8 Things You Don’t Know About Quartz Countertops

The kitchen countertop industry is constantly evolving. There are various countertops to choose from nowadays and for us homeowners, it has gotten tougher to pick a countertop that suits your needs. If this is something that you are eyeing to invest your money on, you should consider getting quartz kitchen countertops instead.

Getting a kitchen countertop made of quartz may as well be one of the best decisions you can make for your kitchen. Before we talk about the things you don’t know, let’s talk about the things you do know. For starters, before quartz countertops were a thing, it was marble and granite that dominated the market. Now, quartz is well on its way to being at the top.

More and more homes are being outfitted with quartz kitchen countertops for many reasons but one of them is that they are really trendy. A lot of people think they know everything about quartz kitchen countertops but in reality, they only know about the surface knowledge one needs to know about it. This includes the price and the colors.

As a countertop material, there’s more to quartz than meets the eye. It’s always worth looking into these unknown facts about our favorite countertop materials because they give us a glimpse of the magic and the work behind making a kitchen countertop. Since it’s your investment, you might as well dive deeper into the magic behind it.

Quartz kitchen countertops are no major investment. Learning more about this material and what makes it work will not only make you more knowledgeable, it will also make you a better owner as well. Let’s not delay it any further. Here are a few things you probably don’t know about quartz kitchen countertops.

The Origin Of Quartz

Technically speaking, all of the quartz we use all come from one source and one technique which is used to make the countertop. The origin of quartz countertops dates back as far as 1963 where it was developed by the Breton company in northeast Italy. The process they used to make the countertop is now processed under the Bretonstone trademark.

Well over 50 years since the foundation of the company, the  technique behind manufacturing quartz remains the same. Breton just gives the technology to licensed companies around the world. As such, all quartz countertops technically come from one source only. It’s amazing to see that it has been this way.

This fact only serves as a reminder that the technology that Breton has patented has been tried and tested again and again. It only serves as proof that quartz countertops are very durable and are here to stay for a really long time.

Quartz Is Pretty Common

Obviously, we’ve been mostly talking about quartz as a countertop material but don’t be mistaken though. Quartz is a fairly common material that has been used for many purposes for years now. In fact, quartz is often used as floors, walls, and many others. Again, this is a testament to the quality of quartz as a sturdy material.

There are many reasons why quartz is applied for various purposes and it’s that they are cheap, durable, and long-lasting. Why waste money on a marble surface when you can get the same quality when getting a quartz surface at a lesser price? As time moves forwards, we’ll likely see more and more quartz applications as well.

It’s Not In Competition With Natural Stone Countertops And Synthetic Countertops

The countertop industry is very competitive. There are so many types of materials to choose from that it often gets fierce between manufacturers. The common misconception is that quartz is in competition with natural stone countertops. That’s a huge fallacy. Moreover, they aren’t in competition with synthetic countertops as well.

Due to their unique make and structure, it’s safe to say that quartz countertops and other engineered stone countertops are in a league of their own. People consider these types of countertops as a unique new field that’s worth investing in and it’s easy to see why it’s so popular. We can expect engineered kitchen countertops to become more popular in the future.

Granite Became Cheaper Because Of Quartz

Now this is one of the most surprising things we’ve got to share with you. Due to its rapid rise in popularity, quartz has basically forced manufacturers to lower the price of their granite countertops. Mind you, granite countertops were the premium options decades ago. Now, they are right below quartz.

If you are able to buy granite countertops for a low price recently, then you have quartz to thank. Experts are expecting that the price of granite will continue to drop as the demand for it decreases and the demand for quartz increases. Don’t worry too much about quartz though as its price will remain the same regardless of how popular it becomes. 

Quartz Is Non-Porous

One of the most important qualities you need to look for when getting a countertop is porosity. When a countertop is porous, this means it has tiny holes that can absorb all sorts of liquids. This becomes a major problem as it could lead to serious staining problems if you leave colored liquid on the surface for a very long time.

Since quartz is engineered, the process already results in a non-porous countertop material. What this means is that the countertop will be more stain resistant. What’s even better is that you don’t have to spend money annually to have the countertop sealed as you would when you have a natural stone countertop.

Again, always look for countertops that are non-porous. These are the ones that are most easiest to care for. They require less maintenance and they are very easy to clean as well so it’s perfect for busy homeowners.

It’s Natural Stone

One of the common misconceptions about quartz countertops is that they are natural stones. In reality, though, quartz countertops are in a new category of countertops which are called engineered countertops. Basically, what this means is that engineered countertops are materials that are made from natural stone but aren’t directly cut from the slab.

Despite not being a pure natural stone as compared to granite and marble, quartz does have a lot of similarities with natural stone countertops. For starters, they look and feel just like a regular natural stone countertop. They are also durable as well which is why most people prefer this over natural countertops.

Engineered stone countertops also have their own downsides but none of them are too big to worry about. You should consider picking engineered stone countertops simply because they are a lot more useful and durable as compared to your standard natural stone selections.

Some Parts Of It Aren’t Quartz

If they aren’t pure natural quartz, then what is engineered quartz countertops made of? The truth is that they are made from crushed quartz crystals. These are then mixed binding resins to make the countertop more viable for the kitchen prep work and other kitchen duties. Exactly how much of a quartz kitchen countertop is not made of quartz?

At most, a quartz kitchen countertop is usually around 90% made of crushed quartz and the rest are the binding resins. It’s a good kitchen countertop that can be used for various purposes because of its versatility. Hopefully, you understand by now why it’s such a big deal for many kitchen countertop owners.

Quartz Countertop Pricing

One of the most important things you need to know about quartz is its pricing. Believe it or not, quartz countertops are some of the cheapest countertop materials money can buy. In total, you are looking to spend at least $100-$150 per square foot of a quartz countertop and that’s already a big deal considering how pricey other countertops are.

There are many reasons why quartz countertops are generally cheaper and that’s because they are basically not made from purely natural stone. They are easier to source as compared to marble and granite as well. Despite the price, quartz countertops never lack in their quality, and in fact, more people can attest to its great quality and feel.

As you can see, there’s more to quartz than meets the eye. It has a huge history and background behind it that’s always worth knowing. If you are planning on getting a kitchen countertop, you at least have more knowledge about it now. The secrets behind it are plenty but so long as you know these things, you are all set.

A quartz kitchen countertop is going to be one of the best investments you can make for your kitchen so make sure that you understand all of the responsibilities behind owning one. Hopefully, this article teaches you more about the quartz countertop to the point that you have a deeper appreciation for it as well.

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