Quartz countertops have become incredibly popular over the last decade. However, there are still a lot of details that people don’t know about them such as what is a quartz countertop made of, and how can a single material give you a massive variety of appearance options.
Quartz is a naturally occurring mineral found in the earth’s crust. Quartz countertops are a mixture of quartz and resin (a type of plastic). This combination of materials makes them strong and also provides a wide variety of options regarding appearance.
Here at JSB Home Solutions, we want to educate our customers on the benefits of quartz countertops. We encourage current and future homeowners to read on and dive into information on quartz countertops and why you should consider using them.
While quartz on its own is an incredibly common material, it’s important not to think of quartz countertops as a low-budget version of granite or marble. While the cost of quartz countertops can vary significantly based on the manufacturer, you can expect to spend between $60 and $100 per square foot.
There is a staggering variety of quartz countertops on the market. Do you want something with a solid, bright color? There’s a countertop for that. Do you want something that looks like terrazzo tile? Quartz countertops can deliver on that, as well. Are you looking for something with some glitter? You can get a quartz countertop like that, as well.
When most people think of quartz countertops, however, they think about something that looks like marble or granite. Quartz can be made to look like nearly any type of stone because its resin content allows for fewer seams in the final construction of your counters.
One of the most significant benefits of quartz countertops is that adding the resin binder makes them nonporous. Unlike granite countertops, where you have to apply a sealant at least once a year, quartz countertops allow you to avoid that chore altogether.
Because they are nonporous, quartz countertops are also easy to keep clean: mold, mildew, and bacteria can’t find their way in to cause stains and smells. All that is required to keep your quartz countertop clean is to apply soapy water.
While they may have similar names, and both materials include the mineral quartz, there are a few key differences between quartz and quartzite.
Quartzite countertops are made from a naturally occurring mixture of sandstone and quartz crystals. These materials are fused together with heat, pressure, and time. Quartzite countertops are a little more expensive than quartz and look more like granite. On the other hand, quartz countertops are a mixture of natural stone and resin: they are entirely manufactured in factories.
Granite countertops are mined directly from the earth and shipped all over the world to where they’ll ultimately be installed. Shipping as well as the fact that there are a limited number of granite mines can lead these countertops to have a high environmental impact. On the other hand, quartz countertops are made from the second most abundant material on earth. This allows a variety of manufacturers to create countertops out of leftover quartz that would otherwise have been discarded. If you’re looking for a way to reduce your environmental impact with quartz countertops, look for an eco-conscious manufacturer or one that manufactures its countertops entirely within the United States.
Whether you’re working on your kitchen or bathroom, JSB Home Solutions has been Canal Winchester’s trusted partner in home remodeling for more than 40 years. Let us help you Save Money and Remodeling Time (SMART.)
Call us at 614-245-2972 for your free in-home consultation and find out how much of a difference the SMART principle can make in your home.
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