It seems today that stone countertops is now the standard for kitchens. Any home with laminate countertops these days won’t be able to get top dollar when reselling their home, and any new home being sold will almost always have some sort of stone. One of the most sought after, and questioned countertop materials is Quartz. Here is everything you need to know to see if it is the countertop material for your home.
What is it?
Engineered quartz is a man-made product. It is around 90% ground quartz mineral and around a 10% mix of resin, polymer and color pigment. This is the ability for quarts to take on many different color pallets and unique patterns to match any kitchen.
How much is it?
Engineered Quartz doesn’t have just one set price. There are many factors: location, quality, color, manufacturer, thickness and installation. If extra features are added, such as holes drilled for the faucet and a waterfall edge, the cost will only go up. It is, however, on average, cheaper than natural stone! On average in the U.S. it is between $50/ft to $75/ft installed. The cost range is due to all the variables listed above.
Pros
There are a lot of pros for quartz countertops! Here are just a few:
Wide variety of color options
Since quartz is engineered, any color pigment can be added to create the best color pallet for your kitchen. There are options of having a solid color, added speckles and even veining that imitates natural stone.
Durability
It is an extremely durable substance, resistant to chipping and chemicals. It is also non porous which means it is stain resistant.
Long lasting
The longevity of Quartz is so good, many manufactures will offer 10 to 15 year warranties! With easy maintenance, quartz will last much longer than the warranty too.
Cons
Feels cookie cutter
Some people mew view quartz as a knock-off and generic. Since it is cheaper and still acceptable as an updated countertop, many new builds will choose quartz over a natural stone.
Visible seams
Since every countertop is made by hand, there is no way to match up patterns, since they aren’t naturally occurring and can’t come from the same “slab”.
Can’t handle the heat
One of the biggest downsides to quartz is that it isn’t heat resistant. This means hot pots and pans will always need to be placed on something to protect your countertop.
