There are various options for kitchen or bathroom countertops. Different stones and tiles are available for kitchen countertops. Marble, granite, and quartz, three of these are beautiful and functional in their ways. If you are thinking of quartz countertops for your kitchen, you might want to know more about it. Some pros and cons will help you make the decision.
Before getting into the pros and cons of quartz countertops, try to know what quartz is. Quartz is considered to be an engineered stone. It is made of some quartzite with resins which is then dyed under heat and pressure. Its making is done in such a way that it looks like a stone. The grains and resins are added to it as a result of which it works as a designer stone.
Pros of quartz countertops:
Quartz has its advantages when used in countertops. Following lists of qualities and benefits of quartz will help you in making a decision.
- Strength
- Variety
- Durability
- Not porous
- Low maintenance
- Cost
Strength:
Quartz is tested for strength based on the material from which it is made. Quartz is a naturally abundant element on earth. When it is made synthetically, usually 93% of it contains raw quartz and around 7% constitutes the added resins in it. This combination provides it with the strength which is required to withstand the weather conditions.
Variety:
There is versatility in the quality of quartz countertops. Its various looks are supposed to give versatile outlooks. The variety in its grains is what defines actual quartz. The resins are usually responsible for giving different shades to it. Engineered quartz comes in various stone looks. Therefore, it gives a contemporary look to your kitchen.
Durability:
Quartz is made synthetically with chemical-resistant properties in it. This property makes it durable for kitchen countertops. Adding polymer resins makes it stronger, more durable, and tougher. Its durability may not be like marble or granite, but it runs for a good amount of time.
Not porous:
Firstly, a quartz countertop’s nonporous surface lessens the risk of bacteria growth. Secondly, its chemical-resistant property makes it environmentally healthy to use. It is engineered this way in order to serve the purpose.
Low maintenance:
As it is nonporous that is why quartz does not require that much frequent cleaning. You may not worry about its seal or color or even texture. It’s that easy to maintain. It requires less care than other stones. If you think you are lazy about cleaning then go for quartz countertops.
Cost:
Depending on the quality of the material, the cost of quartz varies in this sense. The expected price of quartz may be from $100 to $200 per square foot. And if the engineering costs more, then obviously the cost also increases.
Cons of quartz countertops:
While we are discussing the pros of quartz countertops, there are a few of the cons also that you need to consider. Here are a few of the cons you should be aware of:
- Low heat resistance
- Not suitable for outdoor
- Engineered appearance
- Size limitations
Low heat resistance:
Quartz is resistant to heat but less than granite or much less than marble. The polymer resins in quartz make it stronger but weak for heat resistance. Polymers have only a 150-degree threshold of resistance. For countertops, a temperature of at least 300 degrees is required. Therefore, quartz may not be the best choice for your kitchen.
Not suitable for outdoor:
As it is less resistant to heat, as a result, quartz is not suitable for outdoor purposes at all. If your countertop directly faces the sunlight, it might not work for you. Stain resistance is a prime advantage of quartz, but heat resistance is not among them. Outdoor weather can damage its nonporous surface.
Engineered appearance:
Quartz cannot simply be compared to other natural stones, since it is made synthetically. Though it comes from a natural material, it does not have a natural texture. Engineered quartz has a synthetic or artificial look in it. The appeal wears off after a very limited time.
Size limitation:
The quartz countertop slabs have a limited size. There is a limit to the length of quartz countertops, but quartz comes in a limited variety of sizes. Standard quartzite slabs are 65.5 inches wide and 132 inches long which is less than what a countertop requires.
Conclusion:
Whenever you compare quartz countertops, make sure you consider your own preferences. Even so, pros appear to outweigh cons, but it is still important to carefully consider everything. For indoor use, quartz is very stylish, durable, and has various designs. Its low maintenance also makes it applicable. Consider what is best for you long-term.
