The Pros and Cons of Quartz Countertops
If you have been contemplating home improvement and changing, remodeling or refurbishing your kitchen or bathroom, the odds are that you have been carrying research on different types of countertops. There are a few different types of countertop that you can choose from, which all have different benefits and disadvantages, as well as prices! Stone is always a favorite when it comes to countertops, it is highly popular and always on trend, whether engineered or natural. You know that stone is a good investment and that you will get your money’s worth and not have to worry about replacing it in 10 years!
The 2 classic, very popular countertops that many people choose are, granite and marble, both are natural stone, long enduring and beautiful. However, over the past 2 decades another material has been hitting the popularity charts and has become very trendy – quartz. Quartz is classed as an engineered stone, because although quartz itself is a natural stone, quartz countertops are man-made. Quartz has all of the magnificence of natural stone and it has some additional benefits that are not found with granite and marble.
So, if you are on the lookout for the perfect countertop for your kitchen here are the pros and cons of quartz countertops to help you make an informed decision if it is the stone for you.
Pros of Quartz Countertops
1. Attractive Appearance
Quartz countertops have as much beauty as natural stone and in fact because they are manmade, their patterns are actually more uniform. There are a wide variety of colors and patterns available, so no matter what your kitchen or bathroom color scheme is, you will be able to find a shade to complement your color palette. As quartz countertops are engineered there are many different colors compared to those of natural stone. So, we have a countertop with the beauty of natural stone that is available in a multitude of different colors. It is no wonder that so many homeowners are choosing quartz over granite and marble!
2. Highly Durable
Durability is definitely an extremely important property for a countertop to have! One of the advantages of quartz is that if a mug drops from your cabinet it will break but your countertop won’t even have a scratch. Some other stone countertops are more brittle and can be scratched and chipped. This won’t happen with quartz, the reason is, it doesn’t have any flaws within its surface, as it has been man made, natural stone has natural flaws that can weaken its structure.
3. Non-porous
Another advantageous property of quartz is that it is a non-porous material whilst both granite and marble are porous stone. In fact granite is often sealed before installment and then needs to be regularly resealed. What this means is that quartz is completely impervious to any water or fluid being able to penetrate its surface. Completely waterproof and it will not stain! This is a definite advantage for both the kitchen and the bathroom. You won’t have to worry about stains from wine, fruit, juice, tomato sauce or anything else!
4. Low Maintenance
Due to its non-porous nature, quartz is a very low maintenance countertop, and is easier to maintain compared to other natural stone. As it is non-porous it doesn’t need regular sealing, It doesn’t have any crevices or natural cracks and flaws as you find with natural stone because it has been man made. It is antimicrobial, this means that bacteria and fungi cannot grow on its surface, making it very hygienic. It only needs soap and water to clean it, no harmful chemicals are needed or special cleaning techniques.
Cons of Quartz CountertopsEven though quartz is a fantastic choice for countertops, it does, like many things, have some disadvantages and may not be for everyone.
1. Vulnerable to Heat
Stone is a natural conductor so all stone countertops are sensitive to heat, unfortunately this is also one of quartz’s weaknesses. Too much heat will damage it. So if you are installing quartz as kitchen countertops you need to be aware not to place hot pans on the counter, as they can cause discoloration and cracking. However there is a solution, with the aid of trivets, heating pads and potholders there should be no reason that anything hot needs to go on the counter. If you are careful, then this shouldnt be a significant disadvantage.
2. Hard to Hide Seams
Quartz countertops have the same issues that all stone countertops have and that is it is difficult to hide the seams when they are installed. So if the appearance of seams is going to be an issue for you, you need to choose a material that can be installed without visible seams. If you choose a lighter shade of quartz the seams are not as noticeable.
3. Can Be Expensive
Quartz is a similar price to granite and marble, so if you are in fact looking for a more budget material, then unfortunately quartz is not it. It is a good investment however, as you wont need to replace it and you have the advantages of durability and low maintenance
So now you have the pros and cons. It is always a good idea before you make any important decisions to compare the pros and the cons. You can weigh up each and decide which pros or cons are more important to you and your requirements in your new kitchen or bathroom. Quartz countertops are a beautiful addition to any home, but they’re not necessarily for everyone.
Whatever your final decision is, we can help you find whatever type of countertops that you prefer. At MG Stone, Elk Grove Village, we are a leading company specializing in stone work and custom countertops. Our experts will help you find the stone countertop perfect for your needs. We offer free estimates on our services. Contact us today, you may be surprised at how affordable a beautiful quartz, or other stone, countertop can be.
