One of the most popular options for stone counters today is quartz. Quartz counters reside somewhere between natural stone and synthetic counters as they are artificially made with natural stones. A quartz counter looks and feels much like a natural stone counter, and in many aspects, it is one. Keep reading to learn about the pros and cons of quartz countertops.
The Pros: Attractive, Durable, and Hard
There’s a reason why quartz keeps growing in popularity. It’s because it’s a great material. Both in terms of appearance and functionality, quartz tends to outclass a lot of other options. Here’s why:
- It’s beautiful and diverse. Because quartz counters are artificially made, they’re made in a lot of different colors. You can find an extremely beautiful quartz counter in pretty much any color you want, which also means that you’ll be able to match any kitchen that you’re designing. The ability to easily match the counter to the design is one reason that many designers will go with engineered materials. Natural stones tend to be the “star,” and the kitchen must be planned around them.
- It’s extremely durable. In fact, quartz is one of the most durable countertop materials available. Quartz is extremely resistant to acids and physical damage, as well as being moderately resistant to heat. Because it’s so durable, it’s also very low maintenance. If you want a counter that you’ll be able to use frequently but won’t need to “babysit,” quartz is perfect for you.
- It doesn’t need to be sealed. Quartz, like many engineered products, is nonporous. Granite and marble both need to be sealed because otherwise they can be more easily stained. More and more, this is becoming less of a consideration as permanent sealing options are discovered. But today, quartz is going to be a lot lower maintenance because you won’t have to seal it or worry about stains.
As you can see, quartz’s primary advantages are that it has a large spectrum of appearances and that it’s durable and low maintenance. But there are some downsides too.
The Cons: Expensive, Modern, and Less Heat Resistant
Why wouldn’t someone choose quartz? It’s a very solid overall material, but there still are some notable cons:
- It’s going to be costly. Quartz counters are about on par with marble counters or granite counters, depending on the type of counter you’re looking for as well as the installation. For many, that’s too much to pay for an engineered material. But there are a lot of benefits when it comes to quartz that should be considered, especially if the installation is something long term (such as a “forever home”).
- It’s fairly modern. In other words, quartz has a very contemporary look. It doesn’t generally have the variation or the look of other natural stones. Because of that, it doesn’t fit in with some properties, and it may not completely suit your style. But there are many colors and patterns available.
- It’s less heat resistant. Compared to many other natural stones, quartz is more likely to fracture or otherwise react to heat. Because of this, you might want to be cautious if you’re the type of person to put a pan from the stove directly on top of your counter. At minimum, you should invest in some boards.
- It has seams. If you’re looking at a seamless material like granite, you may be disappointed with the seams that are going to show up on quartz. However, the seams are usually so small that most people don’t even notice them.
For many, these aren’t going to be very concerning. Those who want a modern look, for instance, and don’t care about seams are going to still pay about as much for a quartz counter as they would for a natural stone counter.
Is Quartz Right for Your Counter?
It really depends. At the end of the day, quartz, marble, and granite all have very similar durability levels and physical properties, even if one might be a little better at something than the other.
It’s because of this that most people are going to end up choosing their counter material based on attractiveness. And the best thing to do in that case is to take a look in person.
Stop by Wholesale Granite Direct today to find out more. We have showcases in Arlington, Granbury, and Richardson, and we install quartz countertops throughout Dallas/Fort Worth. Contact us today to learn more.
