Quartz Countertops: All You Need to Know

kitchen Countertops must be durable, sturdy, easy-cleaning, and, of course, beautiful. Thus, quartz countertops have become a popular choice in recent years. How does quartz become a top contender for countertops? What are the pros and cons of a quartz countertop? What are the things to look for when buying a quartz countertop? And what other uses are there for quartz? Here in this blog, we will have all these questions answered. If you are thinking of getting some quartz slabs for your home decor, this is the guide that you cannot miss. Read on and learn more!  

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Content

What is Quartz?

Quartz stone is an engineered stone comprised of more than 90% natural quartz grits, 7-10% resins, polymers, and pigments. Quartz slab manufacturing includes the following procedures - color sorting, material mixing & stirring, compressing, curing, and polishing. Every step of manufacturing makes quartz a premium choice for countertops.

*Some people may be confused about quartz countertops and quartzite countertops. There is one major difference between the two materials: quartzite is a natural material, whereas quartz is synthetic.

Quartz Countertop Pros & Cons

Loved by people worldwide, quartz countertops do have some outstanding advantages. However, there are always two sides to every story, so there are also disadvantages. You should weigh the pros and cons of quartz countertops if you are considering them.

The following is a brief list of the pros and cons of quartz countertops. With these features in mind, you may be able to decide if this engineered stone is the right choice for your home.

Pros:

• Quartz countertop is sturdy and durable, making it suitable for frequent use as a countertop.

• Quartz countertop is non-porous and stain-resistant for a long-lasting clean surface.

• Quartz countertop comes in a wide range of colors and vein patterns for a stylish look.

• Quartz countertop is easy to clean and maintain with soap, water, and a soft cloth.

• Quartz countertop is manufactured with strict procedures, so it features fewer imperfections than natural stone.

Cons:

• Quartz countertop can be costly, ranging from $60 to $150 per square foot.

• Quartz countertop is not heat-resistant, so you may not put hot pans right on top.

• Quartz countertop needs to be installed by professionals as it is heavy.

Quartz Countertop Buying Guide

- Find a matching color

There are countless colors available for quartz counters. Based on the type of decor in the room, you should choose colors and veins accordingly. Using countertops as accents in a room is fine, but they shouldn't take over. With the right color, the countertop would complement the overall room design for a harmonious style.

Calacatta quartz is an excellent choice for a marble-like natural look, as it can match different interior decor styles.

- Choose the right thickness

You may think that choosing the thickness of your countertop is just a small detail. As a matter of fact, the thickness affects the durability, aesthetics, and cost of installing your countertop. The most common thicknesses of quartz countertops are 1.5 cm (19/32 in), 2 cm (25/32 in), and 3 cm (1 13/16 in). Choose a countertop thickness from the range provided for optimal appearance and durability.

- Try some stain tests

As we mentioned above, one of the benefits of a quartz countertop is stain resistance. Ask for a sample and make some stain tests on the sample slab to see how it performs. Spread some sauce on the surface for several minutes and use mild soap and cloth to clean it. It is worthwhile to note that testing how well it resists stains can save you a lot of trouble in the future.

- Smell it before buying it

Although quartz is a man-made stone, there should be no unusual odors. But for some nameless companies, the glue and resin used may contain harmful chemicals, resulting in health problems for your family. Feel the quartz countertop sample before purchasing it and ensure that it meets the standards of the industry. Some certificates for your reference: NSF, CE, SGS.

- Choose a trusted quartz brand

A credible manufacturer will prevent you from buying a substandard quartz slab for kitchen countertops. Here we have listed some well-known brands for quartz countertops for your reference. Get in touch with the following companies if you are interested in purchasing premium wholesale quartz countertops.

• OPPEIN Stone

Oppein Stone belongs to OPPEIN Home Group Inc. In , OPPEIN Stone was established to manufacture and sell quartz stone. Providing one-of-a-kind products and unparalleled service, Oppein Stone is a leading manufacturer of quartz stone slabs in China.

• Caesarstone

  If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Wholesale Quartz Slab.

Since , Caesarstone has been manufacturing and marketing quartz surfaces for kitchen countertops, vanity tops, flooring, wall cladding, and general interior design.

• Silestone/Cosentino

Cosentino is one of the leading manufacturers of natural stone and architectural surfaces in the world. In , Cosentino created the brand Silestone specializing in home surfaces.

• Cambria

In , Cambria was founded, and the company produces engineered quartz surfaces primarily for kitchen countertops, a well-known local brand in the US.

Other Uses of Quartz

Quartz stone can be used not only in the kitchen but also in other rooms. Aside from being used as countertops, this man-made stone can also be utilized as wall cladding, flooring, and integrated sinks. Here are some beautiful quartz interiors we have collected. Check these out, and feel free to add some stunning quartz slabs to your home.

- Quartz in the Bathroom

Quartz stone is a non-porous material, making it an excellent choice for bathroom interiors. Quartz slabs provide easy-to-clean and luxurious surfaces in the bathroom, serving as quartz walls, quartz vanity tops, and quartz sinks.

- Quartz in the Living Room & Bedroom

With the quartz slab functioning as a large decorative wall, the room will be infused with an eye-catching contemporary texture. The stone veins add natural freshness to create a peaceful, calming atmosphere for the residents.

- Commercial Uses

With such a stunning appearance, the quartz counter will make a gorgeous reception to welcome visitors to the company. And because of its durability, this material creates an enduring beauty. How nice to see such a luxurious counter at the entrance!                        

Quartz countertops are the most popular on the market today. They&#;ve edged out the former reigning king, granite, as the premium surface of choice for residential and commercial applications alike.

In this post, we&#;ll explore everything you need to know about quartz countertops, including why they&#;re so highly sought-after.

What Are Quartz Countertops?

Pictured: Fresh Concrete

Quartz countertops are engineered stone surfaces. They combine the best of natural stone with modern manufacturing processes. This results in a surface that&#;s comparable (and often superior) in beauty to granite and marble while offering greater durability.

How Are Quartz Counters Made?

At Caesarstone, we produce quartz countertops using roughly 90% loose quartz. The rest is resins and pigments. We mix and blend these materials before molding them into slabs of 120 x 57 inches. From there, we apply 100 tons of pressure to the slab via a vacuum and vibration process.

We then cure the slabs, polish them, and check for quality before labeling them appropriately.

This differs drastically from the manufacturing process for natural stone countertops. For these, manufacturers cut large blocks of stone and then cut them into slabs.

This process offers manufacturers less flexibility to change how the natural stone looks or overcome its shortfalls as we at Caesarstone can with quartz.

Quartz Countertops Pros and Cons

Benefits of Quartz Countertops

Greater Versatility

Pictured: Calacata Nuvo

The resins and pigments that we use to manufacture quartz countertops achieve a number of things. Among the most impressive is the wide range of appearances quartz counters come in.

You can find quartz resembling materials such as porcelain, granite, marble, and concrete. Some of the best quartz countertops, however, come in designs unique to the format itself.

Unmatched Durability

There are certain aspects of other countertop materials that rival quartz. Few materials, for example, compare to granite in terms of heat resistance. Caesarstone countertops, however, are the best for all-around durability.

You see, while granite (and most other stone products, including marble, quartzite, and concrete) is virtually impossible to damage with heat, it falters in one key area: porousness.

Stone countertops stain very easily and require regular resealing. This proves quite costly in the long run.

Caesarstone countertops, on the other hand, require no maintenance. They&#;re essentially life-proof too, offering more resistance to heat, cracking, chipping, etc, than you&#;ll ever need for indoor use.

Quartz Kitchen Countertops Increase Home Value

Pictured: Symphony Grey

Because quartz kitchen countertops are the most desirable on the market, they increase your home&#;s resale value. This (along with a lack of maintenance requirements) offsets the fact that quartz countertops prices in Canada typically exceed that of most other materials. Homeowners who think long-term value instead of merely upfront costs reap this benefit in spades upon reselling their properties.

They Feel More Inviting

One common complaint people have about natural stone countertops is that they feel hard and cold. This is because materials like granite actively extract heat from their surroundings. This can be quite unpleasant in countries like Canada, which experiences freezing temperatures for much of the year.

One of the key benefits of quartz countertops is that they feel substantial yet not uninvitingly hard or cold.

Downsides of Quartz Countertops

Quartz Countertops Prices Can Be High

It&#;s no secret that quartz countertop prices exceed those of laminate and a few types of natural stone. But quartz is also better than all other types of countertops. It&#;s more durable, requires no maintenance, looks better, and retains more value.

In other words, you get what you pay for. Considering this is quartz&#;s only real downside (which primarily exists if you&#;re focused on upfront costs), it&#;s still a no-brainer as far as materials go.

Quartz Countertops Cost

Pictured: Taj Royale

Quartz countertops cost roughly the same as granite. They start at $40 per square foot at the lower end and can climb beyond $100 per square foot.

All in (materials plus installation) you can expect to pay between $2,000 and $4,000. These quartz countertops prices for Canada are based on current estimates. Visit one of our Caesarstone locations for the most up-to-date information.

Trust Caesarstone for Quartz Countertops In Canada

Truth be told, not all quartz countertops are created equal. Some wholesale quartz is manufactured cheaply using subpar techniques.

At Caesarstone, we produce the highest-quality quartz countertops in Canada. Our surfaces don&#;t just keep up with kitchen trends &#; they set them. Our world-class team of designers and engineers is constantly working to create better and bolder surfaces.

Check out our kitchen design tool to start designing with our surfaces today.

Conclusion

Quartz is currently the most popular countertop material in Canada, and for good reason. Quartz surfaces offer greater durability, beauty, value retention, and overall quality. Whether you&#;re looking for a residential surface or one for commercial purposes, trust us at Caesarstone for all your quartz needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you clean quartz countertops?

To clean quartz countertops, simply use a washcloth, warm water, and non-acidic soap. This combination is perfect for daily cleaning as well as quick removal of spills as they happen.

How do you care for quartz countertops?

Aside from wiping the surface down regularly using non-acidic soap, you don&#;t really need to do much maintenance with quartz countertops. This differs drastically from natural stone countertops, which require resealing as often as twice annually.

How much do quartz countertops cost?

Quartz countertops cost between $40 and $70 per square foot. This is well worth it when you consider the many benefits of quartz, along with its lack of maintenance requirements.

How do you remove stains from quartz countertops?

If you&#;ve managed to stain quartz countertops, you&#;ll be relieved to know that the stain rarely goes beyond surface-deep. Avoid cleaning materials like bleach, nail polish remover, oven cleaner, or drain cleaner. Instead, use a mild detergent.

Is quartz better than granite?

Quartz is certainly better than granite. It offers greater stain resistance and better all-around durability. The key difference, however, is that quartz is not porous. It won&#;t stain as easily.

Which is more expensive &#; granite or quartz?

Granite and quartz cost roughly the same.

Can you put a hot pan on a quartz countertop?

We don&#;t recommend that you place a hot pan on quartz. Its heat resistance is sufficient for day to day normal use but placing a very hot pan on the surface will leave a mark.

Want more information on Custom Artificial Quartz Stone? Feel free to contact us.