistant of materials, although it is sufficiently resistant that you should not have any real issues as long as you use metal trivets for extremely hot pots and pans.