Why Are Quartz Countertops So Popular

Since the 1990s to early 2000s, there has been one stone that has risen in popularity with kitchen and bathroom countertops. While it has been used earlier, the desire for this stone has skyrocketed for its many advantages and customizable design. As you can probably guess, this amazing stone is quartz.

Quartz countertops are one of the three most desirable stone materials for home countertops. But what makes quartz so popular? Why do some companies promote it as being the best stone on the market? What makes quartz countertops so special compared to the well-known marble or granite?

That is why we will show you today. Follow along as we explain why quartz countertops are so popular and why you should upgrade your home with them today.

Table of Contents

Specially Made Quartz Countertops

Quartz is one of the most abundant stones on Earth. The mineral can be found around the world and many big-name companies have their own sustainably sourced quarries dedicated to mining quartz.

What makes quartz countertops so special is that they are technically engineered. While marble and granite countertops are made with their corresponding stone, quartz countertops are manufactured. Quartz countertops are composed of 90-93% quartz mineral, fused together with an epoxy resin, then dyed for style and color.

This method transforms quartz into the delightful fusion of nature and man-made ingenuity.

Hardness

A stone’s hardness is defined as how resistant a stone is to being scratched or damaged. The Mohs scale has been widely accepted as the primary way of testing a stone’s hardness. For context, diamond has a Mohs rating of 10, indicating it is one of the hardest minerals on Earth. Diamonds can scratch other minerals lower than it, and it is very difficult to scratch unless with an equally hard stone.

Quartz has a Mohs rating of 7 out of 10, placing it in the upper percentage of hard minerals. This toughness means that quartz countertops are very difficult to scratch. Granted, it is always possible to scratch quartz with something with a hardness of 8 or above, but for general daily use, quartz can handle almost anything any modern kitchen can throw at it.

Stain Resistance and Porosity

As we mentioned before, quartz countertops are engineered. Once the quartz mineral has been combined and dyed, the entire slab is sealed together for added protection. This added level of sealing means quartz countertops do not have pores, making it difficult for stains to seep into the stone.

When liquids such as juice, water, paint, ink, or other loose debris fall on a quartz countertop, they will stick to the surface of the stone. In comparison, stones like marble and granite are very porous where if the same liquids are left on the stone, they will sink into the stone to cause deep stains and blemishes.

Quartz countertops don’t have that same issue, making them much more valuable in your home.

Chip Resistance

While hardness tests out a stone’s scratch resistance, a stone’s durability will test out how resistant it is to chipping, cracking, or breaking. It would only make sense for a homeowner to install a stone countertop that won’t break at the first sign of stress.

Quartz countertops are very durable, able to withstand heavy use in an active kitchen or bathroom. While putting a precise number to it is difficult, quartz would get an 8 out of 10 for durability. It is a stone that will not crack or break easily, unless you are directly smashing it with a hammer. But hopefully no one is doing that.

Heat Resistance

Kitchens can become one of the hottest rooms in the whole house thanks to appliances like cookstoves, ovens, dishwashers, and whatnot.

Quartz minerals were made from silica being super-heated in magma then recrystallizing under intense pressure in the Earth’s crust. This gives quartz a naturally high tolerance to heat as it was a key ingredient in its formation.

The resin binding the quartz countertop together is not as resistant. However, the amount of heat it will take to actually loosen the adhesive resin from the quartz slabs will need to be hotter than anything a regular kitchen appliance can produce.

This means your quartz countertops will keep their cool when you’re busy cooking up a storm for friends and family.

Maintenance

Quartz countertops are exceptionally easy to clean thanks to their previously stated advantages. Thanks to the combination of having no pores, scratch resistant, and automatically sealed in the fabrication process, quartz countertops can be cleaned with little more than a gentle soap, some warm water, and a soft cloth.

Most companies have specific cleaners which can be used on quartz countertops which are available to purchase prior to installation.

Quartz countertops do not need resealing over time and any damage which does form on the slab can be easily repaired with a quartz repair kit.

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Looks Great!

Since quartz countertops are engineered, they are produced in a variety of colors and patterns. The most popular styles of quartz countertops are the slabs which mimic marble. However, other styles can be explored to give homeowners and designers more flexibility when choosing the perfect countertops.

While natural stone is beautiful with its inconsistencies and natural designs, quartz countertops can be more uniform and stylized to be aesthetically pleasing. For those who like having clean, straight, and symmetrical designs, than quartz countertops are a true treasure.

Environmentally Friendly

A huge benefit of quartz countertops is how environmentally friendly the stone is. As we mentioned before, quartz is one of the most abundant stones on the planet. Many quarries accidentally dig up large amounts of quartz, which they use to fabricate quartz countertops. This reduces the amount of waste in quarries by using all excess material being dug up.

Cost Effective & Home Value

Stone like marble and granite can be expensive to obtain, depending on where you live and how much supply is on the market. Marble can become exorbitantly expensive as the most popular types of marble stone like Carrara or Calacatta are only quarried in Italy, making the price for them more valuable than any other stone. To contrast, quartz countertops can be an affordable alternative.

Quartz has the benefit of mimicking any stone design in the manufacturing process, giving homeowners and interior designers more options for purchasing the quality stone they desire.

Additionally, installing quartz countertops shows realtors that you took care of your home and made active choices to upgrade it while in your care. This will increase your property value, giving you more money in the event you wish to sell your home.

Conclusion

Honestly, we can go on for hours about all the amazing advantages of quartz countertops. But you can always see for yourself by scheduling an appointment with us to speak with one of our professionals to learn more.

Why you can trust Marble.com

When it comes time to get the job done, our fabrication and installation teams have the equipment and expertise it takes to get your project cut and delivered the right way, every time. We at Marble.com are known for our incredibly quick turnaround, as we understand having countertops and other mainstays installed quickly and properly is important to our customers. We value your time, and our goal is to create the best work possible and have you enjoying it as possible.

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