What are the advantages of quartz kitchen countertops compared to marble and granite? What is the installation cost of quartz countertops? What are the disadvantages of quartz surfaces?
Choosing a kitchen countertop today is much more complicated than in previous years. There is a wide range of materials available, varying in quality and price, making it challenging to make the right choice. If stone is an appealing option for you, quartz countertops may represent the most optimal solution.
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Quartz is an excellent choice and offers certain advantages compared to other stone countertops such as marble and granite. However, when it comes to stone, including quartz, prices are not necessarily a strong suit, as other types of countertops are much more affordable.
Composition and Versatility
It’s worth noting that quartz countertops are not entirely natural materials. They are created by mixing approximately 93% ground stone with about 7% binding resins and pigments. While this means they lack the complete naturalness of marble and granite, it also provides certain advantages.
Since they are manufactured rather than cut from natural stone, quartz countertops can be crafted into different shapes. Besides kitchen countertops, quartz can also be used for bathroom fixtures, such as sinks.
Additionally, quartz is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. It’s highly resistant to mechanical damage, making it suitable for flooring and staircases as well.
Stain Resistance and Maintenance
One significant advantage of quartz, compared to marble and granite, is its resistance to staining. The presence of binding materials makes quartz less prone to absorbing liquids, so stains from coffee or wine don’t linger on quartz countertops, unlike natural stone.
This property also makes it much easier to maintain a sterile surface, as bacteria or viruses are less likely to penetrate and linger on quartz countertops. Cleaning is as simple as wiping with a damp cloth, optionally using a cleaning solution or disinfectant as needed.
Customization and Color Options
The manufacturing process of quartz, which involves mixing stone powder with binding resins and pigments, allows for choosing desired colors. Virtually all shades are possible, with some manufacturers offering quartz that mimics marble, complete with veins and characteristic irregularities.
Of course, there are some disadvantages to quartz. While its resistance to chemicals is better than marble and granite due to binding resins, it’s not as resistant to high temperatures, so it’s best to avoid placing hot kitchenware directly on quartz countertops.
Cost Considerations
Despite not being a natural material, the production process for quartz is complex, making it challenging to find high-quality quartz countertops priced lower than $200 per square meter. For outfitting an entire kitchen, this cost is not negligible.
The cost advantage of quartz over marble and granite is most significant when considering large slab sizes, as the price of natural stone increases rapidly in such cases.
Photo: ColorQuartz Surfaces