In a hardworking space like the kitchen, your countertops must be durable, good-looking, and easy to maintain. While other countertop materials like porcelain and natural stone have their positive points, quartz countertops practically have them all beat. Read on to find out if this countertop material is for you…
Quartz Countertops Basics
Quartz is a hard, manmade material primarily used in kitchens and bathrooms.
It's an agglomerate (mixture) of stone-like materials combined with resins before it gets pressed into sheets. These stone-like materials make quartz countertops solid and durable with the lack of porosity needed for the heavy demands of cooking. Some manufacturers also combine antibacterial substances.
One significant benefit of quartz vs. natural stone is that quartz doesn't need to be sealed as its resins are the sealant. Additionally, very few imperfections show because of the controlled manufacturing. Well-known quartz countertop brand names include Caesarstone, Cambria, Silestone, and Vadara (my personal fav!)
Benefits of Quartz Countertops
Attractive: For many homeowners, the primary benefit of quartz countertops is the natural luster. Unlike laminate, quartz has a dimensional appearance, very similar to the look of natural stone.
Hardness: Quartz is very hard, making it a fantastic work surface. Laminate doesn't even come close to quartz in this area due to the particleboard wood base layer.
Virtually No Imperfections: Granite is a natural material, harvested straight from the earth and sliced into sheets, and because it's naturally formed, it's expected that the slab will have imperfections. Also, installers have a much easier time working with quartz because it is a predictable material which results in less wasted product.
Quartz Countertop Cost
Quartz countertops can be pricey, even compared to other higher-cost alternatives like natural slab granite. You can expect prices to begin at $60 and $100 per square foot for high-quality brands. Although quartz has a higher initial cost, it is usually balanced because quartz will last for years longer than other materials. Additionally, quartz countertops generally bring in higher resale values.
There you have it! Interested in quartz countertops? Connect with Spaces by Juliana today to get the absolute best options for your space!