When you’re considering countertop materials, you have many options to choose from. Natural quartz is a stunning, low maintenance material that is perfect for bathroom and kitchen countertops.
Lesher Natural Stone, Quartz, & Tile has a large selection of quartz surfaces that we can customize to your specifications.
When we talk about quartz in regards to countertops we are referring to man-made stone, also known as engineered stone products, such as Caesarstone and Cambria and not the mineral quartz. These engineered stones are made with crushed quartz (the mineral) that is held together with a resin. Since quartz is a man-made product it comes available in colors like bright reds, blues, and greens, that one wouldn’t find in natural stone. This makes quartz a unique option for your kitchen or bathroom. Many quartz companies also try to duplicate the natural look of stone with movement, veining and color.
Because they have such a stunning appearance and many functional benefits, quartz countertops help to increase your home’s market value. For this reason, they can be an ideal choice if you ever plan on selling your home.
Since quartz is held together by a resin it can be damaged by heat. This damage cannot be fixed, therefore a trivet should be used when placing hot pots and pans on your quartz counter. Quartz can also be scratched. A cutting board should be used and care should be taken when moving rough surfaces over your quartz counter.
Despite the fact that it is man-made, quartz has irregularities in minerals that are used to produce it. You may see large chunks of a mineral that seem out of place and sometimes these minerals are a color that might not seem like it belongs in the product, these abnormalities are a part of the product.
Quartz, like natural stone, is not perfectly smooth, you may see and feel imperfections in the surface. Like natural stone, these imperfections do not imply that the quartz is damaged or inferior but are natural occurrences.
Quartz has very little upkeep, and regular cleaning can be as simple as a quick wipe down with a damp cloth or paper towel. If a little extra cleaning is needed, warm water with a little soap, granite cleaner or most all-purpose cleaners work well. We simply recommend no highly abrasive, citrus or caustic cleaners.
Several quartz manufacturers recommend Simple Green, especially for their matte, suede, and leather quartz finishes. If you like to make your own cleaning products, the recipe for our simple homemade natural stone cleaner, which also works well on quartz, is on our blog.
Quartz is a non-porous surface due to the resin holding it together and therefore does not need to be sealed!
With proper care, your quartz should never need to be repolished. However, in the rare case that your quartz would need repolishing, we highly recommend that you use a professional, such as your granite fabricator. Because of the resin in quartz, it is very difficult to polish on site as this would mean dry polishing the quartz (polishing without water), which can lead to burning the resin.
Quartz and granite are two of the most popular countertop materials. Both come in a variety of color and pattern options. Because quartz is an engineered stone product, its appearance can be customized for a faster selection process. Granite, on the other hand, is 100% natural stone, so you have to wait to find the right piece that matches your design and color scheme.
Both materials require regular maintenance to keep them in excellent condition. The main difference is that granite needs to be resealed regularly while quartz does not. The reason is that granite is more porous than quartz. Quartz is engineered with resin, which makes it non-porous and stain-resistant.
Granite and quartz are both durable materials that offer strength and resilience. However, quartz is slightly softer than granite. Quartz countertops can be more prone to scratches, and the resin composition increases the risk of damage from hot pots and pans.
Quartz and granite are comparable in terms of cost, so the decision between the two materials ultimately comes down to your personal preference. If you prefer 100% natural stone and don’t mind putting in the extra level of care it requires, then granite may be a good option for you. But if the natural stone look is not your priority and engineered stone works just as well for you, then quartz is an excellent choice.
Pricing for quartz has quite a range but it is important to factor in the kitchen design and size as well. Countertops made with a base price quartz, say Q Quartz Almond Rocca, but complex in design could end up costing just as much as countertops made out of more high-end quartz but in a simplistic kitchen.
With that in mind, your base price quartz can start as low as $60 per square foot installed and go up from there. To get a true idea of pricing for your countertops you should contact us either through our free estimate page or by stopping by our showroom to get a free quote.
Whether you’re redoing your kitchen or working on a new build, any home or business construction project needs the perfect countertops to be complete. At Lesher Natural Stone, Quartz, & Tile, we have a vast inventory of countertop materials that we can customize and install to meet all your needs.
To find out more about how our team can help you find the perfect countertop solutions for your unique space, give us a call at 717-944-4431.
With high quality products and considerate service, we will work together with you to enhance your business and improve the efficiency. Please don't hesitate to contact us to get more details of Quartz Stone Manufacturer, Custom Artificial Quartz Stone.