![]() It’s not suitable for outdoor installation, as the sun’s UV rays can break down the resin binders and degrade the countertop, leading to fading and eventual warping. If you’re planning a backyard kitchen, steer clear of quartz altogether. For a mid-size kitchen, you can easily spend a few thousand dollars for quartz. ft., installed, comparable to the price of natural stone countertops. ![]() While a preformed or laminate countertop will set you back a few hundred dollars, quartz countertops cost between $70 to $100 per sq. The biggest downside to quartz, however, is cost. Messes should be cleaned up quickly to best preserve quartz countertops’ original color. And while quartz does resist staining because liquids can’t penetrate its surface, it’s not 100 percent stain-proof. But “thermal shock” can result from placing a hot pan straight from the oven or stovetop onto a cold quartz countertop, which can lead to cracking or discoloring. Manufacturers market quartz as able to withstand temperatures up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (one reason it works well as fireplace surrounds). Quartz also resists heat damage-up to a point. Thanks to its non-porous nature, quartz is mold-, stain-, and mildew-resistant, making it a breeze to keep not merely clean but also germ- and bacteria-free. Photo: Zillow Digs home in Milpitas, CA What Are the Pros and Cons of Quartz? Mined from large stone quarries and cut into solid slabs, quartzite is also available for countertops-but, unlike quartz, it must be sealed before use and again once or twice a year thereafter. Quartz is engineered with pigments and resins, while quartzite is actually sandstone that, through natural metamorphosis, was exposed to intense heat, which caused it to solidify. Marble, in comparison, ranks only a “3.”Ī note to homeowners in the market to remodel: When exploring countertop options, make sure not to confuse quartz with quartzite. Quartz also resists scratching and cracking to a greater degree than many natural countertops, ranking a “7” in hardness on the Moh’s scale (developed in 1822 by Friedrich Moh to rate mineral hardness). Quartz contains 90 to 94 percent ground quartz and 6 to 10 percent polymer resins and pigments, combined to produce a granite-hard slab that can duplicate the look of mesmerizing marble swirls or earthy natural stone, without the maintenance. Not only will you appreciate the look of quartz, you’ll find it remarkably easy to maintain-unlike marble and natural stone, which require a special sealant and can be finicky to care for. With an abundance of finish choices and endless combinations of color and edge styles, you’ll likely find something stunning that suits your home. Cutting-edge improvements in solid-surface technology have elevated quartz from functional to fabulous. While the resins added just enough flexibility to do the trick, early quartz countertops were a dull-looking cream and tan. But quartz has come a long way! First appearing in Italy in the 1960s, these countertops were developed-by combining ground quartz particles with resins into a slab-as an alternative to stone that wouldn’t easily crack or break. ![]() A visit to a kitchen showroom nowadays will show you a dazzling array of quartz countertop designs and patterns that remarkably mimic real marble and other natural stone.
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